Adult classes

Every spring and fall we offer a fresh slate of adult classes. Anyone age 16+ is welcome, unless otherwise noted. No fees are required unless otherwise noted. For more information contact Adult Programs Committee Chair Linda Rothbart.

Class offerings

Fall 2018 classes are listed below under the following categories:

Newcomers/membership
UU identity and spiritual development
Faith in Action: Social Justice education
Leadership development and life skills
Adult small groups and retreats

Newcomers/membership

We offer newcomer and membership classes to help you learn more about the congregation, support your continuing spiritual journey and connect with other newcomers, with longtime congregants and with our ministers. Click on the class title for a full description.

Newcomers/visitors reception

Sun., Oct. 7, 10:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m., far end of the Sanctuary Commons. If you're new to UUCF, join us for coffee and conversation.

Membership sign-up

Sun., Oct. 7, 10:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m., Sanctuary Commons. No RSVP necessary. Questions? Contact Rev. Sarah Caine. In conjunction with the monthly visitors/newcomers reception, UUCF will offer an informal membership sign-up intended for folks who have already attended a Newcomers Orientation or for longtime UUs who understand the workings of the congregation.

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UU identity and spiritual development

These classes help develop deeper understanding of Unitarian Universalist history, values, other world religions and different spiritual practices. Ongoing courses include:

UU Wellspring – Spiritual Deepening for Unitarian Universalists
World Religions and Spirituality online course – exploring world religions through texts and visits to local places of worship.

Click the class title below for a complete description.

Gentle Yoga

Tue., Sep. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16 & 23, Nov. 6, 6:30-7:30 a.m., Prog. Bldg. Class started Sep. 11. Led by Ravi Kaur (Christine Mason), cmason@edimprovement.org. Drop-ins welcome. This course is designed for UUCF and includes stretching, Kundalini yoga sets, relaxation and meditation. Ravi has taught yoga at UUCF since 2001. Dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat and water bottle.

Collapsing Humanism & Rising Techno-Religion

Wed., Sep. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17 & 24, 7:30-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Jerry Poje. Register online here, in the Commons after the service or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. How are humans evolving during our age of hyper-technological development? How can current and next generations survive the Anthropocene? What do legacy religions have to offer during this transformation? Using provocative online content and grounded in Yuval Harari's "Homo Deus," course leaders will step beyond historical Ishtar, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and others, and explore our place in an expanding universe. Includes personal preparation, lectures and challenging conversations. Deeper religious friendships expected beyond this short course.

What Moves Us: U/U/UU Thexlogy

Mon., Oct. 1, 15, 29, Nov. 5 & 19, 6:30-8 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Rev. Sarah Caine. Register online here in the Commons after the service or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. Using the What Moves Us curriculum (uua.org/re/tapestry/adults/movesus) from the Unitarian Universalist Association, we will explore the roots of some of our UU theology. Classes will offer time to reflect on how the thexlogians of the week connect with the idea of God and life, and if this is similar or different from the participant's own thexlogy. We will look at two thexlogians per session. Note: thex is the gender-neutral term for god in modern thexlogical circles.

Existence and Media: Conversations of Deep Meaning in a Digital World

Wed., Oct. 10 & 24, 7-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Rev. David A. Miller. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. Class participants will “listen” to conversations of deep meaning taking place solely online. Using one or more social media platforms, follow a selection of people and organizations - preferably non-UUCF members or conversations - from at least two discernible generations. During the course of several days, “listen” for discussions, opinions, hopes and concerns regarding issues of meaning: social justice, ethics/morality, environmentalism, race, sexuality, law, economics and, finally, religion. Using two to four examples, identify the spiritual need, hope or concern embedded in the conversation. (Use your own definition of “spiritual,” but please be prepared to explain your understanding.) Copy, note or screen-grab the conversation, tell us where it came from (if not obvious) and journal about the spiritual needs embedded in the conversation. Class participants who struggle to identify social media conversations can choose lyrics from current songs or messages from YouTube videos that express spiritual longing. The first session will involve sharing the contents of the conversations and your observations, and the second will involve sharing your thoughts, surprises and insights in dealing with issues of meaning in a digital age. Instructions on searching social media for conversations to follow. Note: With deep appreciation to Rev. David’s seminary classmate, Damian Geddry, for sharing ideas for this class.

