Adult Spiritual Growth & Development · 2015-03-07 · researched the adult lives of hundreds of...

Adult Spiritual Growth & Development

Courses & Events Spring 2015

First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor

4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103

Phone: 734-665-6158

www.uuaa.org

Conversations that matter

http://www.uuaa.org

The First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor

Guided by Section 1.1 of our Governing Policies, the Adult Education Advisory Team plans to engage the minds, hearts, and whole selves of adult learners in our community. With the understanding that the Unitarian Universalist (UU) journey is one of an ongoing quest for truth and meaning, we will provide adult participants with opportunities to:

Develop an integrated sense of their own UU and UUAA identity;

Find resources for negotiating the various stages of their life journey;

Be empowered to live their beliefs through their actions;

Cultivate spiritual deepening and develop spiritual practices;

Enrich their understanding of the world around us;

Build connections with others.

Members: Charley Burleigh, Bruce Gibb; Bett Weston, Bev Black, and Carol Acitelli

Design: Angelina Zaytsev

About the Adult Education Advisory Team

Dear All,

Welcome to the Spring 2015 Adult SGD Program! The Adult Education Advisory Team, guided by its mission statement, has compiled the follow-ing offerings. These pages contain descriptions of the courses offered by Adult SGD, Pastoral Care, Challenging Racism, Social Justice and Welcom-ing Ministries. If you have any questions or comments about the Adult SGD Program, I welcome them.

With care, Sandy Garges Director of Spiritual Growth and Development

Adult Spiritual Growth & Development 2

The First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor

Course/Event Title Page No.

Welcome Ministries

Introduction to Our Faith 4

Offered by Other UUAA Programs

Workshop: Islam & Muslims 101 5

Film & Discussion: Pay 2 Play 5

Book Discussion: The Selma Awakening 6

Workshop: African-American UUs: Exploring Our Heritage and History

6

Workshop: Improving Your Memory 7

Offered by Adult SGD

The Art of Storytelling 8

Reclaiming Prophetic Witness 8

Awareness of Mind 9

Aging Well—The Harvard Study 10

True Love 101 11

Youth Mental Health First Aid 11

SafeTALK 12

Sit & Laugh Bunch 13

Reflection & Learning Project on Israel-Palestine 13

Writing Our Obituaries 14

Great Lakes & Environmental Action 15

Social Media 15

The Unparalleled Challenges of the Coming Decades 15

Active Dream Workshop 16

Cakes for the Queen of Heaven 17

Group/Event Title

UUAA Community of Writers: Organizational Meeting 18

Introduction to Our Faith

This one-day workshop is an introduction to Unitarian Universalism for

both newcomers and long-time members. Taught by UUAA ministers

with assistance from lay members of the congregation, topics include

the history of Unitarian Universalism and this congregation, how this

congregation is governed, how to get involved at UUAA, the meaning

and responsibilities of membership, and participants’ own spiritual jour-

neys. Register at least one week prior to the workshop.

Offered by Welcoming Ministries

Facilitators: UUAA ministers

Register: At the Involvement Table during Social Hour or by email to

Hannah Hotchkiss, Welcome Ministries Coordinator, [email protected]

Details: Single-session workshops on Saturdays, March 21, 2015 (sign-

up by March 15) and June 13, 2015 (sign-up by June7), 10:00 AM – 2:30

PM

Location: Fahs Chapel

Max # of participants: 20


HOW TO REGISTER FOR COURSES Registration opens at 10:30 am on Sunday, March 8th, using one of the following two options:

by email to the address provided in the description (mention course by name),

by paper form at the Adult Spiritual Growth & Development table during Social Hour on March 8th, 15th or 22nd.

Registration is not required for some courses or events where no email registration instruction is found in their descriptions. Registration continues for each respective course or event until the day prior to that course or event.

