In these two presentations, Professor Marissen, an acclaimed Bach scholar, will explore Bach's various theological approaches in his magnificent choral music for the Advent-Christmas season. His presentation on December 9 will center on Bach's Magnificat, to be performed as part of the All Souls Christmas Eve services this year, and how its mus ...…

n these two presentations, Professor Marissen, an acclaimed Bach scholar, will explore Bach's various theological approaches in his magnificent choral music for the Advent-Christmas season. On December 2 he will focus on Bach's Christmas Oratorio, last performed by the All Souls Choir at the Christmas Eve services last year, and how its musical ...…

Climate Change From the Perspective of Religious Traditionswith Karenna Gore and and staff of the Center for Earth Ethics The majority of US citizens do not need to be convinced that climate change is real and a present and future threat to our fragile ecological systems. We are frequent witnesses to its reality and vast toll in every part of o ...…

Climate Change From the Perspective of Religious Traditionswith Karenna Gore and and staff of the Center for Earth Ethics The majority of US citizens do not need to be convinced that climate change is real and a present and future threat to our fragile ecological systems. We are frequent witnesses to its reality and vast toll in every part of o ...…

The Trouble with Darwin with Laura PedersenSunday, October 21, 2018Charles Darwin is arguably the most influential writer of the past 150 years. Publication of his theory of evolution through natural selection in 1859 revolutionized the world in ways that we are still building on and also reeling from. The interconnectedness of all living thing ...…

The Trouble with Darwin with Laura PedersenCharles Darwin is arguably the most influential writer of the past 150 years. Publication of his theory of evolution through natural selection in 1859 revolutionized the world in ways that we are still building on and also reeling from. The interconnectedness of all living things presented enormous imp ...…

Luther at 500: The Reformation for our Times With Richard R. John, Ph.DJoin Columbia University history professor Richard R. John for a three-part series of presentations on the life and legacy of one of the world’s most remarkable rebels, Martin Luther. Last October marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation that was ignited wh ...…

Luther at 500: The Reformation for our Timeswith Richard R. John, Ph.D.Join Columbia University history professor Richard R. John for a three-part series of presentations on the life and legacy of one of the world’s most remarkable rebels, Martin Luther. Last October marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation that was ignited wh ...…

Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his doctoral dissertation on the theology of Paul Tillich, who barely escaped Nazi Germany to New York’s Union Theological Seminary in the years just prior to World War II, and whose books the Nazis had burned. This joint recommendation points us to perhaps the most creative edge of Tillich’s work: his doctrine of “ ...…

Continuing the exploration of faith, justice and immigration begun in January, social ethicist Sarah Azaransky will address special issues related to current policies of the United States related specifically to our border with Mexico, based on first-hand experiences during her residency in southern California.Today: Focus on citizenship as a m ...…

Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his doctoral dissertation on the theology of Paul Tillich, who barely escaped Nazi Germany to New York’s Union Theological Seminary in the years just prior to World War II, and whose books the Nazis had burned. This joint recommendation points us to perhaps the most creative edge of Tillich's work: his doctrine of “ ...…

Continuing the exploration of faith, justice and immigration begun in January, social ethicist Sarah Azaransky will address special issues related to current policies of the United States related specifically to our border with Mexico, based on first-hand experiences during her residency in southern California.May 20: Professor Azaransky will p ...…

Hope in a Time of Political Crisis: Paul Tillich’s Political Theologywith Christopher Ashley, Ph.D.Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his doctoral dissertation on the theology of Paul Tillich, who barely escaped Nazi Germany to New York’s Union Theological Seminary in the years just prior to World War II, and whose books the Nazis had burned. This jo ...…

The Founders, Religious Liberty, and the Separation of Church and Statewith Richard R. John, Ph.D.Why did the founders of our country feel so strongly about religious liberty? How did their life experiences shape their ideas about the relation of church and state? What did they believe about God? Join Columbia University historian Richard R. Jo ...…

Hope in a Time of Political Crisis: Paul Tillich’s Political Theologywith Christopher Ashley, Ph.D.Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his doctoral dissertation on the theology of Paul Tillich, who barely escaped Nazi Germany to New York’s Union Theological Seminary in the years just prior to World War II, and whose books the Nazis had burned. This jo ...…

The Founders, Religious Liberty, and the Separation of Church and Statewith Richard R. John, Ph.D.Why did the founders of our country feel so strongly about religious liberty? How did their life experiences shape their ideas about the relation of church and state? What did they believe about God? Join Columbia University historian Richard R. Jo ...…

Human Rights: Peace, Economic Justice and Prophetic ReligionThis second presentation will look at how Dr. King addressed the difficult issues of war and poverty. It will also explore the value and potential he believed the world’s religions contained to promote peace and good will across the globe.

