DOCSLIB.ORG

The Communitarian Quarterly Newsletter

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Communitarian Quarterly Newsletter NURTURE SPIRITUALITY FOSTER COMPASSION ENGAGE IN SERVICE 468 Rosedale Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 914-946-1660 www.cuCwp.org Established 1909 Accessible to Handicapped THE COMMUNITARIAN QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Meredith’s Musings Our theme in December was “Letting Go.” But there are some things that we resist letting go of. Which led to January’s theme, “Resistance.” But if there are some things we resist, there are other things that we actively pursue. Which led to February’s theme, “Desire.” Is there a way to be free of all this resisting and desiring that seems to rule our lives? That leads to March’s theme, “Liberation.” From there we move into April’s theme, “Creation,” and then to May’s theme, “Blessing.” Are these continuations of the evident progression from “Letting Go” through “Liberation”? Surely so, in some ways. Liberation (March) must begin with the question, from what do we seek to be liberated? What are the chains holding you? In parts of the world, full-scale slavery is still going on. Probably, none of the members of our congregation have ever been enslaved in that full-scale way. Even so, I would guess that there was a time in your past in which you were bound to something from which you now are liberated. What further liberation is called for? Resentments, desires, fears, small or large, bind us. We stand midway between full-scale slavery and full-scale liberation. The unfinished work of freedom lies before us. Creation (April) is the act or process of creating, of bringing something into existence. “Creation” also refers to the world and everything in it – as in “all creation groans under the agony of death,” or “all creation sings the joy of being.” Thus the concept “creation” invites us to reflect on the role of our own creativity in our lives, and also invites us to explore reverence for the created world in which we live, breathe, and have our being. How does eco-spirituality (reverential care for all creation) engage our creativity? How do our creative activities lead back to connection with our created Earth? Blessing (May) further explores the relationship between what we make ourselves and what we don’t. Saying a blessing is an acknowledgment that that you didn’t make the thing yourself – an MARCH 2016 !1 NURTURE SPIRITUALITY FOSTER COMPASSION ENGAGE IN SERVICE acknowledgment that situates us within our interconnections. Blessing affirms and reinforces our sense of place within a web of mutual care. Through blessing we help ourselves and one another see that web, realize the beloved community. “Realize,” as in “become aware of.” And at the same time “realize,” as in “make real.” When we're talking about what blessing does, to become aware of the beloved community is also at the same time to make it real. Yours in the faith we share, —Rev. Meredith Garmon Chair’s Report So Many things are going on at CUUC right now – how to Choose whiCh to Mention? I believe you all know about the exCiting things suCh as our efforts to support raCial justiCe, Day in PlaCe, MusiC ConCert, Chili brunCh, and other highly visible prograMs. Here are a few things that you May not have heard as MuCh about. In January, I joined eight other CUUC MeMbers and staff for a trip to Albany to lobby our legislators for issues affeCting faMilies and woMen’s rights. While so MuCh progress has been Made in the last few deCades, so MuCh still reMains to be done. The energy was palpable, and the strength of our nuMbers seeMed to Make a veritable differenCe. The involveMent of UU’s and our Clergy was an added benefit to this Cause, where the “religious” are often assuMed to be taking a Conservative stand. This trip was inspirational, and I look forward to hearing about events and aCtions froM our other SoCial JustiCe TeaMs as they Move their plans forward. Westchester UU’s Collaboration The five WestChester UU Congregations have had a few initial Meetings regarding ways we Can work together. These disCussions have inCluded talks on joining forCes on things suCh as soCial justiCe, youth prograMMing, MusiC, and CoMMuniCations, aMong other things. These disCussions will likely Continue, and we will see what wonderful opportunities we Can all share as UU’s in WestChester. Building Assessment We reCently CoMpleted a building assessMent using a qualified engineering firM. The study looked at our pluMbing, eleCtriCal, and struCtural systeMs, providing estiMates for our near and Middle-terM replaCeMent needs. As expeCted, the needs are quite signifiCant, and the Board’s next steps are to brainstorM on strategizing ways to Meet these needs. Parking Lot We are engaging an engineering firM to drive the parking lot repaving. We antiCipate this projeCt oCCurring during the suMMer. We initially planned to exeCute this projeCt in the spring. We’ve been advised, however, not