Adult Religious Education / Spiritual Development
The classes and events offered by the Adult Religious Education / Spiritual Development program at UUCC support the development of our Hearts, Minds, Bodies, and Spirit. By taking advantage of these rich and raried opportunities, we can thrive as a nourished and compassionate congregation - one that contributes to our faith and community, seeks higher levels of understanding, explores the mystery of life, and connects to the natural world.
Adult Religious Education / Spiritual Development at UUCC includes classes, speaker series, and discussion groups are facilitated by members or UUCC professional staff. Except for occasional cost of materials for a class, these programs are offered as a benefit of membership without charge. Non-members are invited to participate on a space available basis, also at no cost. Content will include available Unitarian Universalist curriculum selections as well as that developed by the individual facilitators for a particular topic.
For more information or to register for a specific event, visit the ARESD Table in Freeman Hall after services on Sundays or email: aresd@uuccharlotte.org
On Sundays...
Lotus Path
Sunday Mornings, 8:00 Schweitzer room
These sessions include study of various eastern religious beliefs / philosophies / practices with discussion and consideration of their applicability in today's times. The sessions will be based on selections offered by the facilitator and the group. The class is scheduled so that attendees can continue with Sunday Morning Meditation if they choose. Current Topic: The 37 Precepts to Enlightenment.
Contact: Richard Kushmaul aresd@uuccharlotte.org
Sunday Morning Meditation
Sunday Mornings, 8:30 Schweitzer Room
This meditation group draws from many spiritual practices and approaches. Each week a 25 minute meditation is led by Debbie George or Rich Vreeland.
Contacts:
Rich Vreeland 704-290-8620, rvreeland@gmail.com
Debbie George 704-525-3252, yogamom14@aol.com
The Bible Workbench
Every Sunday, 5 minutes after the first service ends, Library
The Bible Workbench is a small-group approach to biblical texts that is particularly well suited for Unitarian Universalists. Each meeting begins with the reading of a biblical text, usually a paragraph or two. We begin our exploration with a discussion of what is happening in the text, sometimes with some historical background. Our focus then shifts as we discuss how this story is happening in the world around us. Finally, the questions turn towards how this story is our story. Using The Bible Workbench, we look inward to find answers to the timeless questions raised by the text rather than to doctrine or religious authority.
Discussions are often lively as people with diverse religious backgrounds (UU, Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Pagan…) and theological outlooks (atheist, agnostic, deist, theist, pagan…) discuss the text. Our goal is a thoughtful respectful group discussion, not the right answer, consensus or agreement.
Visitors are always welcome.
Read more about our weekly topics and other items of interest on our blog. We gather in the Library every Sunday five minutes after the first service ends, about 10:20.
Contact: George Weir, 704-708-4211, gweir@carolina.rr.com
This I Believe – This I Practice
Fourth Sunday of the Month, 10:30 a.m. Bernstein Chapel
In these monthly 30 minute programs a UUCC member will speak about their personal religious path, beliefs, and/or practices (politics excluded). Alternately, a NPR style essay on this subject may be presented. There will be a five to ten minute comment and question period at the end of the presentation.
February 26 Speaker: Sagar Sethi "I was born and raised in India. My family religious experiences included: Sikhism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. I worked for 25 years as a Scientist, and now for the past 21 years I am in private practice of medical psychiatry. I lived in Germany for 8 years, and now I have been in the USA for 41 years. Based upon these experiences, I believe in: 1. Science & scientific method; 2. Genes and the environment in shaping our personality; 3. the wonders of modern medicine and technology; 4. Democracy; 5. Truth and honesty; 6. Concept of God was created by man; 7. Peace and tolerance; 8. No life after death; 9. No hell or heaven, and finally 10. Love - the most important element in our existence."
Contact: aresd@uuccharlotte.org
UU History: Our Rich, Colorful, Spiritual Heritage
With Loyd Dillon, 10:30 Bernstein Chapel
A look at famous (our should-be-famous) Unitarians, Universalists, and “Para” UUs who have shaped our faith and the world.
Next presentation opportunity: April 29
Loyd Dillon has been an active Lay Minister at UUCC for 30 years and was an official Church spokesperson for 20 years. As spokesperson, Loyd gave talks to various churches, temples, groups, TV Stations, who wanted to know about UUism. Loyd has the best private collection of rare books by or about UU’s in the country. Most importantly he loves our history!
