Upcoming Programs and Events in Adult Religious Education

Fatma Kassem

Living and Working in the Middle East

Saturday, August 12, 2017, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
In the Church Sanctuary

Dr. Fatmeh Kassem, an educator, researcher, and group conflict resolution facilitator, will present a talk on life as a Palestinian in Israel, her deep interest in gender studies and peace pedagogy, and her longstanding work with Bedouin groups. Her current focus is on women’s life stories and using “life story” as a methodological tool.

A slide presentation will be included with questions and discussion encouraged. Copies of her 2013 book, Palestinian Women: Narrative Histories and Gendered Memories, will be available.

Freethinking Mystics

Sunday August 13, 2017 from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Meets in the High School Youth Room
We are members and friends of Unitarian Universalism walking the path of spiritual experience and growth as it unfolds in our lives.We come to this group for inspiration, to study, and to explore our direct experience of the fullness and mystery of life. Doug Taylor facilitates the group.

Greetings Fellow Travelers,

May this find you well and flourishing!

We will be meeting the 2nd Sunday of August on the 13th at 9 am to share, explore, inquire and experience the subject of “Self,” chapter 5 of our current resource text, John Greer’s “Seeing, Knowing, Being.” Plus, we also meet on the 3rd Saturday, August 19th, at  9am to have more time for awareness practice/meditation and further exploration of the topic.

“We are born of two mothers, given existence in two radically different ways. Our actual mother is life, and we are conceived in the human womb and nursed with the milk of wholeness. Our virtual mother is language; we are conceived in the thoughts and words of our people and nursed at the breast of our cultural and intellectual heritage. Ever after, we struggle with the conflicts and confusion that have plagued us all since our species learned to divide up what is and give names to its separate parts. The key to our spiritual dilemma is not to find God, but to find our True Self—to solve the riddle of our conflicted existence and tor return to wholeness.” —John Greer

Questions to ponder:

What is the self?
Where does the self come from?
What does the self do?
Is there more than one self?
Are you your self?
Who are you, really?
How do you know?

May you journey in joy, well-being and awareness. Gassho rei. doug

Awakening Awareness: Mysticism, NonDuality, and Unitive Consciousness

Come together with curious intellects and attentive hearts to connect, meditate, explore, and discuss the journey of awakening, followed by a time for tea and snacks.

NonDual, Mystical, and Unitive Conscious experiences are all rooted in direct, personal, embodied knowing beyond words, beliefs, doctrines, and rigid traditions whether spontaneous or invoked. In this safe, co-created inter-spiritual group we will explore, experience direct practice, and share our “seeing,knowing and being” of essential essence common to all humanity that transcends divisive concepts and dualisms.

All members are welcome and encouraged to provide ideas and suggestions to enhance each and every participant’s group experience and well-being.

We will be gathering in conscious community to meditate, dialogue, and continue exploring John Greer’s book, Seeing, Knowing, Being.

Living Body Positive

Celebrating the inherent worth and dignity of every Body

Sunday, August 20, 2017, 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
High School Youth Room
Facilitators: Alana Franklin, Cynthia Hackett, Susie Maharry

Join us in a small group setting to discuss questions, such as:

  • How do I feel about my body?
  • What influences my perceptions?
  • And how do my perceptions about my body impact my life?
  • How can we work to reframe incoming messages in a way that is body positive?

All are welcome here. We meet monthly on the third Sunday of each month before worship service.