to start before June, so that ground waters Can reCede, and the best possible produCt outCoMe is aChieved. In faith, Karen Schmitt, Board Chair MARCH 2016 !2 NURTURE SPIRITUALITY FOSTER COMPASSION ENGAGE IN SERVICE CUUC 2016-2017 Annual Giving Today at Community Unitarian Universalist Congrega4on there is a lot of excitement and energy! Journey groups are in full swing, Social Jus4ce Teams are engaged in ac4vi4es suppor4ng their focus areas, Summer Services have had their highest a?endance ever, the RE program has many new and inspiring programs, and Rev. Meredith Garmon is well placed and giving thoughEul sermons each week! In the coming year, your Board of Trustees has set its budget priori4es in several key areas: • Grow the overall programming (Social Jus4ce, Religious Educa4on, Congrega4onal Events, and Summer Services) • Connue to compevely compensate our staff • Con4nue to contribute our “fair share” to the UUA and Metro-District • Hire a Ministerial Intern and Youth Advisor • Carry out building repairs This year’s Annual Giving theme is “Strength in Numbers.” In mee4ng the above goals, we have set a total pledge goal of $440,000. Our programming and services are supported only by us: • Pung a child through RE costs approximately $2,400 per year • Running a service costs approximately $4,000 per week To meet our Annual Giving goal, it is important that we receive a pledge from every member and friend! The 2016-2017 Annual Giving Campaign will kick off on April 3 with a full Sunday of ac4vi4es. Following the service, there will be brunch for all CUUC members and friends and we hope you all will a?end. CUUC is an important part of our lives, and we ask that you pledge and help fund our shared aspira4ons for CUUC. Sincerely, Creighton Cray, Chair of the Annual Giving Campaign Karen Schmitt, Chair of the Board of Trustees MARCH 2016 !3 NURTURE SPIRITUALITY FOSTER COMPASSION ENGAGE IN SERVICE Religious Education Perry’s Ponderings “We have the saMe heart,” one woMan said to another during Coffee Hour, as they MatChed the valentine heart halves they held in their hands. The Children had Created deCorative hearts, Cut theM in half, and handed theM out, along with questions to ask your “other half.” It inCreased the pulse of Coffee Hour CirCulation and was a wonderful way to Make new ConneCtions. We shared our hearts More intentionally on Valentine’s Day Morning. The Children learned that February 14 is “Friendship Day” in Finland. Gifts and feelings of appreCiation are shared with Many people, rather than one speCial valentine. In RE, we took the opportunity to talk about the Meaning of friendship and responded to the question “What is friendship?” The Children explained that it is “liking the saMe things but aCCepting your differenCes.” They reCognized CoMMon interests Creating a link, but aCCeptanCe as the true nature of friendship. In the Children’s Worship story, MiChael says that Rosie likes hiM when he says silly things and not just when he says sMart things. We do not always think that our friends say sMart things; yet, we still hold appreCiation for theM in our hearts beCause our bond is greater than any one thought. There is a saying in UU CirCles, “We need not think alike to love alike.” In a Congregation of open Minds and freedoM of thought, we have an array of strongly expressed viewpoints. Our opinions on a topiC are varied, but there is soMething that holds us together. We often struggle to explain the essential “love alike” aspeCt. A group of us planning for the April 24 “Bring a Friend Sunday” spent soMe tiMe atteMpting to put the uniqueness of Unitarian UniversalisM into words. Our 7 PrinCiples Capture our CoMMon love expressed in foundational values that we uphold – respeCt, CoMpassion, freedoM, peaCe, and interdependenCe. Other ConCepts CaMe up in our Conversation: religious deMoCraCy, welcoMing the questioner, reason in religion, Making the world a better plaCe, and real ConneCtions with the real you. When you are able to bring your authentiC self, with its struggles and iMperfeCtions, into a faith CoMMunity, the inner disCovery and spiritual path that unfold have true Meaning in your life. At our TeaCher DevelopMent Day, RE teaChers ConteMplated what it Means to be a “relevant faith.” In a relevant faith, you ConneCt with the purpose of your life and how it relates to the Current Culture we live in. As a CoMMunity, we disCover how to respond to all that is happening in the world in the Context of our purpose. In Creating a More just, CoMpassionate world, we May have different ways of approaChing the issues, but we share the saMe heart. MARCH 2016 !4 NURTURE SPIRITUALITY FOSTER COMPASSION ENGAGE IN SERVICE Religious Education CUUC Variety Show – Sat May 7 at 5 p.m.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • WINDOWS Services Newsletter of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany Aug