Science Fiction Sunday with Bob Gorman and Dick Kistler
2nd Sundays of the month, 2:00 p.m. Sybil Bernstein Chapel
February 12 (Love Your Enemies)"Enemy Mine" (1895) A reptilian like Drac (Louis Gossett, Jr.) and a human (Dennis Quaid) crash-land on a desolate planet during a space battle. Although they are mortal enemies, the two must learn to rise above their mutual hatred and deep-seated prejudices if they are to survive. Is it possible to see the inherent worth and dignity in a being you've sworn to kill?
March 11 (Under what Circumstances Will We Live?)(reading) "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" - Ursula K. Le Guin.What would you do if the good fortune of your society depended on the commission of a tremendous atrocity? Ursula K. Le Guin explores the implications of this subject in this Hugo Award winning story.
April 8 (Sexual Politics) )"I married a Monster from Outer Space" (1958) Newlywed Marge Farrell (Gloria Talbot) finds she has her hands full when her hubby (Tom Tryon) suddenly undergoes a profound personality change shortly after the knot is tied. Soon other young men begin behaving in a similar emotionless fashion. And on top of it all, she is unable to conceive after a year of marriage! Confused and terrified, she is determined to uncover the mystery of what is going on. This film, in spite of sporting one of the silliest titles in the annals of Hollywood filmmaking, is nonetheless an interesting look at sexual politics and alienation in the mid-20th century America. Are all men really from Mars?
May 13 (What are the Consequences of Faith?)"A Canticle for Lebowitz (reading) What happens when Brother Francis Gerard finds relics of the founder of his order in the deserts of Southwestern USA 600 years after 20th century civilization has been destroyed by a global nuclear war. The results are recognizable to 21st century residents. This celebrated novel is regarded as the best one about nuclear apocalypse and speaks to us today.
Contact: aresd@uuccharlotte.org
Second Sunday Topic Discussion with Rev. Jay Leach, Sr. Minister, UU Church of Charlotte
Next Session Sunday, February 12, 10:30 Bernstein Chapel - Topic "Generosity"
This is an opportunity to meet with the Minister to share your thoughts, ask questions, and hear other's views relative to the sermon topic for that day. The meeting will begin promptly at 10:30 in Bernstein Chapel.
Justice and Equity: The Sandel Lectures
Next Session Sunday, February 5, 2:00 - 3:30 Bernstein Chapel
This program considering justice and equity concepts will be based on a series of popular lectures by Harvard Professor and American political philosopher Michael Sandel. Professor Sandel is best known for this course which he has taught at Harvard for the past twenty years. More than 15,000 students have taken this course making it one of the most highly attended in Harvard’s history. Sandel subscribes to a certain version of communitarianism, and in this vein he is perhaps best known for his critique of John Rawls's A Theory of Justice.
March 4 "Hired Guns for sale: Motherhood " Part 1 - During the Civil War, men drafted into war had the option of hiring substitutes to fight in their place. Part 2 - Professor Sandel examines the principle of free-market exchange as it relates to reproductive rights. Sandel begins with a humorous discussion of the business of egg and sperm donation.
April 1 "Mind Your Motive and the Supreme Principle of Morality" Part 1 - Professor Sandel introduces Immanuel Kant, a challenging but influential philosophyer. Kant rejects utilitarianism. He argues that each of us has certain fundamental duties and rights that take precedence over maximizing utility. Part 2 - Immanual Kant says that insofar as our actions have moral worth, what confers moral worth is our capacity to rise above self-interest and inclination and to act out of duty.
May 6 "A Lesson in Lying and A Deal is a Deal" Part 1 - Immanuel Kant believed that telling a lie, even a white lie, is a violation of one's own dignity. Professor Sandel asks students to test Kant's theory with this hypothetical case: if your friend were hiding inside your home, and a person intent on killin your friend came to your door and asked you where he was, would it be wrong to tell a lie? Part 2 - Sandel introduces the modern philosopher, John Rawls, who argues that a fair set of principles would be those principles we would all agree to if we had a to choose rules for our society and no one had any unfair bargaining power.
