Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana Seeking the Spirit | Building Community | Changing the World
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For Adults

2026-27 Adult Religious Education Prospectus

Here is a listing of Adult Religious Education offerings for the 2026-27 church year:

Registration

Online registration is available at the link above, or contact the office at 812-332-3695, office@uubloomington.org.

Indigenous Studies Forum

The Indigenous Studies planning committee is offering a monthly forum on Indiana’s Native Americans. The series begins September 1 with a presentation titled Prophetstown: Past and Present. Through some readings and discussion, participants will learn or review Prophetstown’s short history and the philosophy behind its founding by Shawnee brothers Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh. Participants are not required to attend all sessions, but are encouraged to register in case of schedule or room changes.

Exploring Membership

Upcoming Exploring Membership Classes (QR Code for September)

Sundays, September 13 and 20

Tuesdays, November 10 and 17

(you only need to register for one set of classes to join membership!)

In these small group gatherings you will dive into the UU values, role of the UU minister, the history of Unitarian Universalism and this church, how to get involved, what it means to be a member, and much more. Those who complete both dates of an Exploring Membership session have the opportunity to sign the membership book. Those who missed a date or missed the book signing component of a prior class are welcome to attend. Snacks provided! If you need childcare, please submit a request as soon as possible. Questions? Email Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator, at connect@uubloomington.org.

Book Read: Getting to Reparations: How Building a Different America Requires a Reckoning with our Past

Join with others to read and discuss Getting to Reparations: How Building a Different America Requires a Reckoning with our Past by Dorothy A. Brown, professor of law at Georgetown University and nationally recognized scholar in the areas of race, class, and tax policy. This is part of a community book read sponsored by the Bloomington Multi-Faith Alliance Faith for Racial Equity group. What can we learn and do together? Meets on Wednesdays, September 16, 30, October 14, 6:30 - 8:00pm. Facilitated by: Ruth Aydt, Racial Justice Task Force Chair.

Class 101

Knowing the basics of social class can help us meet the current moment and mobilize for change. Tuesday, September 22, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Facilitated by Kristin Schumacher and Dr. Quentin Wheeler-Bell.

Spiritual Centering: A meditative practice of collaging and writing

We will create sacred space with our circle of participants--all genders welcome--with a poem, guided-meditation, and colorful introductions. We'll listen, write, and collage together; and share (or not) our writing. Notebooks (journals) to collage, and collage materials, scissors, and glue will be provided. And a snack! Facilitated by Glenda Breeden. Saturday, Sept. 26, 1-4pm. Minimum 6, Maximum 12.

(Re)claiming your Spiritual Journey

Many people come to Unitarian Universalism from other faith traditions that didn’t serve them well and may have done them harm. But if we do not confront our religious past, heal from any trauma it caused, and distinguish the helpful from harmful aspects of it, we’re likely to remain stuck and deny ourselves the richness of an integrated faith. This class offers a chance to explore your story, intentionally processing the good and the bad so that you can harvest what’s helpful and be free of the rest. If you feel anger or contempt, fear or confusion, sadness or pain when you think about any aspect of your religious past, this class is for you! Facilitated by Stephanie Kimball. Meets Oct 7, 14, 21 7-9pm. Minimum 6 participants.

Exploring Daoist Philosophy: Ziran and Reverence for the Natural

A five-part course on Daoist philosophy for nature-lovers, tree-huggers, and authority-questioners. This ancient, egalitarian Chinese tradition has inspired hermits, anarchists, sci-fi writers, rebellions, and environmentalists for millennia. After covering the basics, we'll dive deep into ziran ("natural spontaneity"), a deep idea that the purest things act freely, of themselves, without outside imposition. Expect poetry, ancient but approachable texts, laid-back presentations, and open discussion facilitated by Zach Ammerman. All faith backgrounds (and none) welcome to explore this non-theistic philosophy. Appropriate both for newcomers and for those who took the previous Daoism course last spring. Facilitated by Zach Ammerman. Meets Wednesdays, 7-9pm, starting on October 7 - November 4 (5 sessions).

What Did Jesus Really Say?

In the original Aramaic, the words attributed to Jesus are far more beautiful than modern English translations. When translated from Aramaic to Roman and then to Old English, words have been misunderstood and others have been inserted. For example, Jesus never used the words Sin, Heaven, or Hell and what became known as the Lord's Prayer began with Creator not Our Father. Come explore the beauty of the words in Jesus' language. Even if you doubt this man existed, the words passed on in his language contain important lessons. Facilitated by Sura Tala. Meets on November 1, 1-3pm

Adult Improv

This is a wintertime chance to play around with other adults in a lightly structured, warmly supportive environment. This is not a theater class, but rather an exploration of communication, and expanding where our thoughts go. It is not about being funny, or clever or quick witted. It's not even about acting. It is about being together, differently.

