Adult Enrichment News: October 24, 2011

All Congregation Pot Luck

If you are joining us on Friday, October 28th for the All-Congregation "Imagineering Our Future" party, it's very important that you sign up for the potluck dinner. We need to know how many are attending, what food you're bringing and whether or not you need child care for children ages 10 years and under.  We need to hear from you with this information by Wednesday, October 25th. Please contact me either by phone (586) 779-7274 or via email at villajilla@sbcglobal.net, or you may call or email Candy in the church office.

Spirit Play

Mark your calendars for Friday, November 4th, from 7:30 until 9:00 p.m. as Rev. Shelley Page will present another Friday evening gathering called "Poetry From the Heart." As a group, we will create some extemporaneous poetry, using some fun and low-key activities. We'll also share spiritual poetry that could be meaningful to us in new and surprising ways. A sign-up sheet is available in the foyer.

Unitarian Universalist Common Read

This year’s selection is: "Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation," by Eboo Patel. A remarkable account of growing up Muslim in America from one of the most prominent faith leaders in the United States, "Acts of Faith" is a hopeful and moving testament to the power and passion of young people, and of the world-changing potential of an interfaith youth movement. The Unitarian Universalist Common Read encourages all UUs to read and discuss a single book.  The 2010-2011 common read, "The Death of Josseline," spawned discussion groups and social action plus heightened awareness of the challenges facing undocumented immigrants in the American Southwest.  "Acts of Faith," will meet for two Mondays, November 7 and November 14 from 7:30 until 9pm at the church; John Artis will lead the discussion. For those of you who have already signed up, the books are in. Please contact Jill Crane to get your copy; some are available on the table in the church foyer.The cost is $10.00 and payment is required at the time of sale. We are hoping our teens will join us in reading and discussing this book! Until then, read, enjoy, and we'll see you in November at the first discussion night..

Sunday Morning Meditations, led by Zachariah Bobby, continue at 9:30 a.m. in the Religious Education wing. Child care is provided starting at 9:25 a.m. Zach asks that you bring comfortable clothes, an open mind and a cushion.

The Writing Workshop, facilitated by Mary Beth Smith and Pat Gillis, meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month in the church library from 5 until 7p.m. Mark your calendars for November 7th and 21st.  Bring your writings for discussion, and receive helpful hints, or just come and listen. Advance sign up is not necessary, but if you need child care, please make arrangements with Julie Artis in the RE Wing ahead of time.

New UU Classes Forming

Many folks who are new to our faith want to learn more about Unitarian Universalist history, theology, social justice, denominational matters, and simply what it means to be a UU. We are forming a six-session series of two-hour classes with Rev. Shelley to help you explore these issues. These sessions will be geared toward people who are new to our faith, and toward those considering membership. We will meet on a Sunday at noon, with lunch provided for a $3 donation. There is a new sign-up sheet in the lobby, but if you have already signed, up, there's no need to do so again. We should know the start date by the time the next newsletter is distributed.

 Women's Book Discussion Group

On Thursday, November 17th at 5:30 p.m., Audrey Brosowski will lead a discussion on Robert Travers' book, "Anatomy of a Murder" (448 pages).  It is the story of Paul Biegler, a small town lawyer in the Upper Peninsula who takes on the case of Lieutenant Manion, charged with murder for shooting a local barkeeper. Based on the true story of a murder in Big Bay, Michigan, the novel is a fictionalized account of the trial. While there is no question that Manion shot Barney Quill, the novel examines whether the killing is justified and if Manion is truly blameworthy.  All are welcome to join the discussion. Refreshment Assistants are Kelly Boll and Pi Irwin.

Men’s Book Discussion Group

If you are interested in re-forming a Men’s Book Discussion Group to meet (possibly) on Monday evenings, please indicate on a sign-up sheet in the lobby or contact John Artis.

Child Care is available for all Adult Religious Enrichment Programs. Please sign up on appropriate sheets in the foyer and see Julie Artis in the RE Wing to arrange it.

Attending Adult Religious Enrichment events enlightens us and broadens our sense of fellowship.

Jill Crane, Director of Adult Religious Enrichment

Adult Enrichment News: October 12, 2011

NEW!  Spirit Play

Mark your calendars for Friday, November 4th at 7:30pm  as Rev. Shelly Page will present another Friday evening gathering; this one called, "Poetry From the Heart." We will create some poetry on the spot as a group through some fun and low-key activities as well as share spiritual poetry that is meaningful to us in new and surprising ways.  A sign-up sheet will be posted in the foyer.

Learn about Microfinance Social Justice Work!  A forum with Ann Hanus on Sunday, October 23 at 12 noon, refreshments and childcare provided.

Three years ago, Minister Rick Davis challenged and inspired his UU Congregation of Salem, Oregon (UUCS) to do their part to alleviate world poverty.  Shortly afterward, members of the congregation responded by launching the UUCS Microfinance Project based on the work of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mohammad Yunus.  The primary goal of the UUCS Microfinance Project is to raise awareness about the moral imperative to connect with people around the world and provide assistance to help poor individuals and families earn a sustainable living.  By lending money primarily to women and linking the loan requirements to actions that will lift households out of poverty, microfinance can transform families and communities. Over the past two years, the UUCS Microfinance Project has assisted a group of women in Laos, one of the poorest countries in the world.  In the last year alone, the Salem, Oregon congregation has raised over $5,000 from a combination of donations, sales of the Laotian women's bamboo baskets and silk scarves, and a partnership with the Zimbabwe Artists Project (ZAP) to sell artwork. Ann Hanus, co-chair of the UUCS Microfinance Congregation, will discuss how their congregation made a difference in the lives of people in Laos and how other congregations can initiate their own microfinance project.  Ann is a friend of Rev. Shelley and the person who introduced her to Unitarian Universalism.  She will be visiting the area and has offered to share her microfinance experiences with us.

Adult Religious Enrichment News: September 26, 2011

Introducing Spirit Play Come, relax, and try out some different spiritual practices this year as we offer Friday Night Spirit Play once a month. We’ll start out this coming   Friday, September 30, from 7:30-9 p.m.   with an exploration of chanting, led by Rev. Shelley.

Adult Enrichment Progams

Something New! The UU Association has a program called Unitarian Universalist Common Read. This year’s selection is: “Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation”, by Eboo Patel. This is a remarkable account of growing up Muslim in America from one of the most prominent faith leaders in the United States.

Adult Religious Enrichment News and Programs

from Jill Crane, Director of ARE:

 Once again, I invite you to participate in our tried and true Adult Religious Enrichment programs as well as some new additions we are working on. Sign-up sheets for programs and events are found on the table to the left of the church entrance. If you need child care for any event, it can be noted on the sign-ups.  Feel free to speak to or email me if you have any questions. villajilla@sbcglobal.ne