Adult Faith Development Programs
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster is a faith community that includes a wide breadth of ages and spiritual beliefs. Our diverse programming covers world religions, personal spiritual practices, trips to explore new places, conversations with peers, and engaging social events.
We look forward to learning and growing with you! Have questions on a program? Contact Kate Prisby, Director of Lifespan Faith Development, in the church office through the contact page or 717-393-1733, ext. 202.
More Information
Year Round
Enquiring Minds: An Exploration of Unitarian Universalism, UUCL, and You
Where did Unitarian Universalism come from, and where is it headed in the 21st century? What does it take to become a member of UUCL? What landmarks and turnings have marked your religious and spiritual journey?
If you are curious about these questions, Enquiring Minds is the class for you! This friendly five-session gathering includes background and discussion about Unitarian Universalism and UUCL—as well as plenty of time to talk about the spiritual and religions journeys that led you here. Both newcomers and current congregants are welcome: Enquiring Minds is a great way to get to know others.
The entire series is offered two times.
Fall 2010: Sundays 1:00-3:00 p.m.
October 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31
Spring 2011: Thursdays 6:30-8:30 p.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28, and May 5
Registration is required by the day of the class; early registration is appreciated. Led by Rev. Peter Newport, Rev. Tricia Hart, and the Membership Development Council.
Seasonal Men’s Gathering and Discussion Group
Join Mark and other UU men for a new group that will meet once each season fall through spring. Gather with other UU men on a Friday or Saturday for a book discussion, casual conversation, and possibly a “post meeting” get together at Iron Hill Brewery or a similar establishment. Camaraderie is the goal as much as the actual book discussion. The first book will be Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death. A date will be set based on group availability. When you register, please suggest two books that you would be interested in discussing. Registration and book suggestions are requested by the end of September.
Mental Health Series: SADS—What Is It and How to Cope with It
In this session we will discuss the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and some of its causes. We will look at the prevalence of the illness and then discuss potential treatments. The session is open to indivduals who suffer from the disorder and for those who may live or work with those affected. George Herr-Riser, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, will lead this gathering on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Mental Health Series: The Season of Grief
Life is a journey, not a destination. So is our grief. The darkness of the winter season and the darkness within, the spirit of a grieving person, whatever the loss, collide with the gaiety of the holiday season. In this brief time we will attend to acknowledging and companioning the journey of grief with loving attention to our grief journey. Dorothy Harnish will facilitate this gathering on November 30, 2010, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Mental Health Series: Writing a Will
Francine Taylor, Esquire, will lead a workshop on how to write a will on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Francine will cover three legal necessities for anyone age 18 or older including: writing a will, power of attorney, and a living will. This workshop is open to all. Young people, and others who may not have considered writing a will, are strongly are encouraged to attend.
Mental Health Series: Parenting through the Lens of Attachment
Families are busier than ever with a wide array of activities, distractions, and responsibilities pulling parents and children away from the very important tasks of the parent-child relationship. Cindy Foster-Clark will use her background as a clinical social worker, working with children who have attachment issues, to discuss parenting practices that promote healthy attachment between parents and children. Attachment theory briefly will be reviewed and then ideas of how to promote healthy attachment between parents and children will be presented. The session will be offered on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Cindy Foster-Clark is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked for Life Management Associates for 20 years providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families providing attachment-based counseling to adults and children who have experienced psychological trauma.
Peace Knits Knitting Circle
Peace Knits Knitting Circle meets twice a month on second and fourth Mondays throughout the year 7:00-8:30 p.m. The first meeting of each month is for beginners (although experienced knitters are welcome to join and bring whatever project they are working on). We will work on a washcloth. Beginning knitters need to bring a notebook, pen, cotton, or linen yarn in any color/weight that is appropriate for a washcloth, and # 6, 7, 8, or 9 needles. A small bag to hold supplies and the project in is also a good idea. Knitting supplies can be purchased at AC Moore, Wal-Mart, Michaels, or any other knitting/craft store.
The fourth Monday of each month is for more advanced knitters, and it is at this meeting that we will choose a social service project. We have several in mind, including (but not limited to) knitting afghan squares for an afghan to be sent to Afghanistan, scarves for abused women, and/or newborn infant caps. Bring any ideas you may have of projects that you would like to work on as a group!
The Lancaster Labyrinth Project
A labyrinth is an ancient design that creates a single pathway from the entrance to the center without any misleading paths. This allows for a meditative journey that is quiet, purposeful, and relaxing. The focus is to reflect on your inner being, your intentions, and insight that promotes discovery of mind, spirit, and body. No experience is needed; tenders are available at public walks.
The Lancaster Labyrinth Project is sponsored by UUCL and holds a meditative walk the first Sunday of each month October through June, 1:00-4:00 p.m. in Founders Hall on the inlaid seven-circuit spiraling pathway.
