Love Beyond Belief
Love Beyond Belief (LBB) is a church-wide initiative that enables everyone in the First Church community to make intentional, meaningful connections with others to deepen and expand their own spiritual journey.
Small groups are at the heart of Love Beyond Belief, providing safe spaces to nurture connection, insight, reflection and action guided by compassion. Through small group interaction, we lessen feelings of isolation, develop a deeper sense of who we are as individuals and learn how connection to others can become a spiritual experience and practice.
Join a new Love Beyond Belief Small Group
Connection as spiritual practice
Unitarian Universalists frequently share that they experience their spirituality through direct, personal engagement. We behold the mystery and wonder of the natural world, our relationships with others and moments of beauty and transcendence and understand these experiences as connection to something deeper or greater than ourselves.
This idea is especially well reflected in our 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Love Beyond Belief provides a powerful mechanism to help us create space in our lives to discover that sense of connection, and to walk that journey with others in mutually supportive relationships.
By sharing specific practices within small group gatherings, we make time to pause together and be fully present to listen to our hearts, as well as our minds, and to find our emotions alive within our bodies.
LOVE BEYOND BELIEF helps you . . .
- Make a large church smaller and more accessible through small group gatherings
- Build deeper connections with others as a spiritual practice
- Expand relationships within the church community among those with similar interests
- Create valuable pauses within the bustle of everyday life to facilitate moments of reverence and transcendence
- Tap into your heart, as well as head, to access a deeper spiritual consciousness
- Strengthen feelings of connection that can enhance awe, wonder and love of life
- Reach into the local community in shared acts of service
Small group experiences
Some groups share a particular spiritual interest and exploration while others enjoy attending theater together, watching films, cycling, playing bridge, cooking or gathering with those in the same geographic area. Others bring people together for yoga, painting, compassionate listening or to share their journey as single parents.
Individuals who wish to start a small group are asked to first attend the Connection as Spiritual Practice class offered quarterly through First Church. Those planning to participate in a small group are also encouraged to complete the class.
Each small group is . . .
- Led by trained facilitators
- Includes approximately 10 members
- Meets at least once a month
- Forms around affinity, interest, geographic locations or activity
- Encourages connection and deep listening
- Participates in group service activities
Join a new Love Beyond Belief Small Group
To learn more:
Visit:
Revthandeka.org/love-beyond-belief
Read:
LOVE BEYOND BELIEF:
Finding the Access Point to Spiritual Awareness
Thandeka 2018
The specific elements of the LBB approach were founded and developed by Reverend Dr. Thandeka. First Unitarian Church of Dallas is leading the way as the first to implement the process within an existing congregation.