Come and play with us! Facilitated by Judy Owens. Meets on 8 Wednesdays, 6:45 - 8:30pm, starting January 6.

Applying Philosophy to Problems in Life, Ethics and Society

We will discuss contemporary philosophers who grapple with ethical and social issues that arise in everyday life. Topics will include emotion, love and friendship, irrationality, living in a multicultural society, mortality and personal transformation. Meets on zoom on Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:30 pm, January 13 to February 18. Facilitated by Brian O’Donnell. Min. 3, Max. 14.

How to Stay Safe in the Digital Age

In these days of hacking, phishing, bots, and scams, it’s hard to know how to keep ourselves and each other safe. The tools and techniques used by bad actors are constantly changing, even as we are increasingly dependent upon electronic communications. Come learn up-to-date tips for keeping your identity safe. Each session will include a presentation and plenty of time for Q&A. Facilitated by Hans Kelson, Technology Coordinator. Meets Sundays February 14 & 28, and March 14, 1-2pm. Minimum 15.

Love at the Center: Exploring the 2026 UUA Common Read

This 7-session series uses quotes from UUA Common Read Love at the Center to offer five lenses for noticing how Love moves in our lives: the Love within me of inner spiritual life, the Love between us of close relationships, the Love among us of congregational life, the Love beyond us of our public presence and justice work, and the Love holding all that is ground of our being. All five are happening at once, and experience travels inward and outward like a spiral, so that what happens in one sphere continually shapes and is shaped by the others. Facilitated by Rev. Dennis McCarty and Stephanie Kimball. Min. 6 participants. Meets on seven Wednesday evenings, 7-9pm: March 24 & 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5.

The Mystery of the Slightly Sentient Chalice

This game is designed as a companion resource to the 2026 UUA Common Read, Love at the Center, edited by Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt. The game and the book illuminate each other from different directions. Love at the Center gathers twenty-nine essays by UU ministers, theologians, and leaders reflecting on what it means to belong to a faith that places love at its center — in our inner lives, our relationships, our congregations, and our public witness in the world. The game invites players to discover that same theology through play, investigating a fictional congregation where love’s presence and absence show up in the most ordinary places: a planning email, a volunteer roster, a comment card, a handwritten note. Facilitated by Rev. Dennis McCarty and Stephanie Kimball. Min. 15 participants. Date and time TBA.

Transforming Hearts: Responding to the Anti-trans Movement

An upbeat introduction to trans issues for people aspiring to create an informed, welcoming community. This 3-session course is designed to offer you an introduction to gender diversity and trans identity, help you understand the current political attack on trans people and the misinformation that is part of that attack, and together create an atmosphere of safety and belonging for trans people in UU congregations in this moment. Course materials from the Transforming Hearts Collective. Facilitated by Carol McCord and Judy Owens. Meets on 3 Tuesdays: Feb. 16, 23, and Mar 2 Min. 6 participants.

Adult Religious Education Calendar

  • September 1, 7-9pm: Indigenous Studies Forum
  • September 13 & 20: Exploring Membership Class
  • September 16, 6:30 - 8pm: Book Read: Getting to Reparations (cont. Sept 30, Oct. 14)
  • September 22, 5:00 - 6:30pm: Class 101
  • September 26, 1-4pm: Spiritual Centering: A meditative practice of collaging and writing
  • October 6, 7-9pm: Indigenous Studies Forum
  • October 7, 7-9pm: (Re)claiming Your Spiritual Journey (continues Oct. 14 & 21)
  • October 7, 7-9pm: Exploring Daoist Philosophy (Wednesdays through Nov. 4)
  • November 1, 1-3pm: What Did Jesus Really Say?
  • November 10 & 17: Exploring Membership Class
  • December 1, 7-9pm: Indigenous Studies Forum
  • January 5, 7-9pm: Indigenous Studies Forum
  • January 6, 6:45 - 8:30pm: Adult Improv (continues 8 weeks)
  • January 13, 4-5:30pm: Applying Philosophy to Problems in Life, Ethics, and Society (continues through Feb. 18)
  • February 2, 7-9pm: Indigenous Studies Forum
  • February 14, 1-2pm: How to Stay Safe in the Digital Age (cont.Feb 28 and March 14)
  • February 16, 7-9pm: Transforming Hearts (cont. on Feb 23 and Mar 2)
  • March 2, 7-9pm: Indigenous Studies Forum
  • March 24, 7-9pm: Love at the Center: Exploring the 2026-27 UUA Common Read (continues weekly through May 5)
  • April 6, 7-9pm: Indigenous Studies Forum
  • May 4, 7-9pm: Indigenous Studies Forum
  • June 1, 7-9pm: Indigenous Studies Forum
  • June 23-27: UUA General Assembly (San Jose, and online)
  • July 4-10: MUUSA! (Midwest UU Summer Assembly)