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 regards to any offering, you may email AdultRE@UUSM.org with the title of the group in the subject line. Your email will be forwarded.
Community Building Through Personal Development:
Gentle Yoga Mondays
We will explore traditional yoga poses in a safe, compassionate, non-competitive environment that is welcoming to all who can get up and down from a yoga mat. We will be working on traditional yoga poses with a focus on creating a safe, productive, compassionate, non-competitive environment that is welcoming to all. We will work on strength, flexibility, restorative poses, and deep relaxation. We recommend the following props for the best experience: Yoga mat (required); two yoga blankets or beach towels (required); two yoga blocks (suggested); yoga strap or any belt (required); yoga bolster (recommended). For more information, drop by the Adult RE table on Sunday or email AdultRE@UUSM.org The group meets from 6-7 pm in Forbes Hall on Mondays.
Collage Group with Stan Bemis Saturday, November 9
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 through creating art. He has taught many who didn’t realize they had creative talent, from all across the world – from California to Palestine/Israel. He welcomes any age, from youths to older adults. The goal of this group is to help foster personal worth and empowerment, entering that holy place within and having sacred fun. The objectives are: 1. to create works of art; and 2. to possibly create cards for events or celebrations. 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, November 9
We are back! 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.
Exploration of Ideas:
Science Non-Fiction Book Discussion Tuesday, November 19
We will discuss “Clean Meat: How Growing Meat without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World,” by Paul Shapiro. All are welcome. We meet from 7:30-9 pm in Forbes Hall. Contact: Rebecca Crawford.
AAHS Freethinker Forum Sunday, November 24
AAHS (Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, and Secularists) is an open group that meets for 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.
Interest Groups:
Discussion and Support for Persons with Disabilities Sunday, November 24
The Disability Support Group will be promoting a dialogue on a selected topic at each of its meetings throughout this church year. This month’s topic is “Personal Boundaries.” All church members interested in the topic are invited to attend. We meet on the fourth Sunday of each month a half hour after the service in the NE Cottage. Contact: Michael Young.
UU Men’s Group Thursdays, November 7, 21
This group offers a special opportunity to the men of the congregation and other like-minded men to join our welcoming group in provocative and stimulating discussion and to get to know others with UU perspectives in a more meaningful way. The topic for November 7 is: What was the most alarming thing that happened to any of your children? If no children, what alarming/serious thing happened to your significant other – or to you? The topic for November 21 is: How did you meet your wife/significant other and when did you know that you wanted to be together as long as possible/marry? 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, November 4, 18
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, November 11, 25
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 on Monday November 11th in Classroom 3, and Monday November 25 in Forbes Hall, from 7:30-9:15 pm. Contacts: Bev Shoenberger or Carol Ring.
Highlights of additional interest groups meeting in November
- Knitters and Friends NOTE: on hiatus until further notice. If interested, contact: Linda Van Ligten.
- Body-Mind Tune Up for Seniors This group is for seniors, superseniors, and people with physical difficulties. Now on a new day of the week! Each Saturday from 12:30-1:30 pm in Forbes Hall. Contact: Bruno Lacombe. Note: Free for church members, $10 suggested donation for nonmembers.
