NUUC 2023-24 Adult Enrichment Course Descriptions
Register here!

Exploring Membership
With Rev. Dana Lightsey
Interested in exploring what it means to join Namaqua as a member? We hold this 2-hour session after a Sunday service, providing a snack. Topics include a brief overviewof Unitarian Universalism; Namaqua’s history and culture; how we operate; what itmeans to be a member; and answer any questions you may have. No pressure! Please register and when we have enough people for a session, we’ll announce the
next date!


Reconnecting with Nature
With Kim Skyelander
Calling all nature lovers! Sign up for a fun course on rewilding yourself through article discussions,  poems, videos,  guided solitary time in nature, sensory walks, and other fun activities to strengthen your spiritual bond with nature. We will be using a variety of resources including discussion curriculum from the Northwest Earth Institute (now called EcoChallege.com), UU Ministry of the Earth and Church of the Wild materials, and activities from the Center for Nature Spirituality. 6 sessions plus outside activities. There is a $30 cost for the Reconnecting with Nature e-book. Scholarships available.


Meditation Group 
with Susan Moody and Janen Wright 
Wednesdays 10:00-11:15 a.m. in person in Parker Hall every other week. This is anopen group. Everyone is invited and can pop in at any time. If you would like information for the upcoming Meditation feel free to contact Susan Moody smssmoody7@gmail.com or Janen Wright namaquadre@gmail.com. Meditation is a practice of presence that you can bring alive in all settings and situations. We havea wonderful group of practitioners from new to experienced and a lot of fun togetherwhile we learn to live in the present moment!  Our meetings consist of guided meditations, silent meditating and lively discussion! Feel free to come give it a try!


Evening Mindfulness and Meditation
With Janen Wright
Every other Monday, 7:00-8:15 p.m. in Zoom Room #2: here. This is an open group. A typical session includes a guided meditation, counsel from various Awakened teachers (through the media) and a lively discussion. If you are interested in attending when you’re able please contact Janen Wright namaquadre@gmail.com with your name and e-mail so we can send out reminders.


UU Writers 
With Janen Wright
Every 3rd Friday of the month 1-3 pm.
Using whatever writing practice you are most comfortable with (journaling, poetry, prose,storytelling), participants share, inspire, support and witness each other. Each month participants receive a packet that contains 4-5 writing exercise projects to choose from. Based on your chosen exercise, you work on a writing project prior to our monthly meeting. At the meeting we not only share the pieces we wrote but we also engage “in group” writing exercises together to open up the monthly theme for us in a new way. We don’t critique each other’s writing. Instead we respond using Soul Matters deep listening and discernment techniques to create an environment of self-discovery.


NUUC Women’s Circle
Contact Janen Wright or Andrea Van Nest; facilitation varies. Monthly, meeting times vary. Since prehistoric times women have sought out otherwomen to share their stories and their troubles.  Join Andrea Van Nest and Janen Wright once a month for our beloved NUUC Women’s Circle.  Each month we engage a theme and draw from the strength of our sisterhood.


Book Group: How To Be an Antiracist, by Ibram Kendi
Kendi’s book both provides insight into racism and its intersectionality with other oppressions and advocates what anti-racist allies can do in advocacy of diversity. While not a required prerequisite, but helpful, Robin Dianglo’s White Fragility presents the problem of white privilege, How To Be an Antiracist points to solutions, how each of us can do better. Unsparingly honest, Kendi takes us on his journey of experiencing racism to navigate this difficult territory. 6 weekly sessions, day/times to be determined once sign-ups reach critical mass. Questions? Contact dougestewart@gmail.com.


Book Group: Defund Fear: Safety without Policing, Prisons and Punishment, by Zach Norris
Defund Fear is the UU denomination’s common read for the 21-22 church year. The book “shifts the conversation from fear and punishment toward growth and support systems.” “A highly illuminating account of the changes required to create a more democratic society for all.” – Kirkus Reviews. 6 weekly sessions, day/times to be determined once sign-ups reach critical mass. Questions? Contact dougestewart@gmail.com.


Seeing Systems: Peace, Justice and Sustainability
This 6-session course connects the dots between three of society’s most pressing challenges and helps participants find pathways for powerful change in our everyday lives. After taking the course (offered once before at Namaqua), congregant Trish Murtha said: “Seeing Systems is the most substantive, meaningful course I know that looks at the major inter-connected issues facing every individual, organization or community… uses case studies and diverse perspectives to plant seeds that help work through the problems and sprout exciting, progressive possibilities for resolution.” 6 two-hour sessions, text $32, text scholarship available (so don’t let the cost stop you!). Offered through ecochallenge.org. Days / times to be determined when enough participants sign up. Limit 12 participants. Questions? Contact Doug Stewart, dougestewart@gmail.com. 


Life Transitions Workshop
We all have gone through life transitions and we’ll face many more. Job gain, job loss, retirement, new marriage, divorce, birth and death, a move to here from somewhere else – these are just a few examples. This 3-hour workshop presents a 3-stage transitions framework based on the works of William Bridges and provides validation for our transition experiences. Facilitated by Doug Stewart Register here!