Winter-Spring 2026 Faith Development Offerings
Crucial Conversations: A 3-Session Skill-Building Series
Sundays, 11:30 am – 1 pm; Jan 11, 18, 25
Let’s face it: things can sometimes get tense with family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, teammates, even between members of our congregation—occasionally leading to avoidance of key conversations, simmering resentments, or even dissolution of a relationship. In this interactive three-session course, participants will explore key concepts from the book Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High (Third Edition) by Grenny, Patterson, McMillan, Switzler, and Gregory. Join us to learn practical strategies for navigating high-stakes, emotionally charged, or tough conversations with greater clarity, confidence, and effectiveness. Through guided activities, real-world scenarios, and structured practice, the series equips participants with tools to identify the true root of conflicts, improve dialogue, strengthen relationships, foster trust, and reduce conflict. The book may be obtained from public libraries or through your favorite bookstore. Come learn skills needed to talk openly and safely about tough issues so that everyone feels heard, relationships are honored and deepened, and effective decisions can be made. Lay leaders in the congregation are among those encouraged to sign up for this course.
Facilitators: duRee Bryant, Karolina Kozakiewicz, Matt Myren. Minimum class size: 10; Maximum class size: 24.
Shared Pulpit Worship Class
Sundays, 11:30 am – 1 pm; 2/15 & 2/22, 3/15 & 3/22, 4/19 & 4/26
Gather at 11:30 for nosh; class begins at 11:45.
This class is designed to introduce or strengthen sermon writing skills and prepare for presentation on Sunday mornings. Anyone is welcome to attend – especially folks considering joining the worship team in the future. There will be four sessions exploring the work of creating reflective, passionate and theologically grounded sermons and homilies. The class will finish with each participant presenting a sermon they have written over the final two dates. We will read from The Shared Pulpit by Erika Hewitt and Thematic Preaching: An Introduction by Jane Rzepka and Ken Sawyer (books are available for purchase from the church office).
Facilitator: Rev. Pam Rumancik.
UU Elevator Speech
Saturdays, 10-11:30 am; 3/7 and 3/14
Need a way to quickly and succinctly describe where you go on Sunday morning for your spiritual participation or when someone says, “Never heard of Unitarian Universalists, what is it?” Join this 1.5-hour class that meets 2 consecutive Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 am. Excellent for newer UUs, and also good for longer-term members who would like to finetune their explanations. Interactive participation will encourage confidence in responding to curiosity and questions.
Facilitator: Denise Sepos
Building the World We Dream About: A 90-minute Journey toward Racial Justice
Sunday, Feb 28, 2026, 11:30 am – 1 pm
Early 2026 brings a brand-new anti-racism workshop especially for our UU community. Blending UU spirituality with hands-on exercises the workshop peels back the layers of systemic racism, implicit bias, and privilege that shape our daily lives. Expect energizing activities, brave conversation, and take-home tools that deepen our shared covenant and help to widen the circle of belonging. This workshop is open to everyone 14+ (youth should attend with a parent/guardian).
Facilitator: Mari Van Meter
Biblical Literacy for UUs
Sundays, 11:30 am – 1 pm; 3/8, 3/29, 4/12, 5/3, 5/24, 5/31
The Bible has inspired movements for liberation and legitimized horrific injustices. Its language and stories resonate through the literature and art of the Western world. How do we, as liberal seekers, skeptics, and UUs, understand it? This course will explore the Bible in historical context and reflect on some of its stories from a UU perspective. Topics in March through May will include the parables of Jesus, creation stories, the prophets, Paul’s letters, Revelation, and the Psalms. New participants are welcome at any time.
Facilitators: Pat Wydell and Jeannie Scown
Living Well
Ongoing, newcomers welcome
3rd Wednesdays, 10 am – Noon
Living Well is a discussion group that draws inspiration from the Blue Zones program. We meet monthly in classroom 5 and explore living in ways that support engagement with others, exercise, a spiritual life, healthy eating, finding a purpose, and taking time to relax. We are currently reading When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön; the book is a collection of essays on facing difficulties in life based on Buddhist teachings.
