Adult Programming
UUs often describe their religion as a spiritual search – that is, we affirm individual freedom of belief and encourage each person's unique religious quest. Adult Religious Education and Affinity Groups are an important tool in that quest.
Adult Religious Education
Shawnee Mission UU Church offers adult programs designed to serve the needs of both new and lifelong Unitarian Universalists. Our offerings are eclectic, diverse and interesting – just like our members!
We hope you will find something here that is interesting to YOU! Some classes meet Sunday mornings, and some meet during weekday evenings.
Recent courses include:
The American Eugenics Movement: Science, Religion, and Systemic Oppression
Past courses include:
Classism in America – Past and Present
Engaging World Religions: Seeking Meaning in Mystery, Our Part in White Supremacy
Restorative Practices Workshop Series
Soul Connections workshops on monthly themes, such as ‘trust’ and ‘journey’
Soul Matters Small Groups
SMUUCh is part of the Soul Matters Sharing Circle, a network of Unitarian Universalist congregations that follow the same monthly theme, serving as a web of support and connection. Soul Matters groups are small groups, connected to our monthly worship themes, with a unique practice component that helps us not just think about the themes, but live them. Participants receive a monthly theme-based packet that includes spiritual exercises, questions that encourage reflection on daily living, and recommended resources that help participants explore the themes in more depth. If you’re looking for ways to grow your spirituality and get to know other people, Soul Matters groups may be for you. Each of our Soul Matters Small Groups meets on a different day or time to accommodate a variety of schedules. If you’d like to learn more about this program, please contact Dale Trott or Vicki Miller.
Affinity/Interest Groups for Adults
Adults can find others who share their interests at SMUUCh. Information about current affinity groups can be found below:
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The Non-Fiction Book Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm in Room 4.
Upcoming reading list:
April 18, 2024 - Vanderbilt by Anderson Cooper
May 16, 2024 - Invisible Storm by Jason Kander
June 20, 2024 - How Civil Wars Starts an How to Stop Them by Barbara F. Walter
July 18, 2024 - Enough by Cassidy Hutchinson
August 15, 2024 - Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman
September 19, 2024 - Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson
October 17, 2024 - Prequel by Rachel Maddow
November 21, 2024 - Myth America by Kevin M. Kruse & Julian E. Zelizer
December 19, 2024 - Book Selections for 2025 Party
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Meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Room 4. These bibliophiles enjoy reading and discussing works of fiction. If you do too, come join us!
Upcoming reading list:
2024
July 9 - Klara and the Sun by Kazoo Ishiguro
August 13 - Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah
September 10 - The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
October 8 - Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
November 12 - North Woods by Daniel Mason
December 10 - Ladies’ Lunch by Lore Segal
2025
January 14 - Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
February 11 - Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov
March 11 - Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
April 8 - James by Percival Everett
May 13 - Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
June 10 - Seven Empty Houses by Samantha Schweblin
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If you're a philosopher, wannabe philosopher, or just someone who's interested in learning more about the great ideas of western civilization, come join us on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact us.
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Our church property has several garden areas. The main entrance, a meditation garden, a memory garden, and garden area surrounding our new labyrinth. Whatever your level of garden skill, you are welcome to help us maintain our beautiful property. Contact us for more information.
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Enjoy game night at SMUUCh every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Room 17. We typically play board games like Settlers of Catan, Codenames, or Colt Express. Bring your favorite and we can try it out too. Get in touch!
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ALL SMUUCh men are invited to join us twice each month, once on the first Monday from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. for informal discussion or a pre-selected topic in the Fellowship Hall and again on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. for an offsite dining-out get-together. Contact us for more info.
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This reading group meets on ZOOM at 7:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month to read and discuss a variety of books that help us, as Unitarian Universalists, in our personal spiritual search. For more information, please contact us.