Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Fall 2008-2009

For information on any Adult RE class, seminar or workshop, contact the church office, or send an email to are-info@uucpa.org. 

Pre-registration is encouraged.  To register contact  eventsignup@uucpa.org, 650-494-0541, or sign the green ARE binder on the patio on Sunday mornings. 

Childcare is generally available with two weeks notice (email Childcare@uucpa.org, see Rev. Eva, or sign up in the ARE binder).

• Parent Journey Group
• Science Tid-Bits
• Great World Religions: Hinduism
• A Taste of the Bhagavad Gita
• On the Path: Spirituality for Adults and Youth
• Bisexuality
• Family-Friendly Nature Outing: Walk the Earthquake Trail

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Parent Journey Group

Parent Journey meets on the second Sunday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Fireside Room.  

The mission of the UUCPA Parent Journey Group is to allow parents in the congregation a safe, engaging and contemplative place in which to explore issues related to parenting in general, parenting and theology, parenting as a UU and any other parenting-related, religion-related topics that may come up.  This is a loose, coffee clutch type gathering for busy parents looking to commune around topics both profound and humorous.  Please join us.  Childcare will be provided (no pre-arrangement necessary). 

Recent Developments in Science. - Science Tid-Bits –

Monthly on second Tuesdays, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, in Room 6.

Discussion is mainly at informed lay level. The purpose is to become better informed about intriguing current developments that may have wide impacts. Original publication references are reviewed when possible.  About half a dozen current topics are summarized using visuals and handouts. Discussion follows a short summary of each topic presented by the facilitators and attendees. Occasional topics get more in depth treatment. Closing minutes cover future topics and facilitator and presenter rotations.

Great World Religions: Hinduism

Six Sunday evenings: September 7 to October 12, 7-9 p.m., Fireside Room.

Hinduism is one of the world’s great religions and has been an important source for UUs ever since the 19th century, when it was a powerful influence on Transcendentalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson. This class will use video lectures by Prof. Mark Muesse of Rhodes College.  There are twelve 30-minute lectures covering both basic information and contemporary issues. Each session will include two lectures with discussion of the presentation. Raghu Seshadri will reprise the excellent commentary on the videos that he gave when the course was offered a few years ago. No preparation needed, and you can attend any or all of the session.

Cost: $5 for the Course Guidebook (optional).

Facilitator: Raghu Seshadri

Please preregister, and do so early so that we can order a guidebook for you.

A Taste of the Bhagavad Gita

Six Sunday evenings: October 19 to November 23, 7-9 p.m., Room 6.

Come join us for a taste of the Hindu religious text Bhagavad Gita. During the course of six classes, we will study, reflect upon, and discuss some select readings of the text. We will focus on Sri Krishna's answers to the following questions:

• What is the nature of ultimate reality?
• What is a skillful attitude toward work?
• Who or what is God and how may we relate to Her, Him, or It?

Questions we each must have asked sometime and answers we should understand.

Required text: The Bhagavadgita by S. Radhakrishnan, ISBN: 8172230877, $7.00.

Facilitator: VJ Mohan

Please preregister, and do so early so that we can order the appropriate edition of the Gita for you.

Bisexuality

Four Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:30:  October 7, 14, 28, November 11, Room 6 or A. 

When Alfred Kinsey did his groundbreaking research into human sexuality, he discovered that almost half the population could be categorized as bisexual.  Yet this orientation is little understood, in part because it tends to be hidden by circumstance.  Most likely, you know many people who are "bi" but appear to the public eye to be either heterosexual or gay/lesbian.  This is a program for anyone of any sexual orientation who is interested in questions of sexuality, identity, or culture; who wants to acquire the knowledge and language needed to counter assumptions and stereotypes they may hear; and who shares the dream of making our congregation and community more just and welcoming to all.  You can expect to be surprised, to laugh, to cry, to be uncomfortable, to learn, and to be moved to act, all within a safe, friendly, and fun setting. Because continuity is important for creating trust and comfort in the group, please commit to attending all four sessions.

Facilitators:  Susan Owicki and Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern. 
Susan is a member of UUCPA's Welcoming Congregation team and the mother of an openly bi child.  Amy is the parish minister of UUCPA, openly bi, and one of the co-authors of the curriculum.

Please preregister.

On the Path: Spirituality for Adults and Youth

Eight Wednesday evenings 7:00 to 9:00 PM beginning October 8 through December 10 (skipping Oct. 29 and Nov. 26), Room 6 (Oct. 22 in the Fireside Room).  
This program explores the nature and meaning of spirituality in our lives.  The group will look at many definitions and various understandings of spirituality, and experience many forms it can take.  Through deep relaxation, yoga, Sufi dancing, meditation and a variety of spiritual discipline experiences, individuals will choose one path to practice for a while.  The group is open to adults and high school-aged youth.

There is the possibility of a one-day retreat, a sort of “vision quest” for the closing session, if participants so choose.

Facilitator: Rev. Eva Českava

Please preregister.

Family-Friendly Nature Outing: Walk the Earthquake Trail

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Los Trancos Open Space Preserve.
Join Open Space Preserve docent Jack Owicki “where worlds collide” at the junction of the Pacific and North American plates. On this 2- to 3-mile stroll, you’ll discover remnants of the effects of the 1906 earthquake, and discuss plate tectonics and how to prepare for future earthquakes.
Meet at the Los Trancos Preserve parking lot on Page Mill Road (across from Monte Bello Preserve), 7 miles west of I-280 or 1.5 miles east of Skyline Boulevard. This is about 30 minutes on Page Mill Road from I-280. If you want to car pool, meet at the church parking lot in time to leave promptly at 1:15 p.m.
Facilitator: Jack Owicki
Please preregister.