Adult Spiritual Growth Classes
A Bright and Spirited Path: A Deeper Exploration of Unitarian UniversalismWednesdays, Feb 1-Feb 29, 2012, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Hollin Hall Fireplace Room (sign up by Jan. 25) Led by the Rev. Kate R. Walker
In this class we will be exploring the central religious teachings and insights of Unitarian Universalism. These teachings and insights will be presented in a way intended to open new doors of discovery, healing, growth, connection and empowerment. Our time together will be partially information, with a strong experiential foundation. It will include assignments and practices to try in class, and in the weeks between class sessions.
Religion is not a spectator sport. This will be one of our central starting points. Spirituality is worth little as an intellectual exercise. These teachings and the methods that follow them are meant to be lived, grown into, practiced, embodied in our thinking, our relationships, our lives, and our hopes. We will touch on history and theology, but our focus will be to explore this faith as a spiritual path.
Some of what we explore together will be ancient wisdom. Some will be modern science. All of it is intended to deepen our understanding of some essential spiritual and existential truths, so that we may live lives of deeper awareness and profound connection.
Please note - This is not a drop-in class and attendance at all five sessions is required.
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Great Decisions
Sundays, 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. beginning mid-February
Dick Youngflesh, moderator
Great Decisions is a national civic education program sponsored by the Foreign
Policy Association. Published annually, their briefing book for 2012 covers the
following eight subjects: 1) Middle East Realignment, 2) Promoting Democracy, 3)
Mexico, 4) Cybersecurity, 5) Exit from Afghanistan and Iraq, 6) State of the
Oceans, 7) Indonesia and 8) Energy Politics. The Great Decisions briefing book
provides background information, current data and policy options for each of the
eight issues and serves as the focal text for the discussion group. The MVUC
group will meet starting in mid-February 2012 after the second Sunday service to
discuss these timely issues. A different subject is covered each week with a
volunteer moderator leading the discussions. These discussions usually last an
hour."
Hungry for Change: Food, Ethics, and Sustainability
Led by Wendy Burns and Kathy Seikel
Sundays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. beginning January 15
“Hungry for Change” explores the true meaning of the phrase "you are what you eat." This discussion course challenges participants to examine their roles, not only as consumers of food, but also as creators -- of food, of systems, and of the world we all live in. Each session includes readings, short assignments and accompanying discussion questions that address the impact of individual food choices on a range of issues, including ecosystem health, the treatment of factory and farm workers, and the global economy. Kathy Seikel from St. Aiden’s Episcopal Church and Wendy Burns from Mount Vernon Unitarian Church will be the facilitators. Classes will be held in the MVUC Meeting House Commons for seven weeks on Sunday evenings, 7:30-9:00 p.m., from January 15 to February 26, 2012. For more information see the Northwest Earth Institute web site at www.nwei.org or call Wendy or Kathy. The discussion books will be available the first session at a cost of $21.50. Class will be limited to 15 participants.
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Immigration as a Moral Issue
Facilitated by Rev. Kate Walker
Six week course introducing the complex issues of immigration. In addition there is a resource list* for those wanting more in depth study.
Due to numerous requests, the UUA has developed a six week long adult religious education curriculum on immigration. Each of the six sections is intended to address a different aspect of this complex issue. The course as a whole attempts to give participants a broad understanding of the various forces within the issue of immigration.
There is prep-reading that accompanies each class, which participants must get prior to each class.
In addition, there is an extensive listing of resources* that accompanies the curriculum for further study. The organization of the resources roughly parallels that of the curriculum.
For those who feel they have little understanding, MVUC is offering the six-week course. Those who feel that they understand some aspects of the immigration debate well but would like to learn more about others may wish to focus on the additional resources listed. One could have a study group that delves into only one of the subsections, such as border enforcement or the history of the concept of “American” or a theology that empowers the historically marginalized.
This Study & Resource Guide is intended to help facilitate the current Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) Process, begun at General Assembly 2010, where the delegates chose “Immigration as a Moral Issue” for the topic that our congregations would explore over the next four years.
We sincerely hope this guide will be of use to you as you participate in the development of a Unitarian Universalist Statement of Conscience on Immigration to be voted on by the delegates at the 2013 General Assembly.
*Resource list can be found at under section two “Additional Resources”: http://www.uua.org/immigration/re/moral/guide/index.shtml
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Popcorn Theology for Mature Audiences
Kristine Erickson
2nd Saturdays beginning January 14
Popcorn Theology for Mature Audiences takes the concept and popularity of movie night to explore issues of theology and ethics for Unitarian Universalists, and uses R-rated movies to explore these issues.
The goals of Popcorn Theology are:
• to examine how the choices we make affect our lives, and the lives of others;
• to explore how concepts such as truth and meaning are related to perspective;
• to understand the ways we decide to do the right thing, despite possible negative consequences; and
• to consider ways our faith can help us understand our questions, seek answers and deal with the challenges of life.
Examples of films included in these sessions are The Matrix, American Beauty, and The Breakfast Club. Popcorn will be served. Bring your own beverages. Teens under 18 are welcome with explicit parental permission. Childcare is not provided. The group meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month at Kristine and Steve Erickson’s home located at 9719 Waterford Road. For more information contact Kristine Erickson at 703-887-8731 or kristine.erickson.phd@gmail.com .
Sessions begin January 2012. The schedule for the first four months is
January 14th Dogma (What are we called to do?)
February 11th Monty Python’s Life of Brian (The trouble with groupthink)
March 10th Children of Men (How hope for the future affects the present)
April 14th Blood Diamond (How can we exercise our power to do good?)
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Let Your Yoga Dance 1st Tuesday of each month from 5:45-7:15 p.m. Chapel
Session II: February 7, March 6, April 3, May 1.
YogaDance is not so much about yoga or dance as it is about putting individuals in touch with their deep, spiritual inner truths through connection to their own primal energy system. There are no ‘dance routines’ to learn or specific moves to master. Rather, the teacher, certified YogaDance instructor Cheryl Sabo, leads a warm-up and movements, progressively honoring each of the 7 Chakras, to awaken and open the energy body. Breathing, meditation, and post-class discussion deepen the practice. No prior knowledge of yoga, dance, or the chakras is necessary to benefit from YogaDance. Class is appropriate for any fitness level, ages 16-97. Tuition per four-week session: $20 MVUC members, $40 non-MVUC members.