    Edited for the Web: Personal infor- —1— mation and contacts removed, as well Sundays at Albany UU as children’s last names. Web viewers needing more information are invited to Please join us on any Sunday for: contact the church office at administra- Mindfulness Meditation, Religious Education for children and youth, the [email protected]. Service, Coffee Hour, or any combination thereof. Other programs on Sundays include Forum (social justice and environmental topics), Family Chapel, social events, and adult education. All are welcome! WINDOWS Services Newsletter of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany Aug. 7 "Poetry as Spiritual Practice" Philomena Moriarty For centuries we have used poetry to connect with our spiritual selves. Mid-Summer 2016 Words matter. Words tug at our souls. Words from the Psalms to the po- ems of Mary Oliver resonate with something deep inside us. This service In this issue: will be a celebration of poetry to help us rediscover the poetry within. 1 Services Music: Randy Rosette 2 Calendar 3 News Aug. 14 " Protest and Peace: A UU Minister Responds" Rev. 5 Growing Together Tom Chulak 6 Our Community In July, I decided to travel to Cleveland to attend the Republican National 10 Social Justice Convention. I went feeling a sense of urgency to protest the Republican 12 Contact Us nominee, but even more importantly to be a non-violent presence after the killings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota and the killing of police in Dallas and Baton Rouge.. I thought, as a Unitarian Universalist Minister, how should I respond? What should I do? This service is a re- flection on my response.
    [Show full text]
  • June 23, 2021
    Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock We aspire to be a loving, religious community where we can grow spiritually and build a more just and joyful world. —UUCSR Vision Statement See page 6 for details June Monthly Theme: Play See the Calendar List Here June 23, 2021 Sunday, June 27, 2021, 11:00 am Touchstones UUA General Assembly Worship Service Rev. Dr. Natalie M. Fenimore Circle ’Round for Justice, Healing, Courage Streamed from As I write my last Touchstones of this Virtual General Assembly (GA) 2021. * Join in the largest annual congregational year, I look back at how worship gathering of UUs at this year’s GA worship experience the year began. featuring worship leaders of First Universalist in Minneapolis, a congregation that has been a model of shared ministry and For the first Touchstones of what it means to put the work of dismantling white supremacy September 2020, when we were still and building anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices at the center deep in pandemic lockdown and of their ministry. Their leadership exemplifies some of the best awaiting possible vaccines, practices that are possible when we embrace the work of shared I asked that our community choose to ministry rooted in love and justice. look forward in these ways: Sunday, July 4, 2021, 11:00 am Allow Grieving Rev. Anthony Mtuaswa Johnson, Guest Minister Build Resilience Welcome Change Democracy, Through My Eyes Rev. Johnson wrote, “When I Embrace Joy first heard, years ago, that the word DEMOCRACY was nowhere in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence I was We are now ending our congregational year with COVID vaccines startled.
    [Show full text]
  • WINDOWS Services Newsletter of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany Sept
    Edited for the Web: Personal infor- mation and contacts removed, as well —1— Sundays at Albany UU as children’s last names. Web viewers needing more information are invited to Please join us on any Sunday for: contact the church office at administra- Mindfulness Meditation, Religious Education for children and youth, the [email protected]. Service, Coffee Hour, or any combination thereof. Other programs on Sundays include Forum (social justice and environmental topics), Family Chapel, social events, and adult education. All are welcome! WINDOWS Services Newsletter of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany Sept. 4 "Moral Movements," Rev. Emily McNeill Labor Day is more than just the end of summer. It's an important occa- September 2016 sion to honor the labor movement's contributions to society and to re- commit to work for economic justice. This is work that must engage our In this issue: deepest moral commitments. 1 Services Music: Ann Brandon 2 Calendar 3 Sam’s Outlook Sept. 11 “Homecoming Sunday: Returning to the Well,” Rev. 4 News Sam Trumbore 8 Growing Together Even though some of you have been coming all summer, traditionally we celebrate the beginning of our fall season with a special service. As part 12 Our Community of the celebration we bring water from our travels or nearby to represent 15 Social Justice sources of renewal from our summer activities. We’ll have a celebratory 18 Flyers lunch after the service. Bring your water, real or virtual, and stay to re- 20 Contact Us connect. Music: Choir Sept. 18 “The Occupy Movement: 5 Years Later,” Rev.
