Spiritual Growth

New Adult Faith Exploration Classes

Facilitated by Derik Robertson, Director of Faith Exploration
Sign up is required, please see each description for the sign up link.

Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, and our community offers many ways to explore, reflect, and deepen your connection to yourself and others. We invite you to find what nourishes your spirit.

Select any class/group below to find out when they meet and who you can contact for more information.

A Course in Miracles

A study group for students of A Course In Miracles: a complete self study spiritual thought system. See detailed info at acim.org.

This class meets every Monday at 10am in the Commons. Contact Peggy Marchesani if you’d like to join or for more information.

Let’s gather around the virtual campfire to share unique travel stories, celebrating diverse cultures, human connections, and the transformative power of exploration. Join us on a communal journey of shared experiences and new friendships.


They generally meet every 2nd Friday of the month at 7pm. (October, November in the Commons, January and February via Zoom, and March and April in the Commons). Contact Robin Taylor if you’d like to host an Armchair Travelers night, have questions, or would like to attend.

On the first Thursday of each month, October – May, explore new restaurants in Rochester. Learn about our local immigrant
restaurateurs, and enjoy the fellowship of other UU Foodies.


Contact Sandy MacLaughlin if you’d like to attend or for more information.

In Chalice Circles, we look within ourselves and find stories drawn from the wellsprings of our own lives using the “Soul Matters”
Curriculum. We bring forth stories of individual victories and defeats, personal fears and disappointments, private insights and concerns. Click the button below to join.

Contact Melissa Eggler if you have any questions.

Simple artistic or craft classes for members and friends of the congregation, led by church members or outside artists, with
materials possibly incurring an extra cost. Registration is required.

Classes are generally offered on the third Thursday of the month. Look on our Events page on this website for what is upcoming. Registration typically begins 1-2 weeks before the class. Registration links are located with the description on our Events page. Contact Melissa Eggler if you’d like to host a class of if you have any questions.

Feeling disconnected and seeking deeper connections and peace? Nonviolent Communication (NVC) offers methods to enhance empathy, de-escalate conflicts, and focus on basic needs for mutually beneficial solutions, providing hope for meaningful connections and conflict resolution.

This group meets the 2nd Sunday of each month (October – May) at 2pm in the Chapel. Contact Stephanie Evans-Hanson or Rose Mish if you are interested in joining or have questions.

We come together to explore our spiritual path through studying books, meditation, and energy practices.

This group meets the 1st Monday of each month at 6:30pm in the Hearth room. Contact Roxanne Schlasner for more information.

SoulCollage® is an expressive arts practice done individually or in community. Founded by Seena B. Frost, the method develops creativity and intuition, encourages self-discovery, and provides personal guidance. SoulCollage® meets you wherever you are on this journey called life. SoulCollage® happens on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 9am in the Commons. Contact Melissa Eggler for more information.

We select a variety of literature based on group suggestions. Our monthly book selections for the year will be confirmed, and we will arrange the schedule with hosts or discussion leaders from October to May. All are welcome to join anytime during the year.

This group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (September – May) in the Commons. They begin with snacks and refreshments at 6:30pm and then their book discussion begins at 7pm.

Contact Linda Thompson if you are interested or have questions.

These are the 2025-2026 book selections for the UU Book Club

  • Oct. 21:  Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (Schaffer)
  • Nov. 18: Foster by Claire Keegan
  • Dec. 16: The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
  • Jan.20: House in the Cerulean Sea (T.J. Klune)
  • Feb.17: How I Found Myself in the Midwest -Steve Grove a Memoir of Reinvention (S. Grove)
  • Mar.17:  True Biz (Sara Novic)  
  • Apr. 21: Black Cake (Charmaine Wilkerson)
  • May  19: The Island of Sea Women (Lisa See)  

Join a writing group to reflect on personal experiences, beliefs, and thoughts about UU. Share your writings with the group for attentive listening and optional feedback in a supportive environment. No writing experience needed; focus is on expressing feelings and thoughts related to UU.

This group meets the 3rd Saturday of the month at 10am in the Hearth room. Contact Jane Iddings or Debi Neville for more information.

Zen Buddhism centers on regular meditation as an expression of our true nature as human beings. We sit together for 30 minutes in silence. Then we chant the Heart Sutra, a short text that contains the essential teachings of Buddhism. Finally we read and discuss something that helps us to put a context to these teachings and make our own way. Our aim is to support each other in meditation practice, to question freely and to learn from each other. We are open to all. If you have any questions or would like some guidance about getting started please feel free to reach out. Led by Rev. Musho Darin Podulke-Smith.

They meet every Tuesday at 7pm in the Chapel. Contact Darin Podulke-Smith for more information or just drop by on Tuesday evening.

Do you or someone you know have something to teach or share that you think would make a great forum or listening session? Contact Rev. Luke at revluke@uurochmn.org to offer your idea.

Yoga With Natalie is a peaceful and rejuvenating Hatha yoga class led by Natalie Arend. This all-levels session is designed to help you connect breath with movement, promoting inner calm while building strength and flexibility. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, all are welcome!

This class is offered twice a month. on the 1st Thursday at 5:30pm in the Chapel and on the 3rd Tuesday at 9 am in the Chapel. Contact Natalie Arend for more information.

