Learning at Old Ship
Welcome to the world of religious growth and learning at Old Ship! At Old Ship we think of religious education as lifelong. And though this information focuses on classes and programs, we also think of religious education as not simply one of many activities here at Old Ship, but rather as a dimension of just about everything we do. So we hope that our “religious growth and learning” spills out of the classroom, even out of our meeting rooms at 14 Main Street or the Meeting House into the lives we share. May everyone at Old Ship, whatever their age, find their place in our community of teaching and learning, of worshiping and serving.
Adults: Life Learning at Old Ship
In harmony with Unitarian Universalist principles and sources of inspiration, learning opportunities at Old Ship serve our community by encouraging spiritual growth, and the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
Gatherings, which are open to members and friends of the Old Ship community, will be in person, in the Meeting House, in the parlor at 14 Main Street, or on Zoom. Some will be hybrid — that is, in-person with a Zoom option.
Watch the newsletter and website for additions, changes and updates.
Click here to download a copy of this year’s brochure.
Consciousness After Death
Duane Wilke
Three Tuesdays, Oct. 14-Oct. 28,
1:00-3:00 p.m. 14 Main St. Parlor
This class will explore human consciousness, prompted by a reading of “Beyond the Brain” by Jeffrey Mishlove. This piece won a contest by the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies for the best evidence-based essay on whether human consciousness survives physical death. The essay is available at this link: https://www.bigelowinstitute.org/docs/1st.pdf. Participants are asked to read the first 26 pages and view the embedded videos. Limited to 15 participants. For information, contact Duane at duanewilke@gmail.com
Writing Memoirs
Jane Zimmermann
Five Wednesdays, Oct. 22, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
14 Main St. Parlor
Join us to unearth memories and deepen your understanding of what made you who you are today. Participants will use prompts to help recall scenes from their lives and put them on paper. Suggestions for writing at home will also be given. Class is in-person only. Jane has studied fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and writing group leadership at the Radcliffe Seminars, Leslie University, Amherst Artists and Writers, Cape Cod Writer’s Conference, and Breadloaf Writer’s Conference. She is a long time OSC member who has recently returned to live in Hull with her husband, dog, and roost-ruling cat. Limited to 12 participants. For information and to register for this class, contact Jane Zimmermann or Lisa in the office.
Religion in America
Dennis Hogan
Tuesdays at 4:00 P.M. January 20 – February 24 at 14 Main Street and Zoom
This class will be a topical survey of religion in the United States from the time of colonization to the present. We’ll look at specific topics such as the Puritan influence on American exceptionalism and manifest destiny, the founders’ belief systems, religion’s role in the constitution, its relationship to slavery and indigenous life, demographics, political impacts, current issues, and potential implications for the future. There will be six classes on Tuesdays at 4:00 pm, January 20 through February 24 – hybrid on zoom and in person at the Parish House. Readings will be provided digitally or through internet links. To register, contact Dennis Hogan at dennish104@verizon.net
Poetry: A Lifetime’s Golden Thread
Elizabeth Torrey
Wednesdays at 7:00 P.M. April 1st, 8th and 15th at 14 Main Street and Zoom
Honoring National Poetry Month in April, this three-week session will share favorite poems from childhood, adulthood and elderhood. Thinking back over our lives, entering “the kingdom of remembrance” in Mary Oliver’s words, via meaningful poems, will give us a deeper appreciation of the many golden gifts that poetry offers. For further information, contact Elizabeth.
Crossing Time Poetry Circles
Elizabeth Torrey
At the turnings of fall, winter and spring:
Sept. 22, Dec. 21, March 20, 7:00 p.m., in-person, Zoom
We begin our 27th year! Come join the ongoing poetry renaissance in America. Bring a favorite poem to read — it’s an opportunity to share and perhaps deepen our appreciation of poetry, and reinforce our connection with the natural cycles of life. All welcome! Only be willing to search for poetry, / and there will be poetry. / My soul, a tiny speck, is my tutor. — Yuan Hei. Sept. 22 at 14 Main Sreet after coffee hour, Dec. 20 in the Meeting House, March 20 at 14 Main Street. For information and a Zoom link, contact Elizabeth.
