Especially for Newcomers

The New UU

Welcome to Accotink! This 6-session course is offered for newcomers and those who are looking to know more about who we are and what we believe. The New UU explores what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and gives you a chance to examine your own personal stories in the light of our rich tradition and heritage. Join us to find out more about how Accotink works and what it means to become a member of our community.

Facilitators: Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, Katie Cooke, Sarah Baskin, Membership Committee Members, with participation of Social Justice Committee, Lifespan Education Committee, Board & Council Members

Participants are expected to attend all sessions. Course materials can be pre-viewed online.

Series 2: Sundays, Jan 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Series 3: Wednesdays, Mar 14, 21, 28, Apr 11, 18, 25, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm

Monthly Gatherings

Heart to Heart (1)

Join us for 7 monthly sessions to create deeper community through spiritual sharing. Heart to Heart is guided by a reader, includes journal assignments and through-provoking exercises on topics ranging from forgiveness and loss to nature, money, and friendship. Heart to Heart embraces deep listening and compassion, giving participants an opportunity to be truly heard.

Facilitators: Sarah Baskin

Participants are expected to attend all sessions. The book Heart to Heart, by Christine Robinson & Alicia Hawkins is required; participants may purchase their own, or purchase one through Accotink.

Dates & Time: Usually 1st Wednesday of month, 10 am-noon, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7, Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 7, Apr 11

Young Adult Meet-Ups

All 18 to 35 year olds are welcome to come out for our new Young Adult Meet-Ups. These “meetings” will be casual, fun, and full of whatever we want! We will start of the year by getting to know one another better and finding out just what we are looking to do. We know there are all sorts of folks, doing all sorts of things between the ages of 18 and 35, and we want to meet each and every one of you, singles, couples, families of youngsters, all are welcome!

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Drop-in participation is welcome! 

Dates & Time: Usually 4th Sundays of month, Sept 25, Oct 23, Nov 27,  Jan 22, Feb 26, Mar 25, Apr 22, May 27, 11:30am-12:30pm

Winter 2012 Courses

What Moves Us: Unitarian Universalist Theology (Part 1)

This course provides a framework for Unitarian Universalists to engage in theological reflection, not as an intellectual exercise, but as a process of meaning-making that equips one for living in the world as a Unitarian Universalist person of faith. Join us as we explore the life experiences of both historic and contemporary Unitarian Universalist theologians. These workshops offer participants a chance to engage with and bring their personal experiences to bear on the very questions explored by each theologian. The program offers a pathway for developing not only one’s own personal theology, but also one’s deep understanding of the threads of our Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist theological heritage.

Facilitators: Rev. Scott & Resident Theologians

Preview materials at www.uua.org.

Dates & Time: Wednesdays, Jan 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 8 7:30 pm-9:30 pm

Living Homeless

This winter Accotink will serve as a Hypothermia Center for FACETS to provide a dry, warm place to sleep for homeless people in Fairfax County. In preparation for this endeavor, we plan to host several programs to allow members of our congregation to explore the many facets of homelessness. This discussion course will use the book “Tell Them Who I Am, The Lives of Homeless Women” by Elliot Liebow as a guide. Contact Claire Brown to participate or purchase a pre-ordered copy of the book.

Facilitators: Claire Brown

Dates & Time: Thursdays, Jan 5, 12, 26, Feb 2, 9, 23 7:30 pm-9:30 pm

Faith Like a River: Themes from Unitarian Universalist History (Part 1)

Do you wonder about where this religion of ours comes from? Faith Like a River explores the dynamic course of Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist (UU) history—the people, ideas, and movements that have shaped our faith heritage. It invites participants to place themselves into our history and consider its legacies. What lessons do the stories of our history teach that can help us live more faithfully in the present? What lessons do they offer to be lived into the future?  This is one of our core programs and we encourage all in our community to continue in the quest for meaning and wholeness by participating in all three Faith Like a River series.

Faith Like a River (Part1) will include the first 6 sessions of this curriculum.

Preview materials at www.uua.org.

Dates & Time: Sundays, Jan 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Brown Bag Bible Study

Many people believe they know what the Bible says, who said it, why it was said, and what they are supposed to do in response. However, the Bible is actually a book of books, and it has undergone countless revisions and editions with many, many authors and translators. So bring a brown bag lunch and join us for a Liberal Bible Study to gain a deeper appreciation for our culture's single most important book.

Dates & Time: Sundays Feb 5-April 29, 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Spring 2012 Courses

Building Your Own Theology (1)

Based on the assumption that everyone is their own theologian, this classic Unitarian Universalist adult education program invites participants to develop their personal credos—the fundamental religious beliefs, values and convictions that inform and direct the living of their lives. Participants explore human nature, ultimate reality, history, ethics and religious meaning. This course begins with an introduction to the seven Unitarian Universalist Principles. 

The book Building Your Own Theology, Volume 1, Introduction, by Richard Gilbert is required; participants may purchase their own, or purchase one through Accotink.

Dates & Time: Sundays, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Evil

Is there such a thing as Evil? What does Evil mean to a religiously liberal individual? Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, Minister of Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, crafted this discussion course on Evil through research and contemplation inspired by a colleague’s paper. Join us to explore a Unitarian Universalist definition of the concept of Evil.

Facilitator: Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael

Dates & Time: Sundays, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 11:30 am-1:30 pm 

Fall 2011 Courses

Great Book Series: Thucydides

Thucydides called his account of two decades of war between Athens and Sparta "a possession for all time,W" and indeed it is the first and still the most famous work in the Western historical tradition. Considered essential reading for generals, statesmen, and liberally educated citizens for more than 2,000 years, The Peloponnesian War is a mine of military, moral, political, and philosophical wisdom. Reading this book in light of our current rancorous political climate is quite the cautionary tale. Thucydides' authoritative chronicle of what he considered the greatest war of all time is rigorous and meticulous. Robert Strassler's new edition provides a new coherence to the narrative overall and effectively reconstructs the lost cultural context that Thucydides shared with his original audience.

In any list of the Great Books of Western Civilization, The Peloponnesian War stands near the top. This handsome, elegant, and authoritative new edition will ensure that its greatness is appreciated by future generations.

Facilitators: Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael

Participants are expected to attend all sessions and to complete assigned readings in advance of each session. The course will include response papers of 250 words or less to volunteered questions.

Dates & Time: Wednesdays, Oct 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 16 7:30 pm-9:30 pm 

Spirit in Practice (2)

Spirit in Practice was created to help UUs develop regular disciplines, or practices, of the spirit—practices that help them connect with the sacred, however they understand it.  These workshops offer a forum for learning, sharing, and growth that will enrich your faith journey. This is one of our core programs and we encourage all in our community to continue in the quest for meaning and wholeness by participating in both series of Spirit in Practice.

Spirit in Practice (2) will include 5 of the sessions of this Tapestry of Faith curriculum to help participants tend to their spiritual garden, supporting and positively challenging one another toward spiritual growth.

Facilitators: Sarah Baskin & Michele Burton

Participants are expected to attend all sessions. Course materials can be previewed online.  

Dates & Time: Sundays Oct 16, 23, 30, Nov 6, 13 11:30 am-1:30 pm