Colonists, Indians & Slavery in Early New England

sponsored by the Racial Justice Initiative

Within 17 years of their arrival in New England, the Pilgrims were taking Indians captive, binding them into labor for individual colonial families, and trading others into the Atlantic slave trade. In this class, we will discuss the book Brethren by Nature: New England Indians, Colonists, and the Origins of American Slavery, published in 2015. The author, Margaret Ellen Newell, professor of History at Ohio State University, meticulously researched our earliest colonial history.
Newell’s research gives us a much fuller understanding of our spiritual ancestors’ relations with the indigenous population among whom they settled, providing us a deeper understanding of the holocaust that Indians in New England faced. In open class discussions, we will focus on two questions. 1. How do we reconcile the facts uncovered by this new research with what we learned in childhood about the Pilgrims? 2. How do we now spiritually connect to our Congregationalist forbears, both early Pilgrims, and their Abolitionist descendants?
This book study class is sponsored by the Racial Justice Initiative, for the purpose of increasing our knowledge about our Congregational history. Such knowledge aids us in the task of furthering social, economic, and racial justice, as well as deepening our understanding of our faith tradition.
We will read 2 chapters per week, over 5 weeks, and follow an open discussion format in class.

Illuminating the Way

sponsored by Plymouth Contemplatives

This ongoing group will explore practices and insights for living a fully embodied Gospel as offered by both classic and contemporary teachers of the progressive and contemplative Christian traditions. We may also connect with perspectives from other wisdom traditions as a way of deepening our own journeys. While primarily as a book study group, it will be open to a variety of formats and resources for our shared learning together (i.e. podcasts, magazine articles, recorded talks/sermons).

Our first read will be Richard Rohr’s Immortal Diamond. For books being studied each month, contact Chris Lance (clance730@gmail.com).

Forced Into Camps

sponsored by Immigration Welcoming Working Group

Julie Otsuka’s novel When the Emperor Was Divine and Stephen Holsapple’s (Director) and Satsuki Ina, Ph.D.’s (Producer/Project Director) Children of the Camps examine Japanese internment, family separation, and their aftermath. We will discuss these artworks alongside current journalism and documentaries on immigration and families. Separation, incarceration, deported parents, and government policy are all possibilities. What positions did the church and citizens take regarding Japanese internment? How might this inform our calling as church members and citizens today?

Students will need a copy of When the Emperor was Divine; there will be a reading assignment for the first class. Students who have Amazon Prime will be able to view Children of the Camps free. Rental on Amazon is $1.99 for those who don’t have Prime. Kanopy subscribers may also have access to the documentary.

Living Water

sponsored by Plymouth Contemplatives

Have you felt the impulse to recharge by the water? Come explore how richly meaningful praying by the water can be, grounded in tradition and connecting us with our community. Each session will have roughly 30 minutes of presentation to prepare you for 30 minutes of practice. Meditative songs and readings will help you enter into silent contemplation with the water. By rooting this experience in stories, Christian mysticism, the watershed, and justice movements, we will explore the depth and significance of contemplation by the water.

This class will take place at lakeside locations to be named later. Please wear a mask and practice physical distancing.

Session I: Living water—how might we understand what “Living Water” means?
Session II: Re-inhabiting the water where we live & exploring Baptism
Session III: Blessing the water—learning from a water blessing tradition in the Orthodox Church

Welcoming Prayer

sponsored by Plymouth Contemplatives

This is a method of consenting to God’s presence and action in our physical and emotional reactions to events and situations in daily life. It contributes to the process of dismantling the false-self system and to heal the wounds of a lifetime. It focuses on the feelings and experiences in the body and then welcomes them and then lets go of them. It helps accept what is present and let go of anxiety. Class will begin with 20 minutes of centering prayer silence.

The Heart of Aging with Wisdom

sponsored by the Mortality Project

Explore spirituality and living fully in our later years. This class will encourage participants to harvest life experiences that molded them and to embrace the role of spiritual elder in our families and communities. Through investigation and reflection, we will create new paths for authentic living as elders. Classes will be facilitated by Bill and Ruth Davini.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. IF YOU HAVE INTEREST IN FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES ON THIS PROGRAM, CONTACT BILL OR RUTH DAVINI.