    [Show full text]
  • Touchstones Sunday, June 6, 2021, 11:00 Am Friday
    Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock We aspire to be a loving, religious community where we can grow spiritually and build a more just and joyful world. —UUCSR Vision Statement See the Calendar May Monthly Theme: Story List Here May 26, 2021 Sunday, May 30, 2021, 11:00 am Touchstones Rev. Oscar Sinclair, Guest Minister Rev. Jennifer L. Brower Memorial Day: Though Poppies Grow A century ago at the A week or so ago, I woke from a dream close of another pandemic and global war, poets and preachers in which I was hearing our retired struggled with how to mark the magnitude of loss they had Director of Religious Education Bonnie collectively experienced. In our time, how do we tell stories of Mykel telling the story of the Chinese loss while proclaiming the love at the heart of our faith? * farmer. Do you remember the story? Sunday, June 6, 2021, 11:00 am A farmer and his son had a beloved horse Rev. Dr. Natalie M. Fenimore who helped the family earn a living. One day, the horse ran away. The neighbors Coming of Age During these exceptional and often traumatic of the farmer exclaimed, “Your horse ran times, our young people have continued to explore Unitarian away, what terrible luck!” Universalism. They have thought about what they believe now and how they live out their personal beliefs and our Unitarian The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.” Universalist Principles. This service recognizes and celebrates our eighth- and ninth-grade Coming of Age class. * A few days later, the horse returned home, leading a few wild mares back to the farm as well.
    [Show full text]
  • ANNUAL REPORT 2014-15 First Unitarian Universalist Society Of
    ANNUAL REPORT 2014-15 First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany 405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 www.AlbanyUU.org | 518.463.7135 Table of Contents YEAR IN REVIEW ...................................................................................................................... 4 Minister's Annual Report ............................................................................................................. 4 Board of Trustees......................................................................................................................... 9 Treasurer’s Report ..................................................................................................................... 12 Endowment Trust Annual Report for the Year 2014 ................................................................ 14 Stewardship Donor Report ........................................................................................................ 15 Director of Religious Ecucation (see RE Council report) Church Administrator’s Report ................................................................................................. 18 Wheel of Life ............................................................................................................................. 20 COUNCILS ................................................................................................................................. 20 Program Coordinating Council .................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • June 2020 Connections
    II T H AA CC AA 2019 / 2020 Issue No.UUUU 10 ConnectionsConnectionsJune 1-14, 2020 Sunday Celebrations at 10:30 am until Summer Services begin on June 21 at 9:30 am. To view worship on Sunday, Miniteral Musings go to the website: www.uuithaca.org. Dear FUSIT members and friends, You have been on my mind and heart these past weeks as we practice social distancing and sheltering in place. I have been uplifted to see the ways you are showing up for one another: engaging in small groups, attending worship and coffee hour online, and grocery shoppiing for those who need it, and offering meals to those who need them. What a blessing it is that we have one another and this vital religious community during such a trying time. Our safety team and staff at FUSIT has been meeting, gathering resources and discerning how, when, and in what manners we might consider re-opening our building and resuming in-person programming. As you know, information and guidance from health agencies and the powers that be is evershifting and changing. Most recently, guidance has coe out from our Unitarian Universalist Association. I’ve attached the communication from our UUA President, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, to this message. The essence is that, given the current outlook, the UUA is recommending that we prepare not to resume in-person programming until May 2021. Yes, I know. Yes, a year. I know-it’s a lot to consider. And I know that this guidance was not offered without deep discernment, consideration, and intention from our national leadership.
    [Show full text]
  • February 2020 Newsletter
    THEAMHERST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST NEWSLETTER 121 North Pleasant Street, P.O. Box 502, Amherst Massachusetts 01004 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED JANUARYFebuary 20202020 Important Information N E W S L E T T E R STREET ADDRESS: 121 North Pleasant Street, Copy Editor: Janis Gray, 413-259-1584 Amherst, MA 01002 MAILING ADDRESS:P.O. Box 502, Amherst, MA Production Editor: John Foster, 413-253-2632 01004-0502 MINISTER : Deadline for submissions: 15th of each month. The Rev. Rachael Hayes Please sign submissions, so we may reach you if [email protected] or leave a message with we have questions. Submit entries to Lea Douville, below. [email protected]. OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR: Lea Douville Please limit entries to 500 words (100 for the 413-253-2848 (office) or [email protected] “For Your Information” section). Submissions Office Hours: T, W, F 10-2 and M, Th 12-2 may be edited to save space or to maintain a con- DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Rebecca Fricke 413-687-8722 or [email protected] sistent style. Thank you! DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: Brenda Miller 413-253-7855 or [email protected] BOARD OF TRUSTEES: President: Karen Fisk Printed on recycled paper [email protected] 413-210-0960 Vice President: Susan Rice [email protected] 413-253-4485 Clerk: Emily Shankle [email protected] 509-551-4950 Treasurer: Peter Lacey placey1@comcast,net 413-665-3198 -1- Schedule of Services Sunday, February 2, 10:30 a.m. – Searching for Homes Kevin J. Noonan Kevin J. Noonan, a member of UUSA since 1991, will share snapshots of his journey alongside people who have no homes as well as those who have been displaced from their own countries.
