Adult Religious Exploration Program

Welcome!   Now is your time!

Now is your time to make time for your self.  It is easy to get so busy with our day to day responsibilities and deadlines that we don’t make time for intentional exploration and learning.  As Unitarian Universalists, this is part of our faith. Our Fourth Principle reminds us to strive for the “free and responsible search for truth and meaning,” and with the delightful offerings at our Fellowship this search can be fun and inspiring.  Take some time for yourself to get more involved with the community, to beef up your knowledge base, to encourage the path that others walk.   Let the learning commence!

2012 Fall Adult Programs

This program offers a wide variety of opportunities to stretch your mind and body. Courses and group meetings may include the areas of Religion, Spirituality and Philosophy, Art and Literature, Parenting and Personal Development, Just for Fun, Ongoing Groups and more. Programs are open to the public.

Please contact the UUFH office at 631-427-9547 for the most current schedule. Additional programs are listed under Getting Involved.

2012 Fall Adult Programs Calendar

New Listings

New Book Group

Are you interested in joining a new book club this fall? If so, we want to hear from you! There are several possibilities for a new group – daytime or evening meetings; fiction, nonfiction or mixed titles; a couples book group, etc. The two UUFH book groups are currently full – at an optimal size for meaningful, stimulating discussions. Please let us know if you are interested and your preferences asap. info@uufh.org

UUs Through the Ages

Sunday, September 9, 16 and 30, Noon – 2 p.m.

Bill H. will begin with the year one of the common era and go all the way up to 2012. Three 1 to 2 hour sessions Sunday after services. The objective is to understand how UU beliefs and values have been around for a long time, still are, and always will be. The three historical programs will be distant past, 1800s, and modern times. Attendees will learn about our roots, our great achievements, and our many good works in modern times. We may be small but we have a lot to be proud of. Registration required

Spirit in Practice

Ten consecutive Tuesdays beginning September 11 thru November 13, 8:00—9:30 p.m.

Our spirituality is our deep, reflective, and expressed response to the awe, wonder, joy, pain, and grief of being alive. Spirit in Practice presented by Maria P-N was designed for UUs to foster appreciation for spiritual practice as a means of deepening our faith and integrating our values with everyday life, and to help us develop regular practices of the spirit. Whether participants identify as Humanist, Jewish, Christian, Pagan, Theist, Atheist, Agnostic, Mystic, or any other path, these ten workshops offer learning, sharing, and growth via mind, body, soul, individual and communal practices, spiritual partnerships, and daily living. We’ll explore intellectual, physical and creative practices such as meditation, dream analysis, prayer, tai chi, yoga, journaling, poetry, group worship, and justice work, among others. Each workshop will feature a relevant story, reflection, discussion, and activities.

Limited to 12 participants. Registration required

Some Days in the Park with George 2012-2013

Saturday, September 15 (rain date 9/22) – Autumn Migration, Prospect Park. Carpool leaves Huntington area at 8:00 a.m.
Saturday, October 13 (rain date 10/20) – Autumn Migration, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, land and water. Carpool leaves Huntington area at 8:30 a.m.

Bring lunch and binoculars. Registration required. Register for one or both dates. More dates will be announced to those registered.

These walks are chances to connect with the wider web of life, in the company of a trained naturalist. Young people, age 10 and up may register, with parental permission. Weather guidelines: Intermittent showers – a “go.” Driving rain – a “no.” George M. via info@uufh.org.

Art Workshop

Saturdays starting September 15, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Would you like to join a group of people pursuing creative experiences and see other works of art? In a fun atmosphere, you can draw, paint or whatever in the company of others and an experienced artist. Bring your own materials, photo or objects for still life subjects and a desire for a communal experience. Meg will help, if you wish. Meg via info@uufh.org. Registration required.

Spirituality of Leadership

Sunday September 30, Noon—1:30 p.m.

Introduction to the Spirituality of Leadership is a one session class offered by our Director of Religious Exploration, Carolyn Freud. In a small group setting, participants will explore the benefits of saying yes to volunteering time, treasure and talent in our religious community. The class will take place in the family room, with follow-up communication to share observations of growth. Contact Carolyn. Registration required.

