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Religious Exploration Programs for Adults

General 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.

Adult programs often come about as “grass roots” initiatives, with individuals and groups, clergy and laypersons, all bringing ideas for programs to fruition. Those with ideas and passions get the ball rolling, enlist other interested folks, and take it forward. If you have ideas and/or passion, contact Fran Sharp, Community Life Coordinator, at connectfpsudbury.org.

The programs offered for adults at First Parish this year have been varied and enriching, some one-time, some as a series, and some ongoing.

Carbon Consciousness Group

for information contact Leslie Lowe

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

to read more: Public/ChaliceCircles
to register, contact: Katie Lee Crane, ministerfpsudbury.org or 978/443-2043x2

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.

Collegium: Sharing Spiritual Journeys

for information contact: Katie Lee Crane, ministerfpsudbury.org or 978/443-2043x2; or Bev Waring at bwaringverizon.net

A group of ten or twelve adults will gather together for several meetings to exchange observations, opinions, ideas and personal experiences about a pre-selected religious topic. The conversation will be based on required readings as well as participants’ personal experiences. In these conversations, there are no “experts”. What each of us knows, believes, and chooses to share is equally important. We are a circle formed to explore how human beings create meanings to make sense of the human condition.

On January 10, 2010, a collegium will begin called Exploring Our Spiritual Odysseys. To sign up, contact Katie Lee or Bev, and have a look at the Collegium flyer: /SpiritualJourneyCollegium2010.pdf

Emptying Nesters gathering

for information, Fran at connectfpsudbury.org

This is a facilitated get-together of parents transitioning from having kids at home to young adults out in the world. Following the model of other gatherings, this one-time get-together was organized and sponsored by the Pastoral Associates Group, with the possibility of continuing if the group chooses to self-organize future gatherings.

Fourth Tuesday Lunch Discussions

for information contact Ginny Steel or Nina Piazza

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

for information contact Carolyn Lee

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.

Hearthside Chats

for information, Fran at connectfpsudbury.org

As often as possible, the Rev. Katie Lee Crane hosts a Sunday morning conversation about the worship service and the week’s sermon topic. The Fireside Chats are announced in advance and held at 11:45 a.m. in the Brackett Room. Stay tuned to the newsletter and website for details.

Mindfulness Meditation Study and Practice

contact Fran Sharp at connectfpsudbury.org, or Laine Gifford

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. This 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. This year the group is reading selections from the book "Coming to Your Senses" by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

/MindfulnessMeditationGroupMembersPage

The New U forum for newcomers and longer-timers

for information, contact Fran Sharp at connectfpsudbury.org

On the first Sunday of each month, we welcome newcomers, and all, to gather in the Brackett Room for discussions about our life journeys and why we seek a religious community along the way.

Learn more about First Parish of Sudbury and about Unitarian Universalism, and help yourself to printed information about both. “The New U”, and monthly chats to follow, are offered by the Community and Hospitality Committee, and will include Katie Lee Crane, minister; Roberta Altamari, director of religious exploration and youth ministries; and Fran Sharp, community life coordinator. Childcare and light snacks will be provided.

Childcare and light snacks will be provided.

Parents Together

Parenting Workshops: Unplugging the Holidays

~ celebrating in your unique way ~ Tuesday, November 24, 7:00pm

to learn more, contact: Roberta Altamari, drefpsudbury.org or 978/443-2043x3

Are you searching for a "different way" for your family to observe the upcoming holidays? Do you feel that our society's commercial focus is not right for you? Would you like to get a chance to share ideas with others who are looking for a way to break away from the expectations of others in the way you celebrate holidays?

All in our communities are welcome to come to the first in the series of Parenting Worshops offered by Roberta Altamari, Director of Religious Exploration and Youth Ministries. The workshop will take place in The Commons at First Parish of Sudbury.

Quilting and Crafting

for information contact Bev Waring at bwaringverizon.net or Fran at connectfpsudbury.org

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 Fridays

information coming shortly

Spiritually-themed Book Group

for information contact Bev Waring at bwaringverizon.net or Annmarie Allen at am.allenverizon.net

This fall Annmarie and Bev are leading the first 3-session group on the book Dear Heart, Come Home - The Path of Midlife Spirituality by Joyce Rupp. They had a very enthusiastic response, and the group was quickly filled.

While the book's title might imply that it’s for those going through midlife, it certainly expands beyond that and is a great guide for those wishing to explore more deeply where they are on their Spiritual journey and to connect with their true Self. It is a book that leads us, through stories, poetry, guided visualization and more, to find those "…inner treasures that wait to be discovered as we enter unknown, inner territory and reflect upon our life."

For those interested in this group, don't worry. Annmarie and Bev hope to offer more book discussion groups (with different books) later in the year. Contact them, or watch for announcement in The Connector of a new group forming.

Spiritually-themed Films

for information, Fran at connectfpsudbury.org

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.

Take My Hand service of healing

On a Sunday afternoon in November, we welcomed all from our surrounding communities to gather for a service of healing and comfort. It was intended for the many people who have experienced loss—of loved ones, health, abilities, jobs and savings.

Change invariably brings loss and loss brings grief. We are sometimes called to grieve when some change – some loss – is forcing us to let go, to say goodbye to people and expectations and things that felt like certainties. This service is one small way we can acknowledge these changes and "return" to the new realities of our lives.

Because so many religious traditions and cultures have rituals to name losses and provide comfort, we, too, offered a Community Service of Healing and Comfort: "Take My Hand", sponsored by the Pastoral Associates at First Parish of Sudbury, our lay ministry team.

"Take My Hand" can mean all kinds of things:

Take my hand, I'm frightened.
Take my hand, I'm here for you.
Take my hand, it'll be easier if we can face this together.
Take my hand, I need a little support right now.
Take my hand, I'm not able to do what I used to be able to do.

Tuesday Evening Meditation

For more information, contact Fran at connectfpsudbury.org or Bev Waring at bwaringverizon.net

Tuesdays from 6:45-7:25pm in the Brackett Room.
All are very welcome to join us for a brief reading, a little music, and to sit for a bit.

This is a great opportunity for all who are coming to a 7:30 meeting at FPS. Come center yourself and take some time for yourself between the activities of the day, and those of the evening.

Women's Alliance

information coming soon

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?

Revision 90. Last edited Tue 22 Jun 2010 9:35pm by ElizaKlureza