This year we will be exploring adult faith development. From October through December, Rev. Lisa will introduce theories of faith development designed to lead to discussions of the participant's faith journeys and aspirations. From January through May, guest leaders (from within the group) will facilitate conversations about Unitarian Universalist theologies by using the Tapestry of Faith curriculum What Moves Us by Rev. Dr. Thandeka as their guide. Come join the ever vibrant conversations.
Please contact Rev. Lisa (410-734-7122 or rev@uufhc.net)Integrate body, mind, and spirit! This is a mixed-level hatha yoga class that combines asanas (postures), vinyasas (movement with the breath), and pranayama (breath work). Each class ends with a guided or silent meditation. A regular practice of yoga increases your flexibility, strength, and balance, releases stress, and calms your mind.
Wear loose clothing, bare feet, and a smile. Bring a yoga mat (preferred) or a beach towel.
Yoga is a physical discipline that increases strength and flexibility, and improves your health. But yoga is also a mental and spiritual discipline. Whatever form of yoga you practice, the goal is oneness
—bringing your mind, body, emotions, and spirit into alignment, to bring out the joy at the core of your being.
Becca Motil has been teaching yoga since 2000 and is certified in the YogaFit® style. We have had the privilege of her instruction at UUFHC for more than ten years.
Closing policy:If Harford County Schools close due to inclement weather, yoga class will be canceled. No yoga the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Contact Becca Motil (410-939-9522 or rmotil@aol.com)Come explore a "Circle of Rhythm" and discover a spirituality and sense of connectedness through drums and percussion instruments. This is an open forum with a brief introduction for newcomers; we have some additional drums and instruments available as well as those of us who have several personal instruments and are willing to share.
Much has been documented regarding how drum circles can heal individuals, but another kind of healing takes place: Group drumming builds bridges between people. We feel connected, find commonality and build Community.For more information, please contact Jim McBreen (443-206-2375).
– Rick Cormier
The first meetings for a study of A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle was kicked off by Rev. Lisa in the form of a pilot program the Spring of 2009. Many of the original group, with others joining along the way, have continued through the Spring of 2011 and the completion of The Power of Now. We want to continue the discussion because we have come to realize that the "tools" Eckhart gives us are only as good as our continuance to explore and use them. Most activities which we use "tools" need regular "tune ups." Anyone who has become familiar with Tolle's message through the books, CDs and DVDs is welcome to join us. We plan to use the various media and accompanying books, speakers, and we will ask the participants to come up with issues to discuss.
…transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world.For more information, please contact Rhoda Huston (410-776-3838).– Eckhart Tolle
The first ten minutes are devoted to Mindfulness techniques offered by a practitioner, then shared silence. When the weather is good and the spirit moves, some mornings include a walking meditation.
For more information, please contact Judy Schaeffer (410-836-1459).The class begins with a 15-minute relaxation meditation. Then the teacher will give a short talk on a Buddhist topic followed by a question-and-answer session. To close the class the Teacher will lead another guided meditation. Sometimes this meditation focuses on the meaning of the talk. The classes run in 4 to 6 weeks series that focus on different themes. The classes are in a series format and they are drop-in classes, each class stands alone, and there is no registration required.
Kelsang Chogden has been practicing Kadampa Buddhism for more than a dozen years and brings true sincerity and humility to her life as a spiritual teacher.
Please contact Kelsang Chogden (410-243-3837) www.meditationinmaryland.org/churchville.Qigong is an ancient form of self-healing through gentle movement. It has been coined by some as "Chinese yoga." Qigong is a movement practice focused on health, longevity, stress management and mental clarity.
James Martin (Marty) has been practicing Qigong for 19 years. He has taught Qigong in many different locales and is pleased to teach this beneficial healing practice at UUFHC.
For more information, please contact James Martin (410-734-7122).Have you ever wished you could salvage some cherished part of your Christian heritage? Have you ever wondered what a liberal Christian might look like? Does being a UU seem contradictory to being a Christian? UUFHC has a group for that! Please come and join us at anytime! Our doors are always open to anyone who might want to join us! There are no creedal requirements. The focus is more on the faith and life that Jesus lived and taught rather than the institution Christianity would later become. We will begin the fall session with Marcus Borg's book Reading The Bible Again for the First Time, to get a new, fresh perspective of the Bible's purpose and meaning — apart from what we might have been originally taught.
For more information, please contact Cindy Neff (410-459-0205).Become the best person you can be; take charge of your life. Discover who you are and learn techniques for making your life happier and more rewarding. Develop a program for making the changes you would like to make. Participants must be 16 years or older. Meet after service on one Sunday convenient to you.
For more information, please contact Ken Bourn (410-638-1558).Some people find that movement helps them tap into their spiritual center, others find it awakens joy and hope, still others feel that it clears their head for inspiration. Come experiment with movement as a way of expressing self and start your morning with joyful play. No formal experience necessary.
For more information, please contact Rev. Lisa Ward (410-734-7122).This year in Religious Education, our theme is Wisdom Tales: Stories Within Our Hearts. Wisdom Tales come from many places, including within ourselves. This workshop will help families (with children of all ages) and individuals (no kids necessary!) develop their own personal Wisdom Tale. You will leave with a hand-made book of your tale that you can cherish for many years to come. Please begin setting aside pictures of your family/you doing things that you love, are part of your daily routine or were part of a special time you had together. We will share in a potluck meal prior to the workshop, so please bring a dish.
For more information, please contact April Fritts (410-734-7122).Going on a silent retreat can sound like a scary proposition for many. But we'll start off slow, with an introduction and presentation on silence. Then we'll have silence for about 2 hours, including lunch. We'll end by talking about how it felt for you, if you want. The facilitators will be available during the silence for you to talk to if needed. So, not so hard, really.
During the silence, feel free to just sit and enjoy the early October air, rake some leaves, walk the labyrinth, or just wander the grounds. Please bring a bag lunch. Hot water for tea is available.
UUFHC's second retreat will be held in November, which is Native American Heritage Month. We will be listening to Mother Earth's heart beat, thanking her for what she offers us, and expressing our love of our mother/ourselves, in various ways. Members of the Buffalo Trace Society will participate and share some of their special wisdom throughout the day. Come join us in appreciating the love we receive and some ways we can reciprocate.
After the winter holidays are over, we're usually faced with a barrage of messages about weight loss or otherwise "fixing" our bodies. But real change always proceeds from the groundedness of self-acceptance. Throughout the 2011-2012 church year, UUFHC's retreats have been deepening into the theme "Love of the Body, Love of the Earth, Love of Creation." Our physical bodies are a part of Creation, a marvel in their own right, worthy of our love and respect and tending. Join the UUFHC retreat facilitators in exploring love of the body through journaling, collage, movement, and sharing. Your body will love you for it!
There is a call in this post-modern era to put aside the notions of those like Descartes who thought we should master nature and regain a sense of the sacred that our ancestors had learned from the awe of relating to the sky, stars, animals, plants, seasons, wind, and fire. Join us for this weekend retreat as we explore our love of creation near the ocean.
Man cannot long separate himself from nature without withering as a cut rose in a vase.– Howard Thurman