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Living in the Tao Thursdays, October 2, 9, 16, & 23; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Facilitator: Renee Taylor Participants: Min. 8 /Max. 15 Balance. This is a state for which we all strive and often find just out of reach. Please join us in exploring how to restore balance within ourselves and in relation to the people and world around us. We will explore balance through the ancient philosophy of Taoism: learning about the history and texts, engaging in intellectual conversation, personal writing, meditation and reflection, and an exhilarating physical practice including yoga, tai chi and qi gong. Give yourself a gift of tools and understandings that will help you regain and maintain balance in your life. Renee Taylor has been a member of the Fellowship for 9 years, has studied religion for over 15 years and discovered eastern philosophy starting with Zen Buddhism while still in high school. Currently, she co-facilitates the monthly Living in the Tao meeting, enjoys the Hollow Bones Zen Buddhist services, teaches Senior High Youth Group, and continues to study religion as a lifelong goal for greater personal understanding. Dream Interpretation and the Labyrinth Tuesdays, October 7, 14 & 21; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Facilitator: Chester Behnke Participants: Min. 5 /Max. 30 The Ancient Greeks believed that anyone could communicate with the gods through dreams. When ill, they would travel to sacred shrines and temples to seek answers through a process called “dream incubation.” Also, the labyrinth was viewed by the Ancient Greeks as a metaphor for life itself—complete with twists and turns, dead ends, and meandering diversions. As one can see, dreams and labyrinths are intertwined, and together will make for an interesting class of self-exploration and discovery. Come, take a chance, and dream… Chester Behnke is a member of the Fellowship, and has presented at FVUUF on a variety religious topics. He has taught at the UW-Fox Valley adult-education program, and has spoken at local UU congregations. Chester has been a student of religion and mysticism for many years and brings both wisdom and humor to his presentations. FELLOWSHIP WEDNESDAY PROGRAM Sufi Dancing Wednesday, October 8; 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Facilitator: Dave & Mary Gerlach Participants: Min. 10 Sufi dancing consists of a variety of very soothing dances that are easily learned and involve gentle interaction with others in the circle. The words that are shared during the dances are affirmations that often have dancers leaving with a feeling of camaraderie and peace. No experience necessary. Dave and Mary Gerlach are longtime members of the Fellowship, and will be teaching Sufi dances they learned at the U.U. Lake Geneva Summer Assembly. The Sufi dancing they did there provided some of the most uplifting moments of their camp experience. Menu for the Future Thursdays, October 9, 23; November 6, 20; December 4,18; 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Facilitators: Marie Murton & Veronica Flower Participants: Min. 8 /Max. 12 Fee: $20 for the book "Food is our common ground, our universal experience." - James Beard Menu for the Future, a curriculum from the Northwest Earth Institute, is a six-session course exploring the connection between food and sustainability. Each session will include readings, discussion and sharing on a selected topic. Readings range from topics on the pleasures of eating, to local and organic eating, to alternative farming. Discussion Course Goals: • To explore food systems and their impacts on culture, society and ecological systems; • To gain insight into agricultural and individual practices which promote personal and ecological well-being; • To consider your role in creating or supporting sustainable food systems. For more information, go to http://www.nwei.org. The deadline to receive the book in time for the first class is September 21st. If you sign up after this date, you can order the book directly through the website. Co-facilitators Veronica Flower and Marie Murton are both members of the Fellowship. Both are also current members of the Simplicity Covenant Group, and the Environmental Justice Social Action team. They are passionate about raising both personal and community awareness of environmental injustice, and are excited about sharing new information and ways to get involved (and have fun doing it!) with their ever-growing faith community. Sacred Prehistoric Sites of the Fox River Valley Saturday, October 18; 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Facilitator: Mark Walker Participants: Min. 5 /Max. 30 Fee: $10 for handouts Effigy mounds, Manitou stones and petroglyphs were used to mark the spaces considered sacred by the earliest people to inhabit the Fox River Valley. This one-day field trip will provide an overview of Wisconsin's prehistory, and include visits to area parks which are home to lost and existing sacred sites. The program was offered for the first time last year, was very well received and is brought back by popular demand! Mark Walker is a longtime member of the Fellowship, as well as a member of the local chapter of Wisconsin Archeology Society FELLOWSHIP WEDNESDAY PROGRAM Vermicomposting Wednesday, October 22; 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Facilitator: Mary Kohrell Participants: Min. 10 /Max. 30 Worms are slimy, gooey, and cool creatures that are sometimes a part of the interdependent web of life that we take for granted. During this program, participants will have a squirmin’ good time learning about vermicomposting—using red worms to help us compost and produce a natural fertilizer. If you’re looking for a better way to dispose of kitchen scraps, vermicomposting may be a good option. Mary Kohrell is Calumet County’s Community Development Educator with UW Extension. She is certified as a Master Composter, and has been providing education on various forms of composting for nearly a decade. She also enjoys spending time at home with worms and other decomposers. UU 101 Saturday, October 25; 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Facilitators: Rev. Roger Bertschausen & Rev. Dottie Mathews Participants: Min. 5 /Max. 30 This program is intended for new members or those considering becoming members of the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, though all are welcome to participate. It offers information about our history, governance, programs, and liberal faith. This class is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Fellowship and meet others within the FVUU community. Rev. Roger Bertschausen and Rev. Dottie Mathews are the ministers of the Fellowship. |
