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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.

Current courses include:

  • Unitarian Universalist History - for more information and to register click here.

  • AI: Utopian Possibilities & Existential Risks - for more information and to register click here.

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’

  • The American Eugenics Movement: Science, Religion, and Systemic Oppression

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:

  • This group meets on the first Sunday of the month from 9:00- 10:00 a.m. to address topics that are unique to the atheist perspective. This is a safe space where non-theists can meet with others of similar persuasion to comfortable share their journey. For more information contact Chuck Beargie.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The practice of Buddhist philosophy can help us discover a truly rewarding and peaceful path. Guided meditation is followed by a short Dharma talk for those who would like to participate. People of all faiths are welcome and beginners are encouraged to try it out!

  • The Non-Fiction Book Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm in Room 4.

    Upcoming reading list:

    • January 16 – How to be Perfect by Michael Schur

    • February 20 – Star Spangled Jesus by April Ajoy

    • March 20 – Strangers to Ourselves by Rachael Aviv

    • April 17 - That Librarian by Amanda Jones

    • May 15 – The Doctors Blackwell by Janice Nimura

    • June 19 – On Call by Dr. Anthony Fauci

    • July 17 – Fen, Bog and Swamp by Anne Prowls

    • August 21 – Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

    • September 18 – Does This Taste Funny by Stephen & Evie McGee Colbert

    • October 16 – How the Other Half Eats by Priya Fielding

    • November 20 – On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

    • December 18 – Book Selections for 2026 Party

    For more information, contact Vickie Trott

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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:

    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 - Seven Empty Houses by Samantha Schweblin

    June 10 - Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

    For more information, contact Annette Box

  • This group welcomes spiritual seekers who consider themselves to be theists, accepting some concept of God, the Divine, or the Transcendent as real and true, or those who wish to know more about theism as a spiritual path. The group meets on the first and third Sundays of the month from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. in room four. For more information contact Fiske Miles.

  • 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!

  • This is a space for friendship, learning, empowerment, and healing that meets the first Sunday of each month from 11:45- 12:30 in the multipurpose room. Contact Jen Lacy if you have any questions.

  • This is a group for persons ages 18-35 to connect, get to know one another, and deepen their community connections.