Testimonials
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“Soul Matters has helped me focus my worship services in a more in-depth and meaningful way, giving me a framework with beautiful and robust resource material. The resources are so deep and rich we keep finding new ways to incorporate them into all facets of congregational life… Soul Matters has profoundly shifted the way I approach worship and ministry. The more we use it, the more we love it.” - Rev. Sara LaWall, Minister, Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship "Every month Soul Matters gives us what we need to help make the soul of our church and the souls of our folks in the pews come alive and thrive! It's all here- resources for R.E, worship and small groups, music & visual art suggestions--all topped off with loads of support!" - Rev. Catherine Cullen, Minister, First Parish Church, Duxbury, Massachusetts "I can't say enough good things about Soul Matters. Last year, about half our adult small groups used the themes. Now, in our third year of using SM, we are going all in in RE land. We'll be using Crossing Paths with our Middies. Our High School youth report that their deepest discussions come out of the themes. Our early childhood staffer loves working with the preschool materials and I have had great success putting chapels together. I have found the resources to be wonderful and better every year." - Barb Friedland, DLRE, Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church/Louisville, Kentucky "As a DRE, I am very excited about Soul Matters thematic ministry because it gives our families a way to connect spiritually around the same topic. The resource packets are rich with activities and materials for all ages and abilities and are easily adaptable to different size groups and a variety of needs." - Julianne (Julie) Lewis, DRE, UU Congregation of Saratoga Springs, New York "The Soul Matters experience has not just given me a way to practice my spirituality. It has provided me with a deeper understanding of what it means to practice... Working through the exercises and sharing that experience in our small-group circle, teaches me the simple act of giving attention to what is here. I've learned to listen to my own life, as I listen deeply to the experiences of my group members." - Bay Waltman, Small Group Facilitator, UU Church at Washington Crossing, Titusville, NJ "Soul Matters have given access to a different understanding of spirituality that speaks to most of the congregation. People who were skeptical of the idea of themes are excited by the variety and depth that themes have brought to Sunday morning. Leaders involved with Sunday morning worship appreciate the materials and the opportunities we share together to create worship. Using the Soul Matters materials makes facilitation easy and rewarding for our facilitators. Plus, our children experience the same themes as the adults, adding to what families gain from Sundays." - Rev. Jonalu Johnstone, Minister,UU Fellowship of Manhattan, Kansas “I love the idea that so many of us are creating and sharing ways to present content related to our monthly discussion themes. I am moved by the videos, level of sharing and quality of resources offered. Thank you so much!” - Nancy Dale, Small Group Facilitator, Theodore Parker UU Church, West Roxbury, MA “Being apart of Soul Matters facilitators covenant group has been invaluable for me. I was able to experience in "living color" what the group experience can be. Rev Scott Tayler facilitated the groups and added important teaching and insights for us. As a clinical psychologist I have run many groups but the covenant group has important differences. I highly recommend this experience for new facilitators.” - Antoinette Saunders, Small Group Facilitator, Eliot Chapel of Kirkwood, Missouri “Soul Matters is a great way to connect. My learning comes when I least expect it. Soul Matters is a gift that keeps on giving.” - MJ Hansen, Small Group Facilitator, UU Church at Washington Crossing, Titusville, NJ "This year my husband and I are facilitating a new group of people and several have felt so engaged that they joined our UUCDC. The group has a variety of special challenges including one spouse with Alzheimer’s and this has deepened our connections and our feelings of sharing a sacred space… I always take away a deep sense of caring for these individuals through this rare opportunity to connect with former strangers on a deep and spiritual level." - Mary Kowalksi, Small Group Facilitator, UU Church of Delaware County in Media, PA “I have been facilitating an online Soul Matters group for nearly a year and we have not had one person leave. In fact, we have added two people to our group. Participants report that meeting virtually has not diminished the degree of intimacy and belonging shared by all. Two of our folks who are former members of the congregation and now live in other parts of the country are grateful for the chance to still be a part of the congregation through their participation in Soul Matters." -Mark Bernstein, Small Group Facilitator, UU Church of Delaware County in Media, PA "I think this is the best thing our church does." -Suzanne Clauser, Small Group Member, UU Church of Delaware County in Media, PA About Crossing Paths..."Crossing Paths is dynamic, detailed, and flexible. It is clearly made for the young people of today and meets them where they are at in terms of emotional and intellectual content. The lessons are fun and memorable, and we're so grateful to have access to this curriculum."
- Clare Fortune-Lad, DRE, UU Church of Haverhill, Haverhill, MA "Crossing Paths was a blessing. It allowed us to do true theme-based ministry while keeping with the well-loved Middle School tradition of visiting other faiths." - Ashley Johnson, Credentialed Educator, Columbine UU Church, Littleton, CO "I talked with one of my Crossing Paths leaders to check in about how it was going. He said he loves this curriculum and wishes it was a two year curriculum! I said it will be. And right at that moment he offered to teach again next year! Thank you!! I also got a chance to observe class and they were reviewing everything they learned so far and it was AMAZING how engaged these kids were and the memories they shared. It made my heart sing!" - Sadie Kahn-Greene, Director of Faith Formation, UU Church of Nashua, Nashua, NH |