Affinity and Interest Groups

Humanist Group
Organized by Rohan Loveland

Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism and other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

Humanists are the intellectual heirs of the Enlightenment, and our ranks are expanding because more people are realizing that they can be “good without God”. We recognize the importance of conviction and common beliefs in striving for justice, but we aren’t motivated by the traditionally religious route of accepting faith-based belief systems dictated by an unquestionable authority. Our hope instead is that we can appeal to each other’s reason and inherent goodness to make the world a better place.

Our current meeting format involves a brief presentation of a topic, and then discussion of various questions in both small (3 or 4 person) groups as well as with the whole. (We may yet incorporate some ritual =^). Our ultimate goal is the improvement of both ourselves and the world – join us!

Philosophy Group: Learn To Be A World Leader (your own world, that is)
Organized by ElRoy Miller

The way you look at the world influences where your mind can go! There is something to gain by being curious both about the many worlds of human thought and about how we can examine them and perhaps perceive that we are being deceived, maybe by ourselves. For want of a better word, we call this philosophy, but we invite all who are able and willing to ignore this name and come help us with this unbounded endeavor. Our main activity is to discuss online lectures that we present in little clumps, pausing for comments or discussion if anyone makes a peep, which is quite often. Sometimes people bring other information sources. We currently meet in the Uniteens Room on Monday at noon and we would love to see you there–or to hear from you if this time doesn’t fit your schedule.

UU Spirituality and Buddhism Group Meetings

Organized by Henry Finney

The UU Buddhism and Spirituality group meets every Sunday at 8 a.m. Each of our Sunday meetings starts with 30 minutes of meditation (bell at 8 a.m.). If you’ve never done meditation, fear not, for whenever beginners show up I either meet separately to introduce them to the process or modify the morning meditation to include some guided instruction.

After the sit, we continue with a lively discussion of whatever book we’ve been reading and whatever else is on our minds (we wander some). Our discussions have been lively and fun, and there is no need to have actually read the day’s chapters, although, obviously, you will get more out of them if you have. We finish by 9:30 a.m. in time for the Forum.

There are also some other offerings for those interested. A second weekly meditation at Kannon Zendo on Wednesday evenings has been added where we sit two periods (walking meditation between them) and then have tea. (Visit kannonzendo.org or call Henry for directions.) Further, there are two daylong Saturday meditation retreats at Kannon Zendo, two movie potlucks on Fridays, and two weeklong Zen retreats at Great Mountain Zen Center in Lafayette Colorado, where Henry is studying with Roshi Gerry Shishin Wick. (His wife, Sensei Ilya Shinko Perez, who speaks fluent Spanish, assists Shishin.)

Judging from our average attendance of 5 to 9 people every week, we are at least partly satisfying peoples’ spiritual interests. To get the most out of our meetings, participants should make a point of joining the meditations as well as the discussions. (“Spirituality” is more than enjoyable intellectual analysis and discussion.) Everyone with a potential (or ongoing) interest in spiritual practice in Buddhist form is welcome to join. Just show up!

Women’s Luncheons
Organized by Marge Wolfe

The Women’s Luncheon Group meets the third Friday of the month at the Betty Ehart Senior Center. Meeting with each other provides the chance to get acquainted and keep acquainted with friends, provide support to one another, and to have more personal, in-depth conversations than are feasible on Sunday mornings. All women of the congregation are welcome to attend.