Course & Event Descriptions

mailto:[email protected]

Workshop: Islam & Muslims 101

Standing on the side of love with our neighbors begins by learning about

who they are. Come to this discussion to learn more about what Mus-

lims believe, how they practice and where they come from. We'll ad-

dress common UU misperceptions about Muslims and the active efforts

to promote and fund Islamophobia in America that are contributing to

such misperceptions. Presenter Jaye Starr Boz was raised as a UU before

embracing Islam. She is currently completing an M.A. in Islamic Studies

& Christian Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary as well as a G.C. in

Chaplaincy.

Offered by Social Justice Council and Challenging Racism

Details: Sunday, March 15, 1:00 – 2:30 PM


Max # of Participants: 40

Film & Discussion: Pay 2 Play

The film Pay 2 Play follows filmmaker John

Ennis' quest to find a way out from under the

Pay 2 Play System, where Politicians reward

their donors with even larger sums from the

public treasury -- through contracts, tax cuts,

and deregulation. Pay 2 Play: Democracy's

High Stakes is the layman's guidebook to tak-

ing back our democracy.

Offered by Challenging Racism, the Social Jus-

tice Council, League of Women Voters, ROAD

(Reclaiming our American Democracy) and

Spring 2015 Course Catalog 5


Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice

Facilitator: Lucia Heinold

Details: Saturday, April 18, 1:00-4:00 PM



Book Discussion: The Selma Awakening

Community book discussion of The Selma

Awakening: How the Civil Rights Movement

Tested and Changed Unitarian Universalism, by

UU Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed. Rev. Mark Morri-

son-Reed will be preaching at UUAA on May 3rd.

The book is available at our QUUest Bookstore

or from UUA. An eBook is available in the Ama-

zon Kindle Store and on Google Play.

Offered by Challenging Racism

Facilitators: Charlie Pekarek and Lucia Heinold

Register by email: Lucia Heinold <[email protected]> or Kathy Frie-

drichs <[email protected]>

Details: Sunday, April 19, 2015, 1:00-2:30 PM

Location: Jackson Chapel


Workshop: African-American UUs: Exploring Our

Heritage and History

Sign up for a workshop with UU minister and author Reverend Mark

Morrison-Reed on Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. We

will focus on exploring our heritage and history involving African-



http://www.amazon.com/Selma-Awakening-Movement-Unitarian-Universalism-ebook/dp/B00NVSHS6M/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1411760228&sr=8-1&keywords=selma+awakening

http://www.amazon.com/Selma-Awakening-Movement-Unitarian-Universalism-ebook/dp/B00NVSHS6M/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1411760228&sr=8-1&keywords=selma+awakening

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Mark_D_Morrison_Reed_The_Selma_Awakening?id=1LJZBAAAQBAJ




American UUs through the written works of Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed.

It’s 2+ hours of lively UU history as seen through his various books and

includes a debriefing lunch at 1:00.

Offered by Challenging Racism

Facilitator: Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed

Register by email: Lucia Heinold <[email protected]> or Kathy Frie-

drichs <[email protected]>

Details: Saturday, May 2, 2015, 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM



Workshop: Improving Your Memory

Why can’t we remember like we used to? What can we do when we are

starting to forget? Lynn Stern, social worker at the University of Michi-

gan, will present an informative session on how memory works, how

memory changes with age, factors that affect memory and a host of

memory improvement techniques. There will be time for questions or

concerns. Lynn’s updated book Improving Your Memory - How to Re-

member What You’re Starting to Forget will be available for $20, cash or

check.

Offered by Pastoral Care – Education

Presenter: Lynn Stern, Social Worker at the University of Michigan

Medical Center’s Geriatrics Center

Facilitator: Emily Simon

Register by email: Terry Madden <[email protected]>

Details: Saturday, April 18, 10:00 – 11:30 AM








The Art of Storytelling

Telling and listening to stories is a way for people to enjoy and cherish

one another’s company. Storytelling is also an effective way to teach, to

inspire, to heal, and to delight. Whether you want to hone your story-

telling skills to use in front of an audience or around a fire with friends,

this class is for you. Have fun while learning to relax in front of other

people and let your creativity blossom. This interactive course will help

you shape ideas, and gain experience in the effectiveness of body and

vocal techniques. Beginners are welcome as well as those with more

experience.

