Meadville Lombard Theological School

Spring billing / financial aid disbursements begin
2026-02-09

Wealth in a Post-Imperial Faith: Part One
2026-02-20 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
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Wealth in a Post-Imperial Faith: Part One

February 20
@
11:00 am
–
1:00 pm

Join the Global Connections Office at the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Leadership Institute for Growth, Healing, and Transformation at Meadville Lombard for this three-part series focusing on wealth in North American Unitarian Universalism. We’ll take a conversational approach to various topics including classism in North American U/Uism, charitable giving from congregations, church endowments, community partnerships, reconciliation, and reparations. The series will include presentation, discussion, and how-to’s of changing wealth practices with leaders across fields of ministry and philanthropy.
Part 1: Redefining Wealth: Embracing the Abundance of Pluralism
This panel will briefly review the colonial trappings of material wealth that have prevented UU congregations from moving into a post-imperial mindset. Two ministers share their personal experiences, as well as reflections from their two different congregational settings and how the call to pluralism is redefining their financial and social priorities. Participants will be invited to reflect with the presenters on class and privilege, the tension of vision and debt, and how mutual transformation is possible in a post-imperial future.
Presenters:

Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson, UU Congregation of the South Fork
Rev. Nic Cable, Minister, UU Congregation of Columbus, IN

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Tending the Wounded Spirit: Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction

The Third Act: Redefining Ourselves as We Age

Spring tuition and fees due
2026-03-02

Graduates: All work is due
2026-03-04

Graduates: Books due in the library & MLTS debts MUST be paid
2026-03-08

Graduate grades are due to the registrar
2026-03-08

Spring term ends
2026-03-08

Wealth in a Post-Imperial Faith: Part Two
2026-03-13 10:00 - 12:00
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Wealth in a Post-Imperial Faith: Part Two

March 13
@
10:00 am
–
12:00 pm

Join the Global Connections Office at the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Leadership Institute for Growth, Healing, and Transformation at Meadville Lombard for this three-part series focusing on wealth in North American Unitarian Universalism. We’ll take a conversational approach to various topics including classism in North American U/Uism, charitable giving from congregations, church endowments, community partnerships, reconciliation, and reparations. The series will include presentation, discussion, and how-to’s of changing wealth practices with leaders across fields of ministry and philanthropy.
Benevolent Intentions: What Do We Want Our History to Do to Us?
In “Benevolent Intentions: Decolonizing the Religious Liberal Imperial Mind, an American Story,” Rev. Fred Muir traces the interwoven history of US imperialism and UU evangelization. Exploring themes of democracy as missionary work, American and UU exceptionalism, and the history of eugenics, Muir exposes religiously inflected thinking and actions undertaken by UU faith and political leaders with intentions of civilizing the “other.” Join us as we hear from Rev. Muir and Rev. Joan Javier Duval, who serve together as UUA Ambassadors to the Philippines, about this research and the importance of asking the question of faith, “What do we want our history to do to us?”
Presenters:

Fredric Muir, Minister Emeritus, UU Church of Annapolis; UUA co-ambassador to the UU Church of the Philippines
Rev. Joan Javier-Duval, Minister, Unitarian Church of Montpelier; UUA co-ambassador to the UU Church of the Philippines

NOTE: Participants are welcome to email global@uua.org if you’re interested in a free copy of Rev. Fred Muir’s new book “Benevolent Intentions: Decolonizing the Religious Liberal Imperial Mind, an American Story”

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Wealth in a Post-Imperial Faith: Part One

The Third Act: Redefining Ourselves as We Age

Spring grades due
2026-03-15

Spring Break
2026-03-16 - 2026-03-20

Commencement
2026-03-17

Summer registration for ALL students
2026-03-23 - 2026-05-01

The Third Act: Redefining Ourselves as We Age
2026-03-24 11:00 - 13:00 | Online
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The Third Act: Redefining Ourselves as We Age

March 24
@
11:00 am
–
1:00 pm

Rev. Dr. Clare ButterfieldFree
Many clergy and other working professionals have been privileged to enjoy long, stimulating, and maybe even impactful careers. Work has brought economic benefits, and it has helped to shape a sense of identity. Retirement—our Third Act—can be liberating but also complex and challenging!
You’re invited to join Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield, spiritual director and former executive director of Faith in Place, for a guided and grounded program to begin to look back on what you’ve accomplished and begin to look ahead to what comes next. Clare will lead you through a time of conversation and reflection, and will share about “The Third Act,” a 9-month guided program starting in Fall 2026 of reflection on service, wise discernment, and planning for continued meaning and purpose through retirement and beyond.
Co-sponsored by The Garrett Collective.