Plant-Based Nutrition

Wednesdays, October 10, 17 and 24 , 7:30 p.m.

Do you want to learn more about the health benefits of Plant-Based Nutrition? In 2 lectures/discussions and 1 cooking demonstration, Nina Greif, D.O. will cover diseases of affluence and the impact of diet, healthy ethical eating and foods the whole family will love. Helpful tips on being good stewards to animals and our planet. Registration helpful

Keeping Score: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring

Monday, October 22, 7:30 p.m.

Keeping Score is a series of innovative, thought provoking documentaries on classical music. Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony trace the lives, motivations and influences behind major classical works of eight influential composers from around the world.

Each episode is accompanied by a one-hour concert program by the San Francisco Symphony. Marty L. will present, Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring. Hear work that shocked the opening night audiences. Follow the score and see the ballet, with insights from MTT and musicians of the San Francisco Symphony.

Also hear an interview about the reconstruction of the ballet and costumes with dance historians Millicent Hodson and Kenneth Archer. A discussion will follow. Look for another program and composer in the spring.

Humanist Programs

Saturday, October 13, 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Please watch for other programs during the year.

The first topic for this year is Democracy and Empire, based on an article by Rev. Paul Rasor published in the Summer 2012 issue of the UUWORLD. The Humanist Group, recognizing the desire for opportunities to have meaningful discussions on a broad number of topics, provides forums several times a year. Information on the selected subject is presented and followed by an opportunity to participate in a discussion.

Nearly half of Unitarian Universalists (UUs) describe themselves as Humanist, a UU faith tradition expressed in our Principles & Purposes. These Principles are what differentiate Unitarian Universalism from other religious traditions.

The Humanist Group of the UUFH recognizes a desire for deeper discussion of a broad range of topics: ethics, morality, politics, science, and religion.

Discussions will include other issues that affect our place in our Fellowship, in society, and in the universe in which we live. All of this is done from the viewpoint of UU Humanism, with its emphasis on non-theistic response to human problems, rather than reliance on the supernatural or the divine.

Occasionally, speakers will be invited to address the group. All of the Humanist Saturday morning discussions are open to all in order to get a number of opinions on a topic.

A Newcomer’s Orientation

Saturday, October 20, 9 a.m. - Noon and on several additional Saturdays throughout the year

Enjoy bagels and juice while you meet other newcomers, then share your religious journeys, learn about Unitarian Universalist principles and purposes, ask questions, and learn about the history of our religion and our Fellowship. Our minister and representatives of the Membership and RE Committees will facilitate. Child care may be arranged if requested in advance. Registration is requested – contact the UUFH Office at 631-427-9547.

Immigration

Thursday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.

Learn more about the root causes of global migration north and advocacy efforts to ensure humane immigration. Come to a presentation by Claudia Ana Rodriguez (Witness for Peace program director in Mexico) and Leonila Romero Gonzalez (member of Las Patronas and Dimension Pastoral de Movilidad Humana) a migrant rights activist in Oaxaca, Mexico. Learn more about the root causes of migration north (globally) and about how they are advocating for the human rights of these immigrants. Diana W. via info@uufh.org for more information.

Women’s Group

Our new Women’s Group will learn about, discuss and act on issues of importance to women. The UUA’s “focus issue” for 2012-13 is Women’s Reproductive Rights. We will start with speakers to inform us about this topic from local, state and national perspectives. Future meetings will be devoted to learning about interesting women in OUR Fellowship, poll-watching on election night, helping support the local women’s shelter this Holiday Season, Breast Cancer Awareness and much more. There will be guest speakers, films and panels discussions, leading us to find ways to improve the world. Please join us!

Beginning Tuesdays in September:  7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

UU Speaker Program

Watch for announcements about speakers/discussions which will explore our UU Principles. Coming soon.

Ongoing Programs

UUFH Choir

The choir sings at two or three services each month from September through June and rehearses every Thursday night from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. in the Main Hall. If you love to sing and would like to contribute to the spiritual nurturance of our community, please join us on Thursday night!