June 3 "What's a Fair Start? and What do we Deserve?" Part 1 - Rawls argues that even meritocracy - a distributive system that rewards effort - doesn't go far enough in leveling the playing field because those who are naturally gifted will always get ahead. Furthermore, says Rawls, the naturally gifted can't claim much credit because their success often depends on factors as arbitrary as birth order. Part 2 - Sandel discusses the fairness of pay differentials in modern society. He compares the salary of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor ($200,000) with the salary of television's Judge Judy ($25 million). Sandel asks, is this fair? According to John Rawls, it is not.
July 1 "Arguing Affirmative Action and What's the Purpose?" Part 1 - Sandel describes the 1996 court case of a white woman named Cheryl Hopwood who was denied admission to a Texas law school, even though she had higher grades and test scores than some of the minority applicants who were admitted. Part 2 - Sandel introduces Aristotle and his theory of justice. Aristotle disagrees with Rawls and Kant. He believes that justice is about giving people their due, what they deserve.
August 5 "The Good Citizen and Freedom vs. Fit Action." Part 1 - Aristotle believes the purpose of politics is to promote and cultivate the virtue of its citizens. The "telos" or goal of the state and political community is the "good life". And those citizens who contribute most to the purpose of the community are the ones who should be the most rewarded. But how do we know the purpose of a community or a practice? Part 2 -How does Aristotle address the issue of individual rights and the freedom to choose? If our place in society is determined by where we best fit, doesn't that eliminate personal choice?
September 2 "The Claims of Community and Where our Loyalty Lies" Part 1 - Communitarians argue that, in addition to voluntary and universal duties, we also have obligations of membership, solidarity, and loyalty. These obligations are not necessarily based on consent. We inherit our past and our identities, from our family, city, or country. Part 2 - Do we owe more to our fellow citizens than to citizens of other countries? Is patriotism a virtue, or a prejudice for one's own kind? If our identities are defined by the particular communities we inhabit, what becomes of universal human rights?
October 7 "Debating Same-Sex Marriange and the Good Life." Part 1 -If principles of justice depend on the moral or intrinsic worth of the ends that rights serve, how should we deal with the fact that people hold different ideas and conceptions of what is good? Part 2 - Sandel believes government can't be neutral on difficult moral questions, such as same-sex marriage and abortion, and asks why we should't deliberate all issues 0 including economic and civic concerns - with that same moral and spriritual aspiration. In this final lecture, Professor Michael Sandel eloquently makes the case for a new politics of the common good.
Vivian Brenner and Bob Gorman are members of the UUCC Adult Religious Education / Spiritual Development Team.
Contact: aresd@uuccharlotte.org or sign up at ARESD table in Fellowship Hall
On Tuesdays...
Parabola
2nd Tuesday of the Month, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Library
The group explores the quest for meaning as expressed in the world’s myths, symbols and religious traditions. Readings include a broad selection of essays, traditional stories and poetry. The class centers on readings from Parabola magazine. The group discusses articles and writings from the magazine that center on a single theme. The magazine is published by the non-profit Society for the Study of Myth and Tradition whose mission is to promote understanding and peace through its publication.
Next Meeting: January 10th.
Contact: Carol Smith, 704-953-4146, bncsmith@carolina.rr.com
Mystics and Metaphysics Group
3rd Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Schweitzer Room
The word "metaphysics: comes from the ancient Greek meta meaning "beyond" and physika meaning "matter or the physical" - beyond the physica. Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the Nature of Being. The "speculative" philosophy, metaphysics does not attempt to solve all questions materially or logically. It accepts that which happens obviously, even when no scientific explanation can account for it.
The purpose of this group is to come together to explore topics of a metaphysical nature. Whether you are skeptical, just curious, intrigued or a believer, sign up to be part of a freewheeling discussion regarding what you have heard, read, or actually experienced.
Topics are chosen by the participants and potentially include: Spiritualism, Transphysical Science, Life after death / Reincarnation, intuition and Extrasensory Perception, Psychics and Mediums, Transcendentalism, Quantum Consciousness.
Contact: Judy Reynolds 704-554-7011, jlcreynolds@bellsouth.net; Carol Smith, 704-953-4146 smithcarolc@gmail.com
On Wednesdays...
Kripalu Yoga
Wednesdays 7:30 p.m., Nursery
Nourish your body, mind and spirit with a 1½ hour Kripalu yoga session that includes relaxation and centering through breath work and meditation. Appropriate for all levels including beginners.
