for adults
Life Learning at Old Ship – 2024-2025
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 parlor at 14 Main Street, or on Zoom. Some will be hybrid — in-person with a Zoom option. Watch the newsletter and website for additions, changes and updates. Contact information for course leaders appears below. AutumnTeach-ins on the Middle East Jeff Klein Five Sundays, Sept. 29-Oct. 27, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Meeting House
The Unitarian Universalist Association, at this year’s General Assembly, passed the Action of Immediate Witness, calling for respectful teach-ins on the Middle East. This series is our response. Speakers include Jeff Klein, who taught “US in the Middle East” at UMass-Boston; Steve Low, founder of a Lincoln, Mass.-based group promoting equal rights for equal people; and local social justice advocates of different backgrounds. For spiritual processing, this event is for Old Ship members and friends only. RSVP required (even if you can only attend some sessions); to RSVP, click on this button: Love at the Center Rev. Carie Johnsen, Rich Elliott
Second Sundays, starting Nov. 10, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Meeting House In supportive community, we will embark on a personal journey of living the newly adopted Unitarian Universalist shared values. This class will: engage in monthly reflection and examination of one of the six UU values; bear witness to the divergent experiences and expressions of shared values; notice, name, and lean into discomfort, fears, and tensions inherent in living UU values; and finally, make monthly personal commitments to spiritual growth. Participants are encouraged to attend all (or most) Sundays. To learn more about the shared values, click on the button. For information, contact Rev. Johnsen. Winter/SpringReligious Right, Secular Left Dennis Hogan
Six Wednesdays, Jan. 8 – 29, Feb. 5 – 12, 6:00 p.m., Hybrid We will explore the origins, philosophy, rationale, and implications of these two polarities of contemporary life. We will examine the history, politics, and issues — from school funding to abortion rights to government regulation. We will also take a look at how realistic it is to consider these groupings being cohesive entities. We’ll explore the impact on the current political conversation and whether these two can co-exist, along with implications for the future. Readings will be from journal articles and selections from The Secular City by Harvey Cox; The South and the Transformation of U.S.Politics, Bullock et al. For information and to sign up, contact Dennis. Rediscover the Meeting House Nina Wellford One Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, 12:30, Meeting House, in-person Let’s go deeper behind the well-known facts about the Old Ship Meeting House. In this session, we’ll examine who worshipped here, how and why they changed the building, and how they influenced the development of our country. Led by members of the Friends of the Meeting House, this tour delves into the social and religious history of the Meeting House. Spiritual Eldering Rich Elliott, Claire Petrie Six Wednesdays, April 2 – May 7, 7:00 p.m., Zoom As our lifespans continue to expand, we can expect more losses and pain, although we can also embrace the blessings these additional years bring. We plan in this gathering to share the group’s collective wisdom as we navigate life’s later chapters. Eldering can be cultivated when it is supported by loving awareness, conscious intention, self discovery and appreciation for the wholeness of life. For information and to sign up, contact Rich or Claire. Ongoing Groups and GatheringsCrossing Time Poetry Circles Elizabeth Torrey
At turnings of fall, winter and spring; Sep. 22, Dec. 20, March 19, 7 p.m., in-person, Zoom We begin our 27th year! Come join the ongoing poetry renaissance in America. Bring and read or speak a favorite poem – 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 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. Twenty minutes of sitting meditation, followed by a discussion of a Buddhist or related text, facilitated by members of the group. For questions and a Zoom link, contact Lisa. Men’s Breakfast Ralph Brown, Rich Elliott Fourth Sunday mornings, 8:30 a.m., Zoom An ongoing opportunity for men to get together in a safe, nurturing environment to speak freely and listen deeply to each other 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 Ralph or Rich. Anti-Racism Book Group Davalene Cooper Third Sunday evenings, starting Sep. 15, 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. The first book is All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson. For information and a Zoom link, contact Davalene. Ceilidh (“kay-lee”) First Tuesday evenings, 7:00 p.m. Eric Cornetta 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, Carol Valentine Wednesday afternoons, 1:00 p.m. We gather to sew, craft, knit and enjoy each others’ company. Our goal is to make items to sell at Merrie Market and May Breakfast, and we have lots of fun and good conversation as we work together. New members and new project ideas are always welcome. For information, contact Diane or Carol. Sacred Texts Meditation Group Rich Elliott Second and fourth Thursday afternoons, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., Zoom 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. How to contact leaders and committee members
Ralph Brown 781-248-0860 ralph.e.brown@gmail.com Eric Cornetta 781-740-0628 EECornetta@aol.com Davalene Cooper 781-749-0790 davalenecooper@verizon.net Diane Elliott 781-749-2248 dianeabbeyelliott@gmail.com Rich Elliott 781-812-8897 richelliott56@gmail.com Dennis Hogan 781-783-8008 dennish10@verizon.net Rev. Carie Johnsen 781-749-1679 RevCarie@oldshipchurch.org Claire Petrie 617-642-2438 cdpetrie@aol.com Lisa Sawyer lsawyer49@gmail.com Elizabeth Torrey 781-749-0543 elizabethtorrey@hotmail.com Carol Valentine 781-744-6591 cvbostonma@aol.com Download brochure |
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