Science as a Belief System
August 29 – October 3
Sundays, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Fireside Room
This class, led by Lauren and Mike Kohut, seeks to thoughtfully reflect on what it means to draw on “reason and the results of science” as a source for our faith. For these sessions, we will look critically at the “New Atheists,” a group of scholars whose popular books have used science and philosophy to attack religion. On September 5th and 12th, we will look at excerpts from Daniel Dennett’s book Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon. We encourage everyone to take a look at the readings before each meeting, but there are always opportunities for those who do not have time to read to contribute and participate in the discussion! Suggested readings and other links of interest are available on our Facebook page, which can be accessed by clicking the icon below. (You do not need to be member to view the page).
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Sermon Talk-Back
September 12
Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Susan B. Anthony Room
Join others who attended the early service for a discussion on the sermon’s themes. The September 12th sermon topic will be the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur and themes of blame, responsibility, and forgiveness. The discussion will be facilitated by David Zald.

Genesis as a Spiritual Text
September 8 – 22
Wednesdays, 7- 8:30 p.m.
Fireside Room
Many of us already know that the book of Genesis contains some of the Bible’s “greatest hits,” including the stories of the Creation, the Great Flood, the Tower of Babel, and Sodom and Gomorrah, but what do these stories have to do with the lives of contemporary Unitarian Universalists? And what spiritual wisdom can they impart? Join Cindi Brown for an exploration of these questions.

Science as a Belief System
August 29 – October 3
Sundays, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Fireside Room
This class, led by Lauren and Mike Kohut, seeks to thoughtfully reflect on what it means to draw on “reason and the results of science” as a source for our faith. For these sessions, we will look critically at the “New Atheists,” a group of scholars whose popular books have used science and philosophy to attack religion. On September 5th and 12th, we will look at excerpts from Daniel Dennett’s book Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon. We encourage everyone to take a look at the readings before each meeting, but there are always opportunities for those who do not have time to read to contribute and participate in the discussion! Suggested readings and other links of interest are available on our Facebook page, which can be accessed by clicking the icon below. You do not need to be member to view the page.
FUUN Science

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The adult religious education program is looking for volunteers to fill the following positions:

- Communications Officer: Duties include collecting information about upcoming classes, writing short blurbs and, occasionally, longer articles for the church newsletter and blog, and working with the communications committee to get relevant information about our programs out to the wider Nashville community.
- Operations Managers: We need someone to announce the evening’s programs during the Wednesday night fellowship dinner and to be on hand to help teachers set up. This person would need to be able to set up audio-visual equipment when it is needed and to make sure the lights are off and doors are locked at the end of the evening. We also need someone to fill the analogous position for Sunday mornings.
- Secretary: This is a light-duty position. Attend committee meetings, take minutes, and email them out to members.
- Teachers: We always need knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers. If you are interested in sharing one of your passions, please contact us.
- Treasurer: Keep track of committee’s expenditures and assets.

For all positions listed, pay is minimal (nonexistent), but the benefits are endless. If you would like to be part of one of FUUN’s most exciting and growth-oriented programs, speak to a current committee member or email adultre@firstuunashville.org.

The class Science as a Belief System, led by Lauren and Mike Kohut, seeks to thoughtfully reflect on what it means to draw on reason and the results of science as a source for our faith. In the upcoming second session of the serie,s we will look critically at the New Atheists, a group of scholars whose popular books have used science and philosophy to attack religion. Week 1 will be an introductory meeting where we will discuss the historical and contemporary contexts of atheism and the role we see it playing in the religion/science debate. During weeks 2 and 3 we will look at excerpts from Daniel Dennett’s book Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon. We will spend weeks 4 and 5 examining sections of Richard Dawkins’ book The God Delusion. Finally, in week 6 we will look at some critical responses to the New Atheists. We encourage everyone to take a look at the readings before each meeting, but there are always opportunities for those who do not have time to read to contribute and participate in the discussion! Suggested readings and other links of interest are available on our Facebook page. Click the icon below to view it. You do not need to be a Facebook member.
FUUN Science

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The FUUN Leadership Development Committee is offering two workshops on August 11 and 18 as Adult Religious Education programs. The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of leadership and to explore conflict and methods of responding to it in a congregation. Both workshops are based on the Harvest the Power curriculum provided by the Unitarian Universalist Association. They offer opportunities for both new and experienced leaders to enrich the skills they bring to their leadership and to experience their leadership journey as a Unitarian Universalist faith journey. The Committee is offering these workshops in response to requests from FUUN lay leaders who participated in past Leadership Development retreats, but all who are interested are invited and encouraged to attend.

August 11, 2010 Topic: Integrity
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Carleen Dowell

This workshop invites participants into challenging territory. Drawing on the work of Edwin H. Friedman, the activities explore a deeper understanding of the chronically anxious society that surrounds and invades our congregational life. Participants name and embrace that which sustains and grounds them and learn how this self-knowledge can help them lead from a place of creativity and imagination, rather than reactivity. The workshop offers models to help individuals and leadership teams support and reinforce the integrity of those entrusted with leadership positions in our congregations.

August 18, 2010 Topic: Keeping Distress Productive
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Ginger Brown

This workshop explores conflict and difficult behavior as signs that a congregation has a deeper issue to bring forth. Participants will learn tools to discern and address the emotions and concerns that feed a congregational conflict. They will learn strategies for responding to difficult behavior and resources for managing and transforming high level or intractable congregational conflict. With a focus on deeply understanding and faithfully addressing conflict, participants explore ways adaptive leaders can give the work back to the people.