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.
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 here or use this QR code. For information, contact Rev. Johnsen.
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, January 26, 2025, 12:30 p.m., 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 worshiped 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.
Crossing Time Poetry Circles
Elizabeth Torrey
At the turnings of fall, winter and spring:
Sept. 22, Dec. 20, 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
Ralph Brown, Rich Elliott
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 Ralph or Rich.
Anti-Racism Book Group
Davalene Cooper
Third Sunday evenings, starting Sept. 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”)
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, 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.
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.