Adult Faith Formation
All Adult Faith Formation small groups are open to all 18+
First Steps
Are you new or newish to First Parish?
If so, then our First Steps class is just the thing to help you get to know us and what it means to be part of the community here at First Parish Church in Taunton. First Steps is a time when people can ask questions about the church, our programs, and our committees. Folks may also formally join our congregation by signing our membership book. First Steps is offered various times a year directly after worship.
Are you new or newish to First Parish?
If so, then our First Steps class is just the thing to help you get to know us and what it means to be part of the community here at First Parish Church in Taunton. First Steps is a time when people can ask questions about the church, our programs, and our committees. Folks may also formally join our congregation by signing our membership book. First Steps is offered various times a year directly after worship.
Soul Matters
Our Soul Matters group is a wonderful UU program that lines up with our themes of the month and allows us to dive deeper into those themes. Join us to participate in a spiritual practice that takes us beyond the question of “What do you think?” and invite us into the deeper one of “Where are you willing to let your faith take you?”
WHAT makes Soul Matters a unique and rewarding experience?
Soul Matters differs from other small groups in that it is designed to help us experience our monthly spiritual themes, not just talk about them! Its structure also helps us avoid the safety of shallow analysis and instead invites us to courageously dive into the work of vulnerable, honest, and heart-centered sharing. Think of Soul Matters as an invitation to listen more deeply and intentionally in three distinct ways:
- We listen to each other.
- We listen to our lives.
- We listen to our deepest self.
Soul Matters’ distinguishing characteristic is a focus on deep listening. But the way Soul Matters goes about that is also unique. Here’s how: Soul Matters Invites us to listen to each other deeply and with discipline. Soul Matters invites group members to practice three distinct disciplines of deep listening during their meeting time using this three-part mantra:
- Hold still – the practice of offering an inviting presence.
- Hold at bay – the practice of offering safe space.
- Hold up and hold out – the practice of responding with gratitude and noting meaningful connections.
During 2024-2025 Church year Soul Matters will meet for 9-week sessions in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Our Soul Matters group is a wonderful UU program that lines up with our themes of the month and allows us to dive deeper into those themes. Join us to participate in a spiritual practice that takes us beyond the question of “What do you think?” and invite us into the deeper one of “Where are you willing to let your faith take you?”
WHAT makes Soul Matters a unique and rewarding experience?
Soul Matters differs from other small groups in that it is designed to help us experience our monthly spiritual themes, not just talk about them! Its structure also helps us avoid the safety of shallow analysis and instead invites us to courageously dive into the work of vulnerable, honest, and heart-centered sharing. Think of Soul Matters as an invitation to listen more deeply and intentionally in three distinct ways:
- We listen to each other.
- We listen to our lives.
- We listen to our deepest self.
Soul Matters’ distinguishing characteristic is a focus on deep listening. But the way Soul Matters goes about that is also unique. Here’s how: Soul Matters Invites us to listen to each other deeply and with discipline. Soul Matters invites group members to practice three distinct disciplines of deep listening during their meeting time using this three-part mantra:
- Hold still – the practice of offering an inviting presence.
- Hold at bay – the practice of offering safe space.
- Hold up and hold out – the practice of responding with gratitude and noting meaningful connections.
During 2024-2025 Church year Soul Matters will meet for 9-week sessions in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Exploring our Sources
Unitarian Universalism is a non creedal faith that draws its wisdom and and spirituality from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. Exploring our Sources is a seven -week discussion group of adults to explore how they connect and engage with each of our Six Sources: Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life; Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love; Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life; Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit; Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Unitarian Universalism is a non creedal faith that draws its wisdom and and spirituality from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. Exploring our Sources is a seven -week discussion group of adults to explore how they connect and engage with each of our Six Sources: Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life; Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love; Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life; Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit; Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Roots
Roots is a six-week discussion group for adults to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, explore their own understanding of faith and engage with key spiritual themes like happiness and truth. If you are new to the church, or are just interested in exploring more ideas about faith, this is the group for you! Roots is offered various times trough out the year.
