Spiritual Exploration & Education
adult education

Humanist Reading Group
Friday, Feb 19, 2010 at 7:30pm
The Lay Worship Committee is sponsoring a Reading Group for Humanists. The book we are discussing is Richard Dawkin's The Greatest Show on Earth. Dawkins takes on creationists with the evidence for evolution through natural selection. The Greatest Show is life itself and its evolution, and we will explore this basic foundation of Humanist philosophy and why the evidence for it is overwhelming. Find out more at http://richarddawkins.net/thegreatestshowonearth.
You should be able to find the book at libraries and bookshops or online.

The Humanist Reading Group meets to discuss books of interest to Humanists and is open to all Humanists and anyone interested in learning more about Humanism. We will meet on the third Friday of every month at 7:30 pm in the living room. Please join us for stimulating discussions in a supportive environment.  For more information, please speak with Scott Harrigan. 

You can see UUCA activities listed in
our monthly events calendar.

Men's Circle
The Lay Worship Committee is sponsoring a Men's Circle based on the curriculum, Gatherings:Small Group Ministry for Men. This created by a team that includes the husband of the Evensong author and follows the Evensong model for worship and interaction.
The program is open to all interested men and will be facilitated by Scott Harrigan. We'll meet the first Friday of each month at 7:30pm. Please write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

 
***Spiritual Cinema Circle
Last year I came across a website that piqued my interest and decided we'd start up a new church group. Here is how it works:
Each month, a DVD is sent with one or two feature films along with two or more short films, and/or documentaries.The DVD is accompanied by liner notes that provide brief summaries of each film along with reflection questions for us.
According to the Spiritual Cinema Circle co-founder, Stephen Simon, films must meet several criteria to be considered circle worthy. Simon explains,

"We look for movies that ask who we are and why we're here, and leave you feeling at least a little bit better about being a human being after you're finished watching it. By those criteria, Whale Rider, The Matrix, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind are examples of major releases that would qualify. American Beauty most definitely would not. Neither would The Passion of the Christ, which would be too dogmatic and too violent according to the circles standards."

We provide the relaxing place to enjoy and watch the movies along with the popcorn….. and then the fun part…….spend some time discussing the films afterwards, discussing the reflection questions.
Most movies are appropriate for children (although I am assuming that most will not hold the attention of very little children). Families certainly are welcome though, as our children will certainly be running around the house!

When: Last Friday of the month (October-May)
Time: We will start the movie promptly at 7:15pm
Where: Ulrich house, Williamsville
What to Bring: your own beverages and any other snacks besides popcorn
Cost: About $3 per adult
RSVP: Scott or Tammy Ulrich

If you would like to learn more about the specific movies go to spiritualcinemacircle.com  For this month's offerings, check our newsletter-social. Join us!

*** The New U.U. (Unitarian Universalist)
This is a two-session orientation program for newcomers and anyone else who might be interested. The purpose of the program is to help new people become part of our church community, intellectually, socially and personally.
New UU addresses this purpose in three ways. Participants will:

       ♦  Create a time line of religious turning points in their lives and share these narratives with others in the New UU group. This is a great way to begin new friendships and see how much we have in common in our religious journeys.

      ♦  Explore Unitarian Universalism by looking at the local church and the larger movement.

      ♦  Identify and talk about important issues such as theological position, approach to tradition, the tension between intellect and feeling, and the importance of money, involvement and volunteering.

The final set of New UU programs will be June 6 & 13. The program is held periodically, generally Sunday evenings from 7-9pm.  Please check our newsletter or calendar to confirm dates and do let us know your schedule preferences. You are welcome to call the church office, 634-3010, the Minister's study, 741-8388, or contact Joann Shafer to sign up. Tim Ashton, Minister; Joann Shafer, New Member Development Committee
 

*** Preaching by Parishioners is open to our congregants. This three-month program happens each spring. It is a hands-on workshop on creating and delivering an inspiring church service during the summer months. This program helps support the personal & spiritual growth of our congregation and to actively promote the 'freedom of the pulpit' that is so honored by Unitarian Universalists. For more information, please go to Preaching by Parishioners, located on our main menu. Chris & Marlana Barry 

You can see UUCA activities listed in
our monthly events calendar.

**UUA: Another interesting place for adults to learn more about Unitarian Universalism is at the website UUA.org. There you will find a wide variety of general information on all aspects of Unitarian churches. 

** The Campus Ministry Committee is looking for committed members to become adult allies and assist with campus ministry in our area. If you are a current or former staff or faculty member of any of the local colleges or an alumnus, we would ask if you would consider helping us out. Please join us!  Scott Harrigan 

** Church of the Larger Fellowship is a UU congregation by mail & cyberspace, providing helpful online resources. This provides a UU connection 24/7 for those interested in further exploration. For online classes and email discussions, go to clfuu.org (click on Resources), or call 617-948-6166. 

** UU Fellowship of Chautauqua Denominational House
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Chautauqua, NY has purchased a large house on the Chautauqua Institution grounds and is currently renovating it for use as a Unitarian Universalist Denominational House. It will offer 6 bedrooms with shared bathrooms for weekly rentals of $300/wk each for the 2009 season. Unitarian Universalists will be given preference for the rooms until December 1, and then the rooms will be available for the public. All rooms have two beds, one is designed as a family room, and another is handicapped accessible. The house has three full baths (one of which is fully handicapped accessible) plus two half baths.
The UU Denominational House is centrally located near Bestor Plaza, the Bookstore and the Colonnade at 6 Bliss. It also offers a place to relax- including a secluded patio - for those coming for the day, information for persons interested in UU faith and philosophy, meeting space for programs, and social functions, too.
For information about the UU Fellowship of Chautauqua, the Denominational House, contact information & reservation forms, please go to www.uufchautauqua.org. For information about Chautauqua Institution and its programs, visit www.ciweb.org. We are looking forward to seeing you at Chautauqua!

You can see UUCA activities listed in
our monthly events calendar.