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.

Soul Matters Groups

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!

September Meeting: Our first meeting will explore the concern that brings many of us to church: Community. How do we understand - and what do we seek in - religious community, and other types of communities? What obligations do they entail, how can they evolve, and what do “covenants” add? How can communities be distinctive without becoming exclusive? And how does community become “beloved community”? Please join us to explore these and your questions! If you are interested, 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.

October 5: No FOMO: The spiritual origins of the fear of missing out

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

“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.

Join First Parish member and collagist Mick Provencher for 3-1.5 hour sessions and learn the basics of collage: colors, forms, papers, and methods. It’s an old practice (since the 10 th century!) that can make you feel like a real artist…or at the very least, a creative person.

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.