Each prelude and fugue in Bach’s 'Well-Tempered Clavier' is a small universe of its own, unique in its musical form and emotional temperament. The composer’s mastery in weaving together independent voices and different, often contrasting ideas into beautiful pieces of music not only keeps us grounded, but can also provide inspiration and insigh ...…

Civil Rights and Racial JusticeMr. Anderson will examine how Dr. King conceptualized love as a tool for positive social change in the struggle for racial justice in America.

Each prelude and fugue in Bach’s "Well-Tempered Clavier" is a small universe of its own, unique in its musical form and emotional temperament. The composer’s mastery in weaving together independent voices and different, often contrasting ideas into beautiful pieces of music not only keeps us grounded, but can also provide inspiration and insigh ...…

co-sponsored with the All Souls Religious Education CommitteePanel Discussion: Parenting Children With ChallengesJoin us for a panel discussion and conversation with parents who are raising children with a range of challenges, including learning disabilities, neurological and emotional difficulties. They will discuss their experiences and share ...…

On this 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we also recall the theological vision he shared with his dear friend Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a vision that compelled both men to become activists in the struggle against racism and to provide impassioned religious opposition to this country’s long engagement in t ...…

Promoting the Inherent Worth and Dignity of ALL Our Childrenco-sponsored with the All Souls Religious Education CommitteeApril 8: Screening of Pilot Episode of "Speechless""As soon as the trailer for the new ABC comedy dropped in June 2016, Speechless became one of the most important shows about disability in the history of television. That’s n ...…

God’s Search for the Human: The Spiritual Audacity of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschelwith Rev. David RobbOn this 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we also recall the theological vision he shared with his dear friend Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a vision that compelled both men to become activists in the struggle ...…

In the months and weeks leading up to America’s entry into World War I, the United States was roiled by anger over an inequitable economy, labor unrest, the politics of immigration, a tendentious press and the anguishing questions of war and peace. Strong voices spoke out for and against sending troops to Europe. President Woodrow Wilson, reluc ...…

Join us as former All Souls Acting Associate Minister Ana Levy-Lyons discusses themes from her recently published first book, No Other Gods: The Politics of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are linked in many people’s minds with social conservatives like Roy Moore or sometimes just with dry moral principles. From another perspective, ...…

Religion and Environmentalismwith Frank CiullaHow are modern humans both damaging and repairing the environment? How are the values and practices of ancient and modern religions similar to the current environmental movement? Is environmentalism a kind of “secular religion?” Join us as Frank Ciulla explores these questions that help illuminate t ...…

How are modern humans both damaging and repairing the environment? How are the values and practices of ancient and modern religions similar to the current environmental movement? Is environmentalism a kind of “secular religion?” Join us as Frank Ciulla explores these questions that help illuminate the intersection of religious traditions and en ...…

Our religion has stayed small for generations. With the rise of the unchurched and the shifting needs of people today, what is the future of Unitarian Universalism? How do identity and faith formation shape our possible future? What are the spiritual needs of contemporary families and what shifts might we make today for a viable future tomorrow?…

How are modern humans both damaging and repairing the environment? How are the values and practices of ancient and modern religions similar to the current environmental movement? Is environmentalism a kind of “secular religion?” Join us as Frank Ciulla explores these questions that help illuminate the intersection of religious traditions and en ...…

Our religion has stayed small for generations. With the rise of the unchurched and the shifting needs of people today, what is the future of Unitarian Universalism? How do identity and faith formation shape our possible future? What are the spiritual needs of contemporary families and what shifts might we make today for a viable future tomorrow?…

W.E.B. DuBois described spirituals as “the most original and beautiful expression of life and longing yet born on American soil.” But visual culture also has much to tell us about the spirituality of African diaspora peoples in America. The Great Migration and the growth of a Black audience for visual arts in the twentieth century created new o ...…

Jazz is a uniquely American art form that draws upon and synthesizes African rhythms, Gospel music and blues with the history of American slavery. Join Robert O’Meally as he explores the spiritual dimension of the jazz idiom in the American experience through the work of three different artists, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Romare Bearden ...…

W.E.B. DuBois described spirituals as “the most original and beautiful expression of life and longing yet born on American soil.” But visual culture also has much to tell us about the spirituality of African diaspora peoples in America. This series will explore spirituality as it is addressed in paintings, sculptures and photographs created by ...…

