The Adult Religious Exploration program promotes life-long intellectual and spiritual growth through a variety of classes, workshops, events, and forums for discussion. For more information, contact the church office.

The following classes are being offered for winter/spring 2008:

• Discovering a Sense of Place [0]
• Introductory Bible Exploration [0]
• Faith in Action: Hot Topics in Social Justice [0]
• Free Your Voice - Free Your Spirit [0]
• Global Warming: Changing Course [0]
• The Great Turning [0]
• Introduction to Meditation [0]
• The Nature of Evil [0]
• New Choices for Women Mid-life and Beyond [0]
• Socially Responsible Investing: Putting Your Money Where Your Values Are [0]
• Spirit of Life [0]
• UUC Women’s Retreat [0]

To register for classes, print and complete the registration form [0] and mail or bring it to the church office with a check or cash; OR bring this form and payment with you to register with the church office volunteer any Sunday morning. You may also obtain a printed form in the church office.

Discovering a Sense of Place

Facilitators: Izzy Wylde and Nancy Jordan from NWEI, assisted by Liz Strausz [0]
Nine Sessions: Initial presentation by NWEI on Sunday, February 3, 1:00PM; then eight Wednesdays, February 6 through March 26
Time: 7:00-8:30PM
Fee: $20 for booklet, available at the initial presentation

This discussion course designed by Northwest Earth Institute teaches ways to: 1) understand the meaning of a bioregional perspective, 2) consider the benefits of consciously developing an intimate relationship with your place, and 3) explore what it might mean to protect the place where you live. We'll use readings from the course booklet for each weekly session. The Green Sanctuary Group is sponsoring this series to promote and affirm our seventh principle. Liz Strausz is a member of Green Sanctuary at UUC. Adults and youth are welcome.

Introductory Bible Exploration

Facilitators: Rev. Alicia Grace [0] and Scott Maxson
Four Sessions: Tuesday evenings, March 18 through April 8
Time: 7:00-9:00PM
Fee: $12

A Bible study group at UUC? The Bible is charged with often divisive political and social ramifications, so how might we as Unitarians approach this book? In a contemplative and open exploration of the Bible, we will ask: What here has personal relevance today? Can an understanding of the context and history of these stories illuminate our own spiritual journeys? How does this ancient text speak to us and invite meaning into our lives? We'll explore selected passages from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, using many of the leadership and community guidelines developed within our covenant groups. Bring a Bible, any version, and let's see what unfolds.

Faith in Action: Hot Topics in Social Justice

Facilitator: Jennifer Bright [0], UUC Social Justice Coordinator
Five Sessions: Wednesdays, April 2 through April 30.

Time: 7:00-9:00PM
Fee: $12
NOTE: Participants may attend individual sessions or the series.

Through UUC’s Campaign of Listening and Action, our congregation identified several social issues of pressing importance to us. We are working with partners to advance an informed, strategic action agenda for concrete positive change. Through this series, we will do our work as citizens, educating ourselves on specific social issues, their policy implications, and the actions we can take to make a difference.

Free Your Voice - Free Your Spirit

Facilitator: Yvonne Naum [0]
Four sessions: First series - four Tuesdays, February 5 through February 26. Second series - four Wednesdays, April 2 through April 23
Time: 7:00-9:00PM
Fee: $12 per four-session series

Want to sing but are afraid? Or just want an opportunity to sing for fun? Come join us, as we practice freely expressing our joyfulness (and sorrow) through singing. We will focus on use of the breath and explore the voice’s full range. Facilitator and UUC member Yvonne Naum studied and performed beautiful opera roles, including Aida, Tosca, Countess in Figaro, and Elsa. She was an American Opera auditions finalist and happily shares her knowledge with others. Ability to read music is not required.

Global Warming: Changing Course

Facilitator: Liz Strausz [0]
Four – Five sessions: NWEI will give a presentation at 1:00PM on Sunday, February 3. Group will meet Tuesdays, February 5 through February 26.
Time: 7:00-8:30PM
Fee: $20 for materials

This four-week discussion course was developed by Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI). We'll explore personal values and habits as they relate to climate change, and delve into the history and science of global warming. Finally, we'll learn how to take action. We'll use readings from the course book for each weekly session. Detailed description at www.nwei.org [1]. UUC member Liz Strausz is active in the Green Sanctuary Group, which is sponsoring this series to promote and affirm our seventh principle. She will be assisted by Izzy Wylde and Nancy Jordan of NWEI. Adults and youth are welcome.

