Learning Community Programs
Educational Programming at the Unitarian Universalist Church of
Greater Bridgeport
Fall & Early Winter 2004
Learning Community
Courses
World Religions with Bob Swain (a retired UU minister and member of UUCGB).
Sundays, 7:30 – 9 p.m., October 17 – December 19 (excepting the Sundays before and after Thanksgiving) in the Lounge.
This is a chance to read excerpts from central scriptures of some of the world’s major faiths and discuss them with other interested UUs.
Each week a one-or-two-page reading will be available to read ahead-of-time.
(Of course it is hoped some may want to read the complete text. All are easy
to come by.) Then on each Sunday evening, in turn (Rev. Mr.) Swain will give
background for the belief system as well as for the particular scripture of
the evening. Finally, the group will
discuss the chosen text.
The texts listed come from various religious traditions. They are not the texts of the Unitarian-Universalist church, and they do not necessarily state the doctrines or beliefs of the church or its members.
In part, our "living tradition" draws from a diversity of sources,
including: the "words and deeds of prophetic women and men throughout
history", and the "wisdom from the world's religions which inspires
us in our ethical and spirtual life".
Scriptures studied will include (click on links to access
the texts):
Hinduism’s Bhagavad Gita, October 17
Text: Brief
overview of Hinduism
Text:
Excerpts from Bhagavad Gita
Buddhism’s Dhammapada, October 24
Text: Excerpts
from Dhammapada
Text: Full text of Dhammapada
Text: Theravada
Buddhism
Buddhism’s Lotus Sutra, October 31
Text:
Lotus sutra excerpts
Text: Sutra
of 6th Patriarch, quotes
Text: Mahayana
Buddhism
Taoism’s Tao Te Ching, November 7
Link: Full
text of Tao Te Ching (The Book of Changes)
Text: Excerpts from the Tao Te Ching
Text: Taoism Basics
Confucius’ Analects, November 14
Text: Excerpts
from the Analects of Confucius
Text: Timeline and excerpts
Judaism’s Mishnah, January 30, 2005
Text:
Excerpts from the Mishnah
Text: Basic
Views and Scriptures of Judaism
Christianity’s Gospels, February 13, 2005
Text: Excerpts from Christian scriptures
Text: Basics of Christianity
Islam’s Qur’an, February 20, 2005
Text:
Excerpts from the Qur'an
Text:
Basics of Islam
Attendance at all sessions is not required, but encouraged for those who want
a better understanding of the world’s great religions.
Learning
Community programs
are
open to anyone
in
the community interested –
not
just UUCGB members.
So
tell your friends....
The Unitarian Universalist Church
of Greater Bridgeport is located at
96 Chapel Street in
Stratford, CT 06614
Rev. Julie Ann
Silberman-Bunn,
Minister
For further information
phone 203-378-1020
or visit the website
at www.uucgb.org.
On-Going Programs
UU Bookies
Mondays, monthly, 7:30-9:00, Lounge
The
Book Discussion Group is ongoing—the books to be read are chosen by a consensus
of the group. Everyone is invited to participate and reading the book selection is encouraged, but
not required.
Monday, Oct. 25—The Kite Runner by Hosseini
Monday, November 29—The Girl With the Pearl Earring by Chevalier
Monday,
December, 27—Kate Remembered by Berg
Monday, January 24—Prodigal Summer by Kingsolver
WomenConnect
WomenConnect
brings together women of the congregation for fellow-ship and fun. Meetings are
monthly on the second Wednesday of the month throughout the year.
Wednesday, October 13—Connecting with our new Minister, Rev. Julie Ann Silberman-Bunn.
Wednesday, November
10—Origami ornaments
with Myra
Friday, December 3—note day change—Bake cookies for the Annual Cookie Café. Location to be announced.
Wednesday, January 12—Beads and Bangles. What will your creation say about you? A modest supply fee will be requested of those who are able to contirbute.
Wednesday, February 9—Chinese Auction in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
March 9, April 13, May 11—Meditations, Musings and Mindfulness. It is not necessary to attend each gathering, but doing so will make the experience more meaningful. The focus will be on spiritual and ethical wills.
Men’s Group
The Men’s Group is ongoing, principally social but gets some pretty good discussions going. The Men’s Group – like the WomenConnect group - meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm, but in the Youth Group Room. A reminder of meetings is e-mailed before each gathering, in addition to regular church announcements.
If you’d like to get on that list, e-mail uu4u @surfbest.net.
Nights
at the MUUvies
The MUUvie group meets to watch a movie at a local theater or at someone’s home on the last Friday of the month. Discussion of the film takes place over coffee and dessert. (Dessert is brought by everyone to share and coffee is provided by the hosts. Movies are announced through email, but interested people can e-mail zorpette@optonline.net for info.