Here are some events and activities you might like to put on your calendar. See our previous Outside 1st Universalist announcements for other upcoming events.

• Thursday November 21, 2008 — Discussion Course at the UU of Canandaigua Church: Healthy Children – Healthy Planet

  The Unitarian Universalist Church of Canandaigua will be offering a new discussion course from the Northwest Earth Institute this fall, starting November 21. Healthy Children – Healthy Planet is a seven-session course addressing how the pervasive effects of advertising, media, and our consumer culture can influence a child’s view of the world. Each session consists of two parts: an opening and a facilitated discussion. Topics covered are: (1) Cultural Pressures; (2) Family Rituals and Celebrations; (3) Advertising; (4) Food and Health; (5) Time and Creativity; (6) Technology and the Media; (7) Exploring Nature. Optional 8th Session: Celebration.

  The discussion course format encourages: trust, respect, and a sense of community among group members; personal clarity over group consensus; the creation of a supportive environment for personal change; and evaluation of personal lifestyle choices and subsequent effects on the natural world. Goals are to understand how the pervasive effects of advertising, media and our consumer culture can influence a child’s view of the world; to discover ways to create meaningful family times and healthful environments for children; and to explore ways to develop a child’s connection to nature, and to foster creativity.

  We would like to start this discussion group Thursday November 21st. The cost per/person is $20, which pays for the study guide books. The study guide, about 100 pages, contains a diverse collection of short essays, articles, and book excerpts organized around weekly themes to create lively discussion. The course is limited to 12 participants/group. If we have more persons interested we will run two groups. Questions: contact Scarlett Miles, DRE via email or phone 315 235-1545.