Spiritual Exploration for Adults (SEA)
About SEA -- Spiritual Exploration for Adults
(SEA) provides opportunities for adults in the church to deepen and explore their faith. SEA provides high quality programs on primarily Thursday evenings (but also at other times) which focus on spiritual development in three areas: theology, spiritual practice and ethics. Programs are compelling, high quality, of general interest and engage participants in personal spiritual development. Programs also serve to integrate participants into deeper relationship in the church community. The Spiritual Exploration for Adults Ministry is responsible for the SEA program with staff support from the Director of Lifespan Religious Education. Our work is not just a committee but truly a ministry at our church.
Through our programming we hope to help our members: Develop sustainable, fulfilling spiritual practices, Deepen our spirituality, Strengthen and build relationships with each other, Build knowledge about different religions, Transform how people see the world.
Register for Fall SEA Courses
Email Marion Hirsch at hirsch.marion @ gmail.com. Or you can sign up on-line at links below.
Fall 2021 Courses
Racial Equity Challenge: Continuing the Conversation
Moving from White Supremacy to Racial Equity through personal and collective resilience
Mondays, Sept 27, Oct 11, 25, Nov 8, on Zoom from 7-8:15
Our learning and community building continue this fall with four focused conversations spaced every other week. The discussions are open to those who have participated in our previous racial equity challenges and those who have not. You asked for discussions around focused topics so we can go deeper together. During this series we will learn and talk about how we as individuals and a community can prepare for sustained work on racial equity. Join us as we explore what we need spiritually, socially/communally, and emotionally to continue the unlearning of white supremacy culture and the learnings of racial equity. As part of the challenge, you will be provided with all new readings, videos, and questions to ponder. We will meet every other week in facilitated small groups on zoom to reflect on and discuss our learnings. Register HERE .
Daoism
Thursdays, Sept 30, Oct 7, 14 on Zoom at 7
Led by Kari Andrade
We will study a Chinese sacred text written 2500 years ago, the primary text of Daoism (Taoism) and the second most translated book in the world after the Bible. We will study 8 of the 81 chapters focusing on the themes of WU WEI or action without action, DE (TE) virtue or how the Dao manifests and Yin Yang. We will read several different translations of each chapter and discuss. Each chapter is similar in length and complexity to a poem. Register HERE.
Spiritual Naturalism
Tuesdays, Oct 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, on Zoom from 7-8:15
Led by Ed Steffes
Spiritual naturalism is a philosophy that aims to give contemporary meaning to the concept of spirit by associating it with the creativity of nature. (It could also be called “creative naturalism” or “aesthetic naturalism.”) A central idea is that both traditional religion and Machine-Age science have misunderstood creativity: religion by elevating human creativity to the supernatural realm; and science by trying to reduce all natural phenomena to purely mechanical processes. The new interest in natural creative processes has something to offer both religious and scientific humanists and may help build a bridge between the two. The course also considers the social implications of these ideas, suggesting that spiritual naturalism is more compatible with Unitarian Universalist principles than either supernaturalism or mechanistic materialism. Register HERE.
Your Legacy Checklist: How to Leave a Gift and Not a Mess
Led by Carolyn Holt, Ivy Brezina, and Nancy Mayer, Attorney at Law
Tuesdays, October 12 and 19, from 7:00-8:30 PM on Zoom
As we get older we all recognize the importance of having our affairs in order for our loved ones. Learn what documents are needed to complete this task. We will cover wills, advanced directives, and what needs to be done when death occurs. Upon registration, you will receive an electronic copy of Your Legacy Checklist. Completing the checklist is not a small amount of work, but you will feel fabulous when it’s done. Register HERE.
Tai Chi
Wednesdays 7:00-8:00 PM , in person, in the Community Room, beginning September 29
Led by Joe Swain
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system that has been called "meditation in motion." Whether you have years of practice, or no previous experience, join us on Wednesdays for a peaceful interlude in the week. Register HERE and drop ins are welcome.
The Five Big Questions
Thursdays, Oct 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, on Zoom from 7-8:30pm.
Led by Kristen Dunivant and Steve Warshaw
A personal spiritual quest can be characterized by five questions: Who am I? How do I know what I know? Who or what is in charge? What is my purpose in life? What does my death mean? This is a wonderful class of exploration and discussion. By the end of the course each participant will have written her/his personal creed. . Register HERE. Registration closes 10/15.
Here is information about past programs.
