Adult Sunday Forums for September through December 2014

September 14, 2014:  “An Important Undertaking” with Bob Keller. 

Many sociologists and psychologists claim that Americans “deny death.”  This spring Pat and he finally made a decision that they had procrastinated for years:  their burials, where and how? We will discuss a decision that confronts everyone.   Bob taught the Fairhaven College “Death and Dying” class for 26 years.  

September 21, 2014:  “Education: Making it Personal, Social, and Global?” with Ariel Bronstein of Explorations Academy.
International study and service expeditions is one of our beliefs that global citizenship is a central part of a 21st Century education.  By placing academics in a meaningful, real world context, can we help young people with the profound undertaking of becoming adults capable of conscious and responsible action in our changing world?

September 28, 2014:  “What’s So Important About Shellfish?” with Nicole Gilmore of Taylor Shellfish Farms. 

Nicole will be speaking on what shell fish farming is and how the farms do it and will speak to the importance of water quality issues and ocean acidification and it’s impacts on wild and farmed marine life.

October 5, 2014:  October 5, 2014:  “True Social Change” with Christina Woeck of Community to Community

Christina will share her experiences and learnings as an anti-racist white person who has spent several years working within the grassroots Eco-feminist social justice organization, Community to Community Development. She will share her journey that started as a student intern, to an Americorps volunteer, to an anti-racist white activist committed to true social change as a way of life. She will also share her thoughts on solidarity and ideas of concrete action to take now.

October 12, 2014:  “My Tulalip Life” with Mel Sheldon. 

After a long term, Mel Sheldon recently retired as chair of the Tulalip Indian Tribe.  He will review various life experiences, education, and decisions that led to that leadership position and to his present work.

October 19, 2014: “Bioregionalism and the Local Food System:  Is this a way forward?” with Dave Timmer, Five Loaves Farm

What is “bioregionalism” and how can this philosophy help us take the next step in building up and participating in our local food system?  Dave will share some of his experiences in starting Five Loaves Farm (a small urban farm) and the Lynden Farmers Market and, through that, what he has learned about participation in a robust local food system.  

October 26, 2014:  “Remembering a Life” with Don Cramer. 

After a logging childhood in Morton, then Perkins Theological Seminary, on to being Methodist clergyman to living in London, the Philippines, India and Texas leading Institute for Cultural Affairs programs, Don then developed a local handyman business.   How did such a journey begin?

November 2, 2014:  “The Power of Honor” with Swil Kanim of Honorworks. 

With a violin as his guide, Swil Kanim experienced the transformative power of Honor and recognized its potential to fundamentally change lives in a positive way, as it had done for him. Since then, Swil Kanim has dedicated his life to bringing that same possibility of positive transformation to

individuals through his music and storytelling.  HonorWorks strives to bring the transformative power of Honor to the community by producing enriching educational, cultural, and artistic programs and events that promote multiculturalism, cultural empathy, and self-value.

November 9, 2014:  “Our Lives in South America” with Erica and Jamey Wolverton. 

Four years ago Jamey and Erica accepted teaching positions in Brazil, followed by a year in Argentina.   They will explore how this affected their children, their understanding of Hispanic cultures, and their appreciation of the Portuguese and Spanish languages.  Jamey currently teaches ma at  Shuksan Middle School.  

November 16, 2014:  “A Tribe Without Land” with Kate Elliot. 

Kate will be speaking on what it is to be a landless/treatyless tribe and how they struggle to hold their culture together.  Kate Elliot is a Chinook tribal member and a Unitarian Universalist from Eastshore UU.

November 23,2014:  “Boats, Kayaks, Canoes and Community” with Steve Walker. 

Steve has led a strenuous life of outdoor vocations. Today as the director the Community Boating Center in Fairhaven, he experiences an outpouring of help and cooperation by many volunteers.  He will examine why this job has been so uplifting and inspiring.

November 30, 2014:  No Forum, Holiday Weekend

December 7, 2014:  Social Justice UUSC – TBA

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies.  Learn about how BUF as a congregation and you as a member can participate in helping UUSC achieve it’s goals.

December 14, 2014:  “On the Steep Trails of Nepal” with Rand and Dana Jack. 

Dana, a world renowned psychologist, and Rand, local attorney and founder of  Whatcom Land Trust, have lived in Nepal several times.   They have just returned from a month of hiking in a remote, difficult region of that country.  What have they learned about the people there, and about themselves, in these travels?  

December 21, 2014:  “Church:  A New Vision” with Rev. Charis Weathers of Echoes. 

Come hear about one of the newest churches in Bellingham. Experimenting with new ways of doing/being church, Echoes has quickly established itself as a community concerned for Bellingham at large and has been very busy in the social justice and environmental spheres.  Charis Weathers, the pastor of Echoes, will give the history of this unique group, how they've done what they've done, and what they hope to emerge.  Rev. Weathers was also this year’s Totem Pole Journey Blessing minister.

December 28, 2014:  No Forum Holiday Weekend

Any questions or comments, please contact Deb Cruz at dwcruz@comcast.net