Spiritual Encouragement for Baby Boomers

Thu., Oct. 11, 1-2:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Barb Brehm. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. In today's fast-paced and overpacked world, baby boomers more and more are faced with the big questions: Why are we still here? Are we too old to be useful? This one-session class, using a discussion format, addresses how Baby Boomers can humbly accept help and the limitations of aging bodies while continuing to learn new things. Participants will draw upon various books, including “Living With Purpose in a Worn-Out Body,” and share insights.

How Jesus Became God

Thu., Oct. 11, 18, 25 & Nov. 1, 7-8:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Jack Dalby. $20 course fee. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman states, “At the heart of the Christian faith is a spectacular claim: Jesus of Nazareth was, and is, God. But this is not what the original disciples believed during Jesus’ lifetime, and it is not what Jesus claimed about himself.” How is it that within 100 years of his death, Jesus, an apocalyptic, itinerant Jewish preacher, went from being seen as God's unique messenger to being seen by some as God himself? In this course, we will discuss how a small group of ancient, monotheistic Jews came to allow for their one God to have a “son.” We will examine the belief in divine humans in the ancient Roman world, the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, Christian missionaries, worship practices of early Christians, the evolution of Christology, the doctrine of the Trinity, heretical and orthodox Christian practices, other Christianities, the conversion of Constantine and much more.

Spiritual Hiking

Sun., Oct. 14, 12:30-2 p.m., meet in front of the Program Building. Led by Edna Trimm. Meets the second Sunday of each month after the second service. Inspirational readings like this will begin each hike: "We have analyzed the [Jackson] Pollock patterns with computers and compared them with forests, and they are exactly the same. This dimension does more than lull us; it can engage us, awe us and make us reflect." - Richard Taylor, physicist

Living Consciously

Mon., Oct. 15, Nov. 12 & Dec. 10, 7:30-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Zim Putney. Class started Sep. 17. Register online here, in the Commons after the service or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. Eckhart Tolle says we are only truly alive in this moment. In this class we strive to be more present and self-aware now, following the voice of our deepest inner resources: our intelligence, emotions, feelings and values. We apply the wisdom of Jack Kornfield's book “The Wise Heart,” as well as teachings of Tara Brach and others. We practice mindfulness in each meeting through reading (mind), movement (body) and meditation (spirit) and the shared wisdom of others in the class.

Science & Religion: The Conflict of Two Different Worlds

Tue., Wed., & Thu., Nov. 27, 28 & 29, 7:30-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by John Rybicki. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. Is there truly a conflict between science and religion? We will examine two case studies - the Galileo and Scopes trials and what they tell us about the real conflict between religion and science. We will also consider "intelligent design" and the "anthropic principle" to show that from the beginning church scholars did not always view all parts of the Scripture as literal and, in fact, they considered allegorical and spiritual interpretations of Scripture as oftentimes far more powerful and insightful than the simply literal.

The Afterlife in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Tue., Wed. & Thu., Dec. 11, 12 & 13, 7:30-9 p.m. Led by John Rybicki. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. Concepts and characteristics of God, as well as an understanding of the development of divine justice, mercy, compassion and punishment, have been important in the development of thoughts on the afterlife in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We will study how these religions understand the ways that God balances and prioritizes each of these elements, which are instrumental to understanding their views about the afterlife. The course will review three differing concepts of God to better understand how they conceptualize the afterlife. We will also consider whether the God of Judaism, Christianity and Islam is the same God.

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Social justice education

Click on the course title for a full description.

What We Can Do About Mass Incarceration?

Dates/times TBD. Please contact Karen Wolf. Led by Betsy Bicknell. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. The United States has nearly 25% of the world's prison population, and the number of prisoners has increased 700% since 1970. People of color are disproportionately incarcerated. How did it get this way, and what can we do to change the U.S. policy of caging people? Over several weeks, this program will explore the history of mass incarceration, the prison system, ending money bail and issues specific to Virginia.

The Pledge to End Racism Workshop

Dates/times TBD. Presented by the UUCF Racial Justice Steering Committee. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. This workshop aims to help us develop confidence in our abilities to recognize and challenge systemic racism, confront racism and bias in our everyday lives, and take leadership in ending racism in our community, our culture and our lives. Participants will develop a community of support and an understanding of how to use support in deepening our work in building a just and equitable multi-cultural world. For those who’ve had other anti-racism/multiculturalism training, this class will take your understanding and competency to a deeper level. If you’ve never taken a class about racism, this one will challenge you to invest in and deepen your understanding intercultural competence.

