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 Spring 2008 New Adult Programs

NEW ADULT PROGRAMS AT-A-GLANCE  

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Generational Differences in the Church Family 

with Louise Wilkinson        

We have traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials in our East Shore congregation.  We all grew up in different worlds.  How can we understand each other better and create the caring community we dream of?  What are the special attractions of East Shore for the different generations?  What are the special gifts each generation provides to the church community?  How can we create a church environment (and family environment) that welcomes all the generations?  These sessions will explore our perceptions, some of the research on generational differences, and how understanding these differences can make our East Shore community stronger.

When:       Mondays, May 5 and 12   7:00 to 8:30PM

Cost:          $10

Louise Wilkinson is an intercultural educator at the Boeing Company.  She has her doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialty in Intercultural Education.  She is on the faculty of the Summer Institute for Intercultural Education and works with Hostelling International and the Washington State Association of Multicultural Education.  She has presented at national and international conferences and has developed numerous presentations around generational styles and differences.

T-Shirts for Dads

with Karen McManus

The perfect gift for the man who has everything, including the cutest kids in the world.  Children of all ages will tap their creativity to capture forever priceless art and poetry in wearable treasures and cards.

When:       Sunday, June 8   1:00 to 3:00PM

Cost:          $10 per T-shirt maker. 

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.  Registration for adults and children not making T-shirts is free.

Karen McManus is an East Shore member, mother of five, and has worked in the field of recreation and education for 25 years.

LEARNING

In Conflict with God:  Perspectives on the Story of Job  

with Charles Blondino

In the ancient biblical story of Job, God inflicts pain on a virtually perfect human being. Examine "traditional" biblical understandings of reward and retribution. Hear Job's reflections, and then listen to the surprising interaction between Job and God. Hear contemporary scholars such as C. Jung and S. Sandmel share their reactions to the book and share your own!  Bring your Bibles and read along.  The text is explained, questioned, and discussed.

When:       Tuesdays, April 8, 15, 22 and 29   7:00 to 8:30PM

Cost:          $15

Charles Blondino is a former public school teacher, curriculum director, and staff development director. His present interest is in teaching "Perspectives" classes that approach the biblical text from a variety of viewpoints.  Other such courses have included "The Biblical Creation" and "The Virgin Birth.”

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners

with Karen McManus

Spring is coming and if you find yourself eager to grow some succulent lettuce, sweet juicy tomatoes, or tender green beans, but are not sure how to get started, then this is the class for you.   Even if you  have only a patio, you can grow everything for a delicious salad in containers.    Our first class will be at East Shore, where we will cover garden location, soil preparation, what plants do well in our area, and visit the East Shore Pea Patch to see some of these topics in practice.  The second class at Karen’s home in Issaquah will look at different raised beds, container gardening, pest controls, and wrap up any unanswered questions.

When:       Thursdays, April 17 and 24   7:00 to 8:30PM

Cost:        $10                                                      

Vegetable gardening is a continuous learning process, and Karen McManus has been learning from her success and failures for the last 20 years.  After dealing with cold poor soil in Alaska, drought conditions in California, and insects in Texas, she finds Washington an ideal place to garden. 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Film and Contemporary Issues  

with the Rev. Joan Montagnes

Four films will spark our exploration of four contemporary issues: Dead Man Walking (capital punishment), The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (immigration), The Sea Inside (death with dignity), and But I’m a Cheerleader (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian & Transgender concerns).  We will watch a film one week, and in the succeeding week have a facilitated discussion about the issue.  Please note that most of these films are rated “R” for violence and sexual content.  Viewer discretion is advised, especially for participants under 18.  Participants may come to the discussions without having seen the films.

When:       Wednesdays, April 30, May 7, 14 , 21, 28, June 4, 11, and 18   7:00 to 8:30PM

Cost:           $25

Joan Montagnes is the Associate Minister at East Shore.

Imaging a World Without War

with Lynn Fitz-Hugh and Elizabeth Heath                                                                     

Are you looking for a reason for vision and hope in our current atmosphere of fear and discouragement?  You will engage in a formal process to develop an image of how a sustainable and peaceful world of the future would look.  Using a "backwards history" process, you will identify what paradigm shifts and goals need to be achieved to make that image reality.  You will identify both institutional changes and individual steps that can begin to create a world our grandchildren would flourish in.  A very stimulating and re-invigorating workshop!

When:        Friday, April 25   6:00 to 8:30PM, and  Saturday, April 26   9:00AM to 6:00PM

Cost:           $50. 

Please pre-register and pay by March 28, when interest will be evaluated and the decision to continue will be made.  In the unfortunate event we have to cancel the workshop, full refunds will be made.                                                       

Lynn Fitz-Hugh, a founder of the Peace Between People (PBP), has given over 100 Alternatives to Violence workshops.  She is one of 25 people trained by the program originators to present this workshop. 

Elizabeth Heath, a trained multicultural mediator, was a lead facilitator for PBP, offering non-violent conflict-resolution workshops in the Washington state prisons as well as the community. She is a licensed mental health counselor.

SPIRITUALITY

Earth-Centered Spirituality

with Susan Morrisson

What is it that makes you utter…Ahhh?  The bright feathers of the flicker? The scent of the rose? The power of the ocean wave? The softness of the cat’s fur? The understanding in the dog’s eyes? The sound of horse hair drawn across a violin string?  The sweetness of the freshly picked strawberry? All life has a spirit that is part of the same source. The spark of creation, which is in the squash and the seed, the fern and the mountain lion, is also in each of us. We are in the middle of the sacred sources of the universe! We are all connected in this magnificent interconnected web of life. This awesome awareness is the beginning of earth-centered spirituality.

