Connections and networks are essential in navigating our lives. The MUUF Network helps link many areas of our Fellowship including facilities, welcoming, social justice groups, lifespan learning and more. Our spotlight today is adult lifespan learning programs.
Learning and spiritual growth are not limited to Sunday mornings. While worship services are an important part of our Fellowship, there are a variety of Lifespan Learning programs and opportunities throughout the week that allow us to deepen our understanding of ourselves, our community, and our place in the world.
There are 3 basic types of programming; ongoing, stand alone and annual, and 5 program themes:
- Explore – Unitarian Universalist identity, world religions, and theology (including your own)
- Engage – in activism to promote economic, social, and environmental justice and peace
- Create – with art, mind and body
- Connect – through social groups, community building, and fun
- Grow – in dealing with life issues, personal development, and spiritual practices
Ongoing groups include Lunch with Your Principles (Explore), Yoga (Create), Monday Book Group and Men’s Consciousness Raising (Connect), and the newly expanded MUUF Buddhist Sangha formerly Meditation (Grow). Some recent stand alone programming included Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, a special Adult OWL workshop (Engage), and Wellness Through a Different Lens (Grow). Annual events include our Service Auction, Annual Picnics, Alternative Gift Fair, Passover Seder and Solstice Celebrations.
We’re excited to highlight the newest Adult Lifespan Learning program – the Buddhist Sangha Group. This new group has evolved from earlier meditation classes into a sangha. A sangha is focused on building community and supporting one another while practicing the dharma together. The essence of a sangha is awareness, understanding, acceptance, harmony and love. The mission of the MUUF Buddhist Sangha group is to help people become aware of the workings of their minds based on Buddhist teachings and to explore opportunities for awakening to a life of interconnectedness and freedom from suffering. This is a supportive group where all are welcome whether new to meditation and Buddhism or seasoned practitioners.
The Sangha Meditation Group is a valuable addition to adult Lifespan Learning programs, and we’re excited to provide this opportunity for our members and friends to explore their spiritual journey and connect with one another in a meaningful way.
Whatever your interests, there’s a program for you. Lifespan Learning offerings provide the opportunity to build relationships while broadening your knowledge. Engaging with MUUF lifespan programming outside of Sunday morning can be a powerful way to deepen your understanding of yourself and your beliefs while connecting with others in our community.
For more information about these and all Lifespan programming you can email programs@muuf.org. Information about Lifespan programs is also available on the website (muuf.org) and in the weekly e-blast.
Meeting times for groups discussed above:
- Lunch with your Principles group on Mondays from 12:00 noon – 12:45 pm
- Monday Book Club meets on the third Monday of every month at 1:30 pm
- Yoga Friday mornings at 10:00 am
- Men’s Consciousness Raising group Thursdays at 6:30 pm
MUUF Buddhist Sangha meet
- Every Thursday from 11:00 am. to 12:00 noon and 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm for meditation and study/discussion
- On the 2nd Sunday of each month in person in the parlor at MUUF for meditation and discussion once a month on Sundays following the 2nd service