In March, the Adult Growth and Learning task force began to meet to plan how to move forward with what was next.  Having launched an interim semester of classes in January, it was time to get to work.

Paul Loubere brought the team together: Dean Carr, Mary Tucker, Kathryn Wadsworth, David Deardorf, Henry Amick, Jesse Wild, Beau Ohlgren, and me.  We discussed the hopes and dreams that we wanted to pour into the program for next year and beyond.  We reviewed the ALPs processes, talked about what we wanted to see, considered various values that we hoped to express in our planning and creating.

After several meetings we got down to brass tacks: what was needed to get everything started?

We played with what we might call this renewed program.  We considered a wide array of acronyms to describe it.  Something that was easily remembered, and not too long. There were a few things that we wanted to communicate with the name.

First, we wanted to express that the programming that we’ll be hosting isn’t just about adults.  We hope for intergenerational activities and field trips, ways to invite families and elders and everyone into a community where we can grow together.

Secondly, we wanted a name that was inclusive of an array of opportunities, classes on jazz or poetry, spiritual explorations like Building Your Own Theology, conversations that scratch that itch for thinking deeply about something meaningful, and engaging in discovery of the work that’s needed to heal our hurting world.

After considering a list of ridiculous proportion, we whittled it down to one we all approved: the ALSO Program, that is, the Advancing Learning and Spiritual Opportunities Program.

Watch for announcements about submitting proposals for classes in the coming month.  We’re looking to you to share your passions and your talents with others, to offer simple adventures, and complicated ideas – or simple and beautiful ideas and complicated adventures.  Cooking?  Dancing?  Sauntering through a woodland?  We welcome all.

Last but not least, let Paul know if you’re interested in joining the ALSO Program Team!  The work will be engaging and the company will be good!  We look forward to hearing from some of you!