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.
Consciousness After Death
Duane Wilke
Four Mondays, Nov. 16, 23, 30 and Dec. TBD,
1:00-3:00 p.m. 14 Main St. Parlor
As a UU, are you open to consider different ideas? This is an essay discussion group which was well-received last year. Participants will be discussing an award-winning essay and viewing videos. Topics include near death experiences, deathbed visions and after death communications, reincarnation and xenoglossy. We will also interview (but no personal readings) a medium. Limited to 15 participants. To sing up for this class, please email Rich Elliott. For information, contact Duane at duanewilke@gmail.com.
Decluttering
Beverly Pogue
Rescheduled to January, 7 pm, by Zoom
First class: Getting Rid of Clutter and Stress: The condition of our home environments can have a significant impact on our mental and/or physical well-being. In this class led by Hobart relative and Utah resident Beverly Pogue you will learn how to manage your home environment more effectively, reduce the emotional impact of clutter, focus on being purposefully organized rather than perfectly organized and recognize your spaces and possessions as resources and not burdens
The second class is Downsizing and “Right-Sizing.” We will discuss why many of us will be faced with the need to downsize; Identify the purpose of “right-sizing” and learn how to get the most out of the next phase of life, yours or that of a loved one. Contact the Office for the Zoom Link
God and the Constitution
Dennis Hogan
Tuesdays at 4:00 P.M. January 19, 26 February 2 & 9 at 14 Main Street and Zoom
Four sessions that explore the role of religion in American law and government. It is well known that the word “God” does not appear in the U.S. constitution. In this class, we’ll explore how and why that matters. We’ll look at the context in which the Constitution was developed, the beliefs of the framers, and the process of drafting and ratifying it. We will look at the influence of the Declaration of Independence and consider the writings and religious beliefs of James Madison, often considered the “Father of the Constitution,” as well as those of other key founders, including Jefferson, Washington, Hamilton, and Franklin. We’ll also look at how the first amendment provisions regarding the establishment and the exercise of religion have been interpreted and applied by the Supreme Court and Congress, and we’ll consider trends and possibilities for the role of religion in our laws and government To register, contact Dennis Hogan at dennish104@verizon.net
Race at Old Ship in Colonial New England
Laura Harbottle
Third Tuesday in February (2/16/27), March (3/16/27) and April (4/30/27) 5:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
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, Dec. 21 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.
The Sacred Text meditation group completed its study of the Tao te Ching in July, a journey together of almost four ( ! ) years. We have now begun a similar study of the Muslim holy book, The Qur’an. As we make the transition we would like to invite other members of the congregation to join us
We typically do a brief reading, then meditate for 10 minutes and then discuss the portion of the text we have selected. This group started our study of the Tao with no expertise of that text or its religion but had a wonderfully enriching experience together. We have begun our journey into the Qur’an similarly equipped and enthused.
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.