LUF Adult Religious Exploration

Adult Religious Exploration Programming Plans for 2010 – 2011

Theology, new experiences, communication, personal exploration, growth, relationship building and even SEXuality! This coming year, the Adult Religious Exploration Program at Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship has something for you! Additional programs are under consideration and will be offered pending facilitator commitment and access to suitable space. Please watch for announcements.

WHAT MOVES US?
A Tapestry of Faith program by Reverend Dr. Thandeka that explores the life experiences of historic and contemporary Unitarian Universalist theologians, highlighting that which caused a change of heart, a new direction, new hope, and a deeper understanding of their own liberal faith. These workshops offer participants a chance to engage with and bring their personal experiences to bear on the very questions explored by each theologian in turn. The program offers a pathway for developing not only one's own personal theology but also one's deep understanding of the threads of our Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist theological heritage. 10 2-hour sessions.
Dates and times to be determined. Facilitators: Suzanne Hansen and another inspired individual yet to reveal him/herself.

OUR WHOLE LIVES
A sexuality education program for adults of all ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and life experiences, Our Whole Lives presents sexuality as a good, creative force with enormous potential to enrich as well as to generate life. No matter what their sexual history or concerns, most people can realize and even invigorate that creative force in their own lives by active consideration of it and engagement with it. Up to 14 2-hour sessions of thought provoking and fun activities and discussion. Dates, times and locations to be determined in consultation with interested participants. Facilitators: OWL Team - Paul Acree, David Belrose, Shannon Duchesne, Suzanne Hansen.

ELDERHOOD AND SPIRITUALITY
Based on Zalman Schachter-Shalomi’s “From Age-ing to Sage-ing© A Profound New Vision of Growing Older”, this program has four goals for participants: to awaken to a vision of spiritual eldering; to deepen understanding of aging and elderhood; to engage in the homework of spiritual eldering – journaling, spiritual intimacy, meditation and; to witness my transformation from older to elder. 8 sessions Dates and location to be determined Facilitator: David Belrose

NON-VIOLENT COMMUNICATION Practice Group
Following participation in a workshop (anticipated before the end of June 2010; possibly another early Fall 2010) this group will allow attendees to experience and develop non-violent communication skills. Dates and location to be determined. Facilitators: Shawn Allaire and Trudi Jones

HEART TO HEART: A Small Group Ministry
Experience the discipline of engaged listening (this is not a dialogue/conversation group) and the rewards that come from deep sharing. Following the success of its trial run through the Winter and Spring of 2010, additional groups will be arranged as requested. Each group of 8 participants will meet for 1.5 to 2 hours at a time of their choosing, usually every two weeks, and preferably at Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship. This is a shared ministry model and while one or two group members should be responsible for the overall coordination, participants are encouraged to facilitate a session or two, as they are willing and able. Each participant will receive a copy of the needed book for use through the program. This book contains all the preparatory materials for each of 14 (potential) sessions and all the information needed for session leaders to facilitate a topic successfully. Topics include Gratitude, Balance, Forgiveness, Success and Failure, Doubt, God and more. Small group ministry is a transformational experience for individuals and congregations. Contact and support provider: Suzanne Hansen

INTERESTED? NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? Contact the facilitators or Suzanne Hansen (suuzhan@shaw.ca or 475 0071).