Compassionate Communication

"Our Unitarian Universalist history from the 60s shows us that it's not enough to want to be compassionate, to want to stand for justice. We have to learn how. We have to learn the skills to hear each other with compassion. Cognitive brain learns quickly. Limbic brain is slow and needs a lot of practice, and it's limbic brain that needs the training. There are weekend workshops that we could have here. We could create practice groups meeting monthly to gradually hone the skill of hearing each other with compassion. We can make that happen if we want to." (CUC Sermon, "Nonviolent Social Change." 2014 Jan 19.)

Rev. LoraKim Joyner now announces BOTH a workshop AND a practice group for learning and honing the skills of hearing each other with compassion -- essential skills if we are to stand for justice and be a positive force in the world.

Practice Group
Nurturing Nature: Saving Ourselves as We Save the World

This is a practice group open to the public and CUC members where we learn how to nurture our selves so that we can respond compassionately to those with whom we share this splendid earth. We will primarily focus on the principles and practices of Nonviolent Communication that help us develop our compassionate consciousness so that we can more easily embody compassion towards ourselves and others. Through our practices together we will grow in our ability to nurture our connections to ourselves, to friends, family members, other animals, and coworkers, and to nature as a whole. By coming together we augment our emotional, social, organizational, ecological, and transpecies intelligences.

The first practice group meets Sat Mar 29, noon at the Parsonage. This is a chance to get a jump start on CUC's involvement with Compassionate Communication, which will formally kick off with a workshop on Sat May 10. During practice session we will have silent meditation, teaching, exercises, sharing and discussion, journaling, and reading. This is chance to grow community and deepen our compassionate consciousness so we can better care for ourselves and others. Come in comfortable clothing, and bring something to write with and a journal (or something to write on).

This is a free offering by Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication, wildlife veterinarian, and Unitarian Universalist minister. Donations are gladly accepted so she can sustain her work in the world.

Please RSVP by going to:
http://www.meetup.com/Nurturing-Nature-Yours-and-the-Worlds/events/169654412/.

Workshop
Compassionate Communication: Nurturing Our Lives, Relationships, and World

Sat May 10
9:30am - 3:00pm
Community Unitarian Church
468 Rosedale Avenue
White Plains, NY

This workshop is open to anyone seeking more deeply meaningful and peaceful relationships.

Compassionate Communication, also known as Non-Violent Communication (NVC), is a transformative practice that enriches our relationship with ourselves and others. This workshop will give an overview of NVC as well as opportunities to practice dealing with conflict more effectively and nurture our spirits more fully.

Presenter: Rev. LoraKim Joyner, D.V.M., is a Unitarian Universalist minister now serving as a community minister in Multi-species Ministry and Compassionate Communication. Among her current positions, Rev. Joyner serves as Right Relations Consultant for the UU Metro NY District, is a Certified Trainer in NVC and works as an avian veterinarian in Latin American conservation.

Registration: Registration by Mon May 5 is required.
 Fee is $15.00 to cover costs (includes lunch).
 Send checks to:
 Jane Dixon
Compassionate Communication Workshop
468 Rosedale Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605.

For more information contact Jane at: jrdixon@optonline.net or 914-949-5919.

Flyer of this info (good for printing):
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bz4V0S2Af4cBXy1KcGc5RV80dUU/edit