Facilitators: Karolina Kozakiewicz and Leslie Peet
Telling Our Stories
Ongoing, newcomers welcome
1st Wednesdays, 10 am – Noon, through May 6
Come and join this group of mature adults as we utilize a variety of materials as food for discussion about our lives today, aging, encounters with loss, grief, and end of life issues in a supportive and caring environment. We have finished reading Being Mortal and plan to focus next on legacy writing with online Zoom sessions in January/February. New participants are welcome to register at any time.
Facilitators: Becky Serpe, Lisa Christensen
Tai Chi
New Days & Times, January-March: Thursdays, 5:45-6:45 pm and Saturdays, 10:30-11:30 am
Tai Chi is an ancient practice that enhances health, concentration, and wellbeing. It can be practiced by people of all ages, sizes, shapes, and abilities. This class will focus on short movement sequences that increase flexibility, strength, and balance. The class is open to beginners and to those with prior experience. Free YouTube videos will be available to enhance home practice. The class is based on the modified Yang style of tai chi as taught by Master Moy Lin Shin.
Instructor: Melanie Terbovic, a certified Tai Chi teacher
Ongoing Groups
Registration is not required for these ongoing groups; if interested, please attend. Specific information about the groups listed below can be found in our monthly newsletter, weekly e-updates, and Sunday Times insert to the order of worship.
Atheism, Humanism, Agnosticism (AHA) Discussion Group
2nd Tuesdays, 7 pm
We discuss issues related to Atheism, Agnosticism, and Humanism, with related videos and reading materials. Examples of past meeting topics include: the Reason Rally and annual Atheist gathering in Washington D.C., and videos featuring the ideas of Hitchens, Dawkins, Sam Harris and Daniel Dennett.
Facilitator/Coordinator: Andrew Cranberg
Buddhist Study Group
2nd Sundays, 11:30 am
We read selected Buddhist texts, discuss them, and try to apply the principles and techniques to our everyday lives. Topics include mindfulness, meditation, and deepening our spiritual understanding. We practice mindful breathing, walking meditation, stress management, and cultivate the capacities to be kind and compassionate and to bring joy into our lives.
Facilitator/Coordinator: Melanie Terbovic
Journaling Circle: Writing Together for Self-Discovery
1st Thursdays, 10 am, online
Each gathering opens with a short meditation. We then free write and write from prompts related to our monthly themes. Through sharing our writings, we also share life’s journey and deepen relationships within our community. Have a notebook/journal and a pen ready, as well as your desire for personal exploration and growth.
Facilitator/Coordinator: Juli Cicarelli
Open Forum Discussion
Sundays, 9 am, online & in classroom 6
Weekly, moderated discussions focus on topics of interest to our participants, including current events and social issues. We agree to discuss such issues in a spirit of authentic self-expression, while honoring the CCUU covenant and welcoming the diversity of views that may be expressed.
Facilitator/Coordinator: Vid Axel
Book Circle
Sunday evenings every 6-8 weeks
We discuss books that explore nature and the environment, science, psychology, philosophy, sociology, culture, religion and politics within a spiritual and ethical context. Discussions are informal and open, and centered on issues that impact our lives and society. Books are chosen through consensus and new suggestions are always welcome.
Facilitator/Coordinator: Gail Wisniewski
Last Mondays Book Group
Last Mondays, 7:00 pm
This group discusses primarily fiction. Books are chosen by the group from suggestions made by participants, and participants take turns facilitating the monthly discussions.
Facilitator/Coordinator: Barb Braje
1st Wednesdays at 1 pm
All are welcome to join us in the Stokes Room to discuss fiction books of the group’s choosing.
Facilitator/Coordinator: Cathy Lieblang
Haiku Garden Workshop
2nd Thursdays, 10 am
Want to write haiku for the garden? All are welcome to join us the 2nd Thursday of the month to learn & work on modern Haiku for the church’s seasonal Haiku garden.
We meet on zoom; go to www.zoom.us and use meeting id 947 7524 4603 and passcode 262695.