Adult Ed Classes 2026-2027

Looking at Our Values through the Rings of Love

Facilitator: Rev. Cynthia Snavely
Dates: Thursdays, September 17 through October 29
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: UUFHC and on Zoom

Brief description: We will explore five Rings of Love; 1) the Love within me of inner spiritual life, 2) the Love between us of close relationships, 3) the Love among us of congregational life, 4) the Love beyond us of our public presence and justice work, and 5) the Love holding all that is ground of our being. There are seven sessions looking at our shared values through these five lenses. The curriculum will use quotes from this year’s UUA Common Read Love at the Center

Experiential Mystery Game: The Case of the Slightly Sentient Chalice with Potluck

Facilitator: Rev. Cynthia Snavely
Date: Sunday, October 25
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: UUFHC sanctuary

Brief description: For eight Sundays at Unitarian Universalist Harmony Harbor Church (UUHaHa, affectionately), the chalice flame has been behaving strangely—some weeks barely catching, some weeks burning bright. No one can figure out why. Players are the ad hoc committee assembled to investigate, armed with eight folders of evidence piecing together what’s been happening at UUHaHa, and why the flame keeps telling them something they haven’t quite been ready to hear.

Appropriate for older elementary students through adults

Viewing and Discussion of Ron Cordes’ Long Strange Trip documentary of UU History

Facilitator: Rev. Cynthia Snavely
Dates: Thursdays, January 21 through February 25
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: UUFHC sanctuary

Brief description: Long Strange Trip is a six-part, one-hour documentary series by Ron Cordes that traces the history of Unitarian and Universalist thought from the early Christian era to the 2010s in the Unitarian Universalist movement. We will view the film and then have a half-hour discussion.

Building Your Own Theology

Facilitator: Rev. Cynthia Snavely
Dates: Thursdays, March 11 through April 29
Time: 7:30
Location: UUFHC

Brief description: This is adapted from Richard Gilbert’s Building Your Own Theology curriculum. You are invited to consider your own beliefs and values over the course of the sessions. The last session will be a sharing of participants’ credo statements.

Musical Activities for All Ages

Facilitator: Brenna Kupferman

UUFHC presents many opportunities for people of all ages to make music together!. If you sing or play an instrument, you are welcome to join in the music-making fun! We are always looking for new musicians and singers who can take part in services (solo or group), perform in concerts, and share music during social events. And all of these can be done either in-person or online, live or recorded! New Members are always welcome!

Make a Joyful Noise – Music Jam

Facilitator: Ami Silberman
Dates: Saturdays at UUFHC on 10/3/2026 and 3/27/2027
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

Calling all musicians and would-be musicians . . . We will be starting with meditative ambient music, and then see what sound develops. If you don’t have an instrument you can bring, use one of the ones provided—both acoustic and electronic instruments are welcome. Experience and technical proficiency not required, just interest and willingness to work with others. We will be providing amplification and a variety of effect pedals for electronic instruments. Coffee and tea will be provided, and we encourage bringing a snack to share.

Journaling for Spiritual Growth

Facilitators: Cindy Curry and Beth Wood-Roig
Dates: Begins September 21, 2026 and ends May 17, 2027
Time: 1st and 3rd Mondays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Place: Meets on private ZOOM
Exchange: $5.00 per session, limited spots available

Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.
~ Chrisina Baldwin

We use creative journaling practices, such as found poems, dialogue sketches, and character sketches, to discover our own voices and explore our individual experiences. Through reflective and responsive journaling and deep, supportive listening and sharing, we honor each person’s journey as we travel along our individual spiritual paths. As we always say in journaling, there is no right way to do this, only the write way! Limited spots available.

The Older Wiser Loving Souls Circle (fondly known as OWLS)

Facilitator: J. Sue Henry
Dates for both groups: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month
Time: UUFHC Sanctuary: 9:30 am to Noon
Time: UUFHC Zoom: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Please join our lively group of men and women from 62 to 91 years of life experience. They come together to share their life wisdom and the challenges and benefits of this last third of life. This spiritual journey uses a wide range of resources, especially those related to sage-ing.

