FALL 2008 Schedule

(For this Sundays lineup of classes, please click here.)

10:00 am

EMERSON HALL FORUM  (9/14-ongoing)
Tune in to EHF (Emerson Hall Forum), your weekly connection to events and issues of interest in our local community and the wider world.  EHF features presentations by artists, activists, authors, public officials, and experts in a variety of fields. For this semester's schedule of topics, please click here.

SUNDAY CIRCLE   (9/14-ongoing)
Feeling the need for a conversation big enough to accommodate your questions about God, religion, and life?    Searching for some way to connect with others members of the congregation?  Come join your fellow seekers (ages 35+) for a weekly discussion of religion and spirituality that is guided by your questions and ideas.   [Note: The Young Adult Sunday Circle (ages 18-35) meets at 11:30 am.]

WORLD RELIGIONS  (9/14-ongoing)
Join Sarah Gettie Burks, intern minister, as she explores the basic principles, scriptures, and spiritual practices of the world’s great wisdom traditions.  This semester, the class will focus on Hinduism (September), Buddhism (October), and Taoism (November).  Special attention will be given to the lived aspects of these faith traditions and to current events in nations closely tied to them.   The text for this course, The World’s Religions by Huston Smith, is available at the Book Table.

LETTING GO AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE  (10/5-10/19)
Rev. Debra Garfinkel and Cathey Edwards lead this exploration of mandala making in Tibetan Buddhism and other world faith traditions.  As a class, participants will experience the power of this spiritual practice first hand by designing and creating a large common mandala.  The class will culminate with the formal dismantling of this mandala. 

SEVEN DEADLY SINS  (10/19: Anger; 10/26: Pride; 11/2: Envy)
Rev. Tamara Lebak leads this examination of our personal, cultural, and theological struggles with the seven deadly sins.  The notion of the 7 deadly sins did not originate in the Bible, but it has been with us since Gregory the (not so) Great formulated the traditional seven in the 6th century.  Each class is independent, so come to one, several, or all.

TRANSFORMATION 1 ON 1  (11/9 & 11/16)
You are invited to join Gina Pearson for Transformation 1 on 1, a course that will enable you to tap into your power to produce the results that matter.  You will journey toward new levels of personal freedom through the process of dialogue, active participation, and feedback.  This course will allow you to examine your current reality and to explore your present beliefs and values so that you may produce the results you want.  Pre-enrollment requested.  Participants can sign up at the ARE Table in Emerson Hall.

11:30 am

BIBLE STUDY (9/14-ongoing)
Whether you are a novice looking to engage the Bible for the first time or an old hand hoping to see the Good Book with new eyes, you will find something to like in this liberal religious approach to Scripture.  Join us for an open and informative encounter with this important touchstone of Western civilization.   (September/October:  Saving Jesus with Rev. Ron Robinson;  November:  The Book of Revelation with Prof. Nancy Pittman)

PARENTING ISN'T EASY  (9/14 – ongoing )
Parenting is the most rewarding and the most challenging experience of our lives.  In this course for parents of all ages, professionals in a variety of disciplines provide their expertise to those faced with the sometimes daunting task of being a parent.

YOUNG ADULT SUNDAY CIRCLE  (9/14 – ongoing)
Looking for somewhere to bring those nagging questions about life, the universe and everything?  Searching for some way to connect with other young adults in the congregation?  Come join your fellow seekers (ages 18-35) for a weekly discussion of religion and spirituality that is guided by your questions and ideas. [Note: Sunday Circle (ages 35+) meets at 10 am.]

ALL SOULS 101  (starts at 11:45 am; 9/28, 10/26, and 11/30)
This one-session course provides a basic orientation to All Souls and to the privileges and responsibilities of membership.  All prospective members are encouraged to take this class before joining the church.  Pre-enrollment requested.  Participants can sign up at the Newcomers Table in the foyer or at the ARE Table in Emerson Hall.

COMING OF AGE PARENTS CLASS  (2nd Sunday;  9/14, 10/12, 11/9, 12/14)
As the Coming of Age (9th grade) youth progress through our faith community’s rites of initiation, Dr. Pat and Jane Newman lead their parents through a spiritual and emotional journey of their own.

1:30 pm

GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION SERIES (1:30-3 pm; biweekly starting 9/14)
Come discover the greatest minds of the ages in this discussion group facilitated by Dr. Glenn Visher and Scott Swearingen.  This semester, participants will explore works by David Hume, Geoffrey Chaucer, Simone de Beauvoir, and Rudyard Kipling.  All readings are included in the anthology Great Conversation, Volume 3, copies of which may be purchased from the Great Books Foundation (1-800-222-5870; www.greatbooks.org). 

ROOTS (1:30-3 pm; 11/2-11/23)
Rev. Marlin Lavanhar and Rev. Tamara Lebak lead this three-week course covering the basic principles, history, and traditions of Unitarian Universalism.  Roots provides an opportunity for both newcomers and old-timers to deepen their knowledge of the bold and inspiring tradition to which we belong.   Pre-registration is required.  To register, contact Brian Cross by phone at 743-2808, ext. 503, or by email at arecoordinator@allsoulschurch.org.  You may also sign up at the Newcomer’s Table on Sunday morning.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Brian Cross, adult religious education coordinator, at arecoordinator@allsoulschurch.org or at 918-743-2805, ext. 503.