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Adult Programming

UUs often describe their religion as a spiritual search – that is, we affirm individual freedom of belief and encourage each person's unique religious quest. Adult Religious Education and Affinity Groups are an important tool in that quest.

Adult Religious Education

Shawnee Mission UU Church offers adult programs designed to serve the needs of both new and lifelong Unitarian Universalists. Our offerings are eclectic, diverse and interesting – just like our members!

We hope you will find something here that is interesting to YOU! Some classes meet Sunday mornings, and some meet during weekday evenings.

Current courses include: 

  • CPR TRAINING for VOLUNTEERS/STAFF for more information and to register click here

  • Radical Listening: Parent Design Lab for more information and to register click here

Past courses include:

  • Engaging World Religions: Seeking Meaning in Mystery, Our Part in White Supremacy

  • Restorative Practices Workshop Series

  • AI: Utopian Possibilities & Existential Risks

  • Unitarian Universalist History

  • Classism in America – Past and Present

  • Soul Connections workshops on monthly themes, such as ‘trust’ and ‘journey’

  • The American Eugenics Movement: Science, Religion, and Systemic Oppression

Soul Matters Small Groups

SMUUCh is part of the Soul Matters Sharing Circle, a network of Unitarian Universalist congregations that follow the same monthly theme, serving as a web of support and connection. Soul Matters groups are small groups, connected to our monthly worship themes, with a unique practice component that helps us not just think about the themes, but live them. Participants receive a monthly theme-based packet that includes spiritual exercises, questions that encourage reflection on daily living, and recommended resources that help participants explore the themes in more depth. If you’re looking for ways to grow your spirituality and get to know other people, Soul Matters groups may be for you. Each of our Soul Matters Small Groups meets on a different day or time to accommodate a variety of schedules. You must have attended Starting Point to join a Soul Matters small group. If you’d like to learn more about this program, please contact Dale Trott or Vicki Miller.

Affinity/Interest Groups for Adults

Adults can find others who share their interests at SMUUCh. Information about current affinity groups can be found below:

  • This group meets on the first Sunday of the month from 9:00- 10:00 a.m. to address topics that are unique to the atheist perspective. This is a safe space where non-theists can meet with others of similar persuasion to comfortable share their journey. For more information contact Chuck Beargie.

  • Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries aka DRUUMM is the oldest and largest Unitarian Universalist People of Color ministry and anti-racist community organization based in North America. Learn more here.

    DRUUMM will be hosting its national gathering Sept 17th - 20th which is when the DRUUMM community pauses from the pace of daily organizing and ministry to reconnect with one another, deepen spiritual grounding, and strengthen our collective vision

    The gathering will take place at Unity Village (just outside Kansas City, Missouri) for 4 days of worship, conversation, learning, and celebration among Unitarian Universalists of color and our communities of care. All People of Color are encouraged to register and attend.

    Early Bird Registration Pricing Available until 6/25/26.  You do not need to be a member of DRUUMM to attend.  Find out more and register here.

    What can White Allies do to help?

    White Allies can offer support by volunteering to give rides to the event and offer emergency support.

  • Our church property has several garden areas. The main entrance, a meditation garden, a memory garden, and garden area surrounding our new labyrinth. Whatever your level of garden skill, you are welcome to help us maintain our beautiful property. Contact us for more information.

  • ALL SMUUCh men are invited to join us twice each month, once on the first Monday from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. for informal discussion or a pre-selected topic in the Fellowship Hall and again on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. for an offsite dining-out get-together. Contact us for more info.

  • The practice of Buddhist philosophy can help us discover a truly rewarding and peaceful path. Guided meditation is followed by a short Dharma talk for those who would like to participate. People of all faiths are welcome and beginners are encouraged to try it out!

  • The Non-Fiction Book Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm in Room 4.

    Upcoming reading list:

    • January 15 - The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

    • February 19 - It Happened in Kansas by Sarah Smarsh 

    • March 19 - Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth and Don Hagen

    • April 16 - What We Owe the Future by William MacAskill 

    • May 21 - Nice Racism by Robin DiAngelo

    • June 18 - White Rural Rage by Tom Schaller, Paul Waldman 

    • July 16 - The True History of Chocolate by Sophie D. Coe and Michael D. Coe 

    • August 20 - The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon

    • September 17 - The Salt of the Universe by Amy Leach 

    • October 15 - Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neil 

    • November 19 - Death in the Rain Forest by Don Kulick, Paul Woodson 

    • December 17 - Book Selections for 2027 Party

    For more information, contact Juanita Wiley

  • Meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Room 4. These bibliophiles enjoy reading and discussing works of fiction. If you do too, come join us!

    Upcoming reading list:

    2026

    January 13 - Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

    February 10 - Less by Andrew Sean Greer

    March 10 - Forgottenness by Tanja Maljartshuk

    April 14 - Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

    May 12 - Tasmania by Paolo Giordano

    June 9 - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

    For more information, contact Annette Box

  • If you're a philosopher, wannabe philosopher, or just someone who's interested in learning more about the great ideas of western civilization, come join us on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact us.

  • The Truth & Meaning Book Club (formerly Spiritual Texts) takes its name from the 4th UU principle – a fair and responsible search for truth and meaning. We read nonfiction and fiction books that support us as Unitarian Universalists in this search. Books are selected to be accessible and inclusive regardless of spiritual orientation. Our group includes atheists, agnostics, and theists.  We meet on the third Sunday of most months in Room 4 at Shawnee Mission UU from 7-8:30 PM. 

    Please contact Fiske Miles for more information

  • This group welcomes spiritual seekers who consider themselves to be theists, accepting some concept of God, the Divine, or the Transcendent as real and true, or those who wish to know more about theism as a spiritual path. The group meets on the first and third Sundays of the month from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. in room four. For more information contact Fiske Miles.

  • Enjoy game night at SMUUCh every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Room 17. We typically play board games like Settlers of Catan, Codenames, or Colt Express. Bring your favorite and we can try it out too. Get in touch!

  • This is a space for friendship, learning, empowerment, and healing that meets one Sunday each month from 12:00 – 1:00 PM in Room 26. Contact Micah Emerson if you have any questions. 

  • This is a group for persons ages 18-35 to connect, get to know one another, and deepen their community connections.