When:       Thursdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24, and May 1 and 8       7:00 to 8:30PM

Cost:          $20

Susan Morrisson is a long-time member of East Shore, and worship leader for many earth-centered rituals at East Shore. She is also a student at Seattle University, School of Theology and Ministry.

Exploring Labyrinths

with Betty Hawkins and Lynn Prewitt                                                                    

What is a labyrinth?  Is it the same as a maze?  What is its purpose?  Did you know that humans have been making and walking labyrinths for thousands of years?  Come to this class and discover the history, mystery, and uses of labyrinths.  Session One, held at East Shore, will cover the history, design and uses of labyrinths.  Session Two will take place at the Prewitt residence, where we will walk the backyard labyrinth.

When:       Tuesdays, June 3 and 10   7:00 to 8:30PM                                               

Cost:          $10                                                                   

Betty Hawkins has been a student, user, and designer of labyrinths for ten years. She has lectured on labyrinths, organized community events around labyrinths, and constructed labyrinths in private homes and public spaces.   She has walked labyrinths around the United States and Europe.                                                                              

Lynn Prewitt became interested in labyrinths after taking an introductory class from Betty Hawkins. Lynn's enthusiasm for labyrinths resulted in the installation of a classical Cretan labyrinth in her backyard. She uses her labyrinth as a place to contemplate, meditate, and re-connect with nature.

Rhythms of the World - A Drum Circle

with Ron Stilwell

Rhythm speaks to all of us.  Everything has a rhythm, from the staccato beat of raindrops to the soft rhythm of the surf.  Our hearts also have a strong rhythm.  There is a basic natural rhythm that is ours alone.  Cultures from around the world use drumming to share their hearts and unify their communities.  A drum circle brings people together by using our uniqueness to create something that belongs to all of us.  It is educational, healthy, joyful and deepens creative expression.  But most of all, it’s a lot of fun to play the drums!  We will explore and experiment with rhythms from Africa, the Middle East, and South America.  Anyone can participate, from children to seniors.   No experience is needed.  If you have a hand drum or other hand percussion instruments, please bring them.

When:      Mondays, June 2, 9, 16, and 21  7:00 to 8:30PM

Cost:        $20                                                                       

Ron Stilwell is an East Shore member and an experienced drum circle leader.

Thoreau as Spiritual Guide

with Barbara Miller          

In 1854, Henry Thoreau published the classic Transcendentalist book Walden, or Life in the Woods.  In 2000, UU Minister Barry Andrews published Thoreau as Spiritual Guide: “A Companion to Walden for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion.  We will use the discussion questions in Barry Andrews’s book to revive Transcendentalist Margaret Fuller’s program of facilitated Conversations on fundamental questions: What are we meant to do? and How shall we do it? Readings of selected chapters from Walden will serve to spark our contemplation, but the focus will be on our own lives and the nature of society.  Expect to read anywhere from 15 to 50 pages of Walden between weekly sessions. Andrews’ book provides useful introductions to the Transcendentalist movement and its significance to modern Unitarian Universalism, as well as chapter summaries of Walden and the discussion questions. Please bring a copy of Walden to class.  Thoreau as a Spiritual Guide will be optional reading.                                                             

When:       Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6 and 13   7:00 to 8:30PM

Cost:          $25, plus cost of book. Walden , by Thoreau, and Thoreau as Spiritual Guide, by  Barry M. Andrews,   

                   both may be purchased at the East Shore Bookstore

Barbara Miller received a BS with concentration in literature in 1976 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology  She volunteers as a mediator with the Bellevue Neighborhood Mediation program and has led discussion groups at the University of Washington Experimental College, the Northwest Classics Society, and recent East Shore groups on the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Kalevala.

Unitarian Universalist Faith Development

East Shore and You: A Membership Class

with the Rev. Peter Luton

East Shore and You is a step on your path to membership at East Shore.  Rev. Luton will introduce you to Unitarian Universalism and our church community.  Learn what membership means at East Shore and how you can get involved in our congregation.  This is also a great chance to meet others who are also new to our church.  Complimentary childcare is available if you register in advance.

When:     Sunday, May 4, 1:00 to 3:00PM (complimentary childcare available if you RSVP by April 27)

Cost:        None

Contact:   Lori Coe, membership@eastshoreunitarian.org  

Peter Luton is East Shore’s Senior Minister.

Introduction to Unitarian Universalism,

with the Rev. Joan Montagnes

Everything you ever wanted to know about Unitarianism, Universalism, Unitarian Universalism, our congregation, and the  denomination, but were afraid to ask!      Rev. Joan will take you on the magical “mythtery” tour of our faith, denominational structure, and heritage.  Great for newcomer or long-time member alike.

When:     Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, and 23    7:00 to 8:30PM

Cost:         None                                                                     

Rev. Joan Montagnes is East Shore’s Associate Minister.

^{Sign Up!  It’s easy!}

There are four ways to register for East Shore’s adult programs:

¨       Just sign up in the North Room after Sunday services.

¨       Drop by the East Shore Administration Office during the week between 9:00AM and 5:00PM

¨       Call the East Shore Office at 425-747-3780