Rev. Berger shares her personal journey from active alcoholism into recovery despite her skepticism about turning her life over to a God she associated with conservative organized religion. Using the analogy of a caterpillar's metamorphosis into a butterfly, she describes the necessity of pain and suffering in her journey as a precursor to spiritual awakening and growth. Unitarian Universalism helped her develop a "Higher Power of her own understanding" and provided her with valuable additional support to her 12 step program.
This month's theme: Taboos
Speaker: Julie Berger
After getting sober in 1988, Julie Berger went back to graduate school to complete her Masters in Psychology and pursue her certification in Addictions Counseling. After working as a therapist in 3 residential treatment facilities, she opened an Out-Patient treatment center in Orlando, Florida. As the Clinical Director of Arise Counseling Associates for 15 years, Julie expanded her practice to work with Medical Professionals, Veterans, Teachers and State and Federal Probation clients with Drug and Alcohol related convictions.
Thirteen years ago Julie and her husband David moved to Sapphire, North Carolina. They now own both Mountain Mist Gallery, selling original artwork, and Arise Recovery Consultants where Julie continues to provide counseling services to the Cashiers-Highlands area. She was ordained in 2004 in Orlando to serve as a Pastor of Arise Ministries, providing weekly non-denominational services to recovering men and women on probation who, due to their convictions, were not allowed to attend church services where minor children were present. This program helped to reduce the rate of recidivism in the middle district of Florida to the lowest in the state. Julie and David joined UUTC last year and are thrilled to be a part of this growing spiritual community.
The first guiding Principle of Unitarian Universalism is the inherent worth and dignity of every person. UUTC welcomes all—persons of various ages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, theological and political beliefs, socio-economic status, educational backgrounds, abilities and ethnicities. Services are at 9:15 and 11:00am. The building is wheelchair accessible, dress may be casual and visitors of all ages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and beliefs are warmly welcomed.
Infant care is available during both services.
Join us for coffee between services at 10:30am