Adult Programs Courses

UUCF Adult Programs is offering the following courses during the spring of 2012. Most courses require preregistration. You may sign up online or at the Adult Programs table in the Commons after services.

Responses to Job

With Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig
Feb. 4 and 18, Mar. 3, Apr. 7 and 21, May 5, 2-3:30 p.m.
Open to all adults and teens; pre-registration is required. 

The Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible is one of the most powerful explorations of the meaning of human suffering ever written. In this class, led by Rev. Laura, we will study the Book of Job and a few of the many responses to Job offered by philosophers and psychologists over the years. We will also take time for personal reflection and responses to this challenging text.

Our Unitarian Universalist Story

Facilitated by Wini Atlas
Six Sundays, Apr. 15-May 20, 4 p.m.
Preregistration required by Apr. 8.
Class will be held with a minimum of eight registered.
Childcare available

This six-session course traces the various threads that have led to the creedless and inclusive faith that is contemporary Unitarian Universalism. We will explore our religious identity of as UUs through readings, discussion and activities through the context of the denomination’s history, our personal religious values and our personal experiences. The course offers participants an opportunity to examine their own spiritual development, identify our religious attitudes, values and beliefs and become part of determining the future of UUism.

Course goals include: getting a sense of the historical evolution of Unitarian Universalism, appreciating the issues, disputes and enduring concepts that have shaped and transformed our liberal religion over four centuries, appreciating the struggles, contributions and sacrifices of those who have kept our movement alive through the ages and exploring how one’s own faith journey parallels or differs from the faith journeys of our UU forebears.

Connecting With Your Inner Goddess: Spiritual Bellydance

Six Sundays, Apr. 1-May 6, 3-4:30 p.m., Chapel
With Janet Cushing
Preregistration required by Mar. 25
Workshop is geared toward women, although open to all interested in connecting with the feminine aspect of themselves.
No previous experience necessary.
Participants should wear clothing appropriate for being able to move around comfortably. This class will be held with a minimum of five preregistered.
Childcare available
For questions contact Janet Cushing, 703-464-1204

“The belly dance is our vehicle and our tonic providing us a form for our creativity which gives us much room to explore and draws so much from us which we do not normally have access to in our daily lives. It offers an incredible opportunity to explore the feminine, including the ‘dark feminine’ – the part of ourselves which has been relegated an outcast in society, ‘immoral’ and destructive.”

—Christina Sophia

Bellydance is a sacred dance with its origins stemming from the sacred dances of India, Africa and the Middle East; ancient Goddess worship; and aiding women during the birth process. It celebrates the Goddess in all women and the human capacity to bring forth life through the physical body.

This six-week workshop involves learning how we can connect with the feminine divine through the ancient art of bellydance. Each 90-minute session will begin with a brief discussion of the day’s theme, followed by warm-up and learning how various bellydance movements help us experience the particular aspect of spiritual practice and celebrating the Goddess that exists within us. Through this sacred dance, we will explore the following themes:

• Perfection and Abundance – Honor and celebrate the sacred within.
• Acceptance and Healing – The only way to transform is to be present and to accept where you truly are now.
• Energy Technique – Move from the inside out.
• Breath – Continuous movement, continuous breath.
• Surrender – Inhale unconditional love; exhale what you no longer need.

UUA Common Read

Eboo Patel’s “Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation”
Facilitated by Barb Brehm in collaboration with the Muslim Outreach Group
Two Wednesday nights, Apr. 18 and 25, 7:30 p.m.
Common Read discussions hosted by the Muslim Outreach Group
Register via email or at the Adult Programs table in the Commons after services.
Please read the book prior to attending the sessions.

"Acts of Faith" is the very personal story of a young Muslim growing up in America, rebelling, following his own spiritual quest and becoming an interfaith leader. Eboo Patel describes his personal rebellion and religious journey that led him to create the Interfaith Youth Core. He believes that our century "will be shaped by the faith line" between extremism and religious pluralism. Do you?

The UUA has selected this book as its Common Read for this year. Join UUs across our Association as we discuss identity and religious pluralism. You can attend either session alone or both sessions. You can find copies of this book, your local libraries or purchase one though most book stores.

Session 1 - The Journey of a Youth - Wed., Apr. 18, 7:30 p.m.
We'll explore the themes of youthful searching, religious journey and the coming together of people of different faiths. What was it like to grow up in the Midwest as a Muslim and why did Patel found the Interfaith Youth Core.

Session 2 - Building a Movement - Wed., Apr. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Throughout Eboo’s life, he worked to organize people into supportive groups culminating in his founding of the Interfaith Youth Core. What does his work teach us for our own efforts as UUs in making this world a better place? "The question of the faith line cannot be answered by drawing a line between the religious and the non-religious. Pluralism –even religious pluralism – is everybody's business, for both obvious pragmatic reasons and the more poetic ones. After all, there are many places where people hear the music of transcendence."