Introduction

 

The Unitarian Universalist Society offers a wide range of exciting courses under the mantle of Chalice Thursdays as well as other interesting and challenging additional adult education courses throughout the year. Adult Education courses are a wonderful way to meet people, to learn something new and to combat those end-of-the-week blahs.  Most courses have a $10 registration fee for the program, some have a small materials fee as well.  Scholarships are available for any course with a fee.  See Tricia. The following are courses currently being offered.

 

 

 

CHALICE THURSDAY CLASSES

 

Introduction To The Enneagram                                                                                          Ilona O’Connor

In response to popular demand, Ilona O’Connor will be offering, for the second time, an introductory course to the Enneagram. The Enneagram is an insightful and well-crafted system designed to articulate the core dynamics of personality. It is a powerful tool for developing self-awareness and gaining insight into the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. At the end of these classes, you will have the ability to identify you own “type” from the nine outlined. You will also develop the ability to recognize and articulate the points of view of others. This is a major step towards developing understanding and compassion in relationships. Next year we plan to offer an intermediate course to those who have taken the introductory sessions. The cost of this course is $10 per session.

Ilona O’Connor has a degree in Religious Studies and has been working with the Enneagram since 1988.  She has studied with Helen Palmer and is co-founder of The Ennead Group and lives in Cambridge.  Course Minimum – 6; Maximum – 15

Living The Questions - Reclaiming The World                                                       Rev. Tricia Tummino

Theologically speaking, Unitarian Universalists and progressive Christians have a lot in common. This course offers a close look at the theology of progressive Christianity. Each week participants will view and discuss several 20-minute video segments, which include sermon and lecture clips and digital stories illustrating aspects of today's evolving progressive Christian faith. The fall Chalice Thursday course, which also used materials from Living The Questions, is not a prerequisite for this class.  If the minimum is not met, this class will be offered at a later time.

Course Minimum – 4; Maximum – 15

 

Emerson, Parker And The Transcendentalist Movement                  Bruce Taylor, Ministerial Intern

Soon after American Unitarianism established itself, a new generation of visionaries raised a challenge against its "corpse-cold" rationality. Transcendentalism was the name given to this spiritual and intellectual movement that emphasized personal experience over dogma and poetry over theology. In this course, we will explore the meaning of Transcendentalism to our faith tradition, focusing on two of its leading lights: Ralph Waldo Emerson and Theodore Parker. The first week, we will study the cultural forces which gave rise to this movement. The second week, we will encounter Emerson’s life and ideas, including his essay, "Nature", a Transcendentalist manifesto. The third week, we will trace Parker’s spiritual journey from preacher to iconoclast, and explore "The Transient and Permanent in Christianity", which dislodged Unitarianism from its Christian roots. The final week, we will discuss the aftermath and resolution of Transcendentalist controversies, and their impact on our denomination and on American culture.  All readings will be provided as handouts or available online. 

Course Minimum - 4; Maximum – 15