The Great Turning

Facilitators: Jerome Chroman [1] and members of the Economic Justice Group
One session: Sunday, April 13
Time: 2:00-4:00PM
Fee: None

A two-hour introduction to David Korten’s newest book, The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community. Some of the questions we will explore through group discussions are: How does the framework of Empire and Earth Community help us understand the world in which we live? What evidence can we see of a global awakening in the community, the region, the nation, and the world? How have our journeys of cultural and spiritual awakening affected our relationships with those around us?

If you haven't read the book, you can prepare for the class by downloading David Korten's article of the same name from the Summer 2006 edition of YES! A Journal of Positive Futures [2].

Introduction to Meditation

Facilitator: Mark Lee [2]
One Session: Saturday, January 26
Time: 9:00AM-3:00PM
Fee: $20

This class will introduce meditation through practice and discussion. The emphasis will be the role of meditation in stress relief and spiritual practice. Bring cushions or pads you may use in your own practice. Mark Lee coordinates the weekly UUC meditation group. No experience required. Appropriate for youth and adults.

The Nature of Evil

Facilitator: Rev. Jon Luopa [2]
Three Sessions: Tuesdays, February 5, 12, and 19
Time: 7:00-9:00PM
Fee: $10

What is evil and where does it come from? Are we complicitous with it? Can it be eradicated? In what sense can we say that human beings are evil? Through a combination of lectures, reading, small-group discussion, and group consensus, we will explore these questions. This class is the first in a series that Jon will facilitate as a follow-up to his sermon of October 14. Reverend Jon Luopa has been senior minister at University Unitarian Church since 1999.

New Choices for Women Mid-life and Beyond

Facilitator: Jo Kelly Welch
Six Sessions: Mondays, March 17 through April 21
Time: 10:00AM-12:00PM
Fee: $35

This class is for women who are asking themselves: What matters? What works? What’s next? In discussions over six weeks, a facilitator will guide participants in reflection, sharing of commonalities, and making choices for the future. Women will explore topics that affect them in mid-life. The company of other women on similar explorations can be a powerful source of support, knowledge, and healing. Jo Kelly Welch has been a facilitator for many years, working with women focusing on clarifying core values and creating movement toward positive life choices.

Socially Responsible Investing: Putting Your Money Where Your Values Are

Facilitator: Sarajane Siegfriedt [2]
One – Three Sessions: Saturday, February 23
Time: 10:00AM-12:00PM (To be followed by two evening workshops, if there is enough interest)
Fee: $5 for Saturday or all three

Socially responsible investing (SRI) has long been a policy of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We'll demystify the process of using UU values to guide personal investments. How do you screen stocks and funds? Do you really have to sacrifice to do this? An expert panel will present the investment industry’s current wisdom. Sarajane Siegfriedt earned her M.B.A at Northwestern University and an MDiv at Seattle University. Her own portfolio is still “in process,” with SRI funds performing well. Alice Arrington, UUC’s treasurer, will share some of the board’s research on SRI.

Spirit of Life

Facilitator: Rev. Linda Kaufman
Nine Sessions: Mondays, January 28 through March 24
Time: 7:00-8:30PM
Fee: $25

Spirit of Life is a new UUA curriculum for adults from the Tapestry of Life. The program weaves UU values, principles, and sources together with four strands of religious growth: development of faith, spiritual growth, ethical development, and UU identity. This program explores primarily UU spiritual development, using reflecting speaking and listening. It will help participants be aware of their values and choices in life, that they might live with mindfulness and intention. Reverend Linda Kaufman is ordained in community ministry and has a private spiritual direction practice. She has been a member of UUC since 1988.

UUC Women’s Retreat

Facilitator: Rev. Alicia Grace [2], with program committee assistance
Location: Rainbow Lodge, North Bend, WA
One session: Friday, April 18 through Saturday April 19
Time: Arrive 2:00PM, Friday, April 18
Fee: $75

This retreat will provide an opportunity for rest, renewal, and reflection for women at UUC. Join in this unique chance to deepen connections with other women in our community.