Adult Religious Education 2007-2008
“Big Questions, Worthy Dreams”
Unitarian Universalists believe that the search for truth and meaning is a lifelong process. As has been said, “The more we see, the more we are capable of seeing,” and “The great end in religious instruction is…not to form an outward regularity, but to touch inward springs.”
The mission of Tapestry’s Adult Religious Education Program is to provide members and friends with resources for personal development and spiritual growth, based in Unitarian Universalist principles like reason, reverence, the right of conscience, and respect for the interdependent web of all existence.
We have much to learn from one another, and our program strives to provide a path for learning and growth for everyone. This booklet outlines sixteen opportunities to nurture our personal, spiritual, ethical, emotional, and intellectual growth in 2007-2008; more courses are on their way. Please enjoy this Adult Religious Education booklet, and plan to partake in these wonderful offerings over the coming year.
Rev. John Gibb Millspaugh
Building Your Own Theology II: "Exploring"
As one way to explore collaboration between our congregations, Rev. Karen Stoyanoff invites Tapestry members and friends to participate in this course offered at the Orange Coast UU Church (OCUUC) in Costa Mesa.
“Building Your Own Theology II” takes a liberal religious look at such concepts as:
- truth and authority,
- unity in diversity,
- the nature of spirituality,
- “sin” and “salvation,”
- how we account for evil,
- justice and beloved community,
- the individual and the collective,
- death and immortality.
Participants need not attend all sessions. Books can be purchased the evening of class. To sign up, just come to class, or e-mail the Rev. Karen Stoyanoff. No prerequisite required.
Dates: Weekly for eight Wednesdays, beginning Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. at OCUUC in Costa Mesa.
Contact: Rev. Karen Stoyanoff, , (949) 646-4652.
Welcoming Congregation
The Welcoming Congregation workshops increase understanding and acceptance among people of diverse sexual orientations. Open to all.
Experiences of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and/or Transgender People
Sept. 16 (After 2nd Service)
Hear from members of the straight, gay, lesbian and/or transgender community about their experiences growing up and being different in our society. Followed by questions and group discussion.
History
Oct. 21 (After 2nd service)
Co-facilitated by Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh and a lay leader TBD, this workshop looks at the history and development of the BGLT movement in the U.S. over nearly 100 years. We’ll watch an Academy-Award nominated video about society’s changing attitudes, and discuss responses to the film.
Bisexuality and Biphobia
Nov. 18 (After 2nd Service)
This workshop facilitates greater understanding of bisexuality. We’ll take a look Alfred Kinsey’s research into sexuality, which led to the creation of the Kinsey scale, and discuss the idea of human sexual orientation as a spectrum rather than a polarity.
In 2008 we’ll likely offer “Transgender Identity: What It Means,” “How Homophobia Hurts Us All,” and “What Now?,” or perhaps even a film series.
Contact Sheila Raymond at or Lauren Lowe at
Spirit of Life
The song "Spirit of Life" by Carolyn McDade could be considered a Unitarian Universalist anthem. Its imagery is beautiful; its words include all UUs in the theological spectrum; its tune stays with you…once you learn how to sing it.
Like the song, Barbara Hamilton-Holway's Spirit of Life program seeks to bring meaning, beauty, inclusivity, and long-term growth to Unitarian Universalist adults as they deepen their spiritual awareness and connections.
The Spirit of Life program belongs to the new Tapestry of Faith curriculum series for adults. As a whole and in each of its individual programs, the Tapestry of Faith series weaves Unitarian Universalist values, principles, and sources together with four strands of religious growth: faith development, spiritual development, ethical development, and Unitarian Universalist identity. Each of the strands is described below. The workshops in Spirit of Life address all of these strands, focusing primarily on Unitarian Universalists’ spiritual development.
Faith Development
Faith is not about accepting impossible ideas. Rather, faith is about making meaning, embracing life's possibilities, and growing in our sense of being “at home in the universe.” Faith is practiced in relationship with others. It has personal dimensions, but it is best supported by a community with shared symbols, stories, values, and meaning.
Spiritual Development
Our spirituality is our deep, reflective, and expressed response to the awe, wonder, joy, pain, and grief of being alive.
Ethical Development
When we develop our ethics, we develop our moral values—our sense of right and wrong. We also enhance our ability to act on those values, overcoming oppressions and despair.
Unitarian Universalist Identity
A person's participation in a Unitarian Universalist congregation does not automatically forge his/her Unitarian Universalist identity. Identity is strengthened as we discover and find resonance with the stories, symbols, and practices of Unitarian Universalism. As individuals find and give acceptance in a Unitarian Universalist community; as they cherish the community's people, values, messages, and activities; and as they find sustenance for their holy hungers, they grow into Unitarian Universalists.
Co-led by the Reverends John and Sarah Millspugh. Though John and Sarah encourage regular attendance, all Spirit of Life workshops are open to all members and friends of Tapestry, regardless of previous attendance.
