Living a Public Life with Rev. David Carl Olson

Introducing Third Fridays—with Rev. David Carl Olson
“Living a Public Life”

Description:

UU Minister Rev. Chris Buice created a prayer in the style of the famous Prayer of St. Francis that draws on the recently adopted statement on UU Values:

Make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is indifference may we bring justice.
Where there is selfishness may we bring equity.
Where there is stagnation may we bring transformation.
Where there is homogeneity may we bring pluralism.
Where there is isolation may we bring interdependence.
Where there is greed may we bring generosity.
And where there is hatred may we bring love.
Make us instruments of your peace with love at the center of everything we do.

In social media posts, in newspaper columns and in TED talks—and even in pastoral conversations with ministers—people are sharing a deep sense of isolation and loneliness. This experience contradicts an article of our faith, that we are people of interdependence, and live lives of profound interconnection.

“Living a Public Life” will be a monthly series of workshops on building our interdependence to live our values in the public sphere. We will learn to do one-to-one relational meetings, will talk about the diverse cultures we inhabit, and discern the difference between the private lives of our families and the public life of a congregation like Shelter Rock. 

Tex Sample, in his book Micro Practices for Justice Ministry, speaks of interconnectedness. “This kind of mutuality builds an ethos—establishes healthy, faithful practices—and opens the door for emergent events of another and higher order.” Our “Living a Public Life” series will be about developing that ethos of mutuality.

Come join us on in the Art Gallery on the Third Friday of each month from October 2025 through March 2026 from 6:30pm-9:00pm, except for January 2026, which will be take place on the Fourth Friday. Please register here so we ensure we have enough food and drinks for everyone! 

Dates:

Friday, 10/17/25

Friday, 11/21/25

Friday, 12/19/25

Friday, 2/20/26

Friday, 3/20/26

Schedule of Events:

6:30pm - Complimentary Simple Supper
7:15pm - A moment of gratitude, reflection and song
7:30pm - Workshop with Rev. David Carl Olson

Feel free to contact Jamie Waloiwtz, Youth and Adult Faith Engagement Coordinator, if you have any questions: jwalowitz@uucsr.org; 516.472.2943