2016 – Life Learning at Old Ship - 2017
In harmony with Unitarian Universalist principles and sources of inspiration, learning opportunities at Old Ship serve our community by encouraging spiritual growth and the free and responsible
search for truth and meaning.
Gatherings are in the Parish House parlor unless otherwise noted.
Older youth may find many of these programs of interest, and are encouraged and welcome to attend.
We ask participants to contribute $35 for the first course they attend each year
(sliding scale according to need).
There is no fee for the drop-in ongoing groups, or if otherwise noted.
Watch the newsletter and web site for additions, changes, updates…
Autumn
Emerson and Friends – four sessions, Wed., September 14 – October 5 , 7:00,
led by Ken Read-Brown
Ralph Waldo Emerson was the philosophical leader of the literary and religious movement known as transcendentalism – which had a formative influence on Unitarianism… still felt today. We will be introduced primarily to Emerson, with nods to Margaret Fuller, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, and others. For more information and to sign up contact Ken Read-Brown.
Facing Death with Life – six sessions, Wed., October 12 – November 16, 7:00, led by Rich Elliott and Ken Read-Brown
Despite the constant presence of death, dying, and grief in our lives, we mostly avoid speaking of it openly and directly. This class will facilitate a process of personal reflection, learning, and spiritual growth focused on topics relating to death and dying. We will invite participants to experience death and dying as a healthy part of life. Resources will include the book Being Mortal by Atul Gawande.
For more information, contact Ken or Rich.
What If?workshop on Saturday, November 12, 3:00 – 5:00
The “What If?” workbook isa comprehensive, easy to use guide to help get your affairs together in one convenient location. By filling out the Workbook you are providing your loved ones the necessary information they need should anything happen to you. The workshop will be led by the creator of the workbook, Gwen Morgan.
A New Look at the Gospel of Matthew – three sessions, Wed., Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, 7:30, Ken Read-Brown
These gatherings for conversation will be based on Thomas Moore’s fresh new translation of Matthew. The class will follow the weekly 6:30 vespers services that are a December tradition at Old Ship. For more information, contact Ken.
Sunday Forums – fall and beyond
Watch the Old Ship newsletter and web site for notices of Sunday noon forums, including newcomers’ orientations, social justice forums, sermon discussions, and more.
Winter / Spring
Mystical Dimensions of Islam– five sessions, Wed. Jan. 11– Feb. 8, 1:00 and 7:00 – Ken Read-Brown
We will be continuing the exploration of Islam begun last year, this time focusing on the “mystical dimensions” of the Islam tradition, which largely means the tradition known as Sufism. The class will include exploration of the work of Rumi, Hafez, Ibn Arabi, and others. For more information and to sign up contact Ken.
Self-Discovery through Genealogy - five sessions, Wed., Feb.15 – March 15 7:00 – Ralph Brown
Genealogy allows each of us to see ourselves as part of something larger than us –our multigenerational family. Genealogy is the study of all the families connected to me who contribute to who I am. As such, it is part of the Unitarian Universalist free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Genealogy enables me to study the people who constitute my family, and the events in their lives. For information and to sign up, contact Ralph
Building Your Own Theology – four sessions, 7:00, Wed., March 22 – April 12, plus a closing Saturday session, led by Diane Elliott and Ken Read-Brown
Based on the assumption that everyone is their own theologian, this classic UU adult education program invites participants to develop their own personal credos and to grow in their ability to understand and articulate their own beliefs and values. For more information and to sign up, contact Diane or Ken.
Spring Poetry - five sessions, Wed., April 19 – May 17, 1:00 and 7:00 –
Elizabeth Torrey and Ken Read-Brown
Our annual spring poetry class, held during National Poetry month, willbe exploring poetry that strengthens our love of the natural world and that addresses indirectly or directly environmental issues, including climate change. For more info and to sign up, contact Elizabeth or Ken.
Spring poetry this year will also include a special evening of poetry, reflection, and conversation with Gordon Postill, Saturday evening, April 29, 7:00.
