For my final sermon here at First Unitarian, I’d like to share some thoughts about change and how we deal with it. I’ll concentrate on change in the church, especially the changing religious landscape in the United States, and corresponding changes within Unitarian Universalism. Will we meet these changes with hope and creativity? Or will … Continue reading “New Occasions Teach New Duties: Navigating Change”
Noted religious historian Wilfred Cantwell Smith maintained that there’s a unity in the world’s religions, and developed the idea in his book Towards a World Theology. This unity, however, is found in the religious history of humankind, not in its theology or religious practice. What did he mean by this, and what are the implications … Continue reading Is a “World Theology” possible?
Rev. Sue’s sermon lifts up the idea of families as systems, and how they shape our relationships, including those within the church. She’ll share a few stories of how Family Systems Theory has informed her own life and ministry, and discuss the implications for congregational life here at First Unitarian. (Please note: This will be … Continue reading “Knowing Our Families, Knowing Our Church”
This is the last Sunday of the church year for our Religious Explorations classes. During the Time for All Ages, we will have our traditional Bridging Ceremony, which honors those students graduating from high school, and also those progressing from one level of R.E. to the next. Rev. Sue’s sermon will lift up the idea … Continue reading Knowing Our Families, Knowing Ourselves
For this multigenerational service, we remember some of the women who have shaped our Unitarian Universalist faith. These include Julia Ward Howe, who first envisioned Mothers’ Day as a day of peace, and the Rev. Maja Capek, a Czech Unitarian minister, and co-creator of the Flower Ceremony (sometimes known as Flower Communion) with her husband … Continue reading Roots of our Faith: Mothers’ Day and the Flower Festival
On Memorial Marathon weekend, 1UC continues its tradition of holding worship outdoors. We’ve rented Edwards Park Pavilion, 1515 NE Bryant, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and our service begins at its usual 11:00 o’clock hour. Bring a lawn chair with you and enjoy the outdoor service. Direct link to service here.
This year, Earth Day coincides with the first night of Passover, the Jewish freedom festival of freedom. What better time to explore the connections between these two celebrations – care for our beloved planet, and liberation from oppression? Direct Link to service here.
When we think of “courage,” we may automatically associate it with outward acts -heroic rescues or spectacular feats of physical prowess. But what if courage is also found in quiet, daily acts of resolve? We may be braver than we think! Direct Link to Service here.
You might call this my “icebreaker sermon.” Looking back on my life, I realize that much of it has been experimental. One of those experiments involved leaving UU ministry for two years, and going to live in a women’s monastic community. Why did I do this, what did I learn – and what led me … Continue reading “What I Learned from the Sisters”
Our festive Multigenerational service celebrates Easter with festive music from Handel’s Messiah, Part II. ‘Ebuka, our Choir Director, conducts, and our Choir is joined by Steve Elkins Kennedy at the piano, soprano Amanda Kosi, and a chamber orchestra. Rev. Sue’s reflection is entitled “To Live Under the Authority of the Future” and members of the Radical Welcoming … Continue reading “To Live Under the Authority of the Future” (Easter Sunday)
