According to Merriam-Webster, the primary definition of theology is “the study of religious faith, practice, and experience.” The etymology of this word goes back to the Greek theos, meaning god or ultimate reality, which is itself from a Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root used to form words pertaining to religion and its trappings; it also includes the Greek logos, or discourse, from a PIE root used to form words pertaining to speech, doctrine, theory, etc. Taken together, theology then can be defined as “communal discourse concerning religious matters.”

So what is Unitarian Universalist theology and where did it come from? What is our common discourse concerning ultimacy? Through a monthly series of readings from our shared faith tradition, join together to explore what it has meant to proclaim Unitarianism, Universalism, and Unitarian Universalism over the centuries, and how those roots continue (or not) to influence our present-day thought and experience. 

Meeting on the first Saturday of the month from November through June, we will discuss one or more seminal works from our past and present, with a new registration for each month. Come for one session, or come for all to engage the scope of our history! Think of it as a book group, except for sermons (many are book length...) and other theological treatments.

Schedule (Fall 2024 through Spring 2025):
We will meet for up to two hours on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. ET from November 2024 through June 2025.

Here is a tentative syllabus* for the current program year:

1. November 2 - Introduction: Who are we? What is theology? What are Unitarianism, Universalism, and Unitarian Universalism?

2. December 7 - William Ellery Channing: "Unitarian Christianity" (1819)

3. January 4 - Elhanan Winchester: "Dialogues on Universal Restoration" (1788)

4. February 1 - Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Divinity School Address" (1838)

5. March 1 - Theodore Parker: "The Transient and Permanent in Christianity" (1841)

6. April 5 - Hosea Ballou: "A Treatise on Atonement" (1812)

7. May 3 - The Cambridge Platform: Congregational Polity, or, How We Govern Ourselves (1648)

8. June 7 - Conclusion: How is Unitarian Universalism expressed in the modern day? (selections from 20th and 21st cc.)

*subject to change based on the shared interests of participants and facilitator.

Classroom:
We will meet in person at UUCR in Building 4, Room 44. A Zoom link will be available to all registrants for those preferring to participate virtually.

Children & Youth:

• We do not anticipate offering childcare for children age 11 and under for this series; however, if you would not be able to participate otherwise, please contact Adrian Graham (see below).

• Youth ages 12-15 may register and participate in the class, as they wish, with a responsible registered adult; depending on their interests and comfort, they may or may not find the format or content to be engaging.

• Youth ages 16 and up who wish to participate may register and participate as they wish.

Contact:
Adrian L. H. Graham
Director of Congregational Engagement
agraham@uucr.org | 240-454-0147 (direct/text)