Learning

Learning All Our Lives

In a program of lifespan learning, we offer children, youth and adults an opportunity to explore issues, reflect on ideas and learn new skills within a nurturing community. We encourage:

  • Ethical growth—internalizing and acting on values like justice, equity and compassion.
  • Social growth—connecting with people of all ages on a deep level.
  • Spiritual growth—feeling a connection with the sacred within and beyond.

The Director of Religious Education, with the help of the Children’s Religious Education (CRE) Team oversee the education of children and youth, while the Minister, with the aid of the Adult Education and Enrichment Team, plan and execute learning programs for adults. CRE is provided during our Sunday services, including nursery care for infants and toddlers, next door at Chalice House.

More info to come about our current CRE programs soon.

See the calendar for Adult EE classes for the remainder of 2024. The following curriculum map outlines planned classes for 2025-2027.

 

First Quarter 2025

Supporting the Differently Abled, Rev. Paul Oakley. Using the book A Disability History of the United States, by Kim E. Nielsen, the class will look at attitudes and solutions toward the differently abled and what more can be done at the Fellowship to support attendees with physical and other needs. 4 weeks.

 

Second Quarter 2025

World Religions, Rev, Barbro Hansson and Rev. Annie Foerster. To understand the social, political and financial aspects of today’s complicated and multi-cultural world, it is important to understand the religions that have influenced different cultures around the world. Using God is Not One: The eight rival religions that run the world—and why their differences matter, by Stephen Prothero, and Discovering God: The origins of the Great Religions and the Evolution of Belief, by Rodney Stark, we’ll look at the problems and solutions that each religion was designed for, as well as the evolution of beliefs that influence the world today. 8 weeks.

 

Third Quarter 2025

Spirit in Practice, Susan Clark and Rev. Annie Foerster. We’ll survey a variety of spiritual practices, what they are designed to accomplish, and how they help us live healthier and more compassionate lives. 6-8 weeks.

 

Fourth Quarter 2025

Ethics, Nancy Lay. By the author of Building Your Own Theology, Richard Gilbert, we’ll examine the history and social evolution of ethics and ethical decisions.

 

And Beyond Next Year–

2026

1st Quarter Loss and Grief: understanding the role of grief in healing, Rev. Annie Foerster

2nd Quarter UU History, discovering whose shoulders we stand on, Rev. Paul Oakley

3rd Quarter Odyssey Writing: Mining the stories of a Lifetime, Nancy Lay & Susan Clark

4th Quarter Religion for Atheists: what the church accomplishes whether we believe in it or not, Rev. Annie Foerster

 

2027

1st Quarter Biblical Literacy: why the bible is important to understanding society

2nd Quarter Journaling for Self Awareness: some techniques for exploring the self

3rd Quarter Building Your Own Theology II: Exploring

4th Quarter What Moves Us: UU Theology