Discussion Circle – First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston

SUNDAY DISCUSSION CIRCLE

10:15 am - 11:15 am By Zoom every Sunday

To get the Zoom meeting link, please send an email to info@firstuu.org by Thursday morning, and if you would like to receive weekly reminder emails with the topics for this group and the Wednesday Discussion Group, please let us know.

All are welcome to join us for fun, facilitated, educational discussions on a variety of interesting and thought-provoking topics including political and personal issues, racism, climate change, current events, health care, UU values, and many more.

The group upholds and honors a group covenant and discussion guidelines (see below) to create a safe community for sharing our differing perspectives, learning from each other, and practicing our UU values reflected in the UU Principles. Coordinator: Pam P.

The online Zoom Room will have a host at 10:00 am for casual conversations before we begin the discussion at 10:15 am.

Sunday Discussion Circle - Topic Schedule

JULY Discussion Topics:

Sunday, July 7:
What is true patriotism?
Facilitator: Michelle

Sunday, July 14:
What are some tools for understanding and appreciating others’ viewpoints?
Resource: Jonathan Haidt.
Facilitator: Jim Gordon

Sunday, July 21:
How can we achieve balance and peace of mind in our lives?
Facilitator: Pam Perry

Sunday, July 28:
What could be the shortcomings of public education?
Facilitator: Dean Hasseman.

AUGUST Discussion Topics:

Sunday, August 4:
Why is enthusiasm such an important character trait to be happy?
Facilitator: John Hyatt

Sunday, August 11:
Meeting with a Ministerial Search Committee Representative.
Facilitators: Pam Perry

Sunday, August 18:*
What are scammers and how do you deal with them?
Facilitator: Stan
*11:00: Meeting to schedule topics for September.

Sunday, August 25:
How would life change if the Project 2025 plans were implemented by a new administration?
Facilitator: Michelle

We follow the Discussion Covenant and Guidelines listed below.

DISCUSSION COVENANT & GUIDELINES - Rev. 5/1/2023

COVENANT:

We, the Participants, Facilitators, Presenters and Zoom Hosts, welcome everyone, as together we create a safe, supportive and compassionate community where we practice the values reflected in the Unitarian Universalist Principles and by following discussion guidelines.

DISCUSSION GUIDELINES:

We agree to participate fully and respectfully by:

1. Listening attentively with curious and supportive attention; and waiting to speak until we have raised our hand and have been called on by the facilitator or presenter;

2. Waiting until our turn to share our comments and questions with the whole group, refraining from interruptions and side conversations;

3. Limiting our comments to two or three minutes, depending on group size, unless you are the presenter, who is encouraged to limit their presentation to 5 to 15 minutes;

4. Remembering that this is a supportive discussion group but not a support group, so confidentiality is not guaranteed;

5. Accepting and addressing our differing perspectives and biases with kindness and compassion in our learning community;

6. Speaking from our personal experience and beliefs, rather than generalizing or stereotyping individuals or groups of people;

7. Accepting that some concepts and issues might make us feel uncomfortable.

8. ON ZOOM: We agree to reduce distracting noises and behaviors by:

     a. Muting our mics before and after our turn;

     b. Turning off our video screen when we are eating, walking around, moving around a lot, talking with someone, or not available to give good attention; and

     c. Refraining from using the Chat function, especially when someone is talking, and waiting to take a turn to explain what we are posting to Chat.