The Spiritual Center community is excited to be participating in Kindness Week, being organized by SPARK Kindness, from Nov 4th-11th, 2023. Please scroll down to find out more about what Kindness Week is all about, and what events are happening at Common Street as part of this larger community-wide effort!
SPARK’s Seven Pillars of Kindness:
- Kindness to self
- Kindness in our neighborhoods
- Kindness in our schools
- Kindness to community
- Kindness to the earth (and all living creatures)
- Kindness online
- Kindness Committed to Justice
Scheduled Activities
Common Street at the Natick Farmer’s Market
Date: Saturday, November 4
Time: 9:00-1:00
Location: Lobby
Stop by the Common Street Spiritual Center Table table during the weekly farmer’s market to select a Sign of Kindness for your yard, pick up World Peace Cookies for yourself or a neighbor, or get more information about our upcoming events.
Depolarizing Within: A Braver Angels Workshop
Date: Saturday, November 4
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: Moon Room
Facilitated by Rick Frazier
Build skills to help you decrease polarization in political conversations, build self-awareness, and express disagreement without condemning or ridiculing others. This workshop is provided by Braver Angels, a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our nation by bridging the partisan divide. Register here.
RSVP/invite friends on Facebook (optional) : https://fb.me/e/1oWQWr9u9
Honoring and Befriending Nature
Date: Sunday, November 5
Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Moon Room
Facilitator: Colleen Puzas
Nature is all around us but how often do you truly notice and appreciate it? Come learn and practice ways to honor plants as both whole species and individuals, and to give back to the trees and plants in your world.
RSVP/invite friends on Facebook (optional) : https://fb.me/e/4zpPajkbu
Restoring and Revitalizing Relationships
Date: Thursday, November 9
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Moon Room
Facilitator: Anne Lafleur
Ever felt a pang of guilt for losing touch with a loved one or not investing enough in an important relationship? This interactive workshop will give you the practical tools and encouragement you need to reconnect with friends, family, and other people you care about.
RSVP/invite friends on Facebook (optional) : https://fb.me/e/6JJPrWuv9
Joyful Warrior: Self-Care & Wild Wellness Circle
Date, Saturday, November 11
Time: 1030 AM – 1200 PM
Location: Meeting Room
Facilitated by Sara Kunz
Come in cozy clothes for a rejuvenating self-care session and leave feeling uplifted and supported in your self-care journey. Popularized self-care seems to be all about buying things and sitting in a bathtub, but this workshop goes into holistic, sustainable, and new approaches to self-care inspired by listening to your specific needs and Wild Wellness practices for wellness and wholeness. Our circle consists of an opening grounding practice and a brief lecture that flows into open sharing.
RSVP/invite friends on Facebook (optional) : https://fb.me/e/14lSEMOI3
Skills for Bridging the Divide workshop
Date: Saturday, November 11
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Choir Room
Facilitated by Rick Frazier
Learn and practice essential skills for having respectful conversations with people you disagree with, including clarifying differences, searching for common ground, and affirming the importance of the relationship. This workshop is provided by Braver Angels, a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our nation by bridging the partisan divide. Register here.
RSVP/invite friends on Facebook (optional) : https://fb.me/e/3owT6HpYh
Community Connect & Share Dinner
Date: Saturday, November 11
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Fellowship Hall
Facilitators: Amanda Short and Anne Lafleur
Come enjoy a simple home-cooked meal while building deeper relationships with others in our community. Bring an item that you no longer need but that might bring joy to someone else. We will all share what we have to offer, and see what kinds of connections we can make!
RSVP/invite friends on Facebook (optional) : https://fb.me/e/37v8rSX90
Loving-Kindness Open Circle
Date: Sunday, November 12
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Sanctuary
Facilitator: Ian Mevorach
This special loving kindness-themed open circle will include a meditation and connection activity, as well as an opportunity to share about your own experiences with Kindness Week.
RSVP/invite friends on Facebook (optional) : https://fb.me/e/48yPzgEGS
Other Kindness Week events planned by SPARK:
- Sun 11/5 from 9-12: Big Leaf Rake
- Sun 11/5 from 1-3: Mindfulness Walk on the Rail Trail
- Mon 11/6 from 4:30-6:30: Natick’s Open Door Community Meal Connect and Serve Event
Free Little Food Pantry
Common Street’s mini food pantry is available all year round, but Kindness Week is a great opportunity to give it some extra love! When you come to an event, bring a few extra nonperishable items to offer to your neighbors in need.