Wellsprings Congregation

Rev. Lee ponders the question "What Would Jesus Do?" in today's message. Also included is a conversation with Rev. Doug Hagler

In today's podcast, Beth Monhollen tells us about Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, and how her actions have helped our faith tradition today.

Rev. Lee Paczulla takes us through a brief history of Unitarian Universalism, from the very beginnings of the once-separate belief systems on Unitarianism and Universalism, up through today when the two traditions are combined and practiced in new ways.

Today, Rev. Lee, with the help of a YouthSpirit friend, takes us through the activity of creating paper "fortune tellers," and sharing the results with one another.

Ministerial Intern, Beth Monhollen, takes us through the classic story Stone Soup, where a village comes together with small contributions to create a filling meal for all. Beth tells us how small actions we take now can help add to make big changes.

Lay preacher, Chris Chepel, takes us through the history of WellSprings, and invites us into an activity of constructing a WellSprings timeline.

Rev. Ken leads the congregation through an activity where we plant seeds. He discussed the importance of not knowing what the seeds are, but trusting that they will grow and bloom regardless.

Rev. Ken begins this week with remembering his father, who passed away last Fall. He shares with us a poem/song his father wrote called 'Tsuris," a Yiddish word equating to "stress." He tells us about his father's experiences in the Korean war, and how traumatic they must have been. We are invited to listen to a poem quietly, and consider the busy nature of our lives, and whether that's serving us. He shares a story about another veteran recounting his war experiences at the end of his life, and dedicates the lessons learned from that story to his late father.

This week, Beth Monhollen talks to us about a Brene Brown blog post about a "midlife unravelling" that became very meaningful in her life in 2018. She tells us about how she changed career paths after being very well established in a different field, and what those feelings were like. During this time, she looked to her husband, who had undergone a midlife unravelling of his own as well.

Today, lay preacher Josie Waldman talks to us about how "The Great Resignation" affected her, just as she was beginning down a new path in her life.

Rev. Lee begins this sleepy DST morning by reading to us. She reads a story about a leaky faucet, and how the way the leak grew larger felt like a symbol of a person breaking down. She talks about how this feeling might have added to what experts are calling "The Great Resignation." She also leads us through a talking/journaling activity.

This message by Rev. Ken is the first in our new series, The Great Integration. He asks us to consider the ways in which we integrate and segregate things in our lives. He shares a story about a lesson he once learned by volunteering in a preschool; contemplates the differences between the two creation stories inn Genesis; and talks about the pros and cons of selecting your top 25 Beatles songs.

This week, Ministerial Intern, Beth Monhollen spends some time speaking with fellow seminary school students. They talk a bit about the work they hope to accomplish in their communities as Unitarian Universalist ministers.

Today, Rev. Ken speaks with Kate Parsons, PCC, CRS - Leadership and Recovery Coach and founder of The Brightening Center. They both discuss their own recovery journeys, and also offer some options for anyone who may be considering recovery for themselves.

WellSprings Sermon Studio

For this week's message, Rev. Lee is joined by  Nina Guzmán, Executive Director of Alianzas De Phoenixville & Rachel Rutter, Executive Director of Project Libertad.

In today's message, Rev. Lee spends some time speaking with Nydia Graves (they/them), a community organizer and activist based out of Coatesville, PA. Nydia has been working for years to help support their community in a variety of ways, up to and including holding an elected office position. They have wisdom and advice to share for all of us seeking to make our communities stronger, safer, and equitable for all.

In today's message, Rev. Ken talks about his decision to conclude his ministry at WellSprings in June. He tells us a bit about what it was like to found this congregation and to guide it through some tough times. He also tells us a little about what he hopes the future will hold.

Rev. Ken talks a bit about our typical New Year's ritual where we write down things we want to let go of, and release them into a fire. This year, he wants to try something a little different, and he walks us through a brief guided meditation where we look at our insecurities with compassion. He also invites us to participate in a different way.

Rodney begins this week's message by talking about the joy he feels when listening to music. He recounts a story of his typically-stern father making space for joy in his life too. After telling us about an experience where he saw a procession of people heading to a church, he shares a list of songs that make him feel joyful. Rodney is releasing a companion podcast to this one. You can listen to Rodney's Music Ministry podcast on this feed!