Affinity Groups
Meditation
Peaceful Heart Sangha
Contact Chuck Fantz
Mindfulness meditation practice group in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.
A relaxed and delightful practice, rooted in loving kindness, and focused on bringing mindfulness to every moment and peace to all. When we have stillness, we can become aware of the beauty and peace in and around us and open our hearts to happiness and compassion.
Peaceful Heart Sangha meets Mondays in Scanland Hall from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. All are welcome. We have a free-will offering that is split 50/50 with UUFT. We plan to meet every Monday evening unless it is a holiday. Our 1 ½ hour practices include: Guided Meditation, Walking Meditation, Silent Sitting Meditation, Dharma Presentation and Dharma Sharing.
If you would like to join us or have questions about the practice, email Chuck at cfantz@gmail.com and he will tell you how to join the meditation sessions.
Dinners for Eight
What is Dinners for Eight? It’s enjoying good conversation and food. It’s spending social time with UU’s and friends. It’s building our community and having fun. Small groups meet in private homes or reserved rooms at UUFT for dinner. A volunteer host organizes the evening’s meal and coordinates the dishes that each of the guests brings.
Each month from September through May the master list of people signed-up for Dinners for Eight is reorganized so guests will meet and dine with a different group. Over time you will have lots of conversations with many different people and gain a new sense of belonging.
All UUFT members and friends of the Fellowship are welcome. You are expected to make attendance a priority on the third Saturday of each month. Of course all of us are busy people and may need to skip a month. Simply tell the D-4-8 Coordinator to plan for your absence.
A final list of the dinners for each month will be emailed to D-4-8 members a week to 10 days before the meals. The hosts will plan the menu. Hosts and guests will confirm with each other the dish they will bring. If a guest makes a last minute cancellation, they should contact the host and still expect to provide the food they volunteered to share. (Don’t wreck a meal by being a “no-show.”)
Please join Dinners for Eight. It’s good for you. It’s good for the UUFT Community.
The D-4-8 Coordinator needs your information:
(example)
Name(s): Richie and Bob McDaneld
Address: 5025 SW Brentwood Road, Topeka
Telephone: 785-230-1259 (R), 785-230-0822 (B)
Email: rmcdaneld@gmail.com bobmcdaneld@gmail.com
Food allergies or restrictions: none
Number of people (host and guests) you can accommodate: 8-10
Send your Dinners for Eight registration information to:
Richie McDaneld, 785-230-1259 or rmcdaneld@gmail.com
Dinners for All
During the summer months, June, July and August, everyone is invited to join in an outdoor potluck dinner held at member homes. No pre-registration is required. While Dinners for Eight are adults only activities, Dinners for All usually welcome children.
Typically, the host provides seating, a barbeque grill, and basic beverages. Guests bring meat (or alternative) for themselves, a beverage if desired, and a dish to share with others. Tableware may be provided by the host or it may be bring your own. See our monthly newsletter for details about each specific dinner.
Flint Hills CUUPS Chapter
In April 2024, the UUFT Board reviewed and approved establishing the Flint Hills Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) Chapter at UUFT, and the Chapter presented its first program on May 5th.
Mission Statement
We, the Flint Hills CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, honor and venerate the Earth and all its cycles. Our purpose is to provide a safe and open space to everyone who seeks a more harmonious interaction with all. We align with the UUA 7th principle; “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” We affirm the sanctity and validity of all the various Pagan and Earth-centered religions and philosophies and embrace greater knowledge and understanding.
Covenant
We humbly commit to the mission statement of UUFT, National CUUPS, and the principles and purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We live our faith by encouraging personal responsibility and integrity, diversity and compassion, competency, and the pursuit of education as we seek spiritual harmony.