Open to all members of the community 60 or older.

Soul Matters Sharing Circle

Facilitator: Sara Brinkerhoff and Laura Paligo
Dates: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:15 pm in the Board Room & via Zoom. Please note: We will be meeting only thru Zoom during the months of December, January & February.
Exchange: None

Souls Matters Sharing Circle is a small group that follows the same Soul Matters theme of the month as the services. We send out a packet of resources that relate to the monthly theme, including questions to ponder, and suggested spiritual exercises to each member of the group in advance.

The first meeting of the month, we focus on which of the provided question(s) called to each of us and we each share what we learned from our journey of self-discovery. The group listens deeply and shares appreciations for what they hear. The second session of the month focuses on the suggested spiritual exercises. We each choose an exercise that speaks to us. When we meet, we share what we’ve gained from the spiritual practice.

Again, the group practices deep listening, then shares appreciations and the gifts of the heart that we have received from one another. At the end of the meeting, each member of the community shares one or two words that reflect the essence of the meeting for them.

** We gather at 6:30 pm for chat and start the program at 6:45. For January and February, due to potential inclement weather, we are meeting on the church Zoom channel. Beginning in March again, we will meet in the Board room at the church.

New Members are always welcome!

Qigong & Tai Chi

Instructor: James (Marty) Martin
Dates: Wednesdays and Saturdays
Time: 9:00 am
Place: UUFHC Sanctuary
Exchange: $10 per month

Qigong is an ancient form of self-healing through gentle movement. It is a movement practice focused on health, longevity, stress management and mental clarity. Marty will be teaching the Hauxia Zhineng Qigong (Chi Lel) system, which was the world's largest medicine-less Qigong. The Chi Lel Qigong center in China had 180 different diseases and had a 95% success rate. James Martin (Marty) has been practicing Qigong for 30 years. He has taught Qigong in many different locales and will be teaching this beneficial healing practice at UUFHC.

Tai Chi is another ancient form of self-healing. Marty's Tai Chi emphasizes physical development, self-defense, aspects of meditation and breathing exercises. He will take you slowly through each movement which can be adjusted for each individual's ability. He'll draw on 60 years' experience in the martial arts.

Gaia's Daughter Reiki Circle

Facilitator: Bess Hutt, Reiki Master Teacher (RMT)
Dates: 3rd Fridays of the month
Time: 6:30 - 8:15 pm
Location: UUFHC Sanctuary
Exchange: Goodwill donation to instructor if able
Registration required / limit 10

Gaia's Daughter Reiki Circle at UUFHC is a free monthly healing practice, open to anyone, regardless of Reiki knowledge or experience!

About Reiki:
Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that promotes relaxation and stress reduction. In short, Reiki works by channeling energy through the practitioner's hands, promoting balance and harmony within the body, mind, and spirit. A Reiki Circle provides participants with a supportive space to experience this gentle and transformative energy.

Possible benefits for participants include: stress reduction and relaxation, increased energy and vitality, emotional and mental well-being, and enhanced overall sense of balance.

Overview of what participants can expect:

• Introduction: Short introduction of Reiki and a time to introduce ourselves.
• Guided Meditation: Brief meditation to create a relaxed & receptive atmosphere.
• Energy Healing: A few minutes will be spent channeling Reiki to each participant.
• Sharing: As time allows, we will share our experiences before closing.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a light snack if needed. Herbal tea will be provided.

Restorative Sound Bath

Facilitator: Bess Hutt
Date: 2nd Friday of each month
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: UUFHC Sanctuary
Exchange: Free event! Donation suggested if able & desired.
Registration required: 410-459-9935 | gaiasdaughterbess@gmail.com

The group will be guided into a gentle and restorative sound bath including instruments such as Native American style flutes, handpan, crystal and metal singing bowls, voice, frame drum, rainstick and more. After the sound bath, there will be time for integration, reflection and journaling, if desired, before we part ways.

