August Eliot "Your Life Symphony: A Work in Progress" with Rev. Stefan Jonasson

Saturday, August 02, 2014 at 06:30 AM
Saturday, August 09, 2014 at 05:00 AM

We will use William Henry Channing’s poem, “My Symphony” as the basis for our week’s discussions.
To live content with small means
To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion;
To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich;
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly;
To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sage, with open heart;
To bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never;
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.

The Rev. Jonasson will work with the wonderful musicians who show up at Eliot to help him with the musical pieces that will accompany his talks. From the Shaker hymn, “Simple Gifts” to Beethoven’s “Joyful, Joyful” music will frame lectures on abundance through simplicity, worthiness beyond respectability, reflection amidst life’s chatter, opening the heart to nature’s wonder, enduring life’s struggles and pain, and the ordinary sources of life’s deepest meanings.

The Rev. Jonasson is the Director of Growth Strategies at the UUA, having previously served the Unitarian Universalist Association as Director for Large Congregations and District Executive for Western Canada. Stefan is an ordained minister by vocation, but an historian and folklorist by avocation…and he often manages to sneak in something about Iceland during conversations. He lives in Manitoba , where his family has deep roots. He and his wife are the proud parents of two adult daughters.

Location

13395 Lagoon Drive NW; Seabeck, WA 98380