ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Mission Statement
The Adult Religious Education (Adult RE) committee at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene promotes, encourages, and affirms our congregation’s spiritual growth and “free and responsible search for truth and meaning” as expressed by the Unitarian Universalist Seven Principles.

Curriculum
Our curriculum supports body, mind and spirit by building community, broadening perspectives, satisfying curiosities, and teaching skills for living our UU Principles. To address lifelong education goals we support programs, coordinate classes, screen curriculum, and support class/program presenters/leaders/teachers. We include content on specific life stages, as well as content that creates experiences and understanding across age groups.

Participants
The Adult RE committee invites participation by members and friends of the church and by the larger community. We welcome resources from the congregation, the Unitarian Universalist Association, and the larger community.
Revised 4/9/09

Check List of Tasks and Guidelines for Putting On an Adult Religious Education Class/Program

CURRENT CLASSES
Note:  Adult RE classes/programs are open to members first, then friends. Any class fee is voluntary.

WEEKLY MEDITATION
Thursdays 6pm Breezeway Room with Jake Walsh - newcomers welcome! (No fee)

EXPLORING EMERSON
Adult Religious Education class with Rev. Stephen Ames
First session: Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 pm, Sept 22, Oct 6, 27, Nov 3, 10, Dec 1
Second session: Wednesday mornings, 10:30 am-12:00 pm, Sept 23, Oct 7, 21, Nov 4, 18, Dec 2

THRESHOLDS Literary Journal
     The next submission deadline is November 3. Send your questions or submissions to: Laura Jameison, PO Box 467, Springfield, OR 97477 or by email to <Laura_Jameison@yahoo.com> More information at <http://www.uueugene.org/adults/Thresholds.html>

CREATING AN ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL Workshop – Sat. Nov 7, 10am to Noon S
     Judie Hansen will offer a two hour workshop on creating an illustrated journal. Judie has been keeping a journal for 20 years using pen and ink sketches and colored pencils. She will offer tips on getting motivated. Participants should bring blank paper and plan to have some fun. Cost $10 - all proceeds go to the church general fund. Limit 20

MEMOIR WRITING Workshop – Sat. Nov 7, 1-3pm S
     Judie Hansen will give hints on how to form a memoir writing group similar to the UUCE group that has been writing their life stories for the past three years. Judie is a member of the Story Circle Network and has been involved in memory writing groups for 15 years. She will have books for reference and writing prompts to get you started. The workshop will last two hours. Bring paper and pen. Cost $10 - all proceeds go to the church general fund. Limit 20.

END OF LIFE: HAVE IT YOUR WAY 
Wednesdays January 20 and 27, February 3, 10, 17 and 24  10am to noon
     These sessions are designed for those interested in contemplating and planning for the final days of their life and for arrangements following death. Relatives and caretakers of others who may be nearing life’s end will also likely find the experience helpful. Together, we will delve into the practical, legal, spiritual, personal, familial, and financial aspects of end-of-life matters. Always, emphasis will be on choices and alternatives and their meaning to you.
     Practical topics include health care planning and available services, how to get your affairs in order and make the job easier for your survivors, Oregon laws and other legal matters, and the various means of disposition of remains, More personal and spiritual topics include how to talk about death with your loved ones and make your wishes known, the various ways to commemorate a life and a death, and how to leave a heritage more precious than material goods.
     The Rev. Stephen Ames and several guest speakers from the larger community will offer their expertise and lead our explorations into the choices that await us.  The course was developed and will be led by UUCE members Audrey Maslin, Ph.D. and Sally O’Donnell, LCSW, both experienced in counseling and gerontology.  Class size is limited to 15. A sign-up sheet will be in the Social Hall beginning November 15. Registrations can also be made by contacting Sally O’Donnell at 505-9980 or sallyod9@att.net. For further info, please contact Audrey Maslin at 485-1461. There is no fee, but voluntary donations of $1 -$5 will be accepted.

