Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Ormond Beach
56 Halifax Drive North
Ormond Beach, FL 32176
(386) 677- 6172

 

Life Long Learning programs  Most programs will be scheduled for the second and/or fourth Wednesdays, 4:00—5:30 of each month.  Content will be varied, including philosophy, history, spirituality, archaeology, and education.  Most programs include time for audience questions and comments. 

                                                     From Enlightenment to Romanticism

                                                                                Dan Gribbin

                                                                  Life Long Learning Program

                                               Wednesday, September 27, 2017, 4:00—5:30

                                                      Unitarian-Universalist Congregation

                                                      56 N. Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach, Fl

 

This program will involve discussion of the following:

In the 17th century, the phenomenal success of the scientific method (think Sir Isaac Newton) gave rise to the notion that Reason, which was rapidly developing Laws of Nature, could profitably be applied to society in an effort to improve, perhaps even perfect, the lot of humankind.  And so, it became the project of the Enlightenment (18th-century French Encyclopedists in particular), to determine what we might call the Laws of Society and to apply them to our betterment.  However, around the time of the French Revolution, there arose a significant backlash against the notion of the omnipotence of Reason, a movement which came to be known as Romanticism.  It would exalt Imagination over Reason.  It would regard Nature as a marvelous, organic process to be apprehended by human Intuition rather than being dissected by dry Reason.  (Think Ralph Waldo Emerson.)  Though born in the glow of the Enlightenment (the Age of Reason), the United States, with our breathtaking landscapes and our ready opportunities for individualism in thought and action, would become a ripe field for the evolution of Romantic thought. 

Dan Gribbin has retired from college teaching after 37 years.  He spent the bulk of his career as Prof. of English at Ferrum College in Virginia, teaching writing, film, and a variety of literature courses.  During the past decade, he taught African-American Literature and American Literature at the University of Central Florida.  He and his wife Martha live in Daytona Beach Shores and are members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ormond Beach, where he serves as Co-chair of the Worship Committee.                                             

           Religions of the World: An Overview with Rev. Kathy Tew Rickey

Reverend  Kathy Tew Rickey

Life Long Learning Program

2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays, November 5, 12, and 19

Unitarian-Universalist Congregation

56 N. Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach, Fl 

 

Reverend Kathy will discuss a few things you've always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask about Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sufism, Baha'i, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism,  and more. She will briefly examine the sacred texts, belief systems, values, and ethics of each, over a series of 3 two-hour sessions.           Email Reverend Kathy at revk2rickey@gmail.com        to sign up and/or ask questions.

 Kathy Tew Rickey is an ordained Unitarian Universalist (UU) minister. She serves the UU Congregation of Ormond Beach. Rev. Rickey has served congregations in Rochester, Syracuse, and Cortland, New York. She also served as a hospital chaplain in Rochester. Before becoming a minister, Rev. Rickey was a banking consultant and continuing education teacher. She raised two daughters and several dogs while living in various places in the Eastern U.S. Over the years, she has taught many adult and youth religious education courses in the context of congregational life. 

 

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   Gretel 's World in East Germany after 1945 

                                                                              Gretel   Timan 

                                                           Wednesday, June 28, 2017, 4:00—5:30 

                                                            Unitarian-Universalist Congregation 

                                                            56 N. Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach, Fl  

Gretel Timan was a young girl when Germany split into the East and the West in 1945. As West Germany in the late 1940s prospered under the Marshall Plan, life in East Germany, ruled by Russia and Russian educated Communists, became extremely difficult. 

Travel between the West and East was increasingly restricted and a wall was erected by the East which included flood lights, watchtowers, dogs and finally a mined death strip. Tensions increased even more following Stalin's death in 1953. Current estimates are that 1,000 people lost their lives and thousands were imprisoned. Three million out of eighteen million East German citizens eventually fled to the West, mostly through Berlin until the second Wall was erected in 1963. Both walls fell in 1989 and Gretel returned a year later to meet with people who remained. Gretel will discuss her experience, impressions, and insights.

