By Wendy Weiss, Programs and Membership Coordinator
We are so happy to announce the return of our Adult Religious Exploration classes! It is so important, especially during these times, to come together and explore the bigger questions of our times within our Unitarian Universalist community. Affirming our value of searching and learning together, these Adult RE offerings both support and stretch our understanding of who we are as individuals and what it means to be and become UU in the world.
• Building Your Own Theology, Thursday evenings, 6:30-8 p. 8 sessions running from Sept.10-Oct. 29
In this on-going class, we have the opportunity to reflect upon, share, and discuss our unique spiritual journeys. We will use writing exercises, conversation, and other ‘games’ and activities to explore how we each have created a unique theology for ourselves.
We'll be talking about what we believe, what our journeys have been like, and the questions that drive us to continue seeking. Led mostly by Rev. Carol, this is a great way to explore for yourself and with your fellow UU's how we define our own "theologies."
• Spiritual Practices, 2nd Sundays (Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8), 9-9:50 am
A contemplative time to center and find balance within. Rev. Carol Bodeau and Wendy Weiss will share practices that promote deeper inward listening, understanding, and expression. Through experiencing these spiritual practices together, we discover ways to find greater peace in ourselves and in our world.
• Compassionate Conversations, 4th Sundays (Sept. 27, Oct. 25 & Nov. 22), 9 am- 9:50 am
Come discuss current topics of interest and importance, using the Compassionate Communication model. We aim to share ideas and perspectives without judgment of differing views and to practice a model of discussion that makes room for connection despite differences.
• Indigenous People's History of the U.S., Thursday evenings, 6:30-8 pm, Nov. 5, 12, & 19
A curriculum-based exploration of the meaning of the history of the United States told from the perspective of indigenous peoples. As we strive to decolonize our own inherited and indoctrinated orientation to American history and reality, we UUs are charged with educating ourselves so that we may begin to challenge and change our societal institutions that perpetuate settler-colonial values.
From Penguin Random House website: “Today in the United States, there are more than five hundred federally recognized Indigenous nations comprising nearly three million people, descendants of the fifteen million Native people who once inhabited this land. The centuries-long genocidal program of the US settler-colonial regimen has largely been omitted from history. Now, for the first time, acclaimed historian and activist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz offers a history of the United States told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples and reveals how Native Americans, for centuries, actively resisted expansion of the US empire.”
• Westside Small Groups
We are still forming small groups that are formed around shared interests and will meet regularly. This is another great way to get to know your fellow Westsiders better. You’re welcome to join more than one group! Fill out the form at this link:
All of the Zoom links were sent out in an email from the Office of Westside on Sept. 3. The Zoom links will be shared in the Westside Members and Friends Facebook Group and in the Membership Area of the Westside website.
Please contact Wendy Weiss, Programs and Membership Coordinator, if you have any questions: membership@westsideuuc.org or 865.226.9191
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