Welcome! The third principle of Unitarian Universalism states, in simple language, "We are free to learn together." As Unitarian Universalists (U.U.) we believe learning is a lifelong process, and we are thankful you are here to 'learn together,' with us!The mission of Adult Faith Development (A.F.D.) is to "explore and discover, in community, new ways to view and work with moral and social issues in order for members and friends to strengthen their U.U. identity." A.F.D. recognizes that spiritual development is not hierarchical. It is not a ladder on which to climb. Instead, it is a spiral ramp on which we may ascend or descend, depending on life's circumstances (and, in which, we find ourselves revisiting our beliefs at every turn). It is with this understanding, that A.F.D. proudly offers the following programs for fall 2022... Third Friday Tad Talks Our church, and indeed our city, is filled with experts. Now you can learn from their expertise!. Join us for Third Friday Tad Talks* every month, via Zoom. With 15 minutes allocated to presentation, and 15 minutes allocated to moderated discussion, this is a quick and easy way for adults and youth to live into our third principle. Please note, all sessions will be recorded, and posted on First Church's YouTube channel for later viewing. JANUARY'S TAD TALKUniversalist Congregations in the 19th and 20th Centuries shared a similar experience in the face of rejection, contempt, and persecution from orthodox (or mainstream) Christian churches and communities. Drawing from a short book about Universalists in Indiana and Ohio written by David A. Johnson (a member of the Bloomington, Indiana UU congregation) and other sources Tim Kraus will give a short Tad Talk on some of the struggles our Universalist ancestors faced as they practiced their faith in our region. Join us for To Preach and Fight: The Universalist Experience in Ohio.Register by day's end Thursday, January 19, 2023 @ https://tinyurl.com/2pmmacwn*Tad Talk - Like a Ted Talk, only a Tad different. Hindsight, Humor & Hope: Who Me, An Elder? The gift of extended years finds many people becoming elders with deep personal questions such as, Who am I now? and What will I do that is meaningful?Hindsight, Humor & Hope: Who Me, An Elder? helps people as they begin to redesign their later years into a time of reflection, discernment, soul stretching, and new life possibilities. Interested?This program begins February 1, and will be offered both in-person and online the first and third Wednesday, February through April, from 1 PM to 3 PM. Specific dates listed below. Register by days end Monday, January 30 @ https://tinyurl.com/2p8b9js5Dates - Feb. 1 | Feb. 15 | Mar. 1 | Mar. 15 | Apr. 5 | Apr. 19 UU & Me This is a brand new once-a-month program for adults and youth that places participants into intergenerational pairings (e.g. Baby Boomer & Gen. Z; Millennials & Gen X; Gen X & Silent Generation, etc.) so that they may build connections and explore their respective spiritual journeys, together. Examples of monthly topics include “The Music that Made Us,” and “Food for the Soul.”This program is offered both in-person and virtually the first Sunday of every month, from noon until 1:00 PM. Free childcare is available for all in-person participants. Sign up now, or wait until you have more time in your schedule - this program has rolling enrollment, so visitors and members are welcome to register anytime of the year! And, we hope you do. If you are new to First Church this is an easy way to get to build connection in a controlled environment!You only need to register once to participate the rest of the year. Register here! Book Discussion We know it's only January, but looking forward to May Adult Faith Development (AFD) will be hosting a book discussion of the UUA's Common Read for 2022-2023. That book is Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism (Skinner House Books, 2019).Today, UU congregations are grappling with a charge to dismantle white supremacy in ourselves, our communities, and our world. Co-authors Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin—a white minister and a lay person of color—explored five UU congregations' journeys toward Beloved Community. In Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism, they shared the joy, disappointment, and growth these congregations found.Discussion to take place in May (Dates still TBD - Registration to Come). Order physical copies of this book through the inSpirit bookstore (https://tinyurl.com/36vdsfst), purchase a digital copies through Amazon Kindle (https://tinyurl.com/53b42m2d), or listen to the audio book for free via the UUA (https://tinyurl.com/33sthnwt). Sharing Circles Sharing Circles, otherwise known as small groups, gives you the opportunity to dive deep. By engaging with insightful media and probing questions, you and your fellow group members (about 6 - 10 people) will explore one topic a month, building trust and community along the way. And, this year, the topics will be chosen by you! These are difficult times - connect, converse, and share compassion through our Sharing Circles.Our apologies, but registration for this program offering has closed. Please check back August & September of 2023 for the next round. Have questions? Feel free to contact our Direct of Lifespan Faith Development, Meredith Plummer, via This email address is being protected from spambots. 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