 

June 14, 2017
                                                  Gretel's Cross                                                                           

      Meredith Wayne Price

4:00 pm  - 5:30 on Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Unitarian Universalist Congregation Ormond Beach,

56 North Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach, FL

 

Mr. Price will present life in Germany, focusing on the period between 1914 and 1945.  He will discuss his book Gretel's Cross, a historical fiction work based on an intimately told true story of forbidden romance, suicide, and tragic war deaths, along with the joys of everyday life within the idyllic surroundings of a German medieval town.  Meredith will bring historical events to life from the perspective of a family faced with challenges and personal triumphs.  

Meredith Wayne Price was born and raised in rural Indiana.  His early childhood on a farm shaped a love of family, exploration, and adventure.  Mr. Price’s BA in history from Franklin College led to a career in education. 

As a young adult Meredith taught for many years in Germany where he learned the German language and became immersed in the culture.  He resides in Ormond Beach and visits Germany often.   

       May 2017 LLL program 

                     CONTRASTING FUNDAMENTALIST & LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY 

              Professor Ted Mashburn 

Saturday, May 27, 2017, 10:00 - 11:30 am 
Unitarian-Universalist Congregation                                                                                                   56 N. Halifax Dr.       Ormond Beach, Fl 32176 

The Program will consist of a discussion about religious experiences and opinions related to the contrast between fundamentalist and liberal Christian beliefs and practices. Professor Mashburn will introduce the subject and lead a discussion about it with the attendees. 

Dr. Ted Mashburn is Chair of the Department of Humanities and a Professor of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Mobile. Professor Mashburn received his D.Phil in Philosophical Theology at Oxford University in 1985. Since then, he has had numerous publications and presentations in his areas of interest. In 1999, Professor received the University of Mobile’s “M. Ray Megginson Teaching Award”. 

 

 Life Long Learning Program 
Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 4:00—5:30
Unitarian-Universalist Congregation
56 N. Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach, Fl 

CONTEMPORARY LIFE IN IRAN

This program will focus on recent past and current life in Iran.  An interview format will feature Dr. Dan Kennedy interviewing Dr. Massood Towhidnejad, who having been born and raised in Iran , is personally acquainted with and knowledgeable about life there.  His interests and educational background have given him a broad and insightful perspective of social, political, and general cultural matters in Iran.  The interview will consist of such topics as:  life in Iran today, socio-economic stratification, and opinions concerning Western culture.  Dr. Towhidnejad is Professor of Software Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and earned his Ph.D. in that field at the University of Central Florida.     

 

Murder in Paradise 
Sara Fogle 
Life Long Learning Program
Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 4:00—5:30
Unitarian-Universalist Congregation
56 N. Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach, Fl  

 

In the genre of contemporary mystery, crime, and detective fiction, Florida is blessed with many of the best authors writing today.  This presentation will address the reasons why the Florida setting is conducive to the genre, some of the most popular and successful authors, and the important  themes addressed in their novels.

 

 Sarah Fogle is a Professor of Humanities and Communication and program coordinator for the B.S in Interdisciplinary Studies at Embry-Riddle University.  She has published extensively in the crime, mystery, and detective fiction areas, including articles on novels and films. 

June 2017  Life Long Learning

Gretel's Cross,    by  Meredith Wayne Price
Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 4:00—5:30
Unitarian-Universalist Congregation
56 N. Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach, Fl

 

 
Mr. Price will present life in Germany, focusing on the period between 1914 and 1945.  He will discusshis book Gretel's Cross, a historical fiction work based on an intimately told true story of forbidden romance, suicide, and tragic war deaths, along with the joys of everyday life within the idyllic surroundings of a German medieval town.  Meredith will bring historical events to life from the perspective of a family faced with challenges and personal triumphs.  

 

Meredith Wayne Price was born and raised in rural Indiana.  His early childhood on a farm shaped a love of family, exploration, and adventure.  Mr. Price’s BA in history from Franklin College led to a career in education. 

 

As a young adult Meredith taught for many years in Germany where he learned the German language and became immersed in the culture.  He resides in Ormond Beach and visits Germany often. 