Jazz is a uniquely American art form that draws upon and synthesizes African rhythms, Gospel music and blues with the history of American slavery. Join acclaimed jazz historian and Columbia University Professor Robert O’Meally as he explores the spiritual dimension of the jazz idiom in the American experience through the work of three different ...…

Democracy in Chains: The Origins of Today's Radical Right and the Crisis of American DemocracyAuthor of the National Book Award finalist "Democracy In Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plans for America," Nancy MacLean will present an introduction to her thesis in this special All Souls Lifelines Program. Booklist calls "D ...…

Jazz is a uniquely American art form that draws upon and synthesizes African rhythms, Gospel music and blues with the history of American slavery. Join acclaimed jazz historian and Columbia University Professor Robert O’Meally as he explores the spiritual dimension of the jazz idiom in the American experience through the work of three different ...…

Inspired by the “Immigration as a Moral Issue” curriculum of the Unitarian Universalist Association, this series will explore the complex issue of immigration from the perspective of Unitarian Universalist values. In 2013 the UUA declared, “A belief in the ‘inherent worth and dignity of every person’ is core to Unitarian Universalism: every per ...…

That Which Smothers the Soul: Fighting the Reductionisms of Our TimePeople are beginning to challenge the “naturalistic fallacy” — the notion that “can implies ought.” We can use technology to do many things, but ought we to do so in all cases? Do human beings still maintain agency and therefore control? How we address this question will affect ...…

Inspired by the “Immigration as a Moral Issue” curriculum of the Unitarian Universalist Association, this series will explore the complex issue of immigration from the perspective of Unitarian Universalist values. In 2013 the UUA declared, “A belief in the ‘inherent worth and dignity of every person’ is core to Unitarian Universalism: every per ...…

Is Theology Over?Since the 19th century, many philosophers have argued our current age has no use for theology or else have collapsed theology into “other vocabularies.” Some have called for theology to be banished from serious consideration and conversation. Is there still a place for theology in the 21st century that is so dominated by commer ...…

Inspired by the “Immigration as a Moral Issue” curriculum of the Unitarian Universalist Association, this series will explore the complex issue of immigration from the perspective of Unitarian Universalist values. In 2013 the UUA declared, “A belief in the ‘inherent worth and dignity of every person’ is core to Unitarian Universalism: every per ...…

In recent years, spiritual memoirs have frequently become best-selling books, garnering public acclaim. What distinguishes them as a special subset of autobiography? In this two-part presentation, Dr. Mason will introduce participants to the genre and encourage the preparation of brief personal memoirs by the participants. Workshops will follow ...…

Inspired by the “Immigration as a Moral Issue” curriculum of the Unitarian Universalist Association, this series will explore the complex issue of immigration from the perspective of Unitarian Universalist values. In 2013 the UUA declared, “A belief in the ‘inherent worth and dignity of every person’ is core to Unitarian Universalism: every per ...…

In recent years, spiritual memoirs have frequently become best-selling books, garnering public acclaim. What distinguishes them as a special subset of autobiography? In this two-part presentation, Dr. Mason will introduce participants to the genre and encourage the preparation of brief personal memoirs by the participants. Workshops will follow ...…

Healing from Childhood: Buddhist and Psychoanalytic Exploration of Psychological Recovery and IntegrationIn her new book, "To Heal a Wounded Heart: On the Transformative Power of Buddhism & Psychotherapy in Action", Dr. Jennings explores the psychoanalytic treatment of her first patient. In this session, she will discuss her approach to this ca ...…

Advent is that season in the church’s liturgical calendar that focuses our attention on preparation for the celebration of Christmas. It corresponds with the dying of the natural world and its slow, inexorable movement toward the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—and the turning that marks the slow recovery towards spring. It is also ...…

December 10: The Ghosts of Childhood: A Buddhist and Psychoanalytic ResponseIn the Buddhist and psychoanalytic healing traditions, there is great respect paid to the impact of suffering and its ripple effects throughout the life cycle. The traditions, however, diverge in their understanding of what causes suffering. This is particularly true of ...…

Advent is that season in the church’s liturgical calendar that focuses our attention on preparation for the celebration of Christmas. It corresponds with the dying of the natural world and its slow, inexorable movement toward the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—and the turning that marks the slow recovery towards spring. It is also ...…

“Karma” is generally recognized as a central spiritual teaching of Buddhism, but one that is not widely understood. Why should we care about a seemingly abstract term from another culture? In this session we will examine the essential concept in Buddhism of the nature and end of suffering as contrasted with Aristotle’s understanding of happines ...…