Adult Education · First Parish Needham Unitarian Universalist

The Continuing Education Committee (formerly Adult Ed) helps to arrange evening courses, Sunday morning discussions, workshops, and other events that contribute to spiritual growth, lifelong religious learning, and a deep understanding of the world in which we live. The Committee meets with the Minister and welcomes all suggestions from members and friends of the Parish. The chair of the Continuing Education Committee is Phil Lynes.

Continuing Education offers many Sunday morning programs before services that do not appear here. See the Upcoming Services page for details. Click here to see a list of recent Continuing Education programs.

Upcoming offerings

First Parish Book of the Year	Aging: Identity and Change
Beginning Yoga	Zen Meditation
The New UU	Faith Like a River
	Building an Everyday Spiritual Practice

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FIRST PARISH “BOOK OF THE YEAR”

Twelve Steps To A Compassionate Life
by Karen Armstrong

“Without overlooking the differences between religions, Armstrong emphasizes their common call to compassion.” She also uses brain science and evolution to explain why we so often fail to live up to the very ideals that we wish others would adhere to. Moreover, she gives us a practical spiritual program for cultivating a more reflective, empathetic way of life — without falling into the delusion that true compassion requires becoming co-dependent with addictions to either self-pity or to violence.

British-born, Armstrong is a former Roman Catholic nun who has become a leading historian and interpreter of the three great monotheisms. But in this book she draws also on Buddhist wisdom and meditation practice. Selected by the Continuing Education Committee. Order from Amazon at $12.47, visit New England Mobile Book Fair, or get a copy in October through the church office. Discussions begin next month.

Beginner Yoga Class for Relaxation and Renewal
Sunday nights, 7-8:15 pm
Join our growing group of Sunday night yogis. This is a beginner to intermediate class so newcomers are welcome. The emphasis of this class is on stretching, strengthening and relaxation. Basic poses at a comfortable pace allow students to work at their own comfort level. First Parish member Amy Gilmore leads the class in the Vinyasa style. Classes will be held in either Parish Hall or the Music Room. The suggested donation for UU members is $10 per class ($5 for kids; $20 max per family) and $15 per class for the general public. Senior citizens 65 and over are free. Loose clothing is recommended. Mats will be provided. The class will last one hour. Please arrive by 6:50 to sign in and get settled. For more information, please contact Amy Gilmore or Steve Moore in the Parish Office as 781-444-0823.

Aging: Identity & Change, a series of workshops developed by Kay Taylor and Helen Lane, First Tuesdays at 4:00 pm. A light supper will be offered after discussion. Our temptation to deny aging and the media bombardment about what we should do about it are challenging and destructive as we try to manage the natural changes of life. We want to give each other a chance to share our stories, listen to others, and develop stronger links of support at First Parish. Topics include “ageism and decline ideology,” “being who we are – at the age we are,” “doing and getting vs. being and feeling,” “holding on and letting go: change, loss, and grief,” ‘independence and dependence,” “facing illness and society’s views of illness,” ‘changes in memory,” “aging as part of the spectrum of life development,” and “aging and spirituality.” Please register in advance with the church office: 781-444-0823.

Zen Meditation with Ji Hyang. Six Wednesday evenings starting October 5, 7:30–9 pm usually in the Parlor. In what we choose to see and how we frame it, we create the world around us. By choosing to focus on mindful awareness, we can respond to stimuli rather than react, and thus develop resiliency and create positive outcomes. This is tangible; it begins with ordinary people and their own mindfulness practice. This course combines Zen practice with creative pproaches that support mind/body health to discover inner resources and create positive outcomes in everyday life. Please bring a yoga mat and cushions, an open and curious mind, and wear loose-fitting clothing. Donations of $25 for the series