For more general information contact:
Marion Hirsch, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
hirsch.communitychurch @ gmail.com
(SEA) provides opportunities for adults in the church to deepen and explore their faith. SEA provides high quality programs on primarily Thursday evenings (but also at other times) which focus on spiritual development in three areas: theology, spiritual practice and ethics. Programs are compelling, high quality, of general interest and engage participants in personal spiritual development. Programs also serve to integrate participants into deeper relationship in the church community. The Spiritual Exploration for Adults Ministry is responsible for the SEA program with staff support from the Director of Lifespan Religious Education. Our work is not just a committee but truly a ministry at our church.
Through our programming we hope to help our members: Develop sustainable, fulfilling spiritual practices, Deepen our spirituality, Strengthen and build relationships with each other, Build knowledge about different religions, Transform how people see the world.
-
Register for Fall SEA Courses
Email Marion Hirsch at hirsch.marion @ gmail.com. Or you can sign up on-line at links below.
Fall 2021 Courses
Racial Equity Challenge: Continuing the Conversation
Moving from White Supremacy to Racial Equity through personal and collective resilience
Mondays, Sept 27, Oct 11, 25, Nov 8, on Zoom from 7-8:15
Our learning and community building continue this fall with four focused conversations spaced every other week. The discussions are open to those who have participated in our previous racial equity challenges and those who have not. You asked for discussions around focused topics so we can go deeper together. During this series we will learn and talk about how we as individuals and a community can prepare for sustained work on racial equity. Join us as we explore what we need spiritually, socially/communally, and emotionally to continue the unlearning of white supremacy culture and the learnings of racial equity. As part of the challenge, you will be provided with all new readings, videos, and questions to ponder. We will meet every other week in facilitated small groups on zoom to reflect on and discuss our learnings. Register HERE .
Daoism
Thursdays, Sept 30, Oct 7, 14 on Zoom at 7
Led by Kari Andrade
We will study a Chinese sacred text written 2500 years ago, the primary text of Daoism (Taoism) and the second most translated book in the world after the Bible. We will study 8 of the 81 chapters focusing on the themes of WU WEI or action without action, DE (TE) virtue or how the Dao manifests and Yin Yang. We will read several different translations of each chapter and discuss. Each chapter is similar in length and complexity to a poem. Register HERE.
Spiritual Naturalism
Tuesdays, Oct 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, on Zoom from 7-8:15
Led by Ed Steffes
Spiritual naturalism is a philosophy that aims to give contemporary meaning to the concept of spirit by associating it with the creativity of nature. (It could also be called “creative naturalism” or “aesthetic naturalism.”) A central idea is that both traditional religion and Machine-Age science have misunderstood creativity: religion by elevating human creativity to the supernatural realm; and science by trying to reduce all natural phenomena to purely mechanical processes. The new interest in natural creative processes has something to offer both religious and scientific humanists and may help build a bridge between the two. The course also considers the social implications of these ideas, suggesting that spiritual naturalism is more compatible with Unitarian Universalist principles than either supernaturalism or mechanistic materialism. Register HERE.
Your Legacy Checklist: How to Leave a Gift and Not a Mess
Led by Carolyn Holt, Ivy Brezina, and Nancy Mayer, Attorney at Law
Tuesdays, October 12 and 19, from 7:00-8:30 PM on Zoom
As we get older we all recognize the importance of having our affairs in order for our loved ones. Learn what documents are needed to complete this task. We will cover wills, advanced directives, and what needs to be done when death occurs. Upon registration, you will receive an electronic copy of Your Legacy Checklist. Completing the checklist is not a small amount of work, but you will feel fabulous when it’s done. Register HERE.
Tai Chi
Wednesdays 7:00-8:00 PM , in person, in the Community Room, beginning September 29
Led by Joe Swain
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system that has been called "meditation in motion." Whether you have years of practice, or no previous experience, join us on Wednesdays for a peaceful interlude in the week. Register HERE and drop ins are welcome.
The Five Big Questions
Thursdays, Oct 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, on Zoom from 7-8:30pm.
Led by Kristen Dunivant and Steve Warshaw
A personal spiritual quest can be characterized by five questions: Who am I? How do I know what I know? Who or what is in charge? What is my purpose in life? What does my death mean? This is a wonderful class of exploration and discussion. By the end of the course each participant will have written her/his personal creed. . Register HERE. Registration closes 10/15.
Here is information about past programs.
For more general information contact:
Marion Hirsch, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
hirsch.communitychurch @ gmail.com