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Tending the Wounded Spirit: Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction

Pilgrimage in Kildare, Ireland

Wealth in a Post-Imperial Faith: Part Three
2026-04-16 13:00 - 15:00
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Wealth in a Post-Imperial Faith: Part Three

April 16
@
1:00 pm
–
3:00 pm

Join the Global Connections Office at the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Leadership Institute for Growth, Healing, and Transformation at Meadville Lombard for this three-part series focusing on wealth in North American Unitarian Universalism. We’ll take a conversational approach to various topics including classism in North American U/Uism, charitable giving from congregations, church endowments, community partnerships, reconciliation, and reparations. The series will include presentation, discussion, and how-to’s of changing wealth practices with leaders across fields of ministry and philanthropy.
Liberating Wealth: Lessons from Philanthropy on Decolonizing for Self- and Communal-Determination
What can people of faith learn from the philanthropic sector about how to liberate and decolonize wealth? What does it look like to ensure that practices and processes are mutually beneficial and support self- and communal-determination of impacted people and places? Join us for an interactive program with spiritually-grounded philanthropy colleagues Alicia Forde (Texas Methodist Foundation), Rich Havard (Decolonizing Wealth Project), and Syma Mirza (Neighborhood Funders Group) as they share stories from the field and invite us to reflect on what it takes to liberate wealth in our congregations and communities.
Presenters:

Alicia Forde, Texas Methodist Foundation
Rich Havard, Director, Youth Mental Health Fund // Decolonizing Wealth Project
Syma Mirza, Neighborhood Funders Group

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Pilgrimage in Kildare, Ireland

Summer registration closes
2026-05-02

Summer late registration (additional fees apply)
2026-05-02 - 2026-05-29

Memorial Day
2026-05-25

Summer term begins
2026-06-01

Drop/Add deadline (without penalty)
2026-06-12 08:00 - 17:00

Summer billing/financial aid disbursements begin
2026-06-15

Summer Break
2026-06-16 - 2026-06-20

Juneteenth Holiday
2026-06-19

July 4th Holiday
2026-07-03

Pilgrimage in Kildare, Ireland
2026-07-12 00:00 - 2026-07-16 23:59
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Pilgrimage in Kildare, Ireland

July 12
–
July 16

Connecting with the Inspiration and Creativity of Brigid, Goddess and Saint
Facilitated by: Angie Pierce Jennings and Nicole Kirk
Arriving Sunday, July 12, with facilitated programming July 13, 14, 15. Departure July 16.
Registration

Early bird pricing for program (register by April 1): $1,000
Regular pricing for program (register by May 15): $1,200
Deposit of $500 upon registration with the remainder due May 15.
Lodging with hot breakfast starts at $515* for 4 nights at Silken Thomas (see below for details)
Registration cost includes three days of facilitated programming in Ireland (including lunches), as well as pre- and post-retreat online sessions.

register for pilgrimage in kildare, ireland

This 3-day, 4-night spiritual pilgrimage will take place in Kildare, Ireland, centering the country’s beloved Brigid. The Irish government’s recent decision to make Saint Brigid’s Day a National Holiday is sparking renewed interest and creative expression around Brigid. This pilgrimage is a lifelong learning and formation opportunity to connect within the cultural context of Ireland, and specifically the historical and spiritual places and landscapes associated with Brigid of Kildare. Facilitated programming in Ireland begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Solas Bhríde Centre each morning on July 13, 14, 15. Plans include several opportunities for light to moderate pilgrimage walks throughout Kildare Town.
*Registrants are responsible for the cost and arrangements of their flights, transportation to and from Kildare to the airport, lodging, breakfasts and dinners, and travel insurance.

Overnight accommodation, including a hot breakfast, can be made directly at the historic Silken Thomas hotel in Kildare (See Silken Thomas for current pricing and room availability.) Registrants can book a single room (with or without breakfast included). Or if traveling with a partner, family, or friends, registrants might consider booking a double or triple room together at Silken Thomas (or another lodging of your choice). Silken Thomas also provides a resource page with helpful information on booking a taxi or traveling to Kildare by Dublin Coach or Irish Rail.
The Solas Bhríde Centre, where our facilitated programming begins each morning, is a 15-minute walk from Silken Thomas along St. Brigid’s Trail.

