Adult Religious Education
GROUPS FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2021
[UPDATE: Check back here soon for details on our 2022 programs.]
Our theme for November and December is our Third Source: Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life. Each month there will be two opportunities to join a group discussing this theme.
Topic for November: The Tao
We will explore basic premises of the Tao and then delve deeper into some readings in the Tao as interpreted by Deng Ming-Dao in their text Everyday Tao. From the book jacket: “The Taoist spirit comes to life, made vibrant and contemporary through the Chinese ideograms whose images and stories speak of living in harmony with the Tao. Everyday Tao revives an ancient approach to meditation and reflection by using these stories as sources of insight for spiritual growth. … Deng Ming-Dao is the author of 365 Tao, The Chronicles of Tao, and Scholar Warrior. He studied with Taoist master Kwan Saihung for thirteen years.”
Two offerings:
Wednesday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Saturday, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m. on Zoom.
Pre-registration is important as there are handouts to read in advance. Contact me to receive materials and zoom link. Request which date you would like to participate.
— Rev. Fred L Hammond
Auction
JOIN IN AND BID AT OUR ANNUAL AUCTION
by Carol Bartz
Ww will be holding our Annual Auction from Saturday, Jan. 22 – Sunday, Jan. 30. All are invited to bid via email, phone, or text on more than 100 items during the week of our Silent Auction. We have exciting items and events as well as about 50 gift certificates from local businesses in the Bradenton/Sarasota area. There is something for everyone!
Jan. 22:
Auction catalog with pics emailed to all who wish to participate (no registration fee).
Viewing items 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. onsite at 322 15th St. W, Bradenton, FL 34205. Mask required.
You may also pick up a printed copy of the catalog at this time.
Follow the instructions below to register and receive a catalog and details on how to bid using email, phone, text.
Jan. 24, 26, 27, 28:
Stop in and view items, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Mask required. (*Not open Tues., Jan 25)
Jan. 29:
Silent Auction viewing, noon – 2:00 p.m. Mask required. Bidding continues by email, phone, text, or in person until 2:00.
Jan. 30:
Live Auction for specialty items on Zoom after the Sunday service. Door prizes, too!
Click the “Contact Carol” button below and indicate that you would like to receive a catalog and a bidding number to bid on items. Please include your email address and phone number.
Tangible items won must be picked up at the fellowship; shipping is not available. Dates for pickup are Tues., Feb. 1, Wed., Feb. 2, and Sat., Feb. 5, all between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Some of our recent books:
Book Club
The Manatee Unitarian Universalist Book Club is composed of a small group of congenial persons, usually between eight and ten per meeting — not necessarily the same each time — who enjoy reading and then discussing books on a variety of topics. These books are usually nonfiction and related in some way to social justice or UU principles. If we do read fiction, it would be related to an actual historic event or social problem. We stay away from academic tomes.
The group meets on the first Monday of each month at 2 p.m. During the pandemic our meetings are via Zoom. The discussions are light, frequently filled with laughter, and respectful of a variety of opinions. The books to be read are suggested and chosen by the group. This is how we maintain a variety of topics.
We have been meeting since 2015.
Everyone is welcome; you don’t have to be a Manatee UU Fellowship member to participate. Come and join us!
Caring Circle
The Caring Circle was initiated to offer recognition and support to members of the congregation. Comprised of caring and compassionate church members, the group sends cards, provides phone calls, and offers emotional support and assistance as needed. The Caring Circle can assist the minister in memorial services and other ceremonies.
Past Great Decisions Topics:
- Global Supply Chains and National Security
- Persian Gulf Security Issues
- Brexit and the European Union
- Struggles Over the Melting Arctic
- China’s Role in Africa
- The Korean Peninsula
- Roles of International Organizations in a Global Pandemic
- The End of Globalization?
- Artificial Intelligence and Data
- Nuclear Negotiation: Back to the Future
- The Middle East Regional Disorder
- The Rise of Populism in Europe
- Decoding U.S. – China Trade
- Refugees and Global Migration
- Cyber Conflicts and Geopolitics
- The U.S. and Mexico: Partnership Tested
- State of the State Department and Diplomacy
Great Decisions Discussion Group
[UPDATE: The organizational meeting for this year’s Great Decisions is Monday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. Please contact Bill Hayes for the Zoom link.]