Trans 101

Sun., Sep. 16, 2-3:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Karen Wolf. Register online here, in the Commons after the service or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. Transgender people have existed throughout history, but between politics and pop culture, trans issues seem to be everywhere today. Come learn about transgender identities, language, etiquette and how to be an ally to the transgender community. How can UUCF live up to its commitment of being a Welcoming Congregation for trans people? As people of faith committed to justice, what is our responsibility in the face of transphobia? Bring your questions and your open minds and hearts.

Sexual Harassment & MeToo: What About You? What About Me?

Mon., Oct. 1, 8, 15 & 22, 7-8:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Catharine Kopac. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. In 2016, Gretchen Carlson paved the way for the MeToo movement with her historic harassment complaint against the now-deceased chairman of Fox News. Since that time there have been a number of "falls from grace" among well-known men across the United States (from Garrison Keillor and Al Franken to Charlie Rose and Kevin Spacey). Where has this gotten us as a society when dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace or even in society in general? Many people believe that Gretchen Carlson was brave for what she did, but this begs the question for all of us, "What now?" The Pew Research Center published a report in 2018. Its findings indicate that many see men having many difficulties in workplace interactions while there has been little effect on women's career opportunities. Do you agree? Has the MeToo movement had an impact on you? Where do "we" go from here?

What Would Martin Luther King Say About Race in America Today?

Mon., Nov. 5 & 19, 7:30-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Daniel Rothbart. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. Serving as the nation’s moral conscience on matters of race, Dr. King offered insight into the insidious forms of systemic racism of his day. In this mini-course, we bring him back to life, as it were, by imagining what he would say about the current forms of racism in this country. We speculate on his answers to two questions: first, how exactly has systemic racism changed since the 1960s, and second, how should current forms of racial injustice be redressed through possible policies, programs and social movements?

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Leadership development and life skills

Click on the course title for a full description.

Needlework Group

Third Thursday, 2:30-4 p.m., and first Tuesday, 7:30-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. First Thursday session is Sep. 20. First Tuesday session is Oct. 2. Contact Mary Paxton. No registration required; just show up. This newly gathering (and hopefully ongoing) group welcomes all parties interested in schmoozing over their needlework or other portable projects on an “as possible” basis. There will be no formal instructor, but the members will assist each other (including beginners) in mastering new techniques and planning future projects, while they get to know each other better. To accommodate all who may be interested, those available will meet twice a month, once during the day and once in the evening.

Medicare: Learn How It Works

Tue., Oct. 2, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Class started Sep. 4. Register online here, in the Commons after the service or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. This course will provide an in-depth look into Medicare, including coverage, choices, eligibility, prescription drug options, ways to avoid penalties and save money, and more. If you have insurance after retirement from the federal government or another employer, this course will explain how Medicare works with your other insurance. We’ll also compare Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans. Presented by Medicare specialists and insurance agents Kristian Sheils and Michelle Washington. Both have two decades of experience.

Caregiving Wisdom From an Ancient Sage

Tue., Oct. 2, 2-3 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Veronica Li. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. Confucius’ teachings on filial piety, the foundation of Chinese culture, contain nuggets of universal wisdom. Veronica Li will talk about her experience caring for her aging parents. As a Chinese daughter, she had been raised in the belief that she had to love and care for her parents above all else. After they passed away, she was haunted by the questions. Had she done enough for them? And what was enough? Li wrote about her experience in a novel called “Confucius Says.” To put the story in cultural context, she read Confucius’ ideas of filial piety. To her surprise, Confucius says the first rule of filial piety is to take care of oneself. He also lays out the basic principles of caregiving. The ultimate goal of filial piety, he says, is to bring out the goodness in us.

