Discussion Circle
SUNDAY DISCUSSION CIRCLE
10:15 to 11:15 am
On
Zoom, and with Hybrid Meetings at church in Room 304 on May 15 and 29.
Starting in June, Hybrid Meetings at church will be on the second and
fourth Sundays, on June 12 and 26.
All are welcome for facilitated, fun, educational discussions on a variety of topics. We honor our covenant and group guidelines (see below), to create a safe community for sharing our differing perspectives and learning from each other. As of May, masks are still required when we meet in person in the classrooms at church, but are no longer required in the sanctuary. The Zoom room opens Sundays around 10 am to meet and greet each other.
Hybrid, in-person meetings by Zoom at church in room 304 will be available on May 15 & 29, and starting in June, on the second and fourth Sundays on June 12 & 26.
To get the Zoom meeting link, please send an email to info@firstuu.org.
Upcoming Topics and Facilitators
May 22
Are we losing a sense of community and how can we strengthen it?
Facilitator: Dean H., assisted by John H.
May 29
How credible is the idea that World War III has already started?
Facilitator: Eric B., assisted by Moritza D.
For one person’s view on this topic, see this story:
June 5
MEDICARE:
What are your thoughts about the CMS Global & Professional Direct
Contracting Model managed by for-profit firms taking over Original
Medicare?
Facilitator: Michelle
June 12
How do you identify yourself and how is that changing?
Facilitator: Stan P.
We follow the group covenant and guidelines listed below.
DISCUSSION COVENANT & GUIDELINES
COVENANT:
We, the Participants,
Facilitators, Presenters and Zoom Hosts, welcome everyone, as
together we create a safe, supportive and mindful community where we practice UU
Principles (see below) and values by following group guidelines.
GROUP GUIDELINES:
We, the Participants,
Facilitators, Presenters and Zoom Hosts, covenant and aspire:
1. To participate respectfully by raising our hand, waiting to be called on by the facilitator, and sharing for only one to two minutes.
2. To listen with curiosity and compassion, appreciating differing perspectives, and addressing our biases with kindness in a learning community;
3. To share from personal experience and beliefs, refraining from stereotyping groups of people, and to respect everyone’s personal privacy;
4. To accept with compassion our differing levels of awareness of our biases;
5. To refrain from side conversations and interruptions, waiting until our turn to share our comments and questions with the whole group;
6. To accept that some concepts and issues might make us feel uncomfortable;
7. On Zoom: (a) To reduce distractions by muting our mics before and after our turn, and (b) To refrain from using the Chat function to send messages unless invited to do so by the facilitator.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRINCIPLES
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
1. The inherent worth and
dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our
congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within
our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a
part.