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CalendarReligious Exploration Programs for AdultsGeneral information ...At First Parish, there are adult programs for religious exploration, just as there are for the children and youth. Here’s just a sampling of what kinds of adult programming we offer at First Parish. Childcare or transportation can often be arranged in advance by phoning the First Parish office.Who Was Jesus?The discovery of the Nag Hammadi library and Dead Sea Scrolls have unleashed a torrent of new investigations in the life and times of one of history's most enigmatic and misunderstood figures. Join our interim minister Gary Kowalski as we investigate modern scholarship that reveals a refreshing portrait of Jesus, his life and radical message that challenged the caste systems of his time, using as our text Marcus Borg's Meeting Jesus Again For The First Time, starts October 23, 7:00-8:30 pm. Please read the first two chapters of Borg's book prior to the first session. Free and open to the public. World ReligionsJoin our minister this winter of 2012 as we explore the wisdom traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism and the Primal Religions, with Huston Smith's classic Understanding the World's Religions as our guidebook. Starts January 8, meeting every Sunday evening for eight weeks, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Couples WorkshopSpend half a day with the person you love most, fine tuning your relationship to enhance mutual satisfaction. A Valentine's Gift to each other, offered in February, Gary Kowalski, Facilitator. Science and ReligionWhere do faith and human values fit into a universe of quarks and quasars? Participants will read and discuss Science and the Search for God with a discussion facilitated by the author, Gary Kowalski, spring of 2012. Besides classes offered by the minister, adult programs often come about as “grass roots” initiatives, with individuals and groups all bringing ideas for programs to fruition. Those with ideas and passions get the ball rolling, enlist other interested folks, and take it forward. Listed below are some of the opportunities currently offered. If you have ideas and/or passion, contact Bev Baker, Community Life Coordinator, at connect  fpsudbury.org.Carbon Consciousness Group
Are You Ready to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint (Even More)? Come check out the “Carbon Consciousness Group” that meets one Thursday evening a month to discuss reducing one’s carbon footprint at home and in our towns. It’s a great opportunity for discussion including such topics as lowering home energy usage, home insulation, gardening, vegetarianism, the Transition Initiative, local food, Community Supported Agriculture, Community Supported Fishery, feasibility of using wind power, solar energy, photovoltaics for our homes, geothermal home heating systems, local and state politics, 350.org, raising chickens, the bottle bill and more. But, it’s more than discussion. They support and help one another to consume less, drive and fly less, and generally use fewer resources. They have attended energy fairs and lectures, viewed films, and read books between meetings. The group meets in the Brackett Room from 7:30 to 9:ish on a Thursday evening. They decide their next meeting date by polling the group. They have a couple of planned events coming up—attending Climate Action Day, and going as a group to view “Food, Inc.” in Concord. Chalice Circles
These are monthly groups for “spiritual deep-diving,” focused on a topic each month, using a structured format based on deep listening, openness, and commitment to the group for the year. Each circle is made up of six to twelve people and meets monthly for two hours, usually in someone’s home. A trained convener leads the meeting using a standard format: opening words, Chalice lighting, check-in, exploring a topic, check-out and closing words. Chalice Circles provide an opportunity for exploration to those seeking spiritual growth, those looking to know themselves better and those who simply want to discuss questions of faith and meaning. Chalice Circles are always open to new members and, once a year in September, all the Circles have an open enrollment period where participants may recommit, opt out and newcomers may join. All offerings – both those continuing and also those being added – will follow the established Chalice Circle or covenant group format which fosters deep listening by enabling only one person to speak at a time without feedback, advice-giving, or exchange of ideas. Chalice Circles are not discussion groups but opportunities for deep, personal, spiritual exploration in the company of others. Fourth Tuesday Lunch Discussions
During our drop-in, bring-your-own lunch on the fourth Tuesdays of the month with a focused conversation around a particular theme. Participants are very welcome to help choose upcoming discussion topics. Green Sanctuary Initiatives
The congregation continues to devote special energy and attention to environmental awareness, advocacy, and justice. Basing our congregation-wide initiative on the principles of our faith plus the moral and ethical imperatives to attend to the needs of our natural resources, we hope to earn the designation “Green Sanctuary” for our intentional efforts toward “reducing our collective and individual footprint” on our planet earth. Stay tuned to the newsletter and website for more details. Mindfulness Meditation Study and Practice
This group is held on Thursday 1:00-2:30pm in The Commons throughout the church year. This group was initiated by Laine Gifford, a member who is a practitioner of Buddhist meditation in the Vipassana tradition. The group meets weekly to explore fundamental aspects of meditation and mindfulness as they apply to everyday life. The group will also provide a setting to learn about and receive support for the development of a regular meditation practice at home. These meetings are open to people with little or no experience in meditation as well as to experienced practitioners. Beginning in September 2011 the group will be studying the Buddha's teachings on the cultivation of kindness and compassion /MindfulnessMeditationGroupMembersPage Quilting and Crafting
Are you interested in joining with a group of women (men are welcome, too!) to quilt, knit, or engage in whatever crafty hobby you do? A group gathers to work on quilts which we are making for hospice patients, and also to work on our own projects. It's inspiring, it's a learning experience, it's FUN. All are very welcome to come on Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00pm in The Commons. To have your email address added to the quilters' list (to find out about a cancellation, for instance), contact Bev or Fran. Second Chances; Second Fridaysinformation coming shortly Spiritually-themed Films
Film lovers are welcome to show films in The Commons through out the year on topics of interest to members and friends of the congregation. Enjoy the luxury of large-screen and surround sound. There is always a discussion following the sometimes entertaining, sometimes provocative, sometimes thematic films. Stay tuned to the newsletter and website for more details. Women's Alliance
The next brief meeting and potluck supper is Sunday, September 26 from 5-8 pm at First Parish in the Commons. The 23nd annual weekend retreat will be held May 13-15, 2011 -a casual get-away for spiritual reflection, relaxation, fun and community-building. Perhaps You will join us this May! * More ...And the list goes on… Women’s Alliance Retreats, In-home dinners, potluck suppers. There are many opportunities for participation in one-time and ongoing programs, some experiential, some intellectual, some focused on introspection, and many on helping others. They all have the potential for being enriching, stimulating, and bringing us closer together as a religious community.Your ideas ...If you have any questions about offerings at First Parish for adults, feel free to contact those involved in our many programs, or any member of the staff. And, keep the good ideas for new programs flowing. What would you like to see happening here at First Parish for adults? What would you eagerly participate in, or lead? What would you be willing to share with all of us here? |
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