Facilitator: Bev Black

Register by email: Bev Black <[email protected]>

Details: Four sessions; Mondays, March 16, 23, 30 & April 6, 2015,

7:00 – 9:00 PM

Location: Brown Room

Max # of participants: 12 Min #: 6

Reclaiming Prophetic Witness

This class will be based on Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion

in the Public Square by Paul Rasor (Skinner House Books, 2013) that was

selected as the UUA “Common Read” for 2014-2015. Rasor observes

that many liberals are uncomfortable with talking about our faith as the

well from which spring our social justice commitments. The book in-

cludes insights from our theological heritage and our history that have

bearing for us today, and calls us to prophetic, faith-based justice work.

All participants will be expected to read the pages 1-27 of the book be-

fore the first session. The book will be available in the UUAA Quest

bookstore on March 8th.




http://www.uuabookstore.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=3619

http://www.uuabookstore.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=3619

Class discussion will test Rasors’s ideas against personal experiences and

invite participants to share their reactions, reflections and stories in a

safe trusting space. We’ll also explore ways the framework in the book

might strengthen social justice and witness work as individuals and as

members of the Congregation. Coffee and bagels will be shared.

Facilitator: Joan Burleigh

Register by email & questions: Joan Burleigh <[email protected]>

Details: Two sessions; Saturday, March 21 and 28


Max # of participants: 10

Awareness of Mind

Discover meditation as a form of yoga based on practices adapted to

everyday life and our natural capacity for moral uprightness. Supported

by discussion, practice, and readings drawn from Mahayana Buddhist

sources, class members experience Awareness of Mind as the natural

complement of our Upright Mind as addressed in the fall class. Note

that the two classes may be taken in any order. Awareness of Mind pro-

vides critical support for taking the practice of engaged Buddhism be-

yond the “6 AM sanctuary.”

Facilitator: Charley Burleigh

Register by email: Charley Burleigh <[email protected]>

Syllabus available

Details: Four sessions; Tuesdays, March 24, 31, April 7 & 14,

7:00—9:00 PM







Aging Well—The Harvard Study

The 75-year longitudinal study on Adult Development, the “Grant study”

researched the adult lives of hundreds of men who were sophomores at

Harvard from the 1930s and ‘40s. Bill Bradley and JFK were among these

men who disclosed their own participation in the study. A 2012 book

written on the study’s findings, Triumphs of Experience, is authored by

one of the more recent directors of the study, George Vaillant. Two At-

lantic articles summarize the book’s findings and, like the book, use

amalgams of men’s stories to personalize and relate key points learned

about patterns of successful (and not so successful) living.

George Vaillant: “Positive aging must reflect vital reaction

to change, to disease and to environmental imbalance.”

There will be two summary articles sent to participants ahead of the

first class meeting. These are from The Atlantic Monthly that summarize

the findings from the Grant Study, the longest in American history.

Anyone is welcome to purchase the book, but the discussion will chiefly

pull from the two articles over our three sessions.

Facilitator: Barb Cherem

Register by email: Barb Cherem, < [email protected] >

Details: Three sessions; Tuesdays, April 21, 28, May 5, 7:00—9:00 PM






True Love 101

Being able to create successful relationships is the basis of living a life of

meaning where we thrive and not just survive. This workshop is based

on the book True Love 101: Guide to Discovering, Creating, and Sustain-

ing True Love, by Nancy L. Davis, LMSW, LMFT, as well as her thirty-

eight years of working with individuals and couples. During this interac-

tive workshop we will explore the experience of love, the power of

thought, projection, and judgment, the power of our needs, as well as

how to make very different choices which result in discovering, creating,

and sustaining truly loving relationships. Come and learn, laugh, and

leave knowing how to create successful relationships with ourselves and

others.

