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.
Posted in Adult Religious Education on 08/16/2010 09:33 am by Cindi
What are covenant groups?
* Groups of five to eight people who meet twice a month, in participants’ homes or at church, for the purpose of supporting individuals’ spiritual growth and deepening a sense of community among the group’s participants.
* Every group is led by a facilitator.
* Each session gives participants an opportunity to reflect with one another on an engaging topic. Examples of session topics might include generosity, bitterness, faith, longing, racism.
* An opportunity to listen and share with a subset of the congregation.
When can I sign up?
* Members and friends of FUUN can sign up in church on August 15, 21 and 28.
* Contact the church office at 383-5760 office@firstuunashville.org for an application or download the form here and turn it in at church.
Posted in Covenant Groups on 08/10/2010 04:40 pm by Comm Comm
UU Womenspirit at the Mountain, Highlands, North Carolina, September 15-17 and/or 17-19. If you missed taking the Cakes for the Queen of Heaven curriculum here is your chance. Guided by Barbara Green of Hillsboro, NC, this workshop takes place Sept 15-17. Or, for a great weekend of workshops, worship and amazing cabaret, come Friday, September 17-19.
Brochures are available in the social area, on the bulletin board, or visit womenspirit.org/fall. If you plan to go, please contact Joan Moore (at the food table, or call and let the phone ring a long time) to arrange ride sharing.
Posted in Denominational Affairs on 08/10/2010 04:25 pm by Comm Comm
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.
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Posted in Activities, Adult Religious Education on 08/10/2010 04:24 pm by Cindi
It’s time again for the all-church retreat at Bethany Hills campground in Kingston Springs. Be sure to mark your calendar for October 22-24. Something new this year will be a nature talk at Montgomery Bell State Park featuring raptors and other cool stuff. The Fellowship Committee is looking for meal captains, an activity coordinator, and help with registration. Please contact us at fellowship@firstuunashville.org to find out how you can help.
Sheryl, Margy and Shari
Posted in Activities, Fellowship on 08/10/2010 11:13 am by Shari
The Fellowship Committee is looking for an artist to help design this year’s retreat t-Shirt. Could that be you? If so please contact fellowship@firstuunashville.org
Thanks!
Posted in Fellowship on 08/07/2010 03:48 pm by Comm Comm
Youth and parents, meet your new youth coordinator, Erika Burnett, at an ingathering on Sunday, August 15, 6-8 p.m., in the youth room. This marks the beginning of the youth group year, with the first regular meeting the following week on Sunday, August 22, 6-8 p.m., in the Youth Room.
Posted in Youth Group on 08/05/2010 09:27 am by Marguerite
What is Dinners for Nine?
It is a group of members and friends who sign up to be in a dinner group for approximately nine months. The dinner group meets monthly, usually skipping December. You will be assigned a group by the Fellowship Committee. Each member or couple will host one time and make the main dish. The host will assign other participants all the side dishes and dessert.
How do I sign up?
Use our online Dinners for Nine form.
What if I am vegetarian?
We may be able to accommodate you in a vegetarian group. However, all groups may have one or two vegetarians and should accommodate their needs by offering a substantial vegetarian side dish and salad.
What if I want to be in the same group as last year?
Please let us know this up front on your sign up sheet and list all the group members in your group.
What if I have food allergies?
Please carefully list all food allergies when signing up. We will let your group know about your needs.
What if I have a very small apartment and can’t fit nine people?
Dinner groups do not require formal seating. Some of the best groups have occurred while lounging on miscellaneous chairs and even while sitting on the floor! You could also arrange to host your dinner at the church (make certain to check with church office) or even plan a restaurant outing.
When is the best time to sign up?
Sign up now for the best chance of being placed in a group by September. However, we do have “rolling” sign ups all year, but it often takes quite a while to gather enough folks to form a group. This is the best time of year to get started!
Posted in Fellowship on 07/28/2010 05:58 pm by Comm Comm
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.
Posted in Activities, Adult Religious Education on 07/27/2010 12:18 am by Cindi
OWL is short for Our Whole Lives. It is the sexuality education curriculum that helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, OWL not only provides facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, OWL does this within the framework of our shared Unitarian Universalist values.
We are truly blessed this year to have four extraordinary facilitators: Ashley Crownover, Gary Forsythe, Tom Surface, and Vicky Tataryn.
So if you would like your 7th or 8th grader to participate in OWL this year, or if you think you might, the first step is to attend the parent meeting. This is where you’ll meet the facilitators and learn what your children will learn. We know this is sensitive material, so all custodial parents or guardians must attend the parent meeting. Your child may not participate in the program if you do not attend.
The 7th-8th grade OWL parent meeting will take place on Sunday, August 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Darwin Room (the 7th-8th grade classroom on the lower level of Morgan House).
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Marguerite Mills, Director of Lifespan Religious Education, at mmills@firstuunashville.org or 383-5760, ext. 304.
Posted in Children’s & Youth RE on 07/18/2010 01:42 pm by Marguerite