Dates: 7-8:30 pm Thursdays: Sept. 27, Oct. 11, Oct. 25, Nov. 8,Nov. 29, and Dec. 13.
Contact: Rev. John Gibb Millspaugh, 949-581-0245,;
Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh,
Global Warming: Changing CO2Urse
Goals:
- To explore personal values and habits as they relate to climate change,
- To understand the history and science of global warming,
- To empower individuals to take action to curb global warming.
Session 1: Off Course
Exploring personal responses to climate change and why society has been slow to respond.
Session 2: Collision Course
Breaking down the history and science of global climate change and identifying our participation in this ecological crisis.
Session 3: Changing Course
Examining new strategies for addressing climate change and considering personal action to mitigate the effects of global warming.
Session 4: Setting A New Course
What will it take to create a sustainable future? Explore our individual and collective power to shape an effective response to climate change.
Participation in this class will help our congregation fulfill one of the requirements for Green Sanctuary certification.
Preferable group size: 8 to 12; Discussion guide purchase recommended at first meeting.
Dates: Every other Thursday evening, 1-1 ½ hour sessions on 10/4, 10/18, 11/1 and 11/15 at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Beverly Huff,
Watch for two more classes in Spring ‘08!
Peacemaking Study/Action Group
Peacemaking was selected at the 2004 UUA General Assembly as a Study/ Action issue for UU congregations throughout the U.S.
The UUA has sent us in-depth materials to guide us in this direction. However, the group will chart its own course.
We’ll explore the issues, learn about the current context for peacemaking, then decide on a voluntary action to foster peace in our community. 
Thoughts include studying the issue of injured veterans and setting up a program to help at a nearby Veterans hospital, assisting surviving spouses, or organizing peace education in the community.
Dates: Six meetings at Tapestry, the 2nd Mondays 4-6 p.m., beginning in October.
Contact: Jan Meslin, and Shirley McGovern,
Impacting Our Community Through Organizing
If our congregation were to leave town tomorrow, what legacy would we leave behind?
How can we ensure that the community outside our walls reflects the values of justice and the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals?
Through OCCCO’s (Orange County Congregation Community Organization) model of Community Organizing, we will learn how to increase our impact on our community, create a shared vision through building relationships, interact with public officials, and create concrete, measurable change.
Dates: Sunday Oct. 28 at 12:15, and two Wednesdays at 7pm, Nov. 7 & 14.
Contact: Debbie Phares,
Neighboring Faiths
Many UUs are curious about the teachings and customs of other world religions.
To learn more, our group will not only study world religions in our own congregation, but also visit neighboring faiths.
Did you know that Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Wiccan, Reform Jewish, Baha’i and Liberal Christian groups meet just a stone’s throw from Tapestry? After studying their beliefs and practices, we’ll visit four or five of these groups over the course of the year.
If you want to develop a deeper understanding of world religions in the real world, this is a wonderful opportunity. Visit as many or as few sites as you like. Preparatory session before each site visit required.
Date: Organizing meetings: Sunday, Nov. 4 after each service. Other dates to be determined.
Contact: Rev. John Gibb Millspaugh 949-581-0245,
Creativity To The MAX
Do you want to have fun? Do you want to rediscover play, as an adult?
Do you want to consciously set your direction for 2007-2008? These creative expression workshops are easy, fun, and enlightening, and NO art experience or talent is necessary.
Tapestry member Judy Westerfield puts her master’s degrees in clinical psychology and education to good use: amidst her more conventional work, she also paints, makes puppets out of gourds, fashions free-form jewelry, and makes masks. She wrote a puppet play that was chosen to be produced by the Orange County Puppetry Guild. In her free time, she eats chocolate.
She will offer three “Creativity to the Max” workshops in 2007-2008. These are creative expression workshops, NOT ART. They are fun, easy and no art or creative talent is needed. Each workshop allows the participants to non-verbally explore the theme and how it personally relates to their life.
"Finding Purpose" - Guided Imagery Workshop
Discover your purpose through the power of your own personal imagery!
Date: Sunday, December 9, 2007, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Creating the Tapestry of My Life — Collage Vision Board Workshop
Make a personal Vision Board that will help you create what you want to happen in 2008: love, health, relationships, fun. . .the only limit is your imagination.
Date: Friday, February 22, 2008, 7:00 - 9:30pm
"The Face of Faith" - Mask Painting
Using the language of color explore how you experience faith and how you express it to others.
Date: Friday, March 21, 2008, 7:00 - 9:30pm
Contact: Judy Westerfield,
Register online at Judy's web site
A Chosen Faith
One of the greatest 20th century liberal theologians said of this book, “This is simply superb...the old-timer as well as the [newcomer] will find it irresistible. It will be a gift for everyone...engaging, seductive, infectious.” We’ll read and discuss Our Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism by John A. Buehrens and Forrester Church in a six-session program. The book includes 10 essays (5 by each author) inspired by the 6 sources of the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism.