                                                 Gretel 's World in East Germany after 1945 

                                                                              Gretel   Timan 

                                                           Wednesday, June 28, 2017, 4:00—5:30 

                                                            Unitarian-Universalist Congregation 

                                                            56 N. Halifax Dr, Ormond Beach, Fl  

Gretel Timan was a young girl when Germany split into the East and the West in 1945. As West Germany in the late 1940s prospered under the Marshall Plan, life in East Germany, ruled by Russia and Russian educated Communists, became extremely difficult. 

Travel between the West and East was increasingly restricted and a wall was erected by the East which included flood lights, watchtowers, dogs and finally a mined death strip. Tensions increased even more following Stalin's death in 1953. Current estimates are that 1,000 people lost their lives and thousands were imprisoned. Three million out of eighteen million East German citizens eventually fled to the West, mostly through Berlin until the second Wall was erected in 1963. Both walls fell in 1989 and Gretel returned a year later to meet with people who remained. Gretel will discuss her experience, impressions, and insights.

 

APRIL 2017 LIFE LONG LEARNING 

• VOLUSIA COUNTY SEA TURTLE HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN, JENNIFER WINTERS

                                            Wednesday, April 12, 2017, 4:00—5:30

This program is an introduction to beach wildlife and habitat, related to the Volusia County Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).  It explains how we balance protecting our fragile environment with recreational activities occurring along our 36 miles of sandy beaches.  Topics covered will include sea turtle nesting season, shorebirds, other protected species, and programs and policies used to help manage beach driving and other human activities.

Jennifer Winters is a Volusia County native who has been a Sea Turtle HCP Manager since 2002.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography emphasizing Environmental Science.  She has worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as an Environmental Specialist in wildlife biology, domestic wastewater and submerged lands and environmental resource permitting departments. 

 

• SLICES OF AMERICAN PIE, JIM ROTHWEILER

                                     Wednesday, April 26,2017, 4:00—5:30

America is a diverse society (e.g. ethnic groups; socio-economic stratification) which results in both opportunities and challenges.  Various ways of slicing the pie will be examined to understand our diversity, including Social, Economic, Political, and Technological factors.  We will examine the unique characteristics of each slice in terms of needs, motivations, and behaviors with members of other slices.  Our goal will be to better understand how we, and others, think about each other.

Jim Rothweiler, with degrees in sociology and business, spent 35 years in the telecom industry conducting market research to analyze needs for new services. 
                                   

 

                                           LIFE LONG LEARNING__March, 2017 

          VANNEVAR BUSH:  IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO U.S. SCIENCE

                                                    GEORGE ANDERSON

                            Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 4:00—5:30

George Anderson, a retiree from the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Agency, will present the career of Dr. Vannevar Bush (1890—1974) who is not known to most Americans.  However, the contributions of Bush to U.S. science and technology and to the U.S. government were truly momentous.  During World War II he was a major science advisor to the Roosevelt Administration, holding chair positions of major science committees and had a prominent role in the Manhattan Project.  At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology he was a professor and Dean of the School of Engineering and made contributions to the development of computer science.  Professor Bush also provided the basic ideas for the creation of the National Science Foundation.

                           CLIMATE CHANGE and GLOBAL WARMING
                                                  Dr. Bradley Muller

                                 Wednesday, March 22, 2017, 4:00—5:30

Dr. Muller will discuss how we know that the earth is warming and the scientific evidence that this is a result of fossil fuel burning.  He will touch upon possible future scenarios for the earth’s climate and discuss actions that would mitigate the most serious impacts.

Dr. Muller teaches Aviation Weather, Physical Meteorology, and Satellite and Radar Weather Interpretation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  Prior to Embry-Riddle he worked as an Atmospheric Physicist at the Center for Clouds, Chemistry, and Climate of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and as an Air Quality Scientist at AeroVironment,Inc.   His academic degrees in Meteorology are from San Jose State University and Florida State University.    While at Florida State University, Dr. Muller worked with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, researching water vapor sensing satellites.                  

   

The State of Medical practice, An Ethical Perspective

Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 4:00—5:30

 On Marth 29^th, Dr. Frank A. Thomas, MD, will be giving a talk outlining his opinions on the contemporary state of medical practice in our country, from an ethical perspective. Dr. Thomas has been in the continuous practice of general surgery from 1972 until he retired in 2014. He has a special interest in biomedical ethics. He has taught undergraduate courses as well as advanced courses in bioethics to senior medical students.

