Learning and exploration are about the transformation of the individual, our community, and the larger society. Participation helps us grow in wisdom, compassion, and ethical living. See our upcoming activities, programs, and workshops for adults.
To contact the facilitator in regard to any offering, you may email AdultRE@UUSM.org with the title of the group in the subject line. Your email will be forwarded.
Special Workshop for February
Prayer Bead Workshop Wednesdays, February 12, 26
You are invited to participate in a special, two-part workshop on prayer beads and spiritual practice. At our first meeting, Rev. Jeremiah will share the history of prayer beads in various cultures and religions–Rosary, Tasbih, Japamala, Catholic, Anglican, Islamic, Pagan, Buddhist. We will discuss types of prayer and ways to adapt them to fit various UU beliefs. Week Two: Keeping in mind what we have learned about the purpose, intention and symbolism of materials in prayer beads, we will make own prayer beads. We will meet in Forbes Hall from 7–9 pm. Contacts: Bettye Barclay or Sue Stoyanoff.
Community Building Through Personal Development:
Collage Group with Stan Bemis Saturday, February 8
Do you wish to express yourself creatively in art, and yet may feel inadequate or untrained? Do you yearn to make an artistic statement, yet not sure how? Do you have too many catalogs, magazines, and advertisements, and haven’t a clue what to do with them? We welcome you to create your own collages with Stan Bemis! Stan works to bring joy and peace into people’s lives by creating art. The goal of this group is to help foster personal worth and empowerment, entering that holy place within and having sacred fun. We encourage you to bring your old magazines to work with as well. We will meet from 10 am-12 noon in the NE Cottage. Contacts: Stan Bemis or Sarah Robson.
International Folk Dancing with Instructors Saturday, February 15
They say that dancing is combining fun with exercise and friends. Learn international folk dancing with instructors Sandy Helperin and Teri Hoffman. Folk dancing is for anyone who loves to move to traditional music. New dancers are welcome – there are no partners required. Donations accepted. We are meeting from 7-8:30 pm in Forbes Hall. Enter through the Arizona entrance. Contact: Ellen Levy.
Ukulele Strum and Sing-Along Saturday, February 15
UU Ukes of Santa Monica presents a monthly strum and sing-a-long. Come and play Ukulele with us (or join with another strumming instrument) or come just to sing along. All levels welcome (from no experience to advanced). Bring a Ukulele if you can, chords and lyrics will be provided and we will share tips and support each other to strum and sing-a-long, pulling from a wide range of music. We will meet in Forbes Hall on the third Saturday of the month, from 10 am-12 pm. Contact: Kim Kalmanson.
Exploration of Ideas:
AAHS Freethinker Forum Sunday, February 23
AAHS (Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, and Secularists) is an open group that meets for a lively and engaging discussion on topics of politics, science, religion, and philosophy. We also host occasional guest speakers, films, and outings. We are a home base for non-believers and questioners, but everyone is welcome. For many, atheism/agnosticism is a first step; Humanism is the thousand steps that come after. We’ll meet one hour after the service in the Warren Mathews Conference Room. Contact: James Witker.
Science Non-Fiction Book Discussion Tuesday, February 18
We will discuss “The Strength Switch: How the New Science of Strength-Based Parenting Can Help Your Child and Your Teen to Flourish,” by Lea Waters. There is more than one way to raise a child to an independent adulthood. Discovering strengths can be put to unexpected uses. All are welcome. We meet from 7:30-9 pm in Forbes Hall. Contact: Rebecca Crawford.
Interest Groups:
Body and Mind Tune-Up for Seniors Every Saturday
Bruno Lacombe is conducting exercise classes for seniors, super-seniors and people with physical difficulties for UUSM members. Classes are no-charge for UUSM members; non-members suggested donation $10 per class to UUSM. We meet from 12:30-1:30 pm in Forbes Hall. Contact: Bruno Lacombe.
Discussion and Support for Persons with Disabilities Sunday, February 23
Parents’ Group Sunday, TBA
Come join us to discuss the joys and challenges of parenting in a group setting! Childcare will be provided. Contact Chris Brown for more information.
UU Men’s Group Thursdays, February 6, 20
The Men’s Group offers a special opportunity to the men of the congregation and other like-minded men to join our welcoming group with provocative and stimulating discussion and to get to know others with UU perspectives in a more meaningful way. The topics for Thursday, Feb. 6 are: If your father were alive today, what would he think of our advancements in technology. Is new tech improving our lives or is it distracting and isolating us? How can we fix this? The topics for Thursday, Feb. 20 are: If you could send a message back to yourself as a kid, what would you say? And what’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? We meet the first and third Thursdays of the month from 7:30-9 pm in the NE Cottage. For more information contact Richard Mathias.
Meditations:
An Enjoyable Dive into Who and What We Are Mondays, February 3, 17
Bill Blake will present an enjoyable dive into the “who and what” we are. This on-going, twice a month class on the 1st and 3rd Monday is presented to help participants master specific meditation skills. We endeavor to answer the questions Who am I? (attitudes and beliefs) and What am I? (essence or true nature). This class will include meditations that explore participants’ spiritual goals. The monthly group meetings will also focus on insights gained throughout the month. It is expected that participants will develop and enjoy a regular meditation practice. The class meets in Forbes Classroom 3 from 7:30-9 pm. Contact: Bill Blake.
Open Meditation Mondays, February 10, 24
We gather twice a month to sit together quietly for 20 minutes, to walk with gentle awareness for seven minutes, and to explore the integration of meditation with ordinary life through reading and sharing. Anyone who senses they would benefit from 20 minutes of silent, non-guided sitting is welcome to join us. We have found that this time of quiet meditation and shared exploration can be deeply nourishing – a time of simply “being” amidst all the “doing” of our lives. We meet in Forbes Hall, from 7:30-9:15 pm. Contacts: Bev Shoenberger or Carol Ring.