1.  Get approval/clearance from the Adult Religious Education (Adult RE) committee to put on the class/program.  Decide how many people may attend (specified number or unlimited, if space allows). Ideas for curriculum may be generated from the Adult RE committee, the congregation, and/or the larger community.  If you have an idea for a class/program discuss it with an Adult RE committee member or the minister, and then send a brief description or syllabus by e-mail (preferably) or paper mail to the Adult RE committee chair.  Criteria for accepting a class/program include:  appropriateness of content; congregational interest; quality of the curriculum; qualifications of the presenter; availability of dates and times and space; cost to the church and participants; and an available Adult RE committee liaison, if needed.

2.  Choose the date and time of the class/program (with possible alternative dates and times if space is not available for the first choice), taking into consideration other activities and classes and programs that are occurring at UUCE.  Note that the church calendar of events is visible on the church web site at www.uueugene.org/webCal.html.

2.  Check with and notify the church office to reserve a suitable space, and indicate what type of set up is needed, such as:  number of chairs; how chairs are arranged; size and number of tables, if needed; supplies needed such as white dry erase board, paper flip chart, appropriate type of marking pens, easel, TV with DVD/video cassette player, projector, screen, handouts, chalice/candle and matches, bowl/bell/gong, paper, pens/pencils, etc.; and sound set up, if needed (which will require contacting the person in charge of the sound system).  Give the office the name and contact information (telephone number, e-mail address) of the contact person for the class/program. 

3.  Make arrangements for publicity, which may include:  church newsletter (deadline to submit information is 11 a.m. on the third Friday of the month to publications@uueugene.org, with the deadline in November and December being 11 a.m. on the second Friday of the month); Sunday bulletin (deadline to submit information is 11 a.m. on the Wednesday before the Sunday to publications@uueugene.org); the weekly e-mail newsletter UUpDate (deadline to submit information is noon on Wednesday to webmaster@uueugene.org); possibly one or more UUCE e-mail listservs such as UUCE-Share, UU-Chat, and others; flyer in the social hall; and publicity to the larger community, if appropriate.

4.  Make arrangements for registration, if that is needed.  Registration commonly is done on sign up lists after church services in the social hall, and also may be done by e-mail or telephone contact.  Information that may be collected may include;  name; telephone number; e-mail address; street address; need for child care (and number and ages of the children); date registered; and, if there is a registration fee, collection of money, recording of payment (or waiver of registration fee), and arrangements for deposit of the money according to UUCE procedures.  Adult RE classes/programs will be open to all regardless of ability to pay.  Registration may be taken by the person presenting the class/program, and/or volunteer(s), and/or someone from the Adult RE committee. 

5.  Arrange for child care if that is needed.  Funds are not available to cover committees or classes at this time. If you need childcare for a class,  the presenter should consult with the class to see if they can help fund it. Please see the "Organizing Childcare" document for costs and procedures.

6.  Arrange for opening/unlocking and closing/locking the meeting area.  Options for key availability include:  check out a key from the church office; arrange for someone in the class/program who already has a key to use it; arrange for help from someone else who will already be at church and who has a key; or as last resort, ask someone on the Adult RE committee for help.

7.  Other tasks (which might be done by the class/program presenter, and/or by volunteer help) may include:  name tags; food planning (refreshments are very optional); clean up; photo copy of handouts; welcoming and greeting and directing to the child care area; sign making; extra help for unanticipated tasks; and other.

8.  Evaluation of the class/program.  At the last session of the Adult RE class/program participants will be given an evaluation form, provided by the Adult RE committee, to complete and turn in to the presenter, to the Adult RE committee bin on the wall over the coat rack in the hallway, or to the church office.  The completed forms will then be given to the Adult RE committee for review and future planning.

Adult RE committee (Ann Fuller, chair; Brian Lewis; Dick Loescher; Barb Prentice)

Revised 4/9/09