Discussion with Keynote Speaker Natalie Briscoe

Natalie Aguila Briscoe received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2000 where her focus was on learning and perception across the lifespan and her Master’s Degree in counseling and human development from the University of North Texas in 2002. She has amassed over a decade as a Religious Educator, serving congregations in the Southern and Pacific Western Regions. Natalie joined the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Congregational Life Staff in 2013, began serving as the Co-Lead of the Southern Region in 2018, and transitioned to the sole Lead of the Region in 2021. She is the recipient of the Norma Veridan Award for unique and outstanding service in Religious Education and the Ruth Clark Award for Excellence in Service to Unitarian Universalism. Natalie is a proud Queer Pinay woman whose ministry is to help congregations become the best institutional incarnation of Unitarian Universalism that they can be.

“Discovering Nonviolent Communication in the Magic Field” by Lilybet Wasson

Introduction to how the Magic Field can transform violent energy into compassionate energy.  Participants will have a better understanding of how the 4 Components of NVC and 2 Goals of NVC can bring healing to relationships.

Lilybet Wasson has been sharing NVC for 17 years. She has certification for the completion of 3 International Intensive NVC trainings in the past 3 years.  It is her belief that learning to recognize violence in our lives is important.  It is possible to live a more peaceful life, once we learn how to transform the violent energy we carry — into a compassionate energy.

“Voices of the Earth: Remembering Margot Adler”, by Jane Kittner 

Workshop will discuss the UU Wiccan High Priestess Margo Adler.  Participants will learn some of the earth chants and songs Adler taught.

Jane Kittner is a long-time UU, who served as music director at UU Waco for many years, helped to lead the women’s group, and has attended more than 20 SWUUW conferences.  At the 2005 conference, Margot Adler was the keynote speaker and lead a well-attended workshop teaching us pagan/earth centered chants. Jane still has her handouts.   It was transcendent!  Music and gardening with native plants are Jane’s major spiritual practices, and singing with others is part of that. 

“Kundalini Yoga: Nourishing the Tree of Life Within Us” by Kallie Hansen

Kundalini originates from the ancient wisdom of the Upanishads, a collection of ancient Sanskrit texts central to Hinduism.  They focus on spiritual knowledge.  In the Hindu tradition, Kundalini represents a divine dormant feminine energy, a power that lies at the very core of our being and consciousness, acting as a bridge to the divine realms.  Often visualized as a coiled serpent resting at the base of the spine, Kundalini symbolizes an immense potential and divine energy awaiting its awakening. The serpent symbol associated with Kundalini symbolizes rebirth, transformation, and the cyclic nature of the universe. Experience the practice of kundalini, a combination of breathwork, meditation and postures to connect the self to the surrounding nature.

“As a music therapist, I am drawn to kundalini yoga as it uniquely combines music and body to increase spiritual awareness. “

“Remembering the Gifts of the Woods” by Molly Hagan-Ward

What gifts are Earth trying to give us every day in the form of wild plants? We’ll learn specific wild plants you can find in your own environment and the benefits of foraging, even in small amounts. Reminding ourselves, we can call on the healing energies of a plant at any time once we’ve connected with it. In addition we’ll focus on the importance of natives, planting edibles just everywhere, and how to move away from the current modern grass lawn, and into the woods.

“My foraging switch was flipped on about 20 years ago, and since then I’ve been studying and learning how we can use all the plants that the Earth is trying to gift us with everyday. I’m currently a landscaper who helps people make the most of their landscape to create a healing and edible space. I still have so much to learn, but I truly feel called to be in service this way.”

“Spirit Doll Making” by Grace Valery Guignon

Make your own spirit doll.  I’ll bring all the materials and it’s a hodgepodge of intriguing, fabrics, textures  shells… And glue and wire. We start with nothing and end up with a beautiful little doll, a reminder of our brilliant spirit. .

“I started making dolls as a child and now that I have several Art Studios in my home and lots of materials,  It’s really easy for me, when I’m having feelings or trouble accepting something — to make a doll about it. I love sharing that technique with other artists – and non-artists – who want to just play- because it is just play.

Val was inspired by Clarice Pinola Estes who wrote:  “Women Who Run with the Wolves”, a 1992 book about reclaiming the fierce, healthy, instinctual, intuitive visionary attributes of the “wild woman” archetype.  Since that book came out Val has been using that inspiration in her teaching around the country, in local arts centers, and in her own studio.”

“Lavenders–A study of their spiritual, mental, emotional  components” by Darcy Truehan

This class is an interactive lecture-discussion physical workshop. You will learn about the many lavenders that are available. You will also learn the basics, you will make a body spray/ room spray.  Attendees will learn contraindications and valuable therapeutic as well as recreational uses of lavenders,  such as perfumes. This is also an opportunity to obtain an educational background on lavenders along with fun information that enhances your possible use of them.

A licensed massage therapist for thirty nine years, her main focus is on women’s issues and physical difficulties. She has been a Certified Essential Oil practitioner for sixteen years. With an Associates degree in Psychology. Darcy is a scholar of women’s studies, natural sciences, healing emotions, and a mental health survivor and advocate.  She is a twenty five year member of Nami (National Alliance on Mental Illness). She has been a student of life for seventy plus years and has  overcome many mental, emotional and physical difficulties.

“Art as a Spiritual Practice” by Wendi Bernau

“Art as a Spiritual Practice” is a contemplative meditation process that utilizes creative play with art materials to listen to the Divine with one’s own intuition and wisdom. This collage session will be a safe space where delight, wonder, and self-reflection are encouraged. No art skills necessary, just curiosity and a willingness to participate.

Wendi is a spiritual companion, coach, hypnotist, workshop facilitator and stage performer. She believes strongly in experiential learning and creates safe spaces for people to explore and discover; using improv, art, music, poetry, movement and other modalities in pursuit of introspective wisdom, communication skills, strategic visioning, and community-building.