All Souls NYC | Religious Education: Adult Education

Adult Education

The Adult Education Committee plans programs for adult spiritual and psychological growth and religious learning. These include lectures, discussion series, workshops, study groups and retreats. From September through June, programs are regularly presented on Sunday mornings and several weekday evenings.

Below is the schedule of current and upcoming events.

Sundays, February 3, 10, 17 and 24
at 10:00 a.m. in Reidy Friendship Hall

Auden and Christianity
with Rev. David Robb

In the modern age, many intellectuals presume that one cannot be a religious person and a thinking person at the same time. The poet W.H. Auden, one of the 20th century’s greatest artists and thinkers, created a body of poetry and prose that stands as an eloquent instance of how thought and faith can nourish each other. Auden’s faith as a poet expanded the horizons of his mind and heart, while his formidable intelligence probed the nature and limits of his Christian belief. His quest was not only to believe still, but to believe again—a process he saw as essential to authentic faith. In this series, we will examine Auden’s biography and poetry to see how both bear witness to his emerging religious imagination.

David Robb is Assistant Minister for Adult Education and Scholar in Residence at All Souls. He is also a psychotherapist and pastoral counselor with a practice in New York City and an Associate of Kenwood Psychological Services. He formerly taught in the Theology and Religious Studies departments at Georgetown University and Connecticut College.

Sundays, February 3, 10, 17 and 24
at 11:15 a.m. in Reidy Friendship Hall

The Arts and God in the Black Experience: How Do We Know God?
with Eugene Palmore

Drawing upon his own extensive background in the Black church and culture, Mr. Palmore will explore various ways in which the individual may encounter the divine—both within and outside of the context of formal worship.

February 3: Music in the Black tradition

February 10: The spoken word in the Black tradition

February 17: Visual arts in the Black tradition

February 24: The arts and the experience of God

Eugene Palmore currently serves as Program Coordinator for the Women’s and Arts Ministries at Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Morehouse College in Atlanta and a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, with a concentration in Theology, the Arts, and Worship. He is currently preparing for ordination in the United Church of Christ. An educator for nearly 30 years, he is also a composer, arranger and songwriter, whose works have been performed throughout the United States and abroad, as well as a published poet and short-story writer.

Sunday, February 10
at 1:00 p.m. in Reidy Friendship Hall

Music and Religion Series:

Bach—From the King of Instruments to the Passions
with Miriam S. Michel

Johann Sebastian Bach stands as an icon of the Baroque era. His musical genius shines through his own works—perhaps the most famous of the Baroque Passions—and certainly his organ music. In addition, his musical legacy continued through his sons and students. This lecture will highlight the these aspects of Bach’s legacy, as a prelude to Musica Viva’s upcoming concerts (the February 19 organ concert and March 2 St. John Passion).

Miriam S. Michel, a New York City native, first studied music as an undergraduate in Cleveland, Ohio, where she received scholarships in music history and voice, was active as both soloist and chorister at several prominent churches and synagogues, and wrote occasional music reviews for local newspapers. After returning to New York, she studied music history and literature at Long Island University’s C.W. Post Center and earned a Master of Arts degree. She has continued with advanced studies in musicology and arts administration at New York University. An independent lecturer in music history and literature, she has been involved with Musica Viva of New York since its inception, and is well known to its concertgoers as the regular writer of program notes for the series.

Tuesday, February 19
at 7:00 p.m. in the Forrest Church Gallery

Tuesdays with Forrest
with Forrest Church, Minister of Public Theology

Come join Forrest, our Minister of Public Theology, as he leads an open-ended, free-wheeling conversation about God, politics, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Open to all.

Tuesdays, February 5, 12, 19 and 26
at 6:30 p.m. in Forrest's Study

Living With Loss
with David Robb

This is a bereavement and support group for those who are coping with the death of loved ones during the past year and a half.

The Adult Education Committee would like your ideas

Please send suggestions for programs, topics, or speakers, by e- to adulted@allsoulsnyc.org or in writing to

Adult Education Committee
Unitarian Church of All Souls
1157 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY, 10021

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Attend our Services

From September 9th, 2007 through June 2, 2008, Sunday morning services are at 10:00 and 11:15 a.m. with the following exceptions:

One Sunday Service only at 11:15 a.m. on:

• November 22th, 2007 (Thanksgiving weekend)

• December 23rd, 2007

• December 31st, 2007 (New Year's weekend)

• May 26th, 2008 (Memorial Day weekend)

We hold one service at 11:15 a.m. during the summer (June 10, 2007 through Labor Day Weekend).