The Way of the Bodhisattva
Lisa Sawyer
Every Sunday morning, 8:30 a.m., Zoom
Twenty minutes of sitting meditation followed by discussion of a Buddhist or related text, facilitated by members of the group. For questions and Zoom link, email Lisa Sawyer.
Men’s Breakfast
Eric Espinosa, Rubin Fitz-Marquez
Fourth Sunday mornings, 8:30 a.m., Parlor, Zoom
An ongoing opportunity for men to get together in a safe, nurturing environment to speak freely and listen deeply as a form of spiritual practice. We also seek to have fun together and rekindle our playful souls. For information and the Zoom link, contact Eric or Ruben.
Anti-Racism Book Group
Patti Smith
Third Sunday evenings, starting October 19th, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
Volunteers lead monthly discussions. People can come when they wish or when they are most interested in the book being discussed. October’s book is Why Black Men Nod To Each Other by Bill Raynor. November’s is White Evangelical Racism by Anthea Butler. For information and a Zoom link, contact Patti.
Ceilidh (“kay-lee”)
Eric Cornetta
First Tuesday evenings, 7:00 p.m.
Sharing of songs, stories, poems, and an old-fashioned good time. Bring an instrument or just bring yourself to listen and maybe sing along. Everyone is welcome. Come anytime between 7 and 9:30. Gatherings will be in the 14 Main Street Parlor, in person and via Zoom. For information and a Zoom link, contact Eric.
The Gathering
Diane Elliott
Wednesday afternoons, 1:00 p.m.
We gather each Wednesday afternoon to be in community and to share stories, thoughts and ideas. We welcome newcomers and women who want to create a community of like-minded people who wish to make a difference in our world. If you would like to learn more about who we are and what we do, and to offer new ideas, please contact Diane.
Sacred Texts Meditation Group
Rich Elliott
Second and fourth Thursday afternoons, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Each session will have a reading, a 15-minute meditation, and exploration of one chapter from the Tao Te Ching, including its meaning to each of us, as well as related writings, poetry or art. Newcomers are welcome. Gatherings will be Zoom only. For information and the Zoom link, contact Rich.
Children’s Religious Education & Youth Programs
The Old Ship Religious Education program creates a meaningful community that values individuals and awakens their sense of wonder, reverence, and self-awareness through fellowship, worship, education, and service.
In fulfillment of this mission, the R.E. program:
- Welcomes and accepts all children and Youth, and values the gifts they bring and the people they are.
- Builds community by celebrating life’s journey, milestones and intergenerational connections.
- Nurtures spiritual growth and development by fostering the free and reasonable search for (life) meaning and individual truth.
- Awakens, through ritual, word, song, art and movement, the mystery of living, the reverence for and awe of life.
- Fosters our children’s U.U. identity by teaching them about our principles and sources, heritage, and traditions.
- Promotes commitment to justice and ecological sustainability in the world through education, service and social action.
At Old Ship we work to provide a warm and supportive community of Unitarian Universalist faith in which children, youth and adults can grow spiritually, intellectually and ethically.
We understand ourselves to be a community of learners, all of us on a lifelong path of personal discovery, of religious and spiritual growth, of human “becoming.”
Our teachers, mentors and advisors are primarily volunteers, lovingly invited into this most important work. In addition to the subject matter of each course, our program seeks to inspire wonder and wondering, empathy and compassion, truth-searching and decision making.
We hope that we will all experience what it means to belong to a local community of caring, as well as what it means to be a part of a world community.
Programs (see the Calendar for more details)
Faithful Journeys (Kindergarten – Grade 5)
Neighboring Faiths / Building Bridges (Grades 6-7)
Coming of Age (Grades 8-10)
Father Bill’s Lunch Making – 4th Sunday or each month (all ages)
Youth Activities (Grades 7-12)
Celebrations (all ages)
Interim Work with Deb Weiner, Transitional Religious Education Consultant (whole congregation)
Thank You Volunteers
Thanks to all who have volunteered and are getting these programs ready. If you’d like to join in on any of the above activities, and/or add a program, and/or be on the committee, please let us know.