Music Improvisation Workshop

Wed., Oct. 3, Dave Anderson's home in Fairfax City, and a weeknight session TBD (may be held at UUCF or another participant's house). Contact Dave for time and location specifics. To sign up or ask questions, contact Dave Anderson. For all instrumentalists and vocalists. Monthly sessions starting in October. Openings for new participants! We are continuing the improv workshop for a third year. A number of participants from last year will be returning, and we also wanted to open it up for new participants. If you would like to learn to improvise on your instrument or improve your improvisational skills in a supportive environment, this workshop is for you! Description - The Music Improv Workshop is a monthly session designed to help UUCF musicians (both instrumentalists and vocalists) develop improvisational skills. The goal of this workshop is to enable participants to create music “from the heart” in real-time and express themselves creatively and with confidence on their instrument of choice. This workshop is not limited to a specific music style and will touch on a number of styles, including jazz, blues, rock, Latin, folk, country, etc. Each session will have a discussion and performance component which will allow participants to gain experience in an informal, supportive group setting. Participants will be assigned songs to work on at home and piano accompaniment files will be provided. Participants will also be encouraged to work on and share songs of their choosing. Prerequisite skills - A basic facility on your instrument, including the ability to read simple music notation and play major/minor scales. A willingness to step out of your comfort zone! Instrumentalists of all types and vocalists are welcome. Instructor - Dave Anderson, longtime UUCF member and pianist with 50 years of improvisation experience across multiple music styles. Meeting time and place - The workshop will start in October and we are still working out the exact day/time of the sessions. There will likely be a session on Wednesday at 1 p.m. and we may have a weeknight session, depending on the schedule constraints of participants. Materials - There are no required textbooks, but the following book is recommended as a general guide: “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Solos and Improvisation” by Michael Miller. Many people in the workshop found this book helpful in the past.

Religious Themes in Western Art

Tue., Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Roz Hoagland. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. If you have ever wandered through the Renaissance section of any art museum and wondered who the people in the paintings might be, then this is the class for you. Much of Western art deals with religious themes. Artists gradually developed formulas for depicting familiar Bible stories and key individuals. Looking at examples from early Christian catacombs through the 17th Century, this class will explain the stories and discover the attributes of important figures in religious art.

Righteous Minds Trying to Understand Other Political Tribes

Wed., Oct. 17, 24, 31 & Nov. 7, 7-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Bill Roos. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. In this class, inspired by Jonathan Haidt and other authors who examine how humans think and act in cultural and political environments, people from diverse political and cultural backgrounds try to better understand their own and others' values and beliefs - and possibly even find areas of agreement across the usual political and cultural boundaries.

Sharing the Small Things in Life

Tue., Nov. 6, 20 & Dec. 4, 1-2:30 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Mary Frances Kordick and Ann King. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. We will look at the practical sides of living - ways to simplify, be environmentally sound and enhance our well-being. We want to bring together a group that will share tips, including earth-friendly cleaning methods, natural remedies, the simple joys of plants, decluttering tactics, downsizing, etc. The list goes on, and is open-ended. Participants will share their knowledge and expand areas of interest as we learn from each other. Kahlil Gibran wrote, “… In the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” We want to embrace “little things" as we gather, share and refresh.

Nuts and Bolts: How Things Work at UUCF

Wed., Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m., Prog. Bldg. Led by Craig and Susan Bennett. Register online here, in the Commons after services or email Melissa Campos-Poehnert, ap@uucf.org. This course is intended to provide leaders and curious non-leaders an overview of UUCF mechanics. How is the congregation organized and governed? What are the responsibilities of the staff? How does one reserve a meeting space, coordinate a special event, advertise an activity, get reimbursed or even adjust the thermostats? Learn what resources and processes are available to help you get things done.

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Adult classes

Links

Class offerings

Newcomers/membership

Newcomers/visitors reception

Membership sign-up

UU identity and spiritual development

Gentle Yoga

Collapsing Humanism & Rising Techno-Religion

What Moves Us: U/U/UU Thexlogy

Existence and Media: Conversations of Deep Meaning in a Digital World

Spiritual Encouragement for Baby Boomers

How Jesus Became God

Spiritual Hiking

Living Consciously

Science & Religion: The Conflict of Two Different Worlds

The Afterlife in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Social justice education

What We Can Do About Mass Incarceration?

The Pledge to End Racism Workshop

Trans 101

Sexual Harassment & MeToo: What About You? What About Me?

What Would Martin Luther King Say About Race in America Today?

Leadership development and life skills

Needlework Group

Medicare: Learn How It Works

Caregiving Wisdom From an Ancient Sage

Music Improvisation Workshop

Religious Themes in Western Art

Righteous Minds Trying to Understand Other Political Tribes

Sharing the Small Things in Life

Nuts and Bolts: How Things Work at UUCF

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