Personal Theology Seminars 2008

Sunday Mornings September through May, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. in the Fireside Room

The Personal Theology program was founded by Bernard Loomer, former Dean of the Divinity School, University of Chicago and leader in developing Process Theology. Weekly, participants listen to and dialogue with theological and spiritual leaders, as well as present their own topics and spiritual journeys. Seminars fulfill the UU values of drawing inspiration from diverse traditions and deepening the spiritual life. This program is supported by contributions from those attending. Coordinator: Martha Helming assisted by Lois Gilbert.

Spring 2008

February 3: Frank Oestaseski, founder of the Zen Hospice Project, and the Metta Institute which provides education on spirituality and dying, Being a Compassionate Companion.

February 10: Bela Botond (Bélu) Jakabhazi, Transylvanian scholar, hosted by UUCB this year. He is interested in the psychology of religion, counseling, Buddhism, and meditation. Does Transylvanian Unitarianism Work? Hope or Despair for Transylvanian Young People?

February 17: Mehrdad Fakaur, archeologist, art historian, published researcher of ancient near Eastern and Islamic Art, adjunct professor at John F. Kennedy University, A Glance at the Islamic Civilization. Dr. Fakaur's presentation will be illustrated with slides.

February 24: Norbert Bischop, professor of philosophy and mathematics at Merritt College, My Quest for Meaning from the Hitler Youth to the Academic Center.

March 2: Norman K. Gottwald, biblical scholar on the faculty of Pacific School of Religion. He is a long-time observer and critic of the way the Bible is "applied" to current social issues. Whose Bible is it Anyway?

March 9 and 16: Khalil Rahmany, clinical psychologist, director of Community Mental Health in Fremont, former Imam of the Concord Mosque, a leader of the Afghan communities in Fremont and Concord. Dr. Rahmany has just returned from visiting his mother in Afghanistan. The Muslim Experience in America.

March 23: Cathleen Diane Cox, community minister at UUCB, And Resurrection for All: Universalism and the Call to New Life. For over 2000 years, the resurrection story has been at the center of the Christian story. Rediscover the power of this story as a metaphor and archetype that lives in us all, as the early Universalists understood.

March 30 and April 6: Alex Pappas, former teacher of world religions at the College of Alameda, Vedanta, Yoga, Gita-How They are Related to Each Other.

April 13: Barbara McGraw, professor of Social Ethics, Lawand Public Life at Saint Mary's College, UU Mystics: Embracing the Spirit in Unitarian Universalism. According to UU principles, UUism draws from many sources, the first of which is "direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of spirit and oneness to the forces which create and uphold life." Learn about mysticism in UUism, and whether you may be a mystic.

April 20: Melanie Clark, marriage and family therapist, The Monastery of the Streets: Spiritual Work and Practical Mysticism.

April 27: Jacques Verduin, community organizer and teacher, founder and director of the Insight Prison Project, an effective prison rehabilitation program, Amor Sati: How the Process of Embracing our Faith and Engaging in Reconciliation Transforms our Lives and Dignifies our Suffering.

May 4: Joseph Adler, professor of United States history and folk guitar at Diablo Valley College. As well as other works, he is author of "History of the United States: An Interpretation with Songs and Autobiographical Narration," Spirituality as Expressed Through Music and Songs. Joseph will bring his guitar and sing the songs he uses to raise the consciousness of his students and gain greater connection with them.

May 11: Nura Laid, a senior faculty member at the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism, Sufi Peacemaking: A New Model of Meditation. Nora will show a video of her students applying this approach in Belize.

May 18: David Richardson, quality assurance officer at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), a particle accelerator at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He has also had a lifelong interest in the spiritual traditions of Humankind. Windows to the World of Spirit. David will present five sacred images that have helped shape his understanding of the role each person must play in the evolution of consciousness in the universe.

May 25: Group Discussion: We meet as a committee of the whole and evaluate our program. This is an important time to bring in suggestions for future programs and for change.

Social Action Summer Forum 2008

Sundays, 10:00 a.m., Fireside Room
June 1 - August 31, 2008

The Social Justice Council will sponsor forums each Sunday between June 1 and August 31, 2008. Speakers will focus on social justice topics.
Dorothy Herzberg (510) 524-0649 is coordinator.

June 1: Professor Chris O’Sullivan, UCSF, back for the fifth year. Specializes on the US in the Middle East.

June 8: Dr. Peter Dale Scott, Professor Emeritus of English at UC Berkeley and former Canadian diplomat, will discuss his recent book: "The Road to 911: Wealth, Empire, and the Future of America."

June 15: "Literacy and Volunteering" presented by West County Literacy volunteers, Judy Sam, of the Read-Aloud Program, and Larry Pritt, volunteer at a free private elementary school in Richmond

June 22: Harry Kreisler, Executive Director of the Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley and creator, executive producer and host of 'Conversations with History', an interview program, broadcast nationally every Thursday evening. His topic is "Democracy and Empire."

June 29: Rachel Shigekane, Director of Programs at the Human Rights Center and Lecturer in Peace and Conflicts Studies, UC Berkeley. She will speak on: "Preventing Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities: The Responsibility to Protect."

July 5: Patricia Ellsberg will speak on Cultural Creativity - an emerging third movement in American politics

July 13: Marilyn Langlois, recently appointed to Human Relations Commission, City of Richmond. "Arbitration in Community Conflict Resolution"

July 20: Rev. Barbara Meyers, UU Community Minister in Mental Health, has developed a curriculum for forming a Mental Health Community

July 27: DeVone Boggan, Director of Office of Neighborhood Safety for City of Richmond, will share several plans for maintaining safety and preventing violence in Richmond

August 3: Antonio Medrano, a community leader and educator, will present a Power Point presentation on his work in Mexico for Amnesty International

August 10: Alan Solomonow, AfSC activist. He has made 25 trips to Israel working on Israeli-Palestinian relations

August 17: Jay Bunker will lead a discussion on the film "Uncounted" which tells of serious discrepancies in our voting systems. We hope to show the film before his presentation

August 24: Dr. Stephen Zunes returns for the 3rd time. He will share his work on the Western Sahara in his new book.

August 31: Gary Bogue, writes column for Contra Costa Times, co-founder of the Lindsay Wildlife museum, discusses animal farming.