Adult Spiritual Exploration

Where your search for meaning belongs

Whether you are curious about Unitarian Universalism, eager to build deeper connections within our community, or seeking grounding as your personal beliefs evolve, we invite you to explore an Adult Spiritual Exploration course that resonates with you.

First Parish in Cambridge is honored to offer inclusive, welcoming spaces where you can nourish your mind and spirit. Through structured courses, creative expression, and reflective dialogue, our program supports you as your faith deepens and changes through every season of life.

Register Below!

Adult Spiritual Exploration Courses for Fall 2026

Philosophy at First

Course Description: Honoring UU and First Parish commitments to "the search for truth and meaning," elevating the examined life, and exploring rich wisdom traditions and our own insights, Philosophy at First holds monthly discussions that tackle big questions in small settings. To participate, you need only what is available to us all—an open and inquiring mind. Join us for a single gathering or many!

Our topic this month is Forgiveness. Forgiveness seems essential to sustaining relationships, community and peace. Jesus taught that we should “forgive others their trespasses” in order that we may be forgiven. What does forgiveness entail? Is it the first step in reconciliation and repair, or the last step, or somewhere in between? Does the imperative to forgive unfairly shift the burden onto those who were wronged? How might we respond ethically to actions that seem truly unforgiveable? Are there ethical alternatives to forgiveness? Please join us for these and your questions! We will meet at First Parish 7-8:30pm, Thursday, October 29. Please RSVP to ase-adult-spiritual-exploration@firstparishcambridge.org

Belief, the Lack Thereof, and Beautiful Spaces In-Between

Course Description: When exploring religion, asking “What do _____ believe?” offers a simple entry point into interfaith dialogue. However, the human experience of faith is far more complex. Our convictions regarding life, death, divinity, purpose, ethics, and the unknown are frequently fluid, nuanced, and even contradictory—shaped by personal history, shared community, and ongoing discovery. This series examines the question of belief in all its depth, exploring the dynamic between belief and faith, first through a historical lens of comparative religion, and then through contemporary perspective, seeking to understand our own beliefs and those of our community more deeply.

Session 1: What Even Is Belief? (Date: Sep 30)

Session 2: Religious Movements in a Post-Enlightenment World (Date: Oct 14)

Session 3: Historical Unitarianism and Historical Universalism (Date: Oct 28)

Session 4: Belief in Our Modern UU Faith (Date: Nov 11)

Pub Theology

Grab a pint, or your favorite NA beverage, and join Rev. Rob for a lively conversation on a spiritual question relevant to our lives. Our first theme will build on Rev. Hardies’ September 27 sermon. Exact Harvard Square venue, TBD! Registrants will receive an email with the location, or you can check back here for updates!

October 5: Theology of Apology: Forgiveness, saying sorry, and more!

November 2: God and Politics: An election eve chat about religion and politics in America

November 30: Are You a Ground Digger or a Bridge Builder? Two ways to discover the Sacred

Building Our Spiritual Multi-Tool

Our lives ask a lot from us, the world asks a lot from us. We ask a lot of each other! So how can our spiritual lives offer us the tools we need to respond this vast spectrum of needs? From stillness and silence to movement and laughter, come discover and enliven the many sides of your spiritual life. All sessions will be a mix of discussion and practice, to leave us feeling nourished in mind and spirit. You are welcome to join even if you can’t attend all of the sessions!

Session 1: Exploring our Spirituality - what spiritual resources do you already use? What is the value of spiritual copings vs. other coping skills? We will look at some of the cool science behind spirituality, and the ancient wisdom that has guided people for generations.

Session 2: Expanding our Spirituality - what needs do you have, or do you see in the world, for which you want to feel supported by your spirituality? Let’s experiment and have some fun with it!

Session 3: Discerning our Spiritual Multi-tool - how do we choose the right spiritual practice or “tool” for the moment, or recognize when a tool no longer serves us? We will use some imagination, do some crafting, and leave with something for our spiritual lives that we can actually return to.

Register: https://firstparishcambridge.breezechms.com/form/7582f7

“I Want to Make Art, But…”

I can’t draw or paint; I’m intimidated; I don’t know where to start, etc.” Well, come and try collage; it’s easily accessible, understandable and just plain, flat-out fun. This is a hands-on workshop class, a perfect way to take a step back from the stress of your day and cultivate some joy and imagination. In these three 1.5 hour sessions, you will make things and get inspired. We’ll consider elements of design: line, shape, texture, color and space and try related exercises.

Why Collage? Collage is a pleasantly tactile art form/pastime/hands-on activity. It requires a minimal amount of materials (paper, glue and what have you) and allows one to build a practice that considers color, shape, materials, layers, methods, contrast, connections and more …Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Collage loves that.

Registration fee covers the cost of materials, see registration for flexible payment options.

MOSAIC: A New Anti-Racism Curriculum at First Parish

A Foundation of Our Community

These groups meet monthly, October 2026-June 2027

Soul Matters groups offer an intimate, focused space for personal and spiritual growth, fostering deeper connections and community. These groups are by enrollment only, with registration opening in September and January. Groups of 6-10 people meet once a month for two hours, committing to meet together for a year.

Each monthly Soul Matters Group focuses on a different spiritual theme. Members receive Soul Matters materials at the beginning of each month, including spiritual exercises, questions and other resources. People have time to process the material, and then meet in groups to share their experiences and practice deep listening.