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Our Story: Revering the Past, While Trusting the Future

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Our Story: Revering the Past, While Trusting the Future Our Story: Revering the Past, While Trusting the Future A History of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor Written for the May, 2015 150th Anniversary Celebration By Timothy F. Richards Sources: Susan B. Anthony and Ida Husted Harper, The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV, The Hollenbeck Press, Indianapolis, 1902. (Project Gutenberg) Charles Henry Brigham and E.B. Willson, Charles Henry Brigham Memoirs and Papers, Lockwood, Brooks and Company, Boston, 1881. Charles H. Lytle, Freedom Moves West, Revised Edition, Blackstone Editions, Providence, 2006. Mavis Greene, “The First Unitarian Church of Ann Arbor, 1865-1965,” The First Unitarian Church Centennial Program, 1865 - 1965, Ann Arbor, 1965. Mark Morrison-Read, Darkening the Doorways: Black Trailblazers and Missed Opportunities in Unitarian Universalism, Skinner House Books, 2011. Thomas G. Overmire, Things Remembered: First Unitarian Universalist Church of Ann Arbor at 1917 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, 1998. Kenneth W. Phifer, “Who We Were and Are,” (sermon) 1998. Kenneth W. Phifer, “Building A Living Legacy,” (sermon) 1999. E. Scott Polk, “Parish History” unpublished, 1933 Marjorie Reade, The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Ann Arbor: The Story of Our First One Hundred Years, The 1990 Committee of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor, May, 1990 Marjorie Reade, History of the First Unitarian Universalist Church: 1965 – 1980, 2007. Edward H. Redman, Recollections of the Ministry to The First Unitarian Church of Ann Arbor of Edward Homer Redman, 1943 – 1960. David Robinson, The Unitarians and Universalists, Greenwood Press, Westport, 1985. William F. Schulz, Making the Manifesto: The Birth of Religious Humanism, Skinner House Books, Boston, 2002. Seventy-fifth Anniversary Program of the Unitarian Church, Ann Arbor January21, 1867 –January 21, 1942, Ann Arbor, 1942. J.T. Sunderland, “’Saved by Hope.’ Farewell Sermon in Ann Arbor,” (sermon) 1898. “Unitarians Will Ordain Minister,” Ann Arbor News, July, 30, 1949, (Old News, Ann Arbor District Library.) Interviews with the Reverends Frances A. Dew, Gail R. Geisenhainer, Kenneth W. Phifer and Tom Schade. A Reflection on Our Past Rev. Kenneth W. Phifer, Minister Emeritus At milestone times like a 150th anniversary, it is a good thing to take time to examine those who have gone before, to appreciate what they have given to us, to remember that the strength of this religious community has been hard won. Over our 150 years, financial difficulties, social pressures, theological battles and political differences have challenged this congregation to its core, but the congregation remains strong and continues to thrive. I believe that is a testament to the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of many people across the years. Let us remember them. And let us renew in ourselves our pledge to carry the liberal religious way boldly into the future. Our message of freedom, tolerance, reason and responsibility has never been more urgently needed than it is today. Happy 150 years, and may we do as well in the next 150. Senior Ministers 1865–Present Charles Henry Brigham Jabez T. Sunderland Joseph H. Crooker Henry Wilder Foote II 1865 -1877 1878 -1898 1898 - 1905 1906-1910 Percy Dawson Robert S. Loring Sidney S. Robins Harold P. Marley 1910 - 1912 1912 - 1918 1918 - 1928 1929 - 1942 Edward H. Redman Erwin Gaede Kenneth W. Phifer Gail R. Geisenhainer 1943 - 1960 1961 - 1980 1980 - 2005 2008 - 2016 2 3 Trusting in The Dawning future A freedom that reveres the past, but trusts the dawning future more; and bids the soul, in search of truth, adventure boldly and explore. Prophetic church, the future waits your liberating ministry; go forward in the power of love, proclaim the truth that makes us free. Excerpt - Marion Franklin Ham, As Tranquil Streams, Singing the Living Tradition, Hymn #145 4 .
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