Facilitator: Nancy Davis

Register by email: Nancy Davis <[email protected]>

Details: Single-session; Saturday, May 9, 1:00 – 4:30 PM



Youth Mental Health First Aid

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family mem-

bers, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and hu-

man services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adoles-

cent & young adult (age 12-25) who is experiencing a mental health or

addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common men-

tal health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development,

and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both

crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depres-




sion, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive

behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. People tak-

ing the course learn a lot about their own mental health and about men-

tal illness resources for all. Workbooks $18 but class is free. There will

be ½ hour break, and attendees need to bring their own lunch.

Facilitator: Robbi Duda, RN

Register by email: Robbi Duda <[email protected]>

Details: Single-session; Saturday, March 28, 9:00 Am – 5:00 PM



Safe Talk

SafeTALK is a 3 hour workshop that prepares anyone over the age of 15,

regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert

helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die but

are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and ac-

tions, they invite other people help to stay alive. SafeTALK-trained help-

ers practice how to recognize these invitations and take action by con-

necting them with life-saving intervention resources. Class free though

manual kits are $8 each.

Facilitator: Robbi Duda, RN

Register by email: Robbi Duda <[email protected]>

Details: Single-session; Saturday, April 11, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM







Sit & Laugh Bunch

Learn to release your happiness by laughing with a certified facilitator of

the American School of Laughter Yoga. Programs have been held at UU-

AA, First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Senior Center, Carpenter

Place and National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Facilitator: Barb Gales

Register by email: Barb Gales <[email protected]>

Details: Single-session; Monday, April 13, 1:00—3:00 PM

Location: Emerson Room


Reflection & Learning Project on Israel-Palestine

Do you wish you had a better understanding of the conflict in Israel-

Palestine? Historic and fundamental shifts are taking place in this con-

flict, and in the roles of key segments of world and American society. For

various reasons, many UUs are ill informed on this issue. As a result, in

contrast to other historical human rights movements, we as a communi-




ty are limited in our ability to make a positive contribution toward miti-

gating this issue. This course is designed to expose and foster a re-

spectful discussion on the fundamental issues driving this conflict.

For information, see UUJME’s website:

www.uujme.org/home/TakeAction/LearnandReflect.aspx.

Facilitators: Mark Jagner and Anne Garcia

Register by email: Anne Garcia <[email protected]>

Details: Five sessions; Thursdays, March 4, 11, 18 & 25 and April 1, 7:00

PM – 9:00 PM. Participants are invited to join the class after March 4

and before March 11.

Location: Jackson Chapel, March 4, 18 & April 1; David Room, March 11

& 25


Writing Our Obituaries

How would you like to be remembered? Write your very own obituary –

write it in first person (‘I’), create a short humorous history, or a litany of

your accomplishments and heirs you leave behind. It can even be a love

poem to those you have loved most in this one short life.

Come join us in a two-day seminar to write your obituary the way you

want it to be read and published.

Facilitator: Pat Kuessner

Register by email: Pat Kuessner <[email protected]>

Details: Two sessions; Tuesday, April 21 & 28, 7:00—9:00 PM





http://www.uujme.org/home/TakeAction/LearnandReflect.aspx.



Great Lakes & Environmental Action

Learn about recent trends in Great Lakes research and education. Dis-

cover how you may strengthen or reconnect to the Great Lakes, a criti-

cal resource locally, regionally, nationally and globally. We will also dis-

cuss the fact that a number of key scientists are UUAA members.

Facilitator: Elizabeth LaPorte

Register by email: Elizabeth LaPorte <[email protected]>

Details: Single-session; Monday, March 30, 7:00—9:00 PM

Location: Young Room

Max # of Participants: 24 Min #: 10

Social Media

Learn how to navigate Facebook and use it as part of your social justice

work.

