Here during Black History Month, let’s consider origin stories. There has been much press the past few years about identifying the founding date of the United States not as 1776, instead as 1619, the year the first African slave ship arrived on the shores of Virginia. This view acknowledges the slavery and racism which has been … Continue reading 1619, not 1776
Unitarian Universalism is grounded on common values, not common beliefs, values defined in Article II of the UUA Bylaws, last revised in 1985. All UUs are encouraged to learn about the proposed revision of Article II. The revision statement places Love as the central, core value on which the other six values — pluralism, interdependence, … Continue reading Putting Love at the Center
As part of a congregational book group during January, some congregants have considered the theme of “Trusting Change.” Trust is essential to authentic personal relationships as well as to thriving communities and congregations. Trust enhances centeredness, that feeling of wholeness, focus, and mission. Today’s reflections on trust as centeredness also paves the way for the … Continue reading The Centering Power of Trust
Martin Luther King and John Lewis, leaders in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, were committed to working for racial justice through non-violent methods of social reform, committed to making this world a better place for all people. On this weekend recognizing King’s birth, let’s reflect on the Civil Rights march in Selma, Alabama … Continue reading Making Good Trouble: MLK, John Lewis, and a Bridge in Selma
How well do you know UUFD’s history? What about the history of Unitarian Universalism? History explains our identity, our centeredness. Because connections with the past inform our present and inspires future direction, focus on a congregation’s history is one of the five focus points of interim ministry. Indeed, considered as part of congregational life, history … Continue reading History as Identity: History as Spiritual Practice
Come, join this holiday tradition. Bring friends and family to this multi-generational service of Lessons and Carols of the season. Music and readings will be offered by UUFD’s members and friends of all ages, followed by the traditional candlelighting ceremony. Bring holiday treats for a reception after the first service. The offering at this service … Continue reading Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service: 4 pm
Today, resonate with the sounds and spirit of Taize music, a worship tradition which originated in the 1940s in the Taize Monastic Order in Burgundy, France, bringing Catholics and Protestants together in common ritual. An authentic Taizé worship service involves sung and chanted prayers, meditation, silence, and readings rather than a sermon. We incorporate elements … Continue reading Mid-Winter Taize Meditation
Sometime in our binary way of thinking about the world, we associate ‘light’ with ‘good’ and ‘dark’ with ‘bad.’ Let’s up-end this thinking by considering darkness as an important component of spiritual deepening and renewal. Let’s explore how we can find mindfulness and renewal in the darkness.
Gratitude abounds at UUFD as we give thanks for the many gifts we receive from this community: friendship, spiritual deepening, faith development, and more. Let us express gratitude for these gifts by crafting a community quilt. Come, see what we are up to in the “out of the box” service on this holiday weekend! There … Continue reading Creating a Community Gratitude Quilt
A congregation in interim ministry is driven by two basic questions: who are we, and where do we want to go? Many of the responses to these questions are informed by two other questions: do we want to stay the same, or do we want to change? Mindsets of change open up new vistas, new … Continue reading Interim Time: Change Time
