Possible Adult Education Offerings--First Year

For the church year 2009-2010, one of these adult education courses is a possibility.

I will check in with the congregation in a variety of ways to see which has the most interest. Perhaps there will even emerge a co-facilitator with me if there is someone with special interest and desire.

Please note: Whatever the topic, participants will be encouraged to go deeper with practices, readings, and exercises that can be done at home throughout the month.

What do you think??? Anything strike your fancy? Let's begin the conversation.

Mary Oliver as Guide for the Life of the Spirit

A half day retreat, off-site (to be determined)

Picking half a dozen poems from the award-winning nature poet Mary Oliver, we'll see how her poetry provides a road map, a guide to the life of the spirit: waking up, looking about, being open and receptive, experiencing the 'miraculous' occasionally, responding, giving back, praising, being transformed, and asking the questions that matter (and thus, starting all over again). It is not linear, but it is there.

Emerson as Guide for the Life of the Spirit

Four to Six sessions, on site.

Though we may debate whether Ralph Waldo Emerson is primarily a poet, an essayist or a philosopher, for Barry Andrews, he is above all a spiritual teacher. His fiery genius ignited not only Thoreau but also Whitman, Fuller and many others. Though his life was riddled with loss, including the deaths of his first wife, two brothers and his first son, this remarkable man produced dozens of inspirational essays and poems and became the most widely quoted author in America today. Andrews' commentary shows a new generation of Americans how Emerson's spiritual journey joined an open heart with a critical mind. This will appeal to readers who consider themselves spiritual though not necessarily religious.

Thoreau as Guide for the Life of the Spirit

Four to Six Sessions, on site

Thoreau and the Trancendentalists tried to achieve a balance in their lives between work and leisure, nature and civilization, society and solitude, spiritual aspirations and moral behavior. This guide helps one "walk" through Walden again and find its soul while expanding your own.

Reason and Reverence

Format undetermined. On site

Based on the book by Bill Murry, former president of Meadville Lombard Theological School, a book that inspires conversation about humanism.

From Amazon:

Answering the critics who find humanism lacking the power to inspire, Murry brings a new vision of religious humanism?one that evokes compassion, spirituality and a language of reverence while grounded in reason, community, social responsibility, science and ethics. Along with an accessible account of humanism's historical development, theological challenges and future directions, on these pages readers will discover a more open and inclusive humanism, one that speaks to the heart as well as the mind.

Sabbath

This may have to wait until year 2.

Otherwise: once a month for six months.

"Wayne Muller's call to remember the Sabbath is not only rich, wise and poetic, it may well be the only salvation for body and soul in a world gone crazy with busyness and stress."

I would like to find another group to do this with as a co-venture. This is a rich, interfaith approach to an important topic in our busy world.

Essential Spirituality

Once a month for seven months. On-site.

Psychiatrist and philosopher Roger Walsh looks at seven common practices of the world's major religions to tease out a guidebook for contemporary spirituality. With gleanings from Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, Walsh offers seven chapters devoted to enlightenment.

First Session: Introductions, getting to know each other. Goals and hopes.

Topic: Transforming Your motivations

Second Session:Cultivate Emotional Wisdom

Third Session:Living Ethically

Fourth Session: Calm Your Mind

Fifth Session:Seeing the sacred in all things

Sixth Session: What about wisdom?

Seventh Session: Giving Back//Moving on//what we'll take from this//Fare Thee Wells//Next steps

Now, it is up to you. Any thoughts about what we should pursue together? Leave a comment or send me an email (revrogerb@msn.com)

All the best,

In hopes of wholeness,

In faith,

Roger