Bring in the New Year with two special walks. Join us New Year’s Eve to walk 8:00-11:00 p.m. You also can walk on Saturday, January 1, 2011, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Web and Wheel Sabbat Celebrations
As the Wheel of the Year turns, we honor those turnings with ancient and traditional earth holiday celebrations to mark each seasons’ departure and arrival with music, myth, dance, and circles of connections with friends. We will affirm the gifts of Mother Earth through honoring the following seasonal sabbats:
- Fall Equinox, September 19, 2010, 7:30 p.m., in Founders’ Hall
- * Winter Solstice, December 20 and 21, 2010, 7:30 p.m., in the sanctuary
- Spring Equinox, March 20, 2011 7:30 p.m., Founders’ Hall
- Summer Solstice, June 19, 2011, location TBD
* Winter Solstice celebrations require free tickets from the church office. Tickets become available in December.
Red Rose Sangha
The Red Rose Sangha (www.redrosesangha.org) is a Lancaster Zen Buddhist community (sangha), affiliated with the Zen Peacemakers Order. Red Rose Sangha provides an ongoing practice rather than a class. Our weekly gathering consists of two 25-minute rounds of sitting meditation (zazen), a 10-minute walking meditation (kinhin), and a dharma talk or reading (teisho). Our community offers beginning instruction in Zen meditation and supports the meditation practices of its members by offering opportunities to participate in retreats at nearby centers as well as holding text study and other programs at the Church.
The Sangha holds weekly meditation on Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in Emerson Hall. Newcomers are always welcome; we encourage you to contact the Sangha beforehand for introductory information through either David Ganse, 717-299-0170, or Ed Sullivan, Dharma Holder, 717-399-2974, or email through the contact page.
Autumn
Experiencing the Aramaic Lord’s Prayer
“Abwoon d’bwarshmaya!” “O Brother! Father, Mother of the Cosmos!” So begins the prayer that Yeshua (Jesus) taught his disciples. This course will follow the work of Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz, Middle Eastern scholar and senior teacher of the Ruhaniat Sufi Order. Over twenty-five years ago, Dr. Douglas-Klotz meditated on these Aramaic words and brought forth an eight-part dance cycle which allows participants to journey through the prayer. The Aramaic language is rich and multi-layered in meaning. We will spend a session exploring each line of the prayer through dance, chant, and meditation. The last session will involve dancing the entire cycle of the prayer. No dance or meditation experience is necessary—just a willing and open mind.
Linda Kinney will lead this class on Sunday evenings 6:00-8:00 p.m.: September 12 & 26; October 3, 10, 24, & 31; November 14 & 21; December 5. Eight participants or more is ideal; bring friends from outside the UUCL community. Registration and course fee are due on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.
Menu for the Future
Fact: food is necessary to sustain life. Yet, have you ever stopped to consider food from cultural, economic, ecological, health or social perspectives? Come, share your experiences, and be part of this six-week discussion group. Examine the modern food system and how the choices we make regarding food have far reaching affects throughout the world. Topics include: how food connects us with tradition, place and with one another; the shift from family farms to industrial agriculture and economic and ecological impacts of that shift; our role in creating and supporting sustainable food systems; the political and commercial influences on food choices, and their impact on society’s overall health; the effects of a global food supply on marginalized populations; and the ways individuals and communities are shaping a sustainable food system.
Eric Usner and Michelle Probolus will lead initial discussions. Facilitation will then rotate among group members in teams of two: guidance on facilitation will be provided. The group will meet on Wednesday evenings September 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20, and 27, 7:00–8:30 p.m. Registration and course fee are due by Wednesday, September 8, 2010. The course fee covers the cost of the program reader, which participants will keep.
Spirit of Life
The favorite song, Spirit of Life by Carolyn McDade, is the inspiration for nine workshops that focus our attention on spiritual awareness and connection in daily life. Course participants are encouraged to make mindful choices through reflecting and listening. Spirit of Life activities are grounded in the Purposes and Principles of Unitarian Universalism, shared values, and affirmation of our faith community’s covenant to conduct a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
This is a shared leadership program. Linda Rebman will introduce the program; Linda Dobbins will finish it. Facilitation of course sessions will rotate among the group members; guidance on facilitating is provided. The group will meet on Sundays: September 26, October 17, October 31, November 14, January 9, February 6, March 6, March 27, & April 10, 12:30-2:00 p.m. Registration and the course fee are due by Monday, September 20, 2010.
Women & Religion Retreat—Hosted by the Joseph Priestley District
Join UU women from across the region to search and learn from inner wisdom through the process of collage making. The retreat will be located at Haverford College; there will be free time for socializing, personal reflection, and walking the nearby trails.
The retreat begins on Friday, October 1, 2010 around dinner time and runs through mid-Sunday. For complete details and registration information please visit: www.jpdwr.org.
Being a UU Parent
How does our religious tradition inform parenting when children have questions about God, Heaven, Hell, the Bible, and values/ethics? These issues will be explored through readings, small group conversation, and activities that can be mirrored at home with children. Each session will allow time to discuss parents’ questions/concerns based on scenarios participants encountered, and each gathering will include a closing worship that families can do at home. The goal is to empower parents to feel confident in responding to children’s questions and to discover ways to practice UUism at home.
Participants will gather on the following Sundays in October: 10, 17, 24, & 31. Parents and children are invited to a brown bag lunch from 12:30-1:00 p.m. The course program time will be from 1:00-2:30 p.m. with childcare provided during this time. Registration and course fee are due October 3, 2010. Anya Porter will facilitate.
