Adult Education

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Adult Education opportunities are limited. Of the offerings shown below, Tuesday morning Bible study and the Theological Education for Leadership continue to be offered digitally. Other education opportunities listed here are suspended for now. Ordinarily, opportunities for adult education vary widely. They include one-time forums, weekly Bible study, local retreats and extended trips. Our goal is to continually challenge ourselves and open our hearts and minds.

Opportunities on Sundays

Discovery Bible Class

At 9 am every Sunday, member Bruce Danielson leads a Discovery Bible class in Room 229. All are welcome

9 am lectures

We often have guest lecturers prior to worship on Sunday mornings. These usually take place downstairs in Ostrander Hall and frequently feature guest preachers who will be preaching later that Sunday. Check the What’s up now section or the Calendar for details.

Forums

In the hour after worship, usually beginning at 11:30 am, we often provide an opportunity to learn about current issues, both church-related and secular. These could include forums on public affairs or relevant social justice issues, Earth Bistro presentations by Sacred Earth Matters and occasional movies. A complimentary light lunch is often provided, with donations accepted.

Inquirers Lunch

A light lunch and informal discussion with clergy and long-time members is offered on the second Sunday of most months (Dec, July and August are excluded). This gathering provides an opportunity to learn more about our church, how to get involved, and what it means to become a member. It is designed especially for newcomers, but is also a great way for people who have been coming for awhile to ask questions and learn more.

Other Educational Opportunities

Tuesday morning Bible study – available online during pandemic

Pastor Catherine Foote leads Bible study in the Turner Commons Lounge every Tuesday morning from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Coffee and snacks are available. All are welcome.

Workshops and study groups

Educational workshops and opportunities are presented frequently on topics of interest to adults. They may touch on the spirituality of aging, accompaniment through grief or dealing with life’s transitions. A writers’ workshop may assist community members in journaling or writing about spiritual growth. A series of weekly workshops over a six-week period might deal with identifying dependable strengths. With the assistance of covetant partners—ordained clergy with specific interest in an area—we are able to offer opportunities on topics relevant to our spiritual growth throughout the year. Watch for these opportunities in What’s up now, and in Get involved and serve.

Seabeck All-Church Family Camp

Every summer, during the week following Independence Day, several hundred members of our church community gather at the Seabeck Conference Center on Hood Canal for five days of summer camp. Learn more on the Seabeck page.

Retreats

Community members have the opportunity to attend a weekend-long Women’s Retreat or a Men’s Retreat on an annual basis. Check the What’s up now section for details.

The Lecture Series

The Lecture Series brings noted theologians and speakers to Seattle for the weekend. Often the featured lecturer also serves as a guest preacher and gives public lectures, forums or classes. Learn more in The Lecture Series section.

Theological Education for Leadership (TEL) – available online during pandemic

Offered through the Pacific School of Religion

The Lecture Series is partnering with with the Pacific School of Religion’s (PSR) to host classes for PSR’s certificate programs: Theological Education for Leadership and Gender, Sexuality & the Bible. This is a series of special courses and seminars providing progressive, accessible Christian theological education year-round for clergy, laity, and spiritual seekers from diverse racial and ethnic communities. Using PSR’s “flexible learning” approach, TEL fosters a strong and supportive community environment while enabling participation at a distance through online learning. A carefully selected curriculum of online experiences may be engaged individually, or as part of a non-graduate-level certificate. For more information see TEL’s web page.
>> See the brochure for the Certificate of Theological Education for Leadership
>> See the brochure for the Certificate of Gender, Sexuality & the Bible
Each course is $120. There is a discount for people who participate in the online sessions in groups. Our group will meet in the Scheyer Library. Contact lectureseries@universityucc.org to RSVP to be a part of the group or for scholarship information.

2018/19 Course Schedule for Certificate of Theological Education for Leadership

Courses provide in-depth, introductory explorations of topics that comprise the core of theological understanding and ministerial competence. Each course includes twelve hours of learning over eight days, including two live online sessions book-ending a week of self-paced online learning.

For the Theological Education for Leadership courses
The full list of courses for the program year is  >> here
>>This is the application for the Certificate of Theological Education for Leadership (CTEL)

For the Gender, Sexuality & the Bible courses
The full list of courses for the program year is >> here
>>This is the application for the Certificate of Gender, Sexuality & the Bible