In a historic passing of the baton, the Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth will install Lauren Tatarsky as our new senior minister during this Sunday’s celebration service at 10:45 a.m.  Friends and family, old and new, are invited to meet Lauren and celebrate with us on this joyous occasion! Lauren will receive her ordination as an Interfaith Minister during the installation, and we will carry the festivities into a potluck lunch following the service.

Lauren was very warmly received by our community in March, when she hosted a Saturday workshop entitled, “Sharing Spiritual Experience: Connecting to Divinity Inside and Out,” followed by a Sunday talk, “Waking Up to Life: The Journey Toward Inner Knowing and Our Divine Purpose.” At our March Quarterly Conversation in Community, we announced the overwhelming decision by our membership to select Lauren as our new senior minister. In addition to the community vote, Lauren was the ministerial team’s unanimous preference to succeed Dave. On hearing the vote, founding minister Dave Bell  expressed his joy with tears of gratitude. “I’m very grateful for the hard work of the Search Committee and absolutely delighted with the choice of the congregation. I couldn’t be any happier about turning over the reins to Lauren.”

Lauren, 29, moved to Ann Arbor last summer from Denver and began attending Sunday services at the Center upon her arrival. She holds a Masters degree in Spiritual Guidance from The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University (Summa Cum Laude). Her post-graduate education experience focused on interfaith and interspiritual studies, with an emphasis on spiritual psychology and what it means to engage in a life of spiritual growth. She was raised Reform Jewish and spent time living at an ashram where she received training in yoga, meditation, Hinduism, Buddhism and Ayurveda.

Lauren describes herself as a Spiritual Eclectic, engaging in diverse spiritual practices that include contemplative meditation, visualization, nature walks, dream analysis, free form dance, and yoga. As a hatha yoga teacher, she values the mind-body-spirit connection and enjoys helping others experience the emotional and energetic aspects of their humanity as portals to their deeper selves as well as their connection with the Divine, Mother Nature, Spirit, the Universe, God, Goddess, True Self.

Prior to committing herself to spiritual work, Lauren spent many years as an activist in low-income communities working on issues of poverty, race, environmental justice, and healthy food access. She has traveled to 20 countries, mostly in the developing world, with numerous agencies and non-profits working for human rights and environmental justice. Most recently, she worked with inner-city youth in Denver, CO, promoting their empowerment and access to opportunities. Lauren is a lesbian and a LGBTQ advocate.

The next few weeks will be full of ways to honor this transition (including Dave’s retirement party on the 17th!). We hope to see you all in the coming weeks. Here are a few more things to add to your calendar for this time.

An Invitation ~ Letters to Lauren June 4th

In an effort to connect with each of us and get to know us better, Lauren will be collecting personal letters this Sunday (June 4) from anyone who would like to write her. It is not a requirement, only an invitation! Feel free to bring your letter with you on the 4th, or use the paper and pens we provide during the potluck after the service.

These letters are confidential (Lauren will be the only one reading them) and the topic is wide open! What would you like your new minister to know?

Ideas include: What’s going on in your life right now? What do you want Lauren to know about you as a person? Tell her about your spirituality? What does the Center mean to you? What does Lauren need to know about ICSG? What is your vision for our future?

All Aboard for Dave’s Retirement Party, Saturday, June 17th

We’re having a Retirement Gala on Saturday, June 17, from 6-8pm to honor our beloved founder and fearless spiritual leader, Dave Bell. We will celebrate Dave’s nearly 20 years of service to the Center, with light refreshments and a short program at 7pm. As anyone who was at Dave’s last Sunday talk on May 28 knows, we will have some great fun.  If you have not had an opportunity to share your good wishes and gratitude with Dave and Judy, now is the time!

Please note: Dave has let us know that in lieu of gifts, donations to the ICSG building fund in his honor will be happily accepted. For more information contact Sally @734-646-1349.

June 25th “Eat and Greet” with Lauren

Lauren invites everyone to a second June potluck after the June 25th service, to get to know her better in both formal and informal ways. She is planning  for 2 hours, 12:30-2:30. Friends old and new, please be sure to join us for this special opportunity!