Fall 2009 Adult Religious Education and Enhancement Opportunities

Volunteer Retreat: Saturday Sept 19 from 9am-11am

Being a member of our congregation is enhanced by being an involved member of our congregation.  But, perhaps getting involved seems confusing, complicated or perhaps even overwhelming.  The purpose of this retreat is to help you identify what you want out of church involvement and to get you connected.  If you have questions, please contact Allison Fagan, Commissioned Lay Leader at fagan8385@gmail.com or 614-895-2137, or Reverand Ritchie at RevRitchie@aol.com.   Sign up by September 15 at the latest, on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall, by phoning the office (740-657-8081) or by emailing NuucJDill@aol.com.

Healthy Children - Healthy Planet: Environmentally Conscious Parenting

This is a six-session Discussion Course using curriculum developed by the NorthWest Earth Institute.   Rev. Ritchie will lead the first class, and then the remaining classes will be run as discussion by the group as a whole using the provided materials.  
Course Goals:
 • To understand how the pervasive effects of advertising, media, and our consumer culture can influence a child's view of the world.

 • To discover ways to create meaningful family times and healthful environments for children.

 • To explore ways to develop a child's connection to nature, and to foster creativity.

•   To experience support within the congregation for environmentally conscious child rearing.

Child care will be provided on request.   Tuesday evenings, 7:00-8:30PM, September 22-October 27.  Sign up by September 14 at the latest (so we can order curriculums) , on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall, by phoning the office (740-657-8081) or by emailing NuucJDill@aol.com.

Understanding the Bible: An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals

This class will follow the book by the same name by former UUA President John Buehrens.  An overview of the Bible, the course places both Testaments in the context of prevailing theologies and the times in which they were assembled.  Different methods of interpretation are also explained, and basic Biblical texts reviewed.  Rev. Ritchie will introduce the class.  Five sessions, 11:45AM-1:00PM Sundays, October 11-Nov. 8.  Sign up by Sept. 27 at the latest, on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall, by phoning the office (740-657-8081) or by emailing NuucJDill@aol.com.

Understanding Islam: An Introduction to the Moslem World

An easy to understand introduction into various aspects of Islam led by Rev. Susan Ritchie: (1) Basic Beliefs and Practices, (2) The Prophet Muhammad (3) The Koran, (4) Law and Government in Islamic Countries, (5) The Advance of Islam, (6) Schism and Mysticism, and (7) The Islamic Community Today. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in knowing more about Islamic beliefs and or history.  Participants may, but need not to, refer to the Thomas Lippman book by the same title.  Five sessions starting the last week in January.  Sign up by Jan. 10 at the latest, on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall, by phoning the office (740-657-8081) or by emailing nuucjdill@aol.com.   As an experiment in 21^st century life, we will try using one of the Meeting Wizard technologies to find a day and time that is good for all interest participants; so please, be sure to provide an email as you sign up, and we will be in touch to see about your availability. 

Yoga   

Throughout much of the year, NUUC offers weekly evening Yoga class.  Check the current newsletter for details.

Brown Bag Books

NUUC's own book club (open membership!) meets midday during once a month during on a weekday to discuss the latest club selection.  Check out the current newsletter for details and this month's selection.

Covenant Groups     

Covenant groups provide a unique experience that differs from adult religious education, special interest groups, or anything else you do at church or in the community. In our covenant groups you will get to:

1)      Discover what you really value and express those values to others;

2)      Share your stories, which provides immense opportunity for spiritual deepening and connection to one another;

3)      Experience an open, supportive, and nurturing environment that welcomes every person;

4)      Search, learn, and grow together.

Here’s what you can expect in a covenant group session:

·         preparatory materials distributed by the group leader ahead of time that identify the topic for the session, 4-5 questions or exercises, and some related quotes. You choose whichever questions or exercises are relevant to you.

·         lasting about 90 minutes, sessions have a structure that includes “check-in,” when members describe high or low points in the past week, readings, when members, in turn, read an extended passage or a series of quotes from slips of paper passed around, silence, sharing and deep listening, when members express their ideas on the topic and others listen deeply without cross-talk, and discussion, when members ask questions and exchange thoughts but with respect for the views of others.

Covenant group members are expected to attend all monthly sessions for the program year unless absence is unavoidable. This level of commitment establishes continuity and trust and helps make the covenant group experience unique.  Contact Rev. Ritchie (740-657-8081) RevRitchie@aol.com if you are interested for a list of current groups and times.