Dates: Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m., January 3, 10, 24, 31, and February 14, and 28.
Contact: Rev. John Gibb Millspaugh 949-581-0245,
Evensong For Families
What is Evensong? Evensong for families, a series of eight gatherings, is a good way to share as a family, get to know other families, and create community. All kids of families are warmly invited. Each week we’ll sing, listen, and share. We think you’ll have fun and feel good about the time we spend together.
Who is it geared for? Babies and young children who can play quietly on a blanket as part of the circle are welcome. Parents know best whether Evensong for Families is right for their children. The ideal size of a group for this program is five families. Each gathering is designed to last about an hour and a half, depending on the depth of conversation.
When are we starting? We’ll meet on Sundays from 12:30 to 2:00. We promise to start and end on time. The plan is to run consecutive Sundays, but we will discuss that and finalize the meeting schedule at the first gathering. Here are the topics for the eight gatherings:
- January 6th: Session 1 Who is your family?
- January 14: Session 2 Mealtimes, bedtimes, hellos and goodbyes
- January 20th: Session 3 Birthdays and holidays
- January 27th: No Evensong (Congregational meeting—make sure to cast your vote!)
- February 3rd: Session 4 Things you love to do together
- February 10th: Session 5 Good times and bad
- February 17th No Evensong (School Recess / DeBenneville Elementary Winter Camp)
- February 24th: Session 6 Your family’s Ten Commandments
- March 2nd: Session 7 Sharing and privacy
- March 9th: Session 8 Celebrate your family
Before each gathering, there will be a simple preparation activity for family members. After you register, we will send you the activity for Gathering One.
There is no fee for Eevensong for Families. To register—or if you have questions, please email or call Jeff Gothard/Liz Bear. We hope you will want to be a part of Evensong for Families.
Sincerely,
Liz Bear ()
Jeff Gothard (
)
On This Journey We Call Our Life: Living The Questions
Dr. James Hollis is a Zurich-trained Jungian analyst and director of the C.G. Jung Educational Center. His slim book On This Journey covers a remarkable amount of territory in less than 150 pages, in chapters like:
- Walking In Shoes Too Small
- By What Truths Am I Living?
- What Is My Shadow and How Can I Make It Known?
- What Is My Myth?
- What Is My Vocation?
- What Are My Spiritual Points of Reference?
- What Fiction Shall Be My Truth?
- What Is My Obligation to the World?
- So, Ahem...What’s This Death Business?
- What Supports Me?
- What Matters, in the End?
Drawing on Dr. Carl Jung’s thought on myth, archetype, and psychology, the book’s not as easy to read as a bestselling novel, but far more rewarding. We’ll meet for three casual discussions; please read up to pg. 64 before the first meeting.
Dates: 1:30-3 pm Sundays, Jan 20, Feb. 3, and Feb. 17.
Contact: Rev. John Gibb Millspaugh 949-581-0245,
Gatherings: Small Group Ministry For Men
Tapestry has long
hosted the Women’s Wisdom Circle, but we don’t have a ritual-based men’s group that invites men to grow spiritually and personally.
Gatherings changes that. For eight sessions (and perhaps more), men will meet in an atmosphere of appreciation, attentive listening, trust, and support, to explore the following:
- Getting to Know One Another
- What it Means to be a Man
- Friendship, Partnership, and Competition
- Getting Centered and Balanced
- Making Amends
- Family and Work
- Passion
- Loving Relationships
Each workshop is 120 minutes long and includes singing, reading, silence, and time for sharing. Participants are expected to attend all eight sessions. Sessions 2-8 require preparation.
Dates: 7-9 pm on 2nd and 4th Thursdays, Feb. 28—June 12.
Contact: Dave Salahi,;
Building Your Own Theology III: “Ethics”
We’ll explore eight modes of moral decision-making, drawing on case studies from philosophical, literary, historical, and contemporary sources—including our own lives. Discover what tools are available to make difficult moral and ethical decisions in a Unitarian Universalist context, and get in touch with your own “Moral Compass.” Goals include:
- Engaging with real-life moral and ethical dilemmas from a liberal religious perspective;
- Identifying moral and ethical challenges;
- Understanding the process of moral and ethical decision-making.
This course will be co-facilitated by the Revs. John Gibb Millspaugh (minister of Tapestry) and Karen Stoyanoff (minister of Orange Coast UU Church in Costa Mesa). John majored in philosophy with a focus in ethics in college and furthered his studies of ethics at Harvard. Karen studied ethics at Meadville-Lombard, the UU seminary in Chicago. Both retain their fascination with the ethical questions of human living and decision-making. No prerequisite.
Dates: Spring 2008; Location, dates, and times to be determined.
Contact: Rev. John Millspaugh, ; (949)581-0245.
