The Adult Religious Exploration program promotes life-long intellectual and spiritual growth through a variety of classes, workshops, events, and forums for discussion.

The following classes are being offered for winter and spring 2010. To register for a class, sign up in the volunteer workroom on Sunday morning, or contact the church office online, or phone the office at 525-8400 ext. 810.

• “Soul Work” – Unitarian Perspectives on Race
• Body Theology for Women: Tools, Rituals, Celebration and Opportunities
• Social Action: Accomplishing True Social Change
• Contemporary Unitarian and Universalist Theologies
• Spiritual Practices for Real Lives
• Building Community Resilience in Response to Peak Oil and Climate Change
• Forging Peace: Writing War
• Using the Power of Hope to Cope with Dying
• Nurturing Your Family’s Spirit Through the Use of Rituals
• Just a Taste of Handbells
• UUC Women's Retreat: Experiencing Rest, Reflection and Renewal
• Introduction to UU History and Core Beliefs
Introduction to Meditation Intermediate Meditation Retreat
• Preserving the Harvest: Eating Locally the Year Round

“Soul Work” – Unitarian Perspectives on Race

As Unitarian Universalists, many of us have engaged in a struggle for social justice. Understanding racism in the U.S. as a sys- temic issue as well as a personal issue is crucial to this struggle. Have we also considered the spiritual consequences of ra- cism? In 2001 the UUA convened a group of scholars and theologians to reflect on racism, and the resulting papers and re- sponses were compiled in “Soul Work: Anti-Racist Theologies in Dialogue.” Join us for a discussion of this important book, which examines the personal, social and theological implications of racism.

Sessions: 4 Sundays (first Sunday of the month)
Dates: Feb. 7; March 7; April 4; May 2
Times: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Fee: $25
Facilitator: James and Ellen Shillaber were members of the Undoing Racism Committee of the UU Congregation at Montclair, NJ for ten years before moving to Seattle. There they organized activities for the congregation and wider community that included anti-racism training for adults and youth, lay-led worship services, film and book discussions, lectures and community-based organizing.

Body Theology for Women: Tools, Rituals, Celebration and Opportunities

The sacred connection between body and spirit is often complex, especially for women. Join other UUC women as we explore a bit of history, identify cultural pressures and family norms, and share our experiences. Through conversation, silence, guided mediation, and reflection we will tend to this most essential aspect of our spiritual life.

Sessions: 3 Wednesdays
Dates: Feb. 3, 10, 17
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Fee: $15.00
Facilitators: Rev. Alicia Grace has been a parish minister at University Unitarian Church since 2004.

Social Action: Accomplishing True Social Change

As Unitarian Universalists we are called to work towards social justice, yet accomplishing true social change can seem daunt- ing. This class will combine personal reflection, discussion of conceptual models and case studies, and selected readings to look at social action generally and at UUC. Whether you are a seasoned or novice activist, this class is intended to deepen and energize.

Sessions: 4 Thursdays
Dates: February 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Fee: $25
Facilitator: Jennifer Bright, UUC Social Justice Coordinator, joined the UUC staff in 2007, after nearly 20 years of work- ing in the nonprofit sector as an executive director, manager, fundraiser, consultant, trainer, volunteer, and board member. Guest presenters will be Jon Luopa and Melissa Ganus.

Contemporary Unitarian and Universalist Theologies

This is your chance to become more familiar with the theologies that have informed our religious movement. Join in an abridged version of the theology class that Rev. Jon Luopa is teaching to Unitarian Universalist students preparing for ministry at Seattle University. The four sessions will focus on humanism, liberal Christianity and prophetic religion, theology from minor- ity communities (feminism, racism, multiculturalism), and constructing a UU theology. Recommended books for each session will be available at UUC’s bookstore, if you wish to purchase, at an additional cost. Reading list is available in the ARE book at the volunteer desk.

Sessions: 4 Tuesdays
Dates: February 9, 23; March 9, 23
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Fee: $25
Facilitator: Rev. Jon Luopa has been the senior minister at University Unitarian Church since 1999.