Our time in Ireland will include:

Facilitated spiritual practices at the Solas Bhríde Centre (including outdoor labyrinth walks, prayerful meditation time with Brigid’s perpetual flame, creative journaling, pilgrimage photography as spiritual practice).
Contemplative pilgrimage walks to two of Brigid’s Holy Wells in Kildare.
Visit St. Brigid’s Cathedral (the site of Brigid’s double monastery), Round Tower, High Cross, and Ancient Fire Temple.
View art inspired by Brigid at her churches, on street murals and sculptures throughout the town, while practicing guided visio divina (sacred seeing).
Visit St. Brigid’s Parish Church, spend time viewing and reflecting on the specially commissioned icon of St Brigid, and Brigid’s bone fragment relic.
Reflection on Brigid’s association with Fire, Water, Poetry, Healing, Peacemaking, and her connection with land and animals.
Contemplate some of the Carmina Gadelica: Charms of the Gaels, Hymns and Incantations associated with Brigid.
Read and reflect on stories from Cogitosis’s Life of St Brigid, written around 650 CE, including the legend of her cloak (which is the Land of the Curragh Plains).
Walk to all three medieval abbeys in Kildare (the Black Abbey, the Grey Abby, and the White Abbey).
Consideration of our inward and outward spiritual journeys as we get to know Brigid.
Open time for prayer and poetry writing, journaling and reflection, holy wandering, rest, and social dinners. In mid-July, Kildare experiences nearly 16 hours of daylight.

Pre- and post- retreat online gatherings:
Two weeks before traveling, we will gather online for a pre-retreat session. During this session we will have an opportunity to introduce ourselves and share briefly about what draws us to Brigid and to this retreat. We will also discuss some creative journaling ideas and photography as spiritual practice.
Two weeks after our return home we will gather online once more for a reflection and integration session of meaning-making.
We will use the Populi online learning platform, where several video and reading resources about Brigid will be provided to registrants as they get to know Brigid. Course materials available on Populi June 1.
If the minimum number of participants is not met, registrants will be notified by June 1, and all LIGHT fees will be refunded. Participants are encouraged to make refundable hotel reservations and purchase refundable or transferable flights.
Recommended Books:
Hardiman, Josephine, author and illustrator. The Book of Kildare. Kildare, Ireland: Kildare Library Service, Creative Ireland, Kildare County Council, and Brigid 1500, 2023. https://www.josephinehardiman.ie/the-book-of-kildare.
Minehan, Sister Rita, CSB. Rekindling the Flame: A Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of Brigid of Kildare. Kildare, Ireland: Solas Bhríde, 2022. https://solasbhride.ie/shop/.
Facilitator bio:

Angie Pierce Jennings holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Meadville Lombard Theological School and a master’s in psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. She has facilitated numerous spiritual programs over the years, including recent creative offerings on spiritual art journaling and nature photography as spiritual practice for LIGHT. Her connection with Celtic spirituality is ever deepening, and during one of her recent pilgrimages to Ireland, she witnessed and experienced the devotion to Brigid still very much thriving in the land of Kildare, the very place where Saint Brigid founded her double monastery over 1500 years ago. Angie is interested in embodied theology, pilgrimage photography as a way of doing theology, and the ways in which spirituality and creativity interact with place. All of these themes are woven into this upcoming pilgrimage, with Brigid – Goddess and Saint, at the center.

Nicole C. Kirk is the Frank and Alice Schulman Chair of UU History at Meadville Lombard and a UU minister, and she serves part-time as the Program Minister at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa. She is a popular speaker and at Meadville Lombard, she teaches popular electives on nature writing, nature spirituality, sacred places, and pilgrimage. Her course on pilgrimages centers on embodied meaning-making to help students understand how moving through landscape shapes spiritual experience. Her first book, Wanamaker’s Temple, explores religion in an iconic American department store, and she is currently completing a second book on American railroad circuses and religion—work that reflects her abiding fascination with finding the religion in unexpected places. Nicole brings this same spirit of curiosity and wonder to pilgrimage, inviting travelers to slow down, pay attention, and discover how ancient landscapes and holy sites can open us to new ways of knowing and being.

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The Third Act: Redefining Ourselves as We Age

Summer term ends
2026-07-31

Summer grades due
2026-08-07 08:00 - 17:00