    [Show full text]
  • April 2012 Link 2
    THE UU-LINK April 2012 April Services on ense DDDonon SSSense – by Rev. Don Garrett April 1 April Fool! It seems that, having come in like a lamb, the month of March is leaving the Rev. Don Garrett same way – with delightfully warm weather and ample sunshine. Spring is This light-hearted service will explore the bringing us new sounds, new blossoms, and new opportunities for growth. use of humor in religion. One of our opportunities for growth is the April 1 congregational April 8 gathering, led by our Core Mission Task Force – right after our worship Easter Sunday service. We’ll talk in groups, Linding our answers to the question of what this Rev. Don Garrett church is here for. This is just the beginning of a process leading to a renewed Although Unitarian Universalists have sense of purpose, though. The next step is to meet in smaller groups – differing ideas about the life, teachings, and legacy of Jesus we still can Lind new committees, clubs, neighborhood clusters, as many kinds of groups as we and deeper meanings in the enduring have – to seek the core values that underlie those purposes. We need stories of death and resurrection. everyone to be a part of this community process so that it can be truly April 15 comprehensive. We need to be sensitive to the growth potentials of all living things. Heaven: Here and Now That’s honoring the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a Rev. Don Garrett part. Our church is a living thing, too, and it needs us to pay attention to its Time magazine’s recent article calling for Christian responsibility to create heaven growth potential as well.
    [Show full text]
  • Non Community Public Water Supply Contact Information
    County Public Water Supply Name PWS ID System Type Total Population Contact Information Ms. Mary Maltbie NC‐Non‐community 109 Caroline St ALBANY ALBANY OBEDIENCE CLUB NY0130037 50 transient water system Apt C SARATOGA, NY 12866 Mr. Steven Schrade NTNC‐Non‐transient non‐ BERNE‐KNOX‐WESTERLO SCHOOLS ALBANY BERNE KNOX HIGHSCHOOL NY0115885 650 community water system 1738 Helderberg Trail BERNE, NY 12023 Chris Gerardi NC‐Non‐community ALBANY CAMP PINNACLE NY0108745 250 621 pinnacle rd transient water system VOORHEESVILLE, NY 12186 Mr. Robert Kropp NC‐Non‐community RENSSELAERVILLE WD ALBANY CAREY CONFERENCE CENTER NY0118614 60 transient water system 87 BARGER RD MEDUSA, NY 12120 John Larocca NC‐Non‐community RENSSELAERVILLE INSTITUTE ALBANY CAREY CONFERENCE CENTER NY0118614 60 transient water system 63 HUYCK ROAD RENSSELAERVILLE, NY 12147 Ms. Linda Davis NC‐Non‐community Rensselaerville Institue ALBANY CAREY CONFERENCE CENTER NY0118614 60 transient water system Pond Hill road RENSSELAERVILLE, NY 12147 Mr. Joseph Barton NC‐Non‐community ALBANY CASA MIAS ITALIAN SPEC NY0130010 25 3379 Delaware Tpke. transient water system VOORHESVILLE, NY 12186 Mr. Robert Desautels NC‐Non‐community Rte 85A ALBANY COLONIE COUNTRY CLUB NY0119280 300 transient water system PO box 322 VOORHEESVILLE, NY 12186 COUNTRYSIDE MARTS INC. NC‐Non‐community P.O. Box 129 ALBANY COUNTRYSIDE MART #6 NY0130024 25 transient water system 6030 Duanesburg Rd. DUANESBURG, NY 12056 Mr. Mike Lingle NC‐Non‐community RED KAP SALES, INC. ALBANY COUNTRYSIDE MART #6 NY0130024 25 transient water system PO Box 1078 SCHENECTADY, NY 12301 Kimberly Lauria NC‐Non‐community ELEGANT TOUCH ALBANY ELEGANT TOUCH NY0116316 50 transient water system 6787 ROUTE 158 ALTAMONT, NY 12009 Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Discoverer, March 2019
    Our Mission Statement The Discoverer We are here: The monthly newsletter of the To learn and practice true hospitality To revere the reasoning mind and the generous heart First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus To claim our diversity as a source of our strength, and 93 W. Weisheimer Road, Columbus Ohio 43214 To relinquish the safety of our unexamined privilege for the freedom to engage in transforming justice. March 2019 REV. DR. MARIAN STEWART SENIOR MINISTER Our monthly theme for March is Truth. As a Unitarian Universalist, I question anything that comes with a capital “T” as truth. But there are a few truths, with a little “t”, that I do know. Everyone has a set of these truths and often, they