ANDROID AND WINDOWS GROUP

Following the Group Secretary’s appeal in the Newsletter, Mike Holt and Roger Bailey have agreed to lead a new group for Android & Windows users.

As well as teaching useful features of these systems, it is hoped to help deal with users problems and provide advice and solutions as well as a forum for general discussion of the subject.

Anyone interested should initially contact the leaders by email Roger Bailey & Mike Holt giving an indication of any topics they would like to be covered by the group.

1023

DEBATING GROUP

New Debating Group.

Participating in a formal debate or even a conversation, when as participants we have spent some time researching the facts ourselves, has many benefits that include:

• Improving our critical thinking, reasoning and research skills
• Increasing our self-confidence, self-esteem and open-mindedness
• Enabling us to appreciate the validity of contrasting points of view
• Encouraging us to think ‘outside the box’
• Helping us to maintain ‘a personal growth mindset’ that promotes lifelong learning
• Arriving at a deeper understanding of the complexity of the issues involved
• Motivating us to creatively craft our own original argument
• Helping us to clearly identify our personal values so that we live more consciously, authentically and purposefully

Furthermore, attending a debate can be more interesting, engaging, informative and thought provoking than attending a conventional lecture in which a topic is didactically taught by a single person. At the end of the debate, it is also of course the audience who decide whether the proponents or opposers of the motion have presented the most convincing argument!

Suitable topics for debate are those for which there are fairly strong arguments on both sides. The group might choose, for example, to debate the motions:

Euthanasia should be legalized the UK.

The United Kingdom should become a Republic.

Asylum seekers should be deported to Rwanda.

All member states of the United Nations should respect Universal Human Rights.

Life is getting better.

Climate change is the greatest threat to humanity today.

Wisdom comes with age and experience.

After an introductory session we would meet once a month for either a discussion on a pre-agreed controversial topic or a formal debate and at the end of each meeting every member of the group will have a few minutes to answer any or all of the following questions:

• What are the most important points you learned today?
• What questions do you still have?
• Do you feel satisfied that both sides of the argument were fairly represented?
• Did you think anyone’s argument was particularly good? Can you say why?

This feedback will later be shared with everyone. The day, time and venue for our meetings will depend upon the number and availability of those who would like to join. If you are interested, please contact Ann Edwards Ann Edwards.

A longstanding Winchester U3a member has recently suggested that an additional Online Debating Group is formed, for those who are less physically mobile but whose minds are still inquiring and alert. Please also contact Ann Edwards Ann Edwards if you are interested in joining this online group.

0823

CANASTA GROUP

Do you play Canasta? Could you teach us ?

A small group of us would like to have an introductory lesson in playing Canasta, in Winchester on a Friday evening in February or March.

Is tere anyone in te Winchester u3a who could help please?

Nikki (please contact via groupsec@winchesteru3a.co.uk)

0223

SYMBOLS AND THE SEARCH FOR MEANING GROUP

Invitation to join a new U3a group for 2022, which aims to be inspiring, informative and thought-provoking as well as providing the opportunity for lively debates and open discussions. We will meet on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 2.30 - 4 pm in Kings Worthy. The first meeting has had to be postponed until September 7th. Venue Worthies Sport and Social Club Loader Close SO237NJ.

A brief outline of the questions, ideas and symbols that will be explored are as follows:

Sessions 1 & 2

What does it mean to be fully human? A summary of six stages of human development will be presented that incorporates the theories and empirical research of Lev Vygotsky, Lawrence Kohlberg, Carol Gilligan, James Fowler, Erik Erikson and Carl Jung.

Sessions 3 & 4

Is homo sapiens a symbolic species? What is a symbol? What are my values? An introduction to Jung’s theory of the individuation process. The idea that every person has ‘a great man within’, that of their conscience and their spiritual intelligence. Kipling’s story of ‘The thing hid inside a man’.

Sessions 5 & 6

Is the search for meaning the same as the search for truth? Are science and religion complimentary? An outline of a traditional hermeneutical framework which identifies four levels of meaning; literal, allegorical, moral and anagogical. The four stages of speech described in the Hindu Vedic tradition.

Sessions 7 & 8

Could the search for meaning related to the search for wholeness? Five holistic symbols from different religions and cultures. The idea that every individual life is a spiritual journey of one kind or another; the symbol of the chariot; the legend of Christopher.

Sessions 9 & 10

Is the search for meaning related to the search for freedom, integrity, righteousness and peace? Clarifying our understanding of these concepts. The Buddha’s noble eightfold path. Reflecting on the meaning of the Biblical symbols of ‘a birthright’, a ‘promised land’ and ‘the kingdom of heaven’. The story of ‘The man with a lantern’.

The group leader, Ann Edwards, moved to Hampshire in 2021. She is a retired teacher with a BSc in Anthropology, a PGCE in Chemistry and an MA in Religious Education. She is currently writing her second book called ‘Towards integrity and understanding: A new holistic educational approach’ which she hopes will be published sometime next year..

If you are interested in joining us please contact Ann Edwards

Ann Edwards

0722