                                

  LLL Programs for February 2017

   Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 4:00—5:30                                                     

  TO HELL WITH HELL?               Skip Lowery

                                      Ideas concerning a possible afterlife of eternal torment in Hell have been with us from ancient to modern times.  This program will examine historical concepts of Hell found in religious and other literature.  Ethical issues will be raised, such as frightening young children with horrendous visions of Hell.  Opinions from audience members will be solicited.

Skip Lowery comes from a teaching (high school & college) and writing career background.  He is the author of numerous articles and photo-essays published in local and national magazines, as well as the “Mark Twain:  Stormfield Days” play performed at Deland’s Sands Theater and read at Sarasota’s Asolo Theater.

   Wednesday, February 22, 2017, 4:00—5:30 

                      FAVORITE POEMS                   RODNEY ROGERS, Ph.D                                   

Robert Frost was quoted in Newsweek saying he’d “Just as soon play tennis with the net down” as write free verse.  Not everyone will agree with this controversial view, but few would argue with the idea that a poem which rhymes and has a regular meter is likely to sound better than free verse when read aloud.  Dr. Rogers will offer a reading of some of his favorite poems punctuated by brief biographical and textual information intended to facilitate appreciation and understanding.  All of the poems are short and easily comprehended, and with the exception of a few, are by poets “playing Tennis” with the net up and stretched taut.  Attendees will likely leave with an increased liking of poetry.

Rodney O. Rogers is Professor Emeritus at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  In an unconventional forty-six year academic career he taught literature, computer science, and aeronautical science at Clemson, the Citadel, and University of North Carolina, Asheville.  He  has a BS from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Ph.D degrees in English and American Literature, University of Virginia, and in Computer Science, University of Central Florida.  During his youth he was a U.S. Naval Aviator.  For an example of type of poetry to be used in this program see:  http://pages.erau.edu/-rogers/ManifoldSong.pdf.

LLL for January 2017 

 

HUMAN NATURE AND THE HUMAN FUTURE          Dr. DAN KENNEDY

 

                                    From a long range historical viewpoint human developments have contained both positive and negative aspects.  Has the general pattern been mainly positive or negative?  What are the prospects for the human future?  This two part program will examine these questions, and more, with help from the disciplines of biology, neuroscience, history, anthropology, and psychology.  Audience participation will be encouraged.

 

Part 1__Wednesday, January 11, 2017__Human Nature and the Future

 

Part 2__Wednesday, January 25, 2017__The World WE Want to Achieve

       Book Discussion: In Defense of a Liberal Education by Fareed Zakaria

December 14, 2016, 4:00—5:30

Joan Thate, a high school teacher with more than 40 years in education, will lead a discussion of Fareed Zakaria’s book that the New York Times review called, “an accessible, necessary defense of an idea under siege.”  The book, a fast read, begins with Zakaria’s own educational story, defines and gives the history of the idea of a broad education in all the major academic disciplines, identifies what each contributes not just to a better world, but—just as important—to a better life.  He identifies the problems besetting liberal education today, and offers ideas of how these might be overcome. 

We will watch Zakaria give an 11 minute speech to the 2014 Sarah Lawrence graduating class that summarizes his book, and then open the floor for discussion.  You’ll be given an opportunity to purchase a used book at UU, or it is widely available in bookstores or online. 

  

LLL for January 2017 

HUMAN NATURE AND THE HUMAN FUTURE          Dr. DAN KENNEDY

                                    From a long range historical viewpoint human developments have contained both positive and negative aspects.  Has the general pattern been mainly positive or negative?  What are the prospects for the human future?  This two part program will examine these questions, and more, with help from the disciplines of biology, neuroscience, history, anthropology, and psychology.  Audience participation will be encouraged.

Part 1__Wednesday, January 11, 2017__Human Nature and the Future

Part 2__Wednesday, January 25, 2017__The World WE Want to Achieve

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2016 Winter-Spring Semester LLL

 Programs run from 4 to 5:40 pm in Room 1

Life Long Learning

 WEDNESDAY   4 to 5:30 pm  Free and open to the public. 