Women's Moon Circle
Next meeting: Tuesday, February 7, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The UUCC Women's Moon Circle is an open gathering of women who come together every full moon in celebration of our connection to the moon, each other, and all of creation. The moon, which represents the feminine aspect in many cultures, passes through cycles like the tides, as women do, and reflects who we are both spiritually and physically. From new moon to full moon, darkness to light, inception to fulfillment, our life moves in cycles, in circles, in spirals... ever changing and always wondrous. Moon Circle is a time to come together and share our stories. It is a time to offer prayers for loved ones, ancestors, the Earth, and ourselves. We create sacred space and a time for reflection and listening without judging. We honor earth-centered traditions and find inspiration for our journeys from the cycles of the stars, the seasons, and the ancient goddesses from around the world. Each circle is led by a different person who decides the format and content. Past programs include: chanting and drumming, creative expression, guided meditations, divination (Runes, Tarot, etc.), healing rituals, shamanism, spirit guides, seasonal celebrations and Goddess-inspired topics. We meet on the full moon each month at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte. Weeknights (Mon - Fri) 7 - 9 pm, Sat or Sun 6 - 8 pm. Next Moon Circle meetings: Mon Jan 9, Tues Feb 7, Thur Mar 8, Fri Apri 6, Sat May 5, Mon Jun 4.
Contacts: cindy thompson@att.net; llovgren@carolina.rr.com,smithcarolc@gmail.com or aresd@uuccharlotte.org
On Thursdays...
Exploring Humanism
Second Thursdays of the Month, 7:00 p.m. Library
The Humanist movement has long been part of the Unitarian Universalist tradition. We will explore Humanism at a monthly meeting where the group will share the responsibility of preparing the topic on a rotating basis. If you are interested in exploring the ideas of Humanism, please sign up to be a charter member of this open group.
What is modern Humanism? This is how the IHEU defines itself: Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and does not accept supernatural views of reality.
About the Facilitator: Dr. Richard Green has been a UU for 40 years with six different UU Churches. He has facilitated small groups and lead adult Religious Education Classes.
Sign up at the ARESD table in Freeman Hall or contact: aresd@uuccharlotte.org
On Fridays...
Documentary Film Series
Next Showing: Friday, February 10, 2012 , 7:00 p.m. (Generosity).
The "Paper Clips Project" is a project by middle school students from the small southeastern Tennessee city of Whitwell who created a monument for the Holocaust victims of Nazi Germany. It started in 1998 as a simple 8th-grade project and evolved into one gaining worldwide attention. At last count over 30 million paper clips had been received. "Paper Clips" an award-winning documentary film about the project, was released in 2004 by Miramax Films.
In 1998 Whitwell Middle School principal Linda M. Hooper asked Sandra Roberts to begin a Holocaust Education class that would be the basis for teaching tolerance in a voluntary after-school program. Sandra Roberts held the first class in the fall of 1998. Some the students were overwhelmed with the massive scale of the Holocaust and asked Mrs. Hooper if they could collect something to represent the lives that were exterminated during the Holocaust. Mrs. Hooper responded that they could if they could find something that related to the Holocaust or to World War II. Through internet studies, the students discovered that Johan Vaaler, a Norweigian, designed a loop of metal, and the Norwegians wore paperclips on their lapels during World War II as a silent protest against Nazi occupation. The students decided to collect 6,000,000 paper clips to represent the estimated 6.000,000 Jews killed between 1939 and 1945 under the authority of the Nazi government of Adolf Hitler. At first the project went slowly, as it did not gain much publicity. Students created a web site and sent out letters to friends, family and celebrities. The project began to snowball after it received attention from Peter and Dagmar Schroeder, journalists who were born in Germany during World War II and who covered the White House for German newspapers. They published some articles as well as a book, "Das Buroklammer-Projekt (The Paper Clip Porject), published in September 2000, that promoted the project in Germany. The big break in the US came with an article in the Washington Post on April 7, 2001, written by Dita Smith.
The film has received many awards from film festivals, including: The Palm Springs International Film Festival, FilmFest D.C., The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, 2004 Naples Film Festival, 2004 Rome International Film Festival.