What Happened to Faith?
What is your faith, and where did it come from? Since we all have ideas about human nature, the meaning of life, the existence of God, the purpose of religion, we all have some kind of “faith,” even if it looks and sounds a whole lot different than the faith of our grandparents. What is the role of faith in contemporary UU practice? This five-session discussion class will explore how Western faith has changed over the centuries, and how Unitarian and Universalist convictions fit into that evolving story.
Rev. Tricia Hart will lead the discussion on Wednesdays: October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, & 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. This course is limited to 12 participants; registration is due October 7, 2010.
Second Annual Walk in the Woods, Just for the Guys
Join other UUs and friends for a men’s hike on Saturday, October 16, 2010, 1:00 p.m. We’ll hike about three miles of the Mason-Dixon Trail along the Susquehanna River in York County. This section of trail was recently designated as a National Scenic Trail. We’ll climb a ridge with breathtaking views of the Susquehanna and the color-blanketed River Hills, and then follow the river shoreline to a hidden ravine with gushing waterfalls and rounded boulders.
The Second Annual Men’s Hike will be led by Ad Crable. Enjoy the fall splendor of Lancaster County on this weekend afternoon. Registration is due Wednesday, October 13.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Book Discussion and Viewing
Twelve-year old Percy Jackson has just been kicked out of another boarding school. His ADD seems to get in the way of paying attention at school, but he does a great job of focusing on battling the monsters that keep showing up in his life. But what kid has to deal with teachers that turn into monsters and a step-father that would rather play cards than play with his kid?
Percy isn’t a normal kid. He has a human mother and a father that is a Greek god. The gods aren’t happy. Some of their powers (like Zeus’ lightning bolt) are missing, and it’s up to Percy to prevent war among the arguing gods. With the help of friends, Percy goes on a quest to retrieve the stolen items. Along the way he learns about friendship, trusting one’s own abilities, family bonds, and forgiveness.
We’ll discuss the book before watching the movie on Sunday, November 21, 2010. Our gathering begins at 12:45 p.m.; this is the day of pancake breakfast, so there’s time to eat and then join the discussion. Daniel Magill and Kate Prisby will facilitate. Children and adults are welcome! Discover why this series is popular.
Winter
Parents’ Night Out Dinner
Join other parents and guardians with children enrolled in the children and youth faith development programs for an evening of adult conversation over dinner. Pasta, salad, wine, and dessert will be served, and childcare is provided.
Dinner will be served January 8, 2011, 7:00 p.m., and will end at 9:00 p.m. Please RSVP with the number of children, adults, and payment by Wednesday, January 1, 2011.
Horton Hears a Who Film Viewing
In Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who, Horton, the elephant, hears a cry for help coming from a piece of dust that floats by him one day. None of the other creatures believe Horton’s theory that there may be life in the dust speck. Yet Horton sets his mind to lend a hand to the voice calling for help.
This story, with narration by Steve Carell and Jim Carey, encourages following one’s convictions, standing up for what you believe to be ethical, and not falling victim to peer pressure. Courtney Harris will lead the viewing on Saturday, February 5, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ages are welcome.
Parenting Beyond Belief: How to Raise Ethical Children without Religion
“Does God exist? What happens when we die? Do we believe in Jesus?” Children ask tough questions that can be hard for parents to answer, especially when our faith encourages free thought. This book, edited by Dale McGowan, draws advice from educators, religious leaders, parents, and psychologists on how to raise caring, compassionate, ethical children without relying on church doctrine. A variety of topics are explored such as death, interreligious marriages, celebrating religious holidays, beliefs on Heaven and Hell, and interacting with peers who hold different religious beliefs.
This book was presented at General Assembly in 2010. We’ll discuss the book in four one-hour gatherings on Sundays in February, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; childcare will be provided in the first floor classroom. Marianne Smith, Courtney Harris, and Rachel Moore will facilitate. Participants will need to purchase a copy of the book, about $6 at www.amazon.com. Registration is due January 30, 2011.
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
UUCL women, take the opportunity to explore relationships with self, body, the divine, and mothers and daughters. Better understand history when women were honored and carried significant power within societies. Cakes for the Queen of Heaven celebrates you and other women.
Susan Lithgoe and Linda Dobbins will lead this powerful course 7:00-8:30 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: February 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22; April 5, 12. Registration and course fee are due Tuesday, January 18, 2011.
Reading Psalms but Hearing the Blues
In this workshop we will experience the “lament psalms” of Hebrew Scripture through the medium of the Blues as expressed by contemporary artists as varied as Lightnin’ Hopkins, Bessie Smith, and Bono. We will explore how reading the Psalms might have been experienced in their ancient social context by contrasting how the Blues function in our own. Participants will be encouraged to find a place for “blues power” in their lives and in their experience of religious community.
Facilitators are Kate Diller and Rev. Peter Newport. We will gather 6:30-8:30pm on Wednesday evenings on February 2, 9, 16, 23, and March 2. Registration requested by Wednesday, January 26, 2011.
