Adult Religious Exploration
Adult Religious Education – or Exploration – is a piece of what we call Adult Faith Development, which is the life-long process – or journey – of coming to understand more fully our values and principles and living into them, incorporating our chosen religious faith more fully into our lives, becoming Unitarian Universalists in the fullest sense of the name. “Everything we do is faith development, and the congregation is the curriculum,” per Connie Goodbread of the UUA Southern Region staff.
At UUMAN Adult Religious Exploration includes planned opportunities for spiritual growth, intellectual stimulation, the acquisition of new skills, fellowship, and the building of personal connections with other members. We delve into Unitarian and Universalist history and theology, spirituality and spiritual paths, social justice issues, ethics and morality, and life issues, using curricula developed by the UUA, other religious institutions and authors, and by our own members.
UUMAN 2nd Hour Enrichment
UUMAN’s “2nd hour MCY and Adult Enrichment” offerings for the 2022-2023 church year will commence on Sunday, September 11, 2022. From 11:15am – 12 Noon all UUMAN members may engage in either Ministry with Children and Youth or Adult Enrichment opportunities.
Upcoming offerings:
Sunday Service Reflections
Dates: Every Sunday
Time/Location: 11:15 -12PM/In-Person
Facilitated By: Adult Enrichment
Description: Please join us to reflect on Sunday’s service and service topic in a small group setting. What are your thoughts on the topic? What impact could the service/service topic have on your life?
Poetry Forum
Date: 9/25
The forum will meet this Sunday 2nd hour in the minister’s office.
Description: We will hear and discuss 2 poems, old and modern, that address death in the natural order of things. To read ahead of time, follow the links below. Feel free to bring other poems to share if time allows.
First, William Blake’s “The Tyger”
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43687/the-tyger
Second, Mary Oliver’s “Death At A Great Distance”
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=37174
Stewards of the Earth
Dates: 9/18, 10/2, 11/6, 12/11
Time/Location: 11:15 -12PM In-Person
Facilitated By: Earth Ministry
Description: The UUMAN Earth Ministry Vision is – “We deeply embrace the natural world and are stewards of our Earth for now and for the next seven generations. We are respected in our community for environmental action.” Come spend time with members of the Earth Ministry team as we explore and discuss together what we are doing and what more we can do at UUMAN to meet this Vision.
Signup: https://uuman.breezechms.com/form/8cad20129
Issues in Unitarian Universalism
Dates: 10/9, 10/16, 10/30
Time/Location: 11:15 -12PM In-Person
Facilitated By: Past-President Jennifer Ratcliffe
Description: Staying connected to the larger denomination empowers small congregations to pursue national interests and associate with local allies in justice work, such as the “UU the Vote” campaign. We’ll consider a few topics such as exploring the 8th Principle, adding a Covenant to the UUA by-laws and embracing (or not) the Actions for Immediate Witness voted on during this year’s General Assembly.
Singup: https://uuman.breezechms.com/form/8cad2012948
Eating to Extinction
Dates: 12/4, 12/11, 12/18
Time/Location: 11:15 -12PM In-Person
Facilitated By: Gus Hadorn and Jennifer Ratcliffe
Description: Based on the documentary “Eating to Extinction,” we look at the global impact of mono-agriculture and what local solutions we can all implement.
Signup: https://uuman.breezechms.com/form/8cad201294841
MUUsicShare
Dates: 9/11, 10/16
Time/Location: 11:15 -12.30PM In-Person
Facilitated By: Alex Pietsch
Description: MUUsicShare is a just-for-fun music jam for all ages and abilities. All instruments, all voices are welcome, as well as all ears; come to play, come to sing, come to listen.
Prophetic Sisterhood: Liberal Women Ministers of the Frontier
Dates: 10/16, 11/6
Time/Location: 11:15 -12PM In-Person
Facilitated By: Dave Dunn
Description: In the final decades of the 19th century, a radical band of pioneering women ministers, defying their critics and the Unitarian establishment; founded, nurtured and grew dozens of congregations throughout the Midwest. These fiercely independent, heroic and largely forgotten women had a singular passion for liberal religion. How might we hold on to our UU heritage that is often plagued by a conspiracy of forgetfulness?
Signup: https://uuman.breezechms.com/form/8cad2018
Neighborhood Connections Ministry
Dates: 9/11, 10/2, 10/30, 12/18
Time/Location: 11:15 -12PM In-Person
Facilitated By: Dave Dunn
Description: By simply being present with and in relationship with those in our community who are not necessarily like “us,” participants in this course will have the opportunity to experience and reflect upon the effects such relationships have on their lives.
Participants will agree to volunteer their efforts (8hrs/month) at a non-profit or social service agency in their local community. A list of potential agencies and their contact information will be provided but each participant may arrange their own volunteer service as their spirit calls them.
Once a month, participants will meet to reflect on their experiences. Reflection prompts will be provided. Some readings will be assigned as well.
The course will be open to adults and high school age youth.
Book: “Tattoos On The Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion” by Father Gregory Boyle