Friday Morning Meditation

Friday mornings 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. in the Room at the Top

Join in our Friday morning meditation. We arrive at 9:00 am and sit in silence for 45 minutes. A bell is sounded to end the silence, along with a short poem. Then we are invited to check in, and to share mediation experiences. In addition, we will discuss readings from various Buddhist sources.

Still Point – A 45 Minute Meditation Service

Wednesday, October 24 and the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, November 7 thru March 20, 2012. 6:30—7:15 p.m.

A midweek evening contemplative service, meets starting October 24, 2012, and thereafter on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, November 7 through March 20, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the Main Hall. This service includes quiet time for reflection, prayer or meditation, thoughtful readings, and inspiring music. It offers a break in the work week. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact George M. via info@uufh.org.

Not Necessarily Seniors (NNS)

1st and 3rd Wednesdays September through June, once a month in July and August. Noon to 3:00 p.m. in the Social Hall.

NNS has both serious and just plain fun programs. At meetings where we do not go on a field trip, a member of the group leads a stimulating, intellectual discussion based on a variety of resources. Speakers or field trips to Long Island places of interest are planned. Humor plays a large role in our gatherings.

We strive for a diverse series of programs during the Fellowship year, and during the summer months, although at a reduced number of meetings. Speakers or field trips to Long Island places of interest are planned.

Please bring a bag lunch. Coffee, tea and cookies are provided.

As our name implies, we welcome the presence of “young” Fellowship members. This provides much needed generational interaction.

On Being

This is an ongoing discussion group, meeting evenings (once a month, to be determined), inspired by the American Public Media program “Speaking of Faith” hosted by Krista Tippett. “Speaking of Faith” is public radio’s weekly program in which Ms. Tippett interviews a wide range of remarkable people, exploring “religion, meaning, ethics, and ideas.” If you are not familiar with program, you can learn more about it from its website, www.speakingoffaith.publicradio.org.

At each discussion we will listen to excerpts from one of the many uplifting and insightful interviews contained in the Speaking of Faith archives, pausing frequently to share our thoughts. The atmosphere is relaxed and open – no pressure! Feel free to share your thoughts if you like or simply listen.

Newcomers are always welcome! Watch the Beacon and your email box for specific dates and times. Write to Andrew F. via info@uufh.org for discussion group updates.

MeetingPoint

By request, we plan to start up this program of small group(s) who gather to discuss spiritual and secular issues and concerns that affect our daily lives. Attendees participate freely and listen with an open mind to what others have to say. Discussions are completely confidential and held monthly at UUFH. Watch for more information as well as dates and times. Contact Marcia T. via info@uufh.org for more information.

Very Gentle Yoga

Leader: Nancy H.

Classes are held throughout the year on the following schedule.
Mondays at 9:30 a.m.
Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday at 10:15 p.m.
Fridays at 11:15 a.m. (no fee for UUFH members)

Place: UUFH Social Hall

Registration is not required, but there is a fee:
Walk in: $15 (UUFH Members: $8, free on Fridays) Prepay: 6 classes/$75 10 classes/$120.

You are invited to attend one weekly class for four consecutive weeks at no fee.
This class gives a good foundation and understanding of Yoga as a spiritual practice. Please bring a mat if you have one and wear comfortable, loose clothing. Contact the UUFH Office at 427-9547 for more information.

Chair Yoga

2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Social Hall

In addition to her “Very Gentle Yoga” classes (see the following page), Nancy H. offers a free forty-five minute “Chair Yoga” Class. The class is offered on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. (NNS – Not Necessarily Seniors – meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.) Please wear comfortable, loose clothing.

Adult Programs Suggestions & Volunteers

The Adult Programs Committee is always looking for program suggestions and for additional interested volunteers. Please contact the UUFH Office at 613-427-9547 or info@uufh.org.

2012 Fall Adult Program Schedule of Ongoing Programs

Please note that individual classes, programs and events are likely to augment this ongoing roster.

For more information on current courses, please contact the UUFH office at 631-427-9547.