Adult Religious Education
We associate ourselves together for the study and practice of morality and religion, as interpreted by the growing thought and noblest lives of humanity, hoping thereby to prove helpful one to another and to promote truth, righteousness and love in the world.
- First Unitarian Church of Des Moines Bond of Union
Adult Religious Education at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines seeks to fulfill this Bond of Union. As Unitarian Universalists we believe that revelation is continuous and our continued development as a religious people is fostered by our exploration of, and engagement with: theology and spirituality; Unitarian Universalist identity, history and polity; religious traditions; faith in action (social justice); and family enrichment.
Taught by members and friends of the church, Adult Religious Education courses are designed to engage learners where they are in multiple forms and formats including workshops, short or long term courses, and drop-in discussions. Courses typically meet at the Church, but may be offered off-site, and at varying times to meet busy schedules.
Classes for Visitors
Winter/Spring 2013 Classes
Food Matters! Film Series
Immigration Film Series
Classes for Visitors
Register On-line Today!
Yeah, maybe you. As we’ve been talking about the Adult Religious Education offerings for the coming year, the council has struggled with finding people who are willing to teach a class. In the process of our discussion, we realized that the word “teach” might actually be part of the problem since it implies that the teacher has greater knowledge than the students and is expected to impart that knowledge; to “teach” the class. We realized that isn’t really what we want. Our vision of Adult Religious Education is one in which people have a chance to go on a learning journey together and we don’t need a teacher for the classes, what we really want is a facilitator.
A facilitator, as opposed to teacher (at least for our purposes in Adult Religious Education) is one who:
- Helps people learn something (from their companions as well as you);
- Has an enjoyable learning experience, challenging but not too hard;
- Experiences fellowship, where relationships can be formed and deepened.
This doesn’t involve a lot of research, preparation of lectures, and anticipating difficult questions. It does require some other kinds of skills, many of which most people have and which you may already have in abundance. These skills can be useful to you not only at church as a facilitator for AREC classes, but may also be very helpful to you in other settings as well.
Adult Religious Education Council -Get Involved!
Developing Adult Religious Education programming can only be successful if we have an active council, individuals who will help teach the various offerings and committed participants who will immerse and invest themselves in the classes.
We need your help in all of these areas. If you’re interested in the planning process, please join the council. If you’re asked to help teach a class, please seriously consider it. We’re asking because we think you have something special to offer. When you decide to try a class, we ask that you make a commitment and stick to it. If there’s something you’d like to have that isn’t included, please let us know so we can try to find a course that meets your needs.
If you would like to assist the Adult Religious Education Council, please contact Lori Emison Clair, Director of Congregational Life, dcl@ucdsm.org or via phone at #244-8603 Extension 103.