By Susan Colket, Chair, Adult Religious Education
Our adult religious education (ARE) programs are a natural way to navigate our lives as Unitarian Universalists. At the final session of the first Coming Into Connection program last month, Steve Saddlemire, captured this as he shared his experience as a CIC participant, “You come to church when you are new and you really don’t know a lot about UU-ism. You like the services, the people are nice but it takes effort to find your path. You are not given rules on how to do this. It’s not easy. This is a path. This is a journey.”
This winter and spring, ARE offers four programs for our journey. They are in order of the starting date:
Coming Into Connection (CIC) / February 25 – June 10
Created by Rev. Kim and Robin Pugh, DLRE, Coming Into Connection:
- Connects new and longtime members
- Builds relationships between the generations
- Deepens our UU identity
CIC has eight parts, of which three are All-Participant gatherings. These 3 sessions are Sundays, Feb. 25, Mar. 25, and Jun 10, from 12:30 – 2:30pm. On Feb 25, we’ll be introduced to our partners and begin getting to know one another. Partnerships will be created between new and long time members or between members of different ages.
We’ll explore deep questions including theology and death, UU history, spiritual practice and more. Readings, resources and reflections will be provided to support us along the way. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate!
To register: http://www.uucwc.org/coming-into-connection/. For more information email: are@uucwc.org.
Genesis Study / March 7 – April 11
Join Rev. Sue Goodwin, in the engaging, thought provoking and often humorous study of the Book of Genesis. We’ll be reading from the original Genesis text using the Bible (New Revised Standard Version/NRSV) and Burton Visotzky’s The Genesis of Ethics (a quick and compelling read) to explore human behavior, the development of ethics, and why family life is messy and filled with challenge.
The House of Abraham is the starting point for Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Study of Genesis will remind us that the more things change the more they stay the same. Be prepared for lively discussions! Reading is required. Insight and fun guaranteed.
Five sessions on Wednesday afternoons: Mar. 7, 14, and 21, and Apr. 4 and 11, from 1 – 3pm.
Rev. Sue Goodwin, friend of UUCWC, was ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC) in 2004. She’s a graduate of Drew Theological School and has a passion for adult education.
For more information: http://www.uucwc.org/genesis-study/.
To register: http://www.uucwc.org/learning/adult-religious-education/current-course-offerings/
Continuing ARE Programs include:
- Chalice Circle / twice monthly / Thursdays AM and PM
http://www.uucwc.org/learning/adult-religious-education/chalice-circles/ - Soul Matters Discussion Group / monthly / 3rd Sunday
http://www.uucwc.org/soul-matters-conversation/
To registration for any of these programs go to:
http://www.uucwc.org/learning/adult-religious-education/current-course-offerings/adult-re-registration-procedure/
Questions? Please email are@uucwc.org.