Co-facilitators:  Ann Hastert, Kim Carew

Why study the Underground Railroad (UGRR) when there are so many current events that demand our attention? Study to help give us greater and/or deeper understanding of today's events. Our study will be in two parts. Session 1: "Beginnings" will focus on those events dating from the Magna Carta in 1215 that contributed to a mindset that made the UGRR possible. Session 2: "Civil Disobedience" will go into detail on the involvement of Aurora's First Congregational Church's pastors and members in this great endeavor. Be prepared to research areas mentioned that you don't know about and share your findings. Be prepared to share any knowledge you have of your church's involvement in similar acts of civil disobedience then and now - in today's "above ground" Underground Railroad.

In this course, participants will create a lighted glass vase centerpiece. Participants will learn the basics of centerpiece arrangement and how to use "fairy lights" in a simple craft.

In this course, participants will create a lighted glass vase centerpiece. Participants will learn the basics of centerpiece arrangement and how to use "fairy lights" in a simple craft.

Co-facilitators:  Carolyn Hopkins, Amy Stewart

NOTE:  Classes will be held on 11/13, 11/20, 12/4 and 12/11.  NO class on 11/27.

Facilitation is more than presenting content—it’s about creating meaningful learning experiences. This course will provide practical guidance and tools to help you succeed, whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow your facilitation skills. We’ll cover the skills needed to encourage meaningful discussion, choosing topics, and create a course outline, as well as practical experience with forms, tech equipment, and resources.

-THIS COURSE IS FREE-

There will be no class on 11/27/26.

Critical Thinking for Everyday Life 1 covers claims, cognitive bias, media literacy, scientific thinking, persuasion, and manipulation. It presents critical thinking as a disciplined method for judging claims fairly and minimizing the chance of falling for and acting on misinformation, disinformation, and scams. It helps attendees recognize fallacies, decode statistics, evaluate sources, spot manipulation, and navigate AI-generated content.

This is the first of a two part series.

Co-facilitator:  Carl Hays

Boys and young men are struggling. Struggling young males face educational, economic, and social setbacks in a rapidly changing world. A new book author highlights declining school performance and identity challenges. Society must address these issues with empathy and practical reforms so boys and men aren't left behind in modern life. Self doubt has broken through the supposed imperiousness of masculine self belief.

Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling by Richard Reeves (NOT REQUIRED)

Explore non-violent actions as an alternative to violence in politics. Consider how you define non-violent action, using Gene Sharp as a guide. Review the possible non-violent techniques that Sharp suggests as well as how Americans have used non- violent resistance in the past and how are they using it today. In summary, discover the discipline required in waging nonviolence

The Politics of Nonviolent Action by Gene Sharp (NOT REQUIRED)

“Isola” is historical fiction based on the true survival story of Marguerite de la Rocque, a 16th century French noblewoman who, orphaned at the age of three, is subject to the management of a guardian. A distant cousin, Roberval, is granted guardianship of Marguerite, her lands and her fortune. Roberval is a “speculator” who gradually squanders her estate on his various naval adventures. Commissioned in 1542 by the King of France to establish colonies in New France (Canada), Roberval brings Marguerite along. When they fall out over her infatuation with his young male secretary, he cruelly abandons Marguerite, her lover, and her nurse on a barren island in the Gulf of St Lawrence.

Required Reading.  Isola:  A Novel by Allegra Goodman