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 Committee 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 parishioners…
- Develop sustainable, fulfilling spiritual practices
- Deepen our spirituality
- Strengthen and build relationships with each other
- Build knowledge about different practices
- Transform how people see the world
Our Topic/Teaching Blocks
1. Theology/Spiritual Practice
2. World Religions (to include UU, Christianity and Humanism/Atheism
3. The Spirituality of Eco and Social Justice
4. Personal Growth and Development
5. Ethics and Philosophy
Register for SEA Courses
Registration on Sunday mornings after the service at the SEA Table in the Jones Building or you can email Marion Hirsch at hirsch.marion @ gmail.com. Or you can sign up on-line at links below.
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Spring 2020 Courses
Step into Circle Singing
Led by Eric Bannan, this is held every month on the 2nd Thursday until May.
Circle singing draws on traditions of chant, jazz, gospel, meditation and mindfulness to create one-of-a-kind choral improvisations. Circle singing is a mistake-free zone, accessible to beginning singers, but also challenges those with experience. Register HERE.
Honoring African American History Month Preparation for the Civil Rights Pilgrimage
Join Rev. Thom each Thursday in February for facilitated discussion sessions related to African American history. These classes are designed as preparatory sessions for those taking the Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Montgomery and Selma (March 27-30) but they are also open to all in the church who wish to participate.
Thursdays evenings in February 7-8:30 PM. More Information and registration for this special class is HERE.
- February 6: From 1619 to Today
- February 13: Preparing to Visit the National Memorial
- February 20: The Movement
- February 27: UUs Answer the Call to Selma
Exploring the Story of Susanna
Led by Paige Smith and Karen Jesse
February 13, 20, 27, 7:00-8:30 PM
Explore this fascinating biblical story and its relevance for today's modern world. This powerful story will lead to discussions about ethics, bravery, community, and the power of being an ally. Register HERE.
Building Your Own Theology (BYOT )
Led by Steve Warshaw and Kristen Dunivant
Thursdays 7-9 PM, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2
BYOT addresses five questions that characterize any personal religious quest: 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? It is a discussion-based course. There are readings and/or exercises to do in preparation for each class meeting. By the end of the course each participant will have written her/his personal creed. Register HERE.
Gender Queer and Gender Non-conforming: Let’s Learn More
Led by Tommie Hayes and Ames Simmons
Thursday March 19, 7-8:30 PM
Tommi Hayes, a local non-binary activist and Ames Simmons, Director of Transgender Policy at Equality NC will join us to give an overview of gender non-binary identities and issues facing members of the gender nonconforming community in our area, Come an learn about what you can do to help make our congregation welcoming to all community members. Register HERE.
Preaching Practicum
Led by Rev. Thom
Thursdays 7-9 PM, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30
Have you ever wanted to write and deliver a sermon? Join Rev. Thom for this intensive sermon writing course and then deliver your sermon during a summer service at church! This course is limited to 4-6 participants and attendance at every session is required. All races, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and theologies are encouraged to apply. Contact Rev. Thom at revthomb@gmail.com, if you are interested in participating in the course.
Gardening with Words: The spiritual practice of gathering and arranging language
Led by Adam Good, Thursdays 7-8:30, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30
Explore the art of gathering and arranging language from the sources that surround and inspire us, from sacred texts and poems (to street signs and stand-up comedy). Participants will create “cutting gardens” of words and phrases that they gather from their favorite texts, and use that language to create new arrangements that spark insight and shine with beauty. Register HERE.
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Past SEA Courses:
Fall 2019 Courses
Spiritual Retreat: Enough is Great Riches
A Deeper Dive into the Summer's Preaching Practicum Sermons
Where Do Our Judgements Come From?
Cake and Death
In a Universe of Exploding Stars
Tai-Chi
Depolarizing Within: Becoming a Better Angel in Your Own World
Wellspring 1: A Unitarian Universalist Program for Deepening One's Spiritual Journey
Wellspring 2: Sacred Arts
Ethics and Money: A Fresh Perspective
Naming and Claiming the Divine
Step into Circle Singing
Connecting with God
Gardening with Words: The spiritual practice of gathering and arranging language
The Present Moment
Winter/Spring 2019
Interbeing: Celebrating our sacred connection to the environment
A Unlikely Friendship: Can Deep-seated Prejudices and Adversarial Relationships Be Transformed?
Winter Spiritual Retreat-- Interbeing: The Poetic Spirituality of Creation
Transform Fear into Gratitude: Dragon Dao Yin Qigong
Spirituality’s What, Why, and How: Growing in Awareness, Receptivity, and Responsiveness to Life
Finding Meaning and Spirit in Aging
Transform Anger into Happiness: Dragon Dao Yin Qigong
Art and Theology
Preaching Practicum
Tai Chi
Fall 2018
Spiritual Retreat-- Joy and Peace: Gifts of Awareness
Tai-Chi
Dragon Dao Yin: An ancient Qigong Form -- Transform Grief and Sadness into Contentment and Oneness
Rebuilding Resilience: An Experiential Crash Course in Well-Being
Wellspring 1: A Unitarian Universalist Program for Deepening One's Spiritual Journey
Building Your Own Theology (BYOT)
Pub Theology
Let's Talk Trans
UU Identity
Articulating Your UU Faith
Long Strange Trip
UU101
UU Values in Action
After Sermon Conversations
Righteous Mind
Hospice Services
Immigration as a Moral Issue
(The) New Jim Crow (1 week)
(The) New Jim Crow (3 weeks)
Non-Violent Communication
Purposeful Use of Life’s Energy
Values and Choices: Purposeful Use of Your Life’s Energy
Ethics in America: When It’s a Right vs. Right Decision
Your Legacy: How To Leave a Gift and Not a Mess
Religious Traditions
Contemporary Buddhist Thought
Religious Humanism
(The) Nature of God
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
Science and the Search for Good
Concepts of Consciousness
Nature Connection
Discovering a Sense of Place
Hungry for Change
Menu for the Future
Reconnecting with Earth
Spiritual Growth and Practice
Adult OWL
Building Your Own Spiritual Practice
Building Your Own Theology
Creativity and Spirituality
Finding Purpose in Your Life
Finding Your Power
Holiday Blues
(The) Happiness Project
Medical Ethics
Re-BYOT
Story as Entry to Relationship
Using the Psalms To Write
Voluntary Simplicity
Wellspring
Writing: Chapter and Verse
For more general information contact:
Marion Hirsch, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
hirsch.communitychurch @ gmail.com