Great Decisions Discussion Group is an annual seminar held during February and March using the Great Decisions Manual published by the U.S. Foreign Policy Association of New York. Our group, more than 25 years old, is an official group, registered on the Great Decisions website, and is open to the public. As a result, the discussion participants are not only from our Fellowship, but also from the community.
The 2022 curriculum books for Great Decisions have been ordered, but have not arrived. As soon as they do, Bill Hayes will set up a Zoom organizing meeting. Meetings are once a week for about 2 hours each time. Each meeting covers a different area of foreign policy. The areas are chosen by the Foreign Policy Association of New York. Discussion groups are held around the nation. The Bradenton group has been hosted by Manatee UU Fellowship for more than 25 years and includes both fellowship members and folks from the community.
This year the topics chosen are:
1) Changing Demographics by Joseph Chamie
2) Outer Space by Eric Berger
3) Climate Change by Ron Bee
4) Russia and the U.S. by Allen Lynch
5) Myanmar and ASEAN by Hunter Mardton
6) Quad Alliance by Kevin Rudd
7) Drug Policy in Latin America by Monica Serano
8) Industrial Policy by Johnathon Chanis
9) Biden’s Agenda by John Ikenberry
Each meeting is hosted by a different member of our local group. In addition to the curriculum book, we watch a discussion video by professionals in the field and have an open discussion on it. We ask only that you try to read the suggested material (usually about 10 pages from the curriculum book), let others speak uninterrupted and keep an open mind about all opinions. The cost of the book and a share in the video is about $35. There are no other costs.
Everyone is welcome. Contact Bill by phone or via this website using the contact button below to get the Zoom contact link along with a copy of the book.
Great Decisions was formed in 1919 after World War I when it was felt that as the U.S. was the world leader, its citizenry should be aware of what is happening around the world. The Foreign Policy Association was formed and it developed the framework for Great Decisions. Today there are hundreds, if not thousands, of local groups throughout the country using a curriculum from the Foreign Policy Association. All of the Great Decisions groups study the same topics.
Knit ‘n Chat
Our Knit ‘n Chat group provides a fun time to do any kind of handwork and chat together, catching up with and supporting each other plus sharing our current work. And there has often been a social outreach aspect to the literal work of our hands, with special knitting projects for service groups such as Hope Family Services of Bradenton and Knitting4Peace.
During the past year of pandemic, we were so fortunate to be able to stay connected via Zoom. Now, as of October, we are meeting in person on the back deck of the fellowship. Living in Florida enables us to use this wonderful outdoor space much of the year.
So, please learn how to join us on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 10 a.m. by clicking the box below and sending us your current email address.
Men’s Discussion and Support Group
John Isham, Facilitator
The Men’s group meets twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesday at 2 p.m. on Zoom (while our building is closed due to COVID-19). The Zoom link for the meeting is sent out by email prior to the start.
Because of the wide-ranging backgrounds and interests of our male membership, discussions have been lively and thought-provoking. There is no limit to the subjects we discuss, and each meeting we have a topic suggested by a member. Some topics have been, and can be, significant events, personal successes and failures, brief personal histories, families, childhoods, fathers, mothers, siblings, children, gripes and irritations, fears and fights, the male side of relationships, the seven UU Principles, just to scratch the surface.
We open with an impulse of sound, have a brief reading and do a check-in. Each “holder of the gavel” has the floor without interruption for up to five minutes. Afterwards, questions or comments are welcomed and then the gavel is passed on. Meetings last for an hour and a half but can go on longer if people desire.
The support function of the group means we stand ready to help anyone with personal needs who makes a request. Personal facts are private, confidential and respected not to be disclosed outside of the meeting.
Racial Concerns Discussion Group
The Racial Concerns Group is a new Fellowship organization and is still feeling its way. This is good because it can go wherever its members desire. Right now we are researching, learning, discussing and acting on the many racial issues facing our community and nation. Our interests take us back into slavery and up to the latest police brutality. We will use books, movies, documentaries, periodicals, newspapers, music, field trips and other sources for information. We are anxious to live up to our UU principles, especially to promote the worth and dignity of each person.
Unitarian Universalist Association