overlap and form a basis for shared community. Although we must allow that not all our truths are universal and, as our Unitarian forbearer has been quoted as saying, “We must not think alike to love alike.” That’s where it gets tricky. In this time of heightened anxiety and sharp divides in our culture, our tolerance for difference is lessened. We have become super- sensitive to anything that is outside the “norm”, or at least what we’re comfortable with or used to. Yes, as UUs, we have the capacity to accept a broad range of difference, including individual expression, but we’re not always as fluent in practice. Unlike the Methodists, who as a denomination just voted to enforce a strict anti-LGBT policy, UUs accept this diversity as a part of our first principle, the inherent worth and dignity of all people.
    [Show full text]
  • SEPTEMBER 2017 1 UU Congregations Covenant to Affirm and Promote the Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person
    CIRCLE OF FELLOWSHIP The First Universalist Society of Central Square A Unitarian Universalist Congregation 3243 Fulton Street (Route 49, near Route 11) Post Office Box 429 Central Square, New York 13036-0429 Our church building is handicapped accessible. Telephone: 315-307-3400 E-mail: [email protected] Church website: http://www. centralsquareuu.org Andrea Abbott, Minister 315-635-7122 The Rev. Libbie Stoddard, Minister Emerita 315-343-4352 Facebook page: Leigh Parry-Benedict, Music Coordinator 315-657-5904 http://www.facebook.com Ronna Schindler, Religious Education Chair 315-623-7685 /pages/UU-Central-Square Janie Garlow, President 315-436-2238 /199139743511564 Ellen LaPine, Vice President 315-675-3385 Our Mission Statement The mission of the First Universalist Society of Central Square is to be a welcoming, diverse congregation, which values spiritual growth and service to the local and world community. CIRCLE OF FELLOWSHIP SEPTEMBER 2017 !1 UU congregations covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. A MINISTERIAL MOMENT, OR MORE About the time you read this, a procession of school buses will have made its way with their reluctant or eager passengers to the doors of learning. About the time you read this, a few red leaves will have settled in our yard, several flocks of geese will have practiced their formations and the squirrels will look plumper. Each change of seasons invites us to a new round of endings and beginnings. In this part of the world, we begin to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall with many different signs and signals.
    [Show full text]
  • Summer 2018 Connections
    I T H A C A 2017/18 Issue No. 11 UU ConnectionsSummer 2018 Summer Sunday CelebrationsUU at 9:30 am Connections Summer Services Miniteral Musings Summer services begin on Sunday, June 17th, at “We need not think alike to love alike.” ~ Dávid Ferenc 9:30 am in the Parlor, and continue throughout June, July, August, and early September with In 1568, in Transylvania, the Edict of Torda was signed, after much effort from Dávid Ferenc to the King and the government. This was the first law of “freedom of religion” in regular services beginning again on September 9th. the world and was signed just three years after Dávid Ferenc preached his first sermon in a Please see insert for schedule of featured summer Unitarian spirit. The Edict of Torda was the document that established the Unitarian speakers. Childcare will not be provided. church as an entity in the world. NEW! Nature Church for Families Why am I telling you this? Are your children a bit too wiggly to sit through summer services, while RE (Religious Exploration) is on vacation? Because this July I am going there – to the place where Dávid Ferenc was born, where the Would you like to have an alternative way to be Edict of Torda was signed, and many other Unitarian pilgrimage sites in Transylvania and contemplative and build community? greater Romania. This summer, FUSIT volunteers will th be hosting Nature Church at various free, This year, in celebration of the 450 anniversary of the signing, there is a UU clergy pilgrimage to the area to visit these sacred sites and to engage with folks in Transylvania who outdoor spaces as an opportunity for families to are Unitarians.
    [Show full text]