Adult Religious Education This Spring!!!

Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship

“THE POETRY OF EMILY DICKINSON”

Adult Religious Education Class

Description

Share and explore the inspiring poetry of Emily Dickinson in a small group setting.  Allow the power of words take you deep into yourself and find connection to all existence.  We will read a broad range of poems and share our favorites with other members of the class.

Facilitator:  Crystal Neva, Director of Lifelong Learning, BUF

Times:  Six Thursday afternoons: April 12-May 17, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Place:  Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, Conference Room

Materials:  The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson, by Emily Dickinson and Thomas H. Johnson.  You can find this on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Poems-Emily-Dickinson/dp/0316184136/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1331841499&sr=8-5

For More Information:  Contact Crystal Neva at uuneva@gmail.com or 224-1984.

Method

1. Each week there will be an assigned section of text (see below) to read or peruse (whatever your time allows).  From this section, select a poem (or two or three or four) that particularly interests you and spend some time with it.
2. Then when you come to class there will be a sign in sheet inviting you to write down your name and the title(s) and page number(s) of the poem(s) that particularly interest you.  These will be the poems we discuss in that class.
3. Then during the class we will go through the book and when we get to the poem you selected, you will be invited to read it out loud (or you may ask someone else to read it) and share your comments with the group (e.g., what you see in it, why you like it, what is clear, or unclear…). After you have talked a little about the poem, the poem will be open to general discussion.
4. As facilitator, I will watch the time to make sure that everyone gets a crack at his/her poem.  I may call attention to certain poems that speak to our faith if others don’t….

Reading Assignments

Week 1:  April 12—pages 3-122

Week 2:  April 19—pages 123-241

Week 3:  April 26—pages 242-360

Week 4:  May 3—pages 361-479

Week 5:  May 10—pages 480-600

Week 6:  May 17—pages 601-716