Spiritual Practices for Real Lives

Have you wondered what exactly is a spiritual practice? Or pondered how you might bring greater meaning into your everyday? This introductory class will explore six spiritual practices that we will then commit to experimenting with in our own lives. The course will be a spiritual sampler that you’ll take home and try on. And if it doesn’t fit, returns are a breeze.

Sessions: 3 Tuesdays
Dates: Feb. 23, March 2, 9
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Fee: $15
Facilitator: Rev. Alicia Grace has been a parish minister at University Unitarian Church since 2004.

Building Community Resilience in Response to Peak Oil and Climate Change

Do the complexities of climate change issues promote feelings of inadequacy? Does peak oil produce images of returning to a more primitive existence? Through readings and group discussions, participants in this class will learn about the interaction between Peak Oil and Climate Change, and then envision a resilient community approach to resource depletion, financial downsizing and climate instability. Using The Transition Handbook by Rob Hopkins as a resource, class members will combine their own thoughts and experiences with information from reading to explore discussion questions with a trained facilitator. Prior to class, participants must purchase the book The Transition Handbook at the UUC bookstore. If purchase of the book is problematic, please consult with the instructors about a scholarship or book loan.

Sessions: 6 Wednesdays
Dates: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Fee: $25
Facilitator: Joann Kerr and colleagues. The facilitators have completed the two day “Training for Transition” course and are on the steering committee of a local Transition initiative, Sustainable NE Seattle. Joann is a member of UUC and its Green Sanctuary Committee.

Forging Peace: Writing War

This class will use writing on war as a springboard for writing and discussing personal responses to war and its legacy. Partici- pants will examine the historical settings of literary texts and consider how the authors’ circumstances inform their work and our responses. Facilitators will offer writing assignments that are meant to be evocative, not prescriptive. Before the first class, participants should read Part 1 in A Long, Long Way, by Sebastian Barry, and acquire Fugitive Pieces, by Anne Michaels.

Sessions: 4 Mondays, every other week
Date: March 1, 15, 29, April 12
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Fee: Free
Facilitator: Larry Metzger and Elizabeth Alexander. As a tyke, Larry amassed an extensive collection of toy soldiers, approximately 25 boxes of which remain at large. Larry chairs the history department and teaches at the Overlake School. Elizabeth writes textbooks and more engaging forms of prose; the latter are much concerned with war.

Using the Power of Hope to Cope with Dying

Author of The Four Stages of Hope, Cathleen Fanslow-Brunjes is an internationally acclaimed expert in the fields of death, dying, grief, and hospice care. This workshop will introduce a process that enables families, friends, and professional caregivers to understand and assist the dying on their journey. UUC’s Care Team is co- sponsoring this event as a training for its members, and it is open to other interested members and friends of UUC.

Sessions: 1 Saturday
Date: March 6
Time: 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM with light lunch provided
Fee: $15; scholarships available
Facilitator: A frequent workshop presenter and leader in standards of care for dying patients, Cathleen Fanslow- Brunjes, M.A., R.N., speaks from more than 40 years of experience working with the dying, their families, their caregivers, and the professional staffs involved with them.

Nurturing Your Family’s Spirit Through The Use of Rituals

Rituals are a great way to give you and your children some anchors in this fast paced challenging world of ours!! Jan Faull, a local parenting educator, believes that traditions and rituals help solidify the family unit and ground children to know “this is who I am and this is what I do.” With this 2 hour session you can learn the process for giving your family this sense of place and self.

Sessions: 1 Sunday
Date: March 7
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Fee: $5
Facilitator: Beth Herrild, UUC Director of Religious Education. Beth has a B.S. in Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Stout. She is the author of Comfortable Chaos: Forget Balance and Make Career and Family Choices That Work for You, published in 2005. Beth has also written an article on family traditions and rituals that appeared in Parent Map magazine in 2008.

Just A Taste of Handbells

Have you always wanted to learn how to ring handbells? Back by popular demand…this class will teach you the basics of ring- ing skills, the techniques of how handbell ringers get various sounds from handbells, teamwork while playing handbells, and a listening session of other ensembles. This “taste” will give you all you need to consider if you want to take a more in-depth study of this musical expression. Just a Taste of Handbells is open to people older than 10 and younger than 115.

