I wonder if anyone has heard stories about Unitarian Universalism being an “anything goes” sort of religion, or that Unitarian Universalists don’t need to believe in anything. Let’s reframe those “anything goes” stories, to consider a constructive framework which defines free religion and membership in Unitarian Universalism. We’ll tell the positive story of why membership … Continue reading The Story of Membership
Since its earliest inception following the Civil War, Presidents, generals and activists such as Frederick Douglas have offered speeches on what began as “Decoration Day,” and is now called Memorial Day. Members of our UU congregation will present excerpts from several of these Arlington Cemetery tributes through the ages.
Today we recognize the many volunteers who have participated in shared ministry to UUCM this year: leadership of committees, groups, and projects, and the all-important Religious Education teachers and students. Our congregation is a Voluntary Association, in the words of James Luther Adams. Volunteering is essential to the stewardship of this congregation.
Our modern celebration of Mother’s Day started as a call by Unitarian Julia Ward Howe in 1870 for Mother’s Peace Day. On this day of honoring all mothers as well as anyone who nurtured us, let us remember to promote peace around the world for the future of our children for generations to come.
Are there places in your life where “old maps” — that is, traditional habits, perhaps some which you’ve held for a long time — are no longer serving you? How can you know when an old map has led you to a dead end? What would it be like to travel through life without a … Continue reading Old Maps No Longer Work
Join the children and youth in this multigen service to explore the difficulties of bullying and how to approach it with love and resistance. Presented through music, readings, and a skit, they explore how emotions interact with a bully’s choices and the complexity of how hurt can be displayed. With this new perspective on the … Continue reading Resistance: Stand Against Bullying
The science behind our climate changes continues to grow more overt, robust and concerning, if not alarming. The service, in shared ministry between UUFD’s Environmental Justice Team and worship ministry, will offer reflections on the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report and what it means for our spiritual path.
Many of us may have deep visual and spiritual appreciation for trees, of all shapes and sizes and smells. New ideas about how trees communicate with one another, such as by Suzanne Simard in Finding the Mother Tree, go beyond aesthetic benefits to what trees can teach us about interpersonal relationships. Consider what you can … Continue reading Cultivating Relationships Through Wisdom from the Trees
As the earth awakens from winter cold and darkness, we experience many renewals, many paths to new life. In this multi-generational service, we celebrate seasonal renewal through music, story, and spoken message. We also celebrate the centennial of the traditional UU Flower Ceremony, created by Unitarian Capek. Bring flowers to create community bouquets and take … Continue reading Easter Sunday: Many Resurrections, Many Renewals
When I hear congregations express a desire to grow, this usually means growing in membership. However, congregations cannot just will growth in numbers. Greater numbers is nurtured by other types of growth: spiritual deepening, organizational maturity, and outreach to the community. Sometimes growth in number is met by either explicit or implicit resistance. Growth of … Continue reading Whether to Growth?