Things to bring:

• Water bottle, if needed
• Journal, if desired
• Yoga mat/blanket/pillow for laying on the floor
• Anything else you need to feel comfortable
• An open heart

Please arrive a few minutes early to get settled and honor our start time.

Family Fellowship Group

Date: Meets first Friday of every month, September - June
Time: 6:00 pm
Childcare provided

An informal gathering for families and others interested in gathering for fellowship. Our response last year was amazing and quickly made us better understand what folks are wanting from this type of group. During our gatherings, we often explore the Soul Matters themes and materials, as well as simply enjoy time together.

This group is for everyone: families, as well as those without children! We ask that everyone comes with the understanding that this is a parent/child centered space, and we often must pivot from our original plans based on group dynamics.

Together Grief Support

Date: Second and fourth Wednesdays in September and October. After, we will evaluate and hopefully continue with scheduling.
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Location: UUFHC

We’ve never experienced a loss like this one: the death or a husband or wife. In this grief support group, our experiences will support and sustain each other and ourselves.

The group is open to all regardless of age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

Periodic Labyrinth Walks

Our first Labyrinth Walk will be on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 10:30am as part of a reflective, contemplative service that will take the place of the regular worship service that Sunday. A labyrinth is an ancient form of a walking/moving meditation. It can be a metaphor for our own spiritual journey. A labyrinth is an excellent practice in both listening to and cultivating your inner knowing.

Join us once a quarter to walk the labyrinth in community here at UUFHC. Our lovely portable labyrinth was generously donated by Leigh Faunce. Dates for the quarterly labyrinth walks will be announced throughout the year and updated at www.uufhc.net

One Day Encounter with Carol Fireheart and the Buffalo Trace Society

Facilitator: Carol Fireheart
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: UUFHC
Exchange: $50.00 for the day

This is for those who may be interested in joining BTS in our new apprenticeship group. This will be an introductory meeting to meet our teachers and Elders, learn about our apprenticeship program, and to share some of our teachings.

The day is designed to aid you in making a difference in your inner and outer world. It is an enlightening experience in itself or can be the first step to apprenticing with Carol Fireheart and the Buffalo Trace Society. (If you wish to continue your training, it will be explained at this time.)

Carol Fireheart, Chief of the Buffalo Trace Society, has studied the earth-honoring traditions of both the old and new world for over 35 years. As a teacher and workshop leader, Fireheart and her teachers are vitally interested in unleashing the potential for growth in each person. Fireheart works to rebuild peoples' connection to the circle of life by experiencing the Native Ways and philosophies of the Earth people. She has studied with many teachers and, with permission, is passing this information to others.

Autumn Equinox Ceremony

Facilitator: Beth Wood-Roig
Date: September 19
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: UUFHC

Open to all, children included. No fee but donations are welcomed. After the ceremony we will have snacks (cookies, cakes, etc. coffee, tea) as provided by those attending so we ask to bring a small portion of a snack to share.

. . . Retreats . . .

Within each of us there is a silence—a silence as vast as the universe. We are afraid of it. . . and we long for it. ~ Gunilla Norris

Silent Retreat

Facilitator: Beth Wood-Roig
Date: October 17, 2026 (Rain Date: October 24, 2026)
Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Suggested Donation: $10, but is not necessary
Location: Nature's Manor, 2817 College View Drive, Churchville, MD 21028

If you are looking for an opportunity to unplug from the day in and day out minutiae of living, well, we have a solution for you. . . come join us for a day set aside to do just that. A silent retreat spent in community with fellow spiritual travelers.

Give yourself the gift of time devoted to your own wellbeing. A time where we will share some food for the soul and spend several hours on our own exploring Nature’s Manor in silent contemplation. Nature’s Manor is the fitting name that Allison and Steve Ehrman have dubbed their lovely home. They have graciously offered it for our Silent Retreat. Feel free to join us. We would just love your presence