Building an Everyday Spirituality Practice That Works For You, led by Helen Lane and Cathy Livingston. Every Tuesday evening except Jan. 31 for six weeks, 7:30-9 pm, starting Tuesday, January 10, Session include an introduction, “engaging the mind: contemplation,” “engaging the body: activity and nourishment,” “engaging the heart: relationship,” “engaging the will: right action,” and “engaging the soul: creativity.” Preregister through the church office, please: 781-444-0823; office@uuneedham.org

Ongoing Programs

UU Parenting Class with DRE Mark LaPointe
Dates TBD
This course for parents of young children will focus on understanding the role of Unitarian Universalism in the parenting process. We will meet on the third Sunday of each month from 4:30-6:00 pm. Topics for each session will be chosen by the group and may include things such as "raising a child in a multi-faith household," "becoming resident theologians," "navigating tough topics at home," "media literacy," and "drawing upon the 7 principles in parenting." Mark will bring in guest speakers as needed. Especially geared for parents of young children who are new to First Parish and to UUism. To get more information, or to express interest in joining the course, please contact Mark at dre@uuneedham.org or 781-444-0823. An initial meeting/discussion will take place on Sunday, September 18th at 4:30 at First Parish. Pre-registration welcomed but not required.

The New UU: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism and to First Parish, with Christian Schmidt, Intern Minister. Offered as needed. Light lunch and child-care provided. No registration required.

Roots and Branches: The Free Church Tradition
With John Buehrens
Dates TBA
First offered in Spring 2010, this 3-hour program offers an overview of Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and social values, and an introduction to First Parish — the free church in Needham. The course is intended to appeal both to newcomers and to members and friends looking to “fill in the gaps”.

Recent Programs

Faith Like A River: A Course on UU history with Ed Lane and John Buehrens (Fall 2012). John drew on his book Universalists and Unitarians in America: A People’s History.

The Needham Lyceum: Criminal Justice (and Injustice), moderated by John Buehrens (October 2012). Guests from the Innocence Project, criminal justice reform groups, prison visitation, the perspective of judges, prosecutors and public defenders. All are welcome. No registration needed.

Alzheimer's Support Group
With Laura Randall
Laura Randall, a UU ministry candidate and an educator with Healing Moments Alzheimer’s Ministry, led this support group for family and friends of those with Alzheimer’s.

2010-11 Book of the Year Events:
Immigration: The Present Debate
January 2011
Our annual book-of-the-year program took place in two parts this year. First we had a screening and discussion of 9500 Liberty, a documentary about the immigration controversy in a suburban Virginia community. The Following week we gathered to discuss The Death of Josseline: Stories from the Arizona Borderlands (Beacon Press; on sale at coffee hour or through the church office). The Death of Josseline is the UUA's "common read" choice for this year. Rebecca Froom, former Director of Religious Education of the UU Church of Tuscon, AZ, and now a student at Harvard Divinity School and Intern Minister at the Arlington Street Church in Boston, facilitated our discussion.

A PEOPLE SO BOLD:
Theology and Ministry for Unitarian Universalists
Summer 2010
A People So Bold is a series of 22 short essays by prominent Unitarian Universalist clergy and scholars explories issues of faith and social issues. The book was edited by John Gibb Millspaugh, husband of our former intern Sarah. Over the course of the summer we gathered to discuss this book on Sunday mornings, taking turns as group leaders.

Being a Unitarian Universalist Parent, w/Rebecca Keller-Scholl
Spring, 2010
Every child asks questions — many, many questions. And as the kids grow, the questions become more challenging. Being a Unitarian Universalist Parent is a five-session workshop, designed by ministers and religious educators to help address these questions, together, in community. It covers UU history, how to combine religion and family life and how to live out our faith at home. Workshops were held after family style potlucks, and child care was provided.

Applied Zen: Creating the World Around Us
Winter/Spring 2010
This course combined Zen practice with creative approaches that support mind/body health to discover inner resources and create positive outcomes in everyday life.