Spiritual Growth

New Adult Faith Exploration Classes

Facilitated by Derik Robertson, Director of Faith Exploration
Sign up is required, please see each description for the sign up link.

Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, and our community offers many ways to explore, reflect, and deepen your connection to yourself and others. We invite you to find what nourishes your spirit.

Select any class/group below to find out when they meet and who you can contact for more information.

A study group for students of A Course In Miracles: a complete self study spiritual thought system. See detailed info at acim.org

This class meets every Monday at 10am in the Commons. Contact Peggy Marchesani if you’d like to join or for more information.

Let’s gather around the virtual campfire to share unique travel stories, celebrating diverse cultures, human connections, and the transformative power of exploration. Join us on a communal journey of shared experiences and new friendships.

They generally meet every 2nd Friday of the month at 7pm. (October, November in the Commons, January and February via Zoom, and March and April in the Commons). Contact Robin Taylor if you’d like to host an Armchair Travelers night, have questions, or would like to attend.

On the first Thursday of each month, October – May, explore new restaurants in Rochester. Learn about our local immigrant
restaurateurs, and enjoy the fellowship of other UU Foodies.

Contact Sandy MacLaughlin if you’d like to attend or for more information. 

In Chalice Circles, we look within ourselves and find stories drawn from the wellsprings of our own lives using the “Soul Matters”
Curriculum. We bring forth stories of individual victories and defeats, personal fears and disappointments, private insights and concerns. Click the button below to join.

Contact Melissa Eggler if you have any questions.

Simple artistic or craft classes for members and friends of the congregation, led by church members or outside artists, with
materials possibly incurring an extra cost. Registration is required.

Classes are generally offered on the third Thursday of the month. Look on our Events page on this website for what is upcoming. Registration typically begins 1-2 weeks before the class. Registration links are located with the description on our Events page. Contact Melissa Eggler if you’d like to host a class of if you have any questions. 

Feeling disconnected and seeking deeper connections and peace? Nonviolent Communication (NVC) offers methods to enhance
empathy, de-escalate conflicts, and focus on basic needs for mutually beneficial solutions, providing hope for meaningful connections and conflict resolution.

This group meets the 2nd Sunday of each month (October – May) at 2pm in the Chapel. Contact Stephanie Evans-Hanson or Rose Mish if you are interested in joining or have questions.

We come together to explore our spiritual path through studying books, meditation, and energy practices.

This group meets the 1st Monday of each month at 6:30pm in the Hearth room. Contact Roxanne Schlasner for more information.

SoulCollage® is an expressive arts practice done individually or in community. Founded by Seena B. Frost, the method develops
creativity and intuition, encourages self-discovery, and provides personal guidance. SoulCollage® meets you wherever you are on
this journey called life.

SoulCollage® happens on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 9am in the Commons. Contact Melissa Eggler for more information.

We select a variety of literature based on group suggestions. Our monthly book selections for the year will be confirmed, and we will arrange the schedule with hosts or discussion leaders from October to May. All are welcome to join anytime during the year.

This group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (September – May) in the Commons. They begin with snacks and refreshments at 6:30pm and then their book discussion begins at 7pm.
Contact Linda Thompson if you are interested or have questions.

These are the 2025-2026 book selections for the UU Book Club

  • Oct. 21:  Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (Schaffer)
  • Nov. 18: Foster by Claire Keegan
  • Dec. 16: The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
  • Jan.20: House in the Cerulean Sea (T.J. Klune)
  • Feb.17: How I Found Myself in the Midwest -Steve Grove a Memoir of Reinvention (S. Grove)
  • Mar.17:  True Biz (Sara Novic)  
  • Apr. 21: Black Cake (Charmaine Wilkerson)
  • May  19: The Island of Sea Women (Lisa See)  

Join a writing group to reflect on personal experiences, beliefs, and thoughts about UU. Share your writings with the group for attentive listening and optional feedback in a supportive environment. No writing experience needed; focus is on expressing feelings and
thoughts related to UU.

This group meets the 3rd Saturday of the month at 10am in the Hearth room. Contact Jane Iddings or Debi Neville for more information.

 

Zen Buddhism centers on regular meditation as an expression of our true nature as human beings. We sit together for 30 minutes in silence. Then we chant the Heart Sutra, a short text that contains the essential teachings of Buddhism. Finally we read and discuss something that helps us to put a context to these teachings and make our own way. Our aim is to support each other in meditation practice, to question freely and to learn from each other. We are open to all. If you have any questions or would like some guidance about getting started please feel free to reach out. Led by Rev. Musho Darin Podulke-Smith.

They meet every Tuesday at 7pm in the Chapel. Contact Darin Podulke-Smith for more information or just drop by on Tuesday evening.

Do you or someone you know have something to teach or share that you think would make a great forum or listening session? Contact Rev. Luke at revluke@uurochmn.org to offer your idea.

Yoga With Natalie is a peaceful and rejuvenating Hatha yoga class led by Natalie Arend. This all-levels session is designed to help you connect breath with movement, promoting inner calm while building strength and flexibility. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, all are welcome!

This class is offered twice a month. on the 1st Thursday at 5:30pm in the Chapel and on the 3rd Tuesday at 9 am in the Chapel. Contact Natalie Arend for more information.