“What will you do with this one wild and precious life?” asks the poet Mary Oliver.
UU Wellspring™ is a 10-month program of distinctly Unitarian Universalist spiritual development designed to help participants answer that provocative question. Begun in 2005, the program celebrates the depth and breadth of our rich religious tradition.

The Five Spokes

UU Wellspring incorporates five elements designed to balance a knowledge of UU history/theology with personal spiritual practice and engagement with the world:

• A commitment to daily spiritual practice
• Participation in a small-group community
• Individual work with a spiritual director
• Readings and resources for knowledge and reflection
• Reflection and commitment to live out our values in the world

Watch an Introduction to Wellspring with Rev. Thomas Disrud:

Wellspring at First Unitarian

Each year, many members of our church participate in this amazing journey. Wellspring offers spiritual deepening within our Unitarian Universalist tradition, an opportunity for learning more about ourselves and our faith through a year-long small group experience. There are five interconnected components: commitment to a daily spiritual practice, monthly spiritual direction (self-reflection with a guide), small group meetings, reading about the theological and historical foundations of our faith, and putting our faith into action.

FAQs

What is the cost?

We typically ask for $100 for the 10-month program. This covers costs to the Wellspring organization. However, cost should not be a barrier. You may pay what you are able or full scholarships are available. Spiritual direction is suggested, but it is optional. If you choose to see a spiritual director scholoarships are also available. 

Do I need to be a member to do this?

We encourage you to be a member but it is not a formal requirement. The important thing is that you should be at a place where you know the church is your spiritual home. If you are still in discernment about that, it might be good to wait a year for Wellspring.

How much time does it take?

There are two group meetings per month for 2 hours each. In preparation for each session you need to set aside time for readings, generally not more than a couple of hours and usually a lot less. Finally, it is the time you devote to a daily spiritual practice—that’s at least a few minutes each day.

What does a session look like?

Each session begins with an opening reading and 10 minutes of silent meditation. That is followed by a check in about how your spiritual practice and work with a spiritual adviser is going. Next, the bulk of the time is about an hour to reflect on the readings and topic of the day. The last part of the meeting is dedicated to the “so what?” piece—what am I going to do with what I have learned?

If you are interested in participating in 2022/2023 please click here to register or if you have any questions, please contact us.