Facilitator: Bethany Ramirez

Register by email: Bethany Ramirez < [email protected] >

Details: Single-session; Saturday, March 28, 10:00 AM – 12:00 NOON



The Unparalleled Challenges of the Coming Dec-

ades

The gravity of the challenges confronting humanity this century is un-

paralleled in more ways than at any time in the history of civilization.

What distinguishes this century from previous centuries is its degree of

interconnectedness. Catastrophes in previous centuries generally were

more isolated and were much less likely to metastasize regionally or





globally. Technological advances in communication, transportation, bur-

geoning of population have increased our interconnectedness. Adverse

environmental change is possibly the most serious crisis. But it is the

intersecting or converging nature of the stresses which is its basic char-

acteristic. No single crisis occurs in isolation.

Facilitator: Bennett Stark

Register by email: Bennett Stark <[email protected]>

Details: Four sessions; Thursdays, April 9, 16, 23 & 30, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Location: Emerson Room


Active Dream Workshop

We have been dreamed by our ancestors. Just as we have

dreams for our own lives and those of our children and the

generations to come, our ancestors dreamed of us.

On Saturday May 9th as part of The World Day of Active Dreaming,

groups all around the world will be gathering to dream together. Here

at UUAA, using the tools of Active Dreaming (conscious dream journeys,

dream theater and dream re-entry) we will be gathering to commune

with our ancestors of the past and future to explore how we were

dreamed and how we are dreaming those in the future. Bring your

dreams and sense of as we explore Dreaming with the Ancestors.

Facilitator: Julie Tumbarello

Register by email: Julie Tumbarello <[email protected]>

Details: Single-session; Saturday, May 9, 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Location: Harper Room






Cakes for the Queen of Heaven

"Cakes for the Queen of Heaven” is a woman honoring adult RE curricu-

lum by Rev. Shirley Ranck. It examines pre-Judeo Christian cultures that

may have worshiped the female as divine. The concepts of equality and

reverence for the female in a religious setting are eye-opening to many

participants.

More than Goddess 101, this workshop series examines important ele-

ments of today’s women’s lives; personal, interpersonal and societal. It

examines how our culture has been influenced by Judeo Christian val-

ues. The primary question raised is: How would your life have been

different if, when growing up, the divine had been imaged as female?

Participants are encouraged to share their own experiences and beliefs,

creating trust and strong bonds of friendship.

Please join the circle of women only for this 7 week program. There will

be time for getting to know each other, tea and learning. We’ll start with

supper provided by the co-facilitators at 6:30 PM on March 27th.

Facilitator: Bett Weston, Carol Acitelli and Royla Furniss

Register by email: Carol Acitelli <[email protected]>

Details: Eight sessions; Friday, March 27, 6:30—9:00 PM and Fridays,

April 10, 17 & 24 and May 1, 8, and 15, 7:00—9:00 PM

Location: Young Room





UUAA Community of Writers: Organizational Meeting

Writers (beginning, advanced, potential) interested in forming an open,

supportive community to foster self-awareness, spiritual growth, crea-

tive expression, and social witness through the writing arts are invited to

attend an organizational meeting on Sunday, March 29th from 1:00 to

2:30 in Jackson Chapel. The group's shared leadership design would

mean that any of its members could lead an individual session or series

of sessions focused on a particular theme, form of writing (including po-

etry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, journaling and blogging), or

purpose for writing. Come with your ideas for activities and events that

you would be interested in attending and/or leading.

Lead Organizer: Becca Manery

Register/questions by email: Rebecca Manery <[email protected]>

Details: Initial session; Saturday, March 29, 1:00 – 2:30 PM



Adult Spiritual Growth & Development - Spring 2015 Course Catalog 18

Group/ Event Description


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