Sessions: 1 Sunday or 1 Monday
Date: Sunday March 7th or Monday April 5th
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM Sunday or 7:00 – 9:00 PM Monday
Fee: $5

Facilitator: Nick Barnard has played handbells for a total of nine years, tutored individuals, and led multiple small groups.

UUC Women's Retreat: Experiencing Rest, Reflection and Renewal

Join Rev. Dr. Alicia Grace and Annie Luopa for an overnight retreat of reflection and renewal. Together we will participate in a variety of activities that are life giving and life enhancing for us as women. We will do this as we build community in the beauti- ful Rainbow Lodge setting at the foot of Mt. Si.

Sessions: 1 Saturday/Sunday at Rainbow Lodge near North Bend
Date: March 20/21
Time: 5:00 PM Saturday - 3:00 PM Sunday (times to be confirmed)
Fee: $75
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Alicia Grace has been a Minister at UUC since 2004. Annie Luopa has a Master's degree in theol- ogy, and has been a UUC member since 1999.
Maximum number: 50. Priority space for members and pledging friends of UUC. Registration begins Sunday, Feb. 7.

Introduction to UU History and Core Beliefs

This class will acquaint persons with the founding and developing beliefs of Unitarians and Universalists. Particular attention will be given to their history in the United States since the late 1700’s. The course may serve as a panorama of beliefs in which individuals may find both grounding and encouragement for their own personal religious/spiritual core. Learning about the historical development of these two faith traditions may also induce a sense of appreciation about the accomplishments and current challenges of Unitarian Universalism.

Sessions: 3 Thursdays
Date: April 15, 22, 29
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Fee: $15
Facilitator: Avery (Pete) Guest, a UUC member, is a retired professor of sociology from the University of Washington. He has a major interest in the study of historical sociology which includes the development of Universalism in the 19th Century. His presentation style is interactive, inclusive and seasoned with his dry humor.
Recommended Reading: Unitarian Universalism: A Narrative History by David E. Bumbaugh.

Introduction to Meditation

This class will introduce meditation through a series of meditation and discussion. The emphasis will be the role of meditation in stress relief and spiritual practice. No previous experience with meditation is required. This class is appropriate for youth and adults. Please bring your own sack lunch and meditation cushion or pad.

Session: 1 Saturday
Date: April 17
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Fee: $7
Facilitator: Facilitator Mark Lee coordinates the Wednesday UUC Meditation Group and has been teaching the ARE Introductory Meditation class for the past 8 years. His main interest is the role of meditation in stress relief and spiritual practice.
Maximum: 12, Minimum: 5

Intermediate Meditation Retreat

Using a one day drop-in retreat format, this class will focus on deepening personal meditation practice through a series of meditations and discussions. Each new meditation and discussion will explore a new concept. The drop-in format allows participants to join the retreat for a time period that works best for busy schedules. A person may come for as little as an hour or for as long as the entire six hour class. To facilitate this approach we will schedule each meditation to begin on the hour. Prior experience with meditation is advised. Please bring a sack lunch and the cushion or pad you have been using in your current practice.

Session: 1 Saturday
Date: May 15
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Fee: $7.00
Facilitator: Mark Lee coordinates the Wednesday UUC Meditation Group and has been teaching the ARE Introductory Meditation class for the past 8 years. His main interest is the role of meditation in stress relief and spiritual practice.

Preserving the Harvest: Eating Locally the Year Round

Ever faced the dilemma of how to preserve and store that enormous crop of tomatoes you have grown or the mass of farm fresh strawberries you picked? In this two session class, the methods and favorite recipes for canning, freezing, dehydrating, pickling and root cellaring fruits and vegetables will be shared. The facilitators will be joined by a WSU Master Food Preserver who will talk about current best practices for food safety.

Sessions: Two Mondays
Dates: May 10 and May 17
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Fee: $15
Facilitators: Nancy Bowen Pope and Sally Anne Sadler and Nancy McKinney. Sally Anne taught the UUC series Vegetable Gardening in 2008. She is a home canner for many years. Nancy Bowen Pope is a member of UUC Green Sanctuary and has facilitated several events for eating local and is a food preserving maven. Nancy McKinney is a Master Food Preserver who is Director of the Ballard Food Bank and teaches the safe methods of food preservation.
Maximum: 20