The Healing Power of “Yes: Communicating Effectively and Connecting Deeply with Persons with Alzheimer’s
This workshop was for families, friends and professional caregivers who are learning about the illness, as well as seasoned professionals, health care providers, community supporters such as chaplains, pastors, seminarians, counselors, and counseling students. The morning program was geared towards people wanting to find out more about Alzheimer’s, while the afternoon workshop was geared more towards care givers and focused on being present in and saying yes to the moment — noticing and accepting what is and responding in a way that promotes self-esteem and dignity for all — as a means of meeting our loved ones with Alzheimer’s in their current reality. Participants engaged in exercises designed to enhance their awareness and understanding of, openness to, and skill in navigating the improvisational reality of Alzheimer’s, while experiencing, embracing and expressing joy.

Fuller Craft museum outing (Spring '10)
The Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton is a true gem in the New England arts scene. First Parish member and former Fuller board member Mark Delguidice led a trip that included display of quilts by Nancy Crow, an installation by textile artist John Garrett, and a furniture exhibit curated by Mark.

So Help Me God!
A Three-Session Course led by Ed Lane (Winter '10)
The years from 1797 to 1825, encompassing the presidencies of Adams, Jefferson Madison and Monroe, were a time of religious and political ferment in America in which Unitarians played a prominent role — often on opposing sides. This was a struggle between Adams' Federalist, New England, Puritan philosophy and Jefferson's and Madison's Democratic-Republican, Virginia Enlightenment philosophy. Much of America’s religious perspective (including the birth of the separation of church and state) was shaped by that struggle. The three sessions will focus mainly on events during the presidencies of Adams, Jefferson, and Madison.

Recommended for those who wish to do some reading:

Church, Forest, So Help Me God, 2007, Harcourt. An excellent work on American religion from 1789-1825 (Washington to Madison) – emphasis on Church & State.
Ellis, Joseph J., Founding Brothers, 2001, Alfred A. Knopf. A secular history of the 1790’s which provides the context in which religious values were shaped.
Waldman, Steven, Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America, Random House. How and why America’s founders took a new approach to the place of religion in the new nation.

The First Parish 2010 Book-of-the-Year:
The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria
Every year, First Parish selects a "First Parish Book of the Year" as the basis for informal and programmatic discussions, sermons, and other events. in 2009-10, we continued the tradition with The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria, selected in 2008 by the Christian Science Monitor as the Best Nonfiction Book, by The Seattle Times as the Best Book, and by The NY Times as a Notable Book. The Times went on to say that The Post-American World opens “a big picture window on the closing of the first American century and the advent of a new world.”

Book-of-the-Year events included book discussions and a Needham Lyceum where Wellesley College Professor of Political Science Doctor Robert Paarlberg addressed the question "Are We Living in a Post-American World?". The Lyceum was preceded by a dinner with Dr. Paarlberg at Masala Art.

Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: In Ancient Times
Molly Housh (Fall '09)
Adult Education is pleased to offer Cakes for the Queen of Heaven, a recently updated version of the classic Unitarian Universalist course on feminist theology. The first part of the course, In Ancient Times, introduces participants to ancient Goddesses, weaving their stories together with major concerns of women today. The themes of the five session plans are: The Sacred Female, In the Name of the Mother and the Daughter, Womanpower, The First Turning — From Goddess to God, and Reclaiming Women's Heritage of Peace.

Love and Death: Five Conversations about
Aging with Dignity and the End of Life (Fall '09)
..• Five Wishes: Talking About and Planning for End of Life Care.
..• My Wish for the Kind of Medical Treatment I Want or Don't Want
..• Commemorations: Anticipating Grief, Loss, and Decisions.
..• You Can't Take It With You: Money and the Latter Part of Life.
..• When I Need Help With Daily Living: Alternatives and Choices.

Natural Dharma Meditation with Bob Morrison and Jane Moss (Fall '09)

Living By Heart: Meditation and Reflection as Daily Practice
“Living by Heart” is a spiritual practice for Unitarian Universalists and others based on the devotional practice of Harry Schloefield and introduced to larger audiences by Laurel Hallman.