2016–Seasonal Groups and Gatherings – 2017
Crossing Time Poetry Circles – at the turning of fall, winter, and spring; see newsletter for dates
We begin our 20th year! Come join the ongoing poetry renaissance in America – Northeast Branch, Old Ship affiliate! Bring and read or speak a favorite poem – an opportunity to share and perhaps deepen our appreciation of poetry, and reinforce our connection with natural cycles of life. All welcome! For more info call Elizabeth Torrey, 781-749-0543. Only be willing to search for poetry, / and there will be poetry. / My soul, a tiny speck, is my tutor. – Yuan Hei
So You Want to Meditate - fall, winter, spring: Saturdays, 3:00-5:00, October 15, January 21, May 13
ledby Ken Read-Brown
Whether you are a long time meditator or wish to begin, each of these three gatherings will offer some basic instruction in mindfulness meditation and in EknathEaswaran’s passage meditation. There will be time for questions and conversation, and time to meditate.
2016 - Ongoing Groups and Gatherings – 2017
The Way of the Bodhisattva – first and third Sun. mornings 8:30
Half an hour of sitting meditation, followed by an hour conversation based on a Buddhist text, ancient or contemporary. As grounding for our conversation we are currently using the book, When Things Fall Apart by the American Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron, Newcomerswarmly welcomed to our gatherings – no previous experiencewith Buddhism needed. For more info contact Ken Read-Brown
Men’s Breakfast – second Sunday mornings, 8:30 in the Parlor (no July/August meetings)
An ongoing opportunity to get together in a safe,nurturing environment where we can speak freely and listen deeply toeach other. We do this as a form of spiritual practice. We also seek tohave fun together and rekindle our playful souls. Contacts are Ralph Brown and Rich Elliott.
Old Ship Book Group– monthly, second Monday, 1:00 and 7:00(no July/August meetings)
Each month the group discusses a previously chosen book, whether fiction or non-fiction, historical or contemporary, generally around an issue of social concern. All are welcome to attend, whether every month or from time to time, and the group is open to friends from the community. Each month's book title will be highlighted in advance in the newsletter. Contacts are Florence Noonan,nd Nina Price,.
Monday Meditation – every Monday evening, 7:00 – 8:00
All are welcome to this weekly gathering to practice Buddhist meditation in community. Each evening includes sittingand walking meditation, with a few chants. For further information contact Eric Cornetta.
Living By Heart – first Monday evenings, 7:00; at Elizabeth Torrey’s, 34 Ship St., Hingham
A group that uses the memorization of poetry as a form of meditation and spiritual practice. Poetry, good company, laughter too – powerfully good medicine! For more information or questions, call Elizabeth Torrey. Current group is full, but if anyone is interested in starting or helping with another group please speak to Elizabeth.
Ceilidh (“kay-lee”) – monthly, first Tuesday evenings, 7:30
Sharing of songs, stories, poems… and an old-fashioned good time. Bring an instrument if you have one or just bringyourself to listen and maybe sing along. Everyone is welcome.
Old Ship Sewing Circle– every other Wednesday at 1:00
We hope you will join us for the sewing circle, coordinated by Diane Elliott. We are sewing, knitting and crocheting unusual crafts to sell at Old Ship’s December Merrie Market. This is a wonderful opportunity to be in community. No experience necessary.
If you have questions contact Diane Elliott at
Morning Meditation – weekly, Thursday mornings, 5:30 – 6:30
Sitting and walking meditation, along with a few chants; for early risers. For more info contact Eric Cornetta.
Sacred TextsMeditation Group - second and fourth Thursday afternoons 4-5:30, led by Ken Read-Brown (no July/August meetings)
Each gathering includes time for meditation and then conversation based on ideas and readings in ancient scriptures. Most recently the group has read the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita; in the coming year the focus will be on the early Buddhist text, the Dhammapadaas translated by EknathEaswaran; with another Easwaran book, an anthology of sacred texts titled God Makes the Rivers to Flow, as a secondary resource. Newcomers are warmly welcome.Contact Ken Read-Brown for further information and to sign up.
Have an idea… for a class, workshop, or gathering you’d like to see or lead at Old Ship?
Contact the office (781-749-1679; ) or a member of the Life Learning Committee, and we will help you make it happen!:
Ralph Brown (781-925-9197),Rich Elliott (781-749-2248), Brian Hurley (781-749-0515 ),
Claire Petrie (781-472-8420), Elizabeth Torrey (781-749-0543),
Ken Read-Brown (781-749-1679), Beverly Tricco (781-749-1679)