Roots is a six-week discussion group for adults to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, explore their own understanding of faith and engage with key spiritual themes like happiness and truth. If you are new to the church, or are just interested in exploring more ideas about faith, this is the group for you! Roots is offered various times trough out the year.
Adult Riddle & Mystery
Riddle and Mystery is a weekly discussion group that runs for seven weeks. As Unitarian Universalists, "We teach children and youth that all big questions have many answers, and that it is their duty to search responsibly for the answers that feel right to them." This statement holds just as true for adults! The goal of Riddle and Mystery is to assist participants in finding their own understanding of life's Big Questions. During each class we will explore one of these questions such as: What guides us?, Where do we come from and Where are we going?, Does God exist? Do I have a soul and What happens after we die?, What is truth?, What do I believe?, What does Unitarian Universalism mean to me? Adult Riddle & Mystery is offered various times throughout the year.
Riddle and Mystery is a weekly discussion group that runs for seven weeks. As Unitarian Universalists, "We teach children and youth that all big questions have many answers, and that it is their duty to search responsibly for the answers that feel right to them." This statement holds just as true for adults! The goal of Riddle and Mystery is to assist participants in finding their own understanding of life's Big Questions. During each class we will explore one of these questions such as: What guides us?, Where do we come from and Where are we going?, Does God exist? Do I have a soul and What happens after we die?, What is truth?, What do I believe?, What does Unitarian Universalism mean to me? Adult Riddle & Mystery is offered various times throughout the year.
Theology on Tap
Theology on Tap groups are casual discussion groups that happen at various times throughout the year and give adults a chance to meet over their favorite pint, a glass of wine, water, juice, or other delicious concoction. This 2-hour group gives folks a chance to dive into a different UU theological question and have a loosely guided discussion.
Theology on Tap groups are casual discussion groups that happen at various times throughout the year and give adults a chance to meet over their favorite pint, a glass of wine, water, juice, or other delicious concoction. This 2-hour group gives folks a chance to dive into a different UU theological question and have a loosely guided discussion.
Living the Path of the 8th Principle: A Social Justice and Anti-Racism Class
First Parish Church officially added the 8th principle to our bylaw in 2022; now, it's time to live into that principle. Join us for this new small group that engages the voice of POC and focuses on helping us first identify what it means to be anti-racist and then how may go about doing the work of being anti-racist while deepening our commitment to racial justice.
First Parish Church officially added the 8th principle to our bylaw in 2022; now, it's time to live into that principle. Join us for this new small group that engages the voice of POC and focuses on helping us first identify what it means to be anti-racist and then how may go about doing the work of being anti-racist while deepening our commitment to racial justice.
UU Faith Though our Windows
As UUs, we draw wisdom and spirituality from 7 diverse sources, one of them being “Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves”. The UU Faith Through our Window class is a wonderful way to live into and explore this particular source. Each week during this 8-week small group, we will focus on a different one of our Stained-Glass Windows in our Sanctuary. Taking the time to get an up-close look at each window, discussing its history in terms of when and why it was put in here at First Parish and the theological story behind it. We will then move into a discussion of what life lessons can be taken from each story and how it is a representative of our UU values and principles. This small group concludes with the creation of our own stained glass.
As UUs, we draw wisdom and spirituality from 7 diverse sources, one of them being “Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves”. The UU Faith Through our Window class is a wonderful way to live into and explore this particular source. Each week during this 8-week small group, we will focus on a different one of our Stained-Glass Windows in our Sanctuary. Taking the time to get an up-close look at each window, discussing its history in terms of when and why it was put in here at First Parish and the theological story behind it. We will then move into a discussion of what life lessons can be taken from each story and how it is a representative of our UU values and principles. This small group concludes with the creation of our own stained glass.