May 11: Dr. Carol Thomas: "Exploring the Nature of Poetry: Tony Hoagland's 20 Little Poems that Could Save America and Additional Lyric Poetry.
Dr. Carol Thomas is a retired university professor, clinical psychotherapist and noted published author of poetry. She currently lives in Palm Coast with her husband, a retired surgeon.  Her educational accomplishments include: a BA in in English and Psychology from Saint Leo University, a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Saint Thomas University, and a Masters in English Literature from Stetson University. In addition she has graduated with a D.Min. from Pittsburg Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Union Institute and University in Literature and Psychology.   As a faculty member at The University of Connecticut she assisted in the development of a major in Women’s Studies as well as working as a full time psychotherapist with Shoreline Psychiatric Associates in Connecticut.  She has published seven books of poetry.
Her talk will include a view of how poems could help Americans face some of our stubborn problems, with readings from the Tony Hoagland essay mentioned in her title, as well a selection of her own poetry which also shed light on those problems.


 
May 25: Dr. Rachel Friedman: "The Messages You (Mis)communicate: A Discussion of Non-Verbal Communication"
Dr. Rachel Friedman is a Professor in the Department of Humanities and Communication at Embry-Riddle and has taught courses in Intercultural Communication, Media Criticism, Political Communication, as well as Speech. Prior to working at Embry-Riddle, Friedman was a professor at Penn State, Doane College, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Dr, Friedman is the co-author of "The Style and Rhetoric of Elizabeth Dole: Public Persona and Political Discourse" and has an upcoming book on GOP women. Rachel is also a member of the National Communication Association, the Central States Communication organization, and Women in Aviation.
 Dr. Friedman will present a program titled “The messages you [mis]communicate: A discussion of nonverbal communication", addressing the central question: What do your facial expressions and clothing communicate about you? During her talk, Dr. Friedman will examine how paralanguage, culture and body/facial expressions communicate emotions to others. Often, we are unaware of how other people perceive us based on these nonverbal expressions. We will look at images across the world and see how common certain expressions are. Yet, the differences may astound you.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 4:00—5:30 
THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF ETHICS

 REINHOLD SCHLIEPER, Ph.

Dr Schlieper, retired from  teaching at various institutions of higher learning, has a strong interest in the practical application of ethical principles to real life situations.  After a brief presentation on theoretical concepts, the focus will be on examining a realistic case study.  Audience participation will be an important part of the program

April 27: Dr. Thomas Hilburn, "The Constitution, Language and Meaning" 
Dr. Thomas Hilburn is a Professor Emeritus of Software Engineeringat Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and was a Visiting Scientist at the Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie-Mellon from 1997-2009.  In addition to teaching mathematics, computer science and software engineering, he has worked on software engineering development and research projects around the U.S.  Dr. Hilburn’s talk—“The Constitution, Language and Meaning”— will explore the language of the Constitution, its interpretation by legal scholars and the public, as well as the impact of Supreme Court.  A lively discussion will follow—especially of how the meaning of certain parts of the Constitution have evolved and extended the original intent of the authors.
 

Life Long Learning for March

 

LIFE LONG LEARNING: A Varied Program the Month of February 

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 4:00 – 5:30 pm— “Posthumous Writings of Mark Twain”     Skip Lowery, noted writer and photographer, has long been a scholar of Mark Twain’s life  and work.  His interpretations of Twain have included the writing of a play and numerous lectures and articles.  In addition to his work on Twain, Lowery has been a high school  teacher and college professor.  His many articles, poems and photo-essays have been published in local and national magazines. 

Saturday, February 27, 2016, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm— “Issues in K-12 Education”

   Come to hear a distinguished panel of educators discussing such topics as:  testing (e.g. grading schools,  evaluating teachers, student retention in grade); vouchers and charter schools; Common Core curriculum;    academic aptitude; and international models.

   Panel members include Chris J. Colwell, Chair, Department of Education, Stetson University; Susan Garrison,
   Retired Public School Administrator; Tom Russell, Superintendent, Volusia County Schools; and Andrew Spar,
   President, Volusia Teachers Organization.

