Adults
School of the Spirit: Lifespan Spiritual Exploration
Winter 2019 Offerings
Sacred Language & Intra-Religious Dialogue
As Unitarian Universalists we are called to a free and responsible search for truth and meaning within the context of a theologically diverse and pluralistic faith community. Using the stories of our own lives, we will explore how we use sacred language to make meaning, and navigate how to put our languages of personal belief into dialogue with others. Participants will engage in group activities, write credo statements, partner up for discussion, and more! Three sessions over three months: participants will commit to all three sessions in order to build continuity of thought and community with the class.
2nd Mondays: March 11, April 8, and May 13 6 – 7:30 p.m. Location TBD in Louisville/Lafayette
Contact: AJ van Tine, internminister@bvuuf.org
Boulder Valley UU Humanists Group
Emphasis is on looking at the world, including religion, through a “Humanist Lens.” Topics vary as different members provide background and direction for each session.
Third Sundays, 12:30-2:00 p.m. in the Alcott room, during construction meet in Louisville.
Contact Dave Leonard, UUDave71@icloud.com
Our UU Seventh Principle and Eco-Justice: A Book Reading Group and Discussion
Our Seventh Principle, respect for the interdependent web of all existence, is a glorious statement. Yet we make a profound mistake when we limit it to merely an environmental idea. It is so much more. It is our response to the great dangers of both individualism and oppression. It is our solution to the seeming conflict between the individual and the group.
~ Rev. Forrest Gilmore, Executive Director of Shalom Community Center, Bloomington, IN
Using the UUA common read book Justice on Earth: People of faith working at the intersection of race, class, and the environment, we will examine our Seventh Principle: what it means to us individually and as a collective, and how it relates to the Eco-Justice movement within our UU faith communities. Options to explore include:reviewing past and current congregational & UU eco-justice work, personal awareness of this issue in our own lives, activities to help mitigate effects of ecological disasters and collaborating with other groups defending the rights of the Earth and its inhabitants. Facilitated by BVUUF Eco-Justice Group.
Thursdays for 7 weeks, March 7-April 18, 7-9 p.m.
Alfalfa’s Market 785 E South Boulder Rd, Louisville, CO except April 11 TBD
Contact: Dianne Ladd, dianne@laddholland.net
Eco-Justice Action Group Video Lectures & Discussions
Join the Eco-Justice Action Group for the next in a series of video lectures and discussions about the ecological, moral and health impacts associated with factory farming. We’ll start at 12:30 with a snack or lunch for purchase at Alfalfa’s, then show an hour long video, and follow it with a discussion of key issues. Attend just one or two or all three!
Saturday March 16, May 18, July 13 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Alfalfa’s Market 785 E South Boulder Rd, Louisville, CO
Contact: Don Price don_sheri_price@hotmail.com
Learn About Unitarian Universalist History
Six-week online courses withoptional weekly email discussions and two in-person meetings. Dr. Susan Ritchie teaches the online portion. Paul Brynteson & Scott Youmans from BVUUF facilitate weekly online and two in-person discussions. Both courses are “on-demand” (students proceed at their own time/pace).One week is devoted to each module, so enrollees are committing to about 2 hours per week for 6 weeks. Enrollees should regularly use email and feel comfortable accessing online websites.
* Feb 10 – March 24 Unitarian Universalist History UU 111
Learn more about UU history and mission.
February 10 meet in person to review logistics and become acquainted.
March 24 meet in person and have a discussion of the course.
* March 31 – May 12 History & Theology of Covenant UU 112
Learn more about the UU history and theology of covenant
March 31 meet in person to review logistics and become acquainted
May 12 meet in person and have a discussion of the course
Cost $15 per course and is reimbursable from the Leadership Development Committee at BVUUF.
Enroll: Go to https://www.uuinstitute.org/on-demand-courses/ and search for “Unitarian Universalist History 111” or “History & Theology of Covenant112”and follow the directions AND
Contact: Paul phbrynteson@gmail.com
Memoir Writing Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. in Lafayette
Contact: Paul Gibb, paulgibb1@live.com
Poetry and Contemplation
Poetry awakens the heart and feeds the soul. Pause long enough to reconnect and restore. Each month, we create a supportive environment for people to reflect on two poems that relate to a new theme. We read, journal and share our individual responses. Deep listening to our inner wisdom and each other is emphasized. No prior experience with poetry or contemplative reading practices necessary!
First Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Longmont Public Library (watch monthly updates for possible changes). Drop in each month for a new theme.
Contact Stephanie Pache slpache@gmail.com. An RSVP is helpful but not necessary.
Playshop
A morning of improvised embodied spirituality based on the monthly themes using the tools of Interplay (interplay.org). Led by Rev. Lydia.
First Saturdays, 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary at Fellowship. During construction, meet at Nyland Cohousing, 3525 Nyland Way, Lafayette.
Drop in each month
Wise Women Spirituality Group
A monthly open circle for trans and cis women providing a safe, confidential space for spiritual exploration, affirming each woman’s inherent wisdom, forming deeper relationshipsand bonding in sisterhood.
Second Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., in Fellowship sanctuary. During construction, we will meet in Lafayette.
Contact Kelly LoGiudice, kellyspirit@gmail.com
Spanish Conversation Group
Practice conversing in Spanish about activities, current events, and ourselves and using Spanish in our immigrant support work (Usando el español en nuestro trabajo de apoyo de inmigrantes).
First Sundays 12:30 p.m. in Thoreau room. During construction, meet at coffee hour and go to Taquería Esperanza, at the corner of Centaur Village Dr. and S. Boulder Road in Lafayette.
Contact: Marc Killinger, marckillinger@gmail.com
Non-Violent Communication Group
Non-violent communication, also known as compassionate communication, is a tool that invites us to focus on how the words we use can create connection and resolve conflicts peacefully. Based on the book Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg, the group is led by an outside NVC practitioner, Genevieve Keller. Learning—and practicing—compassionate communication techniques is especially critical in these challenging times. Newcomers are always welcome.
2nd & 4th Sundays 9:00 a.m. in the Thoreau room. During construction, meet 11:45 a.m. -1:15 p.m. in Louisville.
Contact: Mary Headley, mkheadley80503@yahoo.com
G-R-O-W-ing Old
We will read, journal, and share about issues of aging such as health issues, looking forward to the unknown, feeling our mortality, the welter of emotions we experience in our aging, coming to acceptance of our earlier lives, money issues, and others, using the book, Landscapes of Aging and Parker Palmer’s new book On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old.
Second Tuesdays from Oct. 9 to April 9, 2 – 4 p.m., at Meadows Branch Library in Boulder
Contact: Rev. Catharine Harris, minister emerita CLASS FULL
Covenant Groups
Small committed groups focused on consciousness and spiritual exploration and group activities. Specific groups include parent-friendly, men’s group, LGBTQI+ and more.
Contact: Charlene Jourdan cjlmt1999@gmail.com