Parent as a Resident Theologian

When such a religious quality of exploration is the goal, any subject, any phenomenon, any thing, animate or inanimate, human or animal, may be the starting point...Religion is the gestalt of all experiences. — Sophia Lyon Fahs (UU educator)

Participants will explore their own theologies as they endeavor to gain confidence answering the theological questions of children. From the child finding a dead bird on the ground, to wondering what their Christian classmate meant by telling them “your going to hell,” these scenarios arise as a part of life, and turn the parent into the resident theologian. If you are ready to explore your own beliefs, and learn how that relates to your life as a Unitarian Universalist, then this is the class for you.

November-December

Spiritual Crafts for UUs
led by Gay Lambirth
Saturdays, Nov. 6-Dec. 18, 9:30-11:30 AM (no class 11/27)
As we follow our spiritual paths, we often feel a need for tangible items that reflect our Unitarian Universalist faith. Creating your own items can be a meaningful part of the journey. This class provides opportunities for you to design and create personal symbols of your faith. Participants will receive a list of supplies prior to the first class. Projects include:

• Bookmaking. Participants design and make their own books that can be used as spiritual journals, meditation or reflection books.
• Needlework Chalices: Participants design their own chalice or use a prepared pattern working with cross-stitch, needlepoint, or embroidery.
• Clay Chalices: Participants design and create a clay chalice.

January-February

Love and Death
led by Rev. Sarah York
Sundays, Jan. 16-Feb. 27, 2:30-4:30 PM (no class 1/23)
This six week course explores Rev. Forrest Church’s seminal book, Love and Death.
Forrest Church often said “religion is our human response to the dual reality of being alive and having to die. Knowing we must die, we question what life means. Where did I come from? Who am I? Where am I going? What is life’s purpose?”
    With insightful Unitarian Universalist theology, this book opens vistas for us to gain deeper appreciation of life, death, and the afterlife. Love & Death shows us how we can accompany others on their journeys through the valley of the shadow. Here we also learn about dying and living ourselves.

February-April

A House for Hope
led by Rev. Mark Ward
Tuesdays, Feb. 22-Mar. 29 & Apr. 12, 6:30-8 PM

As Unitarian Universalists, we often struggle with theological language to describe our understanding of faith. Yet, Rebecca Parker and John Buehrens, authors of A House for Hope, a new book from Beacon Press, argue that our liberal tradition has a rich theological legacy that makes room for a broad range of belief. They use the metaphor of the components of a house roof, walls, floor, etc. to describe that legacy and invite us into deeper and more creative thinking about our own theological understanding. This class will use that book as a resource to invite us into such thinking here.