 

January 13:  Inequality for All  movie and discussion

 

January 20:  Indian cooking demonstration (this will be a sign-up event limited to 15 people, no outside publicity)

 

January 27: Dr. James Cunningham,  ERAU,  Poetry

2015 Line-up for Fall Life Long Learning Schedule

 September 23^rd— Our second September offering will feature author Brandon Haught, a science teacher and activist who has spent five years researching the history of the battles in our state over the teaching of evolution in our schools.  The result of his research is a book Going Ape: Florida’s Battles Over Evolution in the Classroom, published by the University of Florida Press, on which his talk will be based.  He’s titled his presentation “Un-American, Atheistic, Subversive, and Communistic:  Teaching Evolution to Floridians.”       Haught describes his presentation this way: 

“Teaching evolution to impressionable school children in the nation’s schools has been a topic that brings out fire-breathing, head-exploding passion in people like few other subjects can.  Here in the Sunshine State, a decades-long war over whether evolution should be taught in our schools has swept up governors, lawmakers, university presidents, school board members, parents, high school teachers and average Joes in national headline-grabbing brawls.  This talk will center on the zany, outrageous, nonsensical and wacky things Floridians have said and done as they tried to save poor boys and girls from the evils of evolution.”

 

See upcoming Jotter articles for specific details about the October, November, and December presentations, but meanwhile, here is a quick overview:

 

October 14^th and 28^th— Our own well-known and respected Dr. Dan Kennedy will present: Comparing Liberals and Conservatives.  This two-session program is designed to examine the psychological characteristics (e.g. values, attitudes, beliefs, interests, personalities, behavior) associated with conservative and liberal social-economic-political philosophical positions.  Format will include lecture, discussion, and participant self-assessment.

 

November 11^th— Allison Berard, a director and therapist at the Florida Autism Center in Daytona Beach, will talk to us about the complex syndrome that is labeled autism. 

 

December 9^th— Our UU member Kim Park has devoted the last two years to researching and writing an eco-thriller, Purple Canary, a finalist in the Thriller-Suspense genre for the 2015 Royal Palm Literary Award by the Florida Writers’ Association.   Kim will present information about the massive bee death in recent years—its likely causes, potential consequences, and what might be done to change it.   The title of her talk: “What Have We Done to the Bees?”

 

The Life Long Learning Committee is currently working on the spring schedule, which we know will include retired surgeon Dr. Frank Thomas speaking about medical ethics, Dr. Carol Thomas talking about how some relevant poems could help save our country, and Robert Reich’s film, Inequality for All.   We welcome suggestions from our fellow UU members.  Please contact any of our committee members: chair, Joan Thate, Dan Kennedy, Dorothy Dobbins, Peter Remington, Marti King, Jean Scott, or Carol Thomas with  any ideas that you’d like us to look into or good speakers you can help us contact. 

                                                                                                                                                           --Joan Thate--Chairperson

 

 

 

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MAY PROGRAMS  2015

Science and History Focus for May Life Long Learning 

May 6th : Dr. Judith Milkarsky, DVM, will present a program including scientific slides and photos based on her research on the problem of feral cats and the homeless in our very own community.  It's an eye-opening subject that has also become a political issue here. 

May 13th and 20th we will present a two part program that features a PBS documentary, Slavery by Another Name. The project is based on the 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas Blackmon. Slavery by Another Name challenges one of our country’s most cherished assumptions: the belief that slavery ended with Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. The documentary recounts how in the years following the Civil War, insidious new forms of forced labor emerged in the American South, keeping hundreds of thousands of African Americans in bondage, trapping them in a brutal system that would persist until the onset of World War II. The work of Dr. Blackmon poses the proposition that this dark and mostly unknown period in our history has profoundly affected the economic development of our black population and helps understand their profound distrust of our justice system.  It's a must see.  And a must discuss.  We will have approximately 45 minutes for discussion each session. 

May 27, Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m LIFE-LONG LEARNING -- Slide presentation on India by Mr. Robert Arnettt, the renowned author of India Unveiled and Finders Keepers? --both award-winning books. Join us at UU for a unique sojourn to India, and experience its culture, customs, sacred sites of all major religions, art and architecture, monuments, and other remote sites seldom visited by travelers. After the presentation, enjoy a social hour.