Child Care will be provided, please register by Monday, February 6th. To register for child care email aresd@uuccharlotte.org or call Kathleen Carpenter at 704-366-8623.
Contacts: Elaine Kushmaul 704-554-0866 ekushmaul@carolina.rr.com or Melissa Mummert mummertville@yahoo.com
Fourth Friday Film Series
Fourth Friday of the Month, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary
This is a film series which reflects UUCC's worship cycle. In 2012 the issues that will be addressed include:.
February 24 (Generosity) "The Road Home" (China, 2000). Directed by Shzng Yimou, Starring Shzng Ziyi, Sun Honglei. At the insistence of his grieving mother, a young man accompanies the body of his father on a journey to his home village. Along the way, he recalls how his parents met, a story of true love based on shared sacrifice and generosity of spirit. Raged G. 89 min.
March 23 (Compassion) "Vera Drake" (England, 2004) Directed by Mike Leigh, Starring Imelda Staunton, Jim Broadbent, Richard Graham. In 1950 England, Vera Drake (Staunton), a woman of immense compassion, dotes on her family and friends and, unbeknownst to all, performs abortions for working class women who do not have the means to game the system. Vera's entire world shatters when the near-death of a young woman results in exposure and arrest. Said "Christianity Today" of the film, "Mike Leigh ha given us a gift. In a hopelessly polarized debate, he allows us all to see real people involved in real situations. It is a film that will keep people on either side of the abortion debate talking. Perhaps they will event talk to one another." Rated R for strong thematic material. 125 min.
April 27 (Creativity) "Stronger than Fiction" (US 2006) Directed by Marc Forester. Starring Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman. What would you do if you were awaken one morning only to discover that you were a character in a renowned novelist's latest work? And what if that novelist was suffering writer's block over how she was going to kill you off? A highly creative film about the creative process. Rated PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and brief nudity. 113 min.
May 2 (Liberal Religion) "Blood Done Sign My Name" (US 2010) Directed by Jeb Stuart, starring Michael Rooker, Rick Schroder, Omar Benson Miller. Based on Tim Tyson's story of his father, a white minister who used his pulpit to fight for integration in segregated Oxford, NC. The film depicts the events surrounding the murder of black Vietnam-era Henry Morrow in 1970 by three white men. The subsequent acquittal of the three spawned a series of ultimately successful civil rights protests led by a young Benjamin Chavis. Rated PG-13 for and intense scene of violence, thematic material involving racism, and for language. 128 min.
June 22 (Evil) "Ace in the Hole" (US 1951) Directed by Billy Wilder, starring Kirk Douglas, Jan Sterling. Evil comes in many forms, frequently in how we treat each other. When an amoral reporter (Douglas) stumbles across an incident involving a man trapped inside a cave, he exploits the situation for his own benefit, even prolonging the rescue in order to milk the story for all its worth. Not rated. 111 min.
July 22 (Integrity) "Victim" (England, 1961) Directed by Basil Deardon, starring Dirk Bogarde. Made at a time when being homosexual was a criminal offense, "Victim" tells the story of Melville Farr (Bogarde), a prominent attorney and closeted gay, who risks all to expose a blackmail racket that victimizes gay men. Not rated. 90 min.
August 24 (Hope) "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" (US 2005) Directed by Jane Anderson, starring Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern. In order to support her ten children and alcoholic husband, Evelyn Ryan (Moore) enters jingle writing contests. Based on a book written by one of her daughters, this film is the inspirational story of a woman who remained ever-hopeful in spite of all that life threw at her. Raged PG-13 for thematic elements, some disturbing images and language. 98 min.
September 28 (Transformation) "Gifted Hands" (US 2009) Directed by Thomas Carter, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Loren Bass, Kimberly Elise, Ben Carter, through the unwavering support of his mother, overcomes extreme poverty, prejudice, and self-destructive rage to become one of the nation's leading neurosurgeons. Based on a true story. Not rated, 86 min.
October 26 (God) "Of Gods and Men" (France 2010) Directed by XXavier Beauvois, starring Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale, Olivier Rambourdin. When a group of French Christian monks in Algeria are threatened by Islamic terrorists, they must decide whether to leave or to stay so that they can continue providing medical care to the poor villagers in the area. Loosely based on real events. Rated PG-13 for a momentary scene of startling wartime violence, some disturbing images and brief language. 122 min.