 All Life Long Learning programs begin at 4 p.m. and run to 5:30 p.m.            Hope you can join us.

 

APRIL PROGRAMS 2015

Life Long Learning in April: Understanding Islam and Looking at Our Options in Aging

In April our Wednesday afternoons will provide a rare and wonderful chance to learn about a religion that most of us do not know well: Islam. 

The Imam from the local Islamic Center and, we hope, many of his parishioners will join us for lectures and discussion on this subject.  We are also invitinga local organization, Women Into Life Long Learning, which has been studying world religions this year, to join our discussions. 

The Islamic group will be inviting us to an open house at their center later this month, so we are looking forward to establishing some connections with our meetings that will lead to some real dialogue.  

Wednesday, April 8: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.   Islam 101

Wednesday, April 15: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Going Deeper into Islam.

  Part 2.

Wednesday, April 22: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Being Mortal. 

We will watch as PBS’s Frontline follows renowned New Yorker writer and Boston surgeon Atul Gawnde as he explores the relationships doctors have with patients who are nearing the end of life.  Following our viewing the program, Rev. Craig Roshaven, who has read the book Dr. Gawnde wrote about his growth as a doctor exploring this subject,  will lead a discussion on the problems and some of the solutions to dealing with this difficult, but universally inevitable event.  

Wednesday, April 29: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  “Navigating the Maze of Elderhood”. 

Our own Kurtland Davies will use an ancient Italian story to help us understand the options we all have of using our years and wisdom to guide us through what can be a wonderful stage of life. 

It promises to be an exciting and informative line up this month.  Please put as many of these dates as you can on your calendars and join us.

 Joan Thate, LLL chair

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            March 2015 
LIFE-LONG LEARNING—Heavily into Science
Our March schedule promises some religion and lots of science. We’d love it if you join us for all of these programs, which meet in Room One from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

March 2 (Monday): We will once again meet with the community group Women into Life Long Learning for a program entitled Buddhism 101. One of our members who is a dedicated and long-term Buddhist will be the
featured speaker. Please note the departure from our usual Wednesday meetings—the Monday schedule is for this meeting only. The time will remain the same: 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. 

March 11 (Wednesday): Dr. Emily Faulconer, from Embry Riddle, will present a program entitled “Fracking in Florida.” We are indebted to Tom Hilburn for making this contact for us after he had attended her presentation at the university and found it excellent.

March 18 and March 25 (both Wednesdays): Dr. Dan Kennedy and I are working on a program incorporating videos, short informative lectures, and lots of discussion on the subject, “Science vs. Pseudoscience.” We will look at what distinguishes the two, and how pseudoscience prevails today in spite of the advances in science.

Pseudoscience includes belief in a wide variety of disproven or unproven areas ranging from fad diets and other “alternative” medicine claims to beliefs in alien visitations and an abundance of paranormal beliefs.
--Joan Thate, chair

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Wednesday, February 18:  Rita Sheeler will present a program on the problem with plastics and some ways of handling the plastic that inevitably finds its way into our lives.  This program is also the informative background for a project chosen by the Action for Social Justice Committee. 

 

Wednesday, February 25: A panel of members of the Action for Social Justice Committeewill present the program they have described as follows:

Societies today are living through a period of heightened polarization based on negative assumptions and stereotypes of people and groups of whom they know little about. This polarization has led to a climate of intolerance and incivility. At the federal, state and local level, it has even  led to gridlock at the neighborhood level and has resulted in loss of life. Why is this happening and can it be remedied?

The Action for Social Justice Committee will offer a series of sessions to address the polarization and negative assumptions among Whites and Blacks.

The goal of the sessions will be to raise awareness and understanding of each groups sensitivities and challenges. These sessions will lead to proposals for actions that we can take within our communities.

The group will return to Life Long Learning in May and present their action proposals to the congregation as a whole.  

Monday, February 23, 2015. 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 

Varieties of Christianity

It can be helpful to step back and examine the broad outlines of Christianity in America. Rev. Roshaven, a Unitarian Universalist minister, will summarize key insights from two books, The Restructuring of American Religion: Society and Faith Since World War II by Robert Wuthnow and Congregation: Stories and Structures by James F. Hopewell, to that end.