Sundays at Unity ChurchSunday worship at Unity Church is a cornerstone of our religious community. It is where we envision and create a new reality for a better world. It allows us to come together for community and deepen our individual spirit. It is about us coming together as a religious family. It is where we practice being our best selves. It is an encounter with mystery and awe to plumb our spiritual depths.
During the church year, worship services are held at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 4:30 p.m., except where noted. From the Sunday before Memorial Day through the Sunday before Labor Day, there is just one service each week at 10:00 a.m. The entrance to the Sanctuary is at 733 Portland Avenue and parking is available in the church's lot on the corner of Portland Avenue and St. Albans Street. Map and Directions September Sunday WorshipSeptember 4: Mr. Phil and the Folly of Naïve Cynicism • 10:00 AM ONLY
The killing of Philando Castile, the beloved “Mr. Phil” who fed the children at J.J. Hill Montessori School, traumatized our community beyond compare. It created the deepest despair and cynicism, but also a soaring resolve and renewed commitment for racial equity and more immediate action. In these dark days that try our souls, we must consider the timeless spiritual wisdom about despair being a "sin." Moreover, cynicism and ennui is both symptomatic of white privilege and foolishly oblivious to the larger factual context around the arc of history. Dane Smith, worship leader; Rochelle Lockridge, worship associate. Offering recipient: St. Paul Central High School Foundation Philando Castile Scholarship Fund September 11: Merging of Waters Family Sunday Come celebrate the start of a new church year by merging the waters of the world in a time of reunion. There will be a story for all ages, music from special guest Peter Mayer, and an opportunity to consider how best to make amends and to begin again in love. Please bring the water you have collected over the summer for this merging ritual. On Family Sundays, families worship together in the Sanctuary for the entire service. Blessing of Backpacks: As a new school year begins and commitments to learning are made and renewed, all students (children, youth, and adults) and school teachers are encouraged to bring their school backpacks/bags to church on Sunday, September 11. We will offer a blessing and reminder of the congregation's love and commitment to support our learning together! Offering recipient: MNIPL September 18: The Thread We Follow “There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground,” wrote Rumi. Yes, and there is one ground. Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs and worship associate Brian Newhouse will offer a service on why our church is called “Unity” and tell the story of how Unitarian Universalism became a world-embracing faith. Offering recipient: The Emily Program Foundation September 25: The Unity of Whiteness The author and story teller Chinamanda Ngozi Adichie has written and spoken extensively about the dangers inherent in the single story of anyone's identity. Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs and worship associate Angela Wilcox will tackle the thorny issue of the single story of white skinned identity and its potential fragility. Offering recipient: Frank Theatre October Sunday WorshipOctober 2: Starting Over
Our series on forgiveness begins with a service that asks what we need in order to begin again. Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs and worship associate Terry Linskey will offer a service in the tradition of Rosh Hashanah. Offering recipient: Urban Oasis October 9: The Gift of Release When real forgiveness occurs between two people, then both can be released from the restraints that influenced the relationship. Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs and worship associate Rene Meyer-Grimberg will explore the meaning of this release and the lessons contained within it. Offering recipient: Mission Haiti, Inc. October 16: Celebration Sunday Come join the ministers and worship associate Brian Newhouse as we celebrate the generosity of the congregation. Our hope is that we will be closing in on our pledge drive goal — or even exceeding it — as we gather to renew our understanding of and devotion to, true stewardship. We’ll ask, "Why me? Why us? Why now?" and answer those questions with our lives. Offering recipient: Generosity Ministry 10th Anniversary! October 23: What We Owe the World Sooner rather than later our nation needs to recognize the need for reparations. Generations of racial disparity and centuries of systemic injustice call for more than a public apology. It’s time for some real money to change hands. Offering recipient: MORE October 30: What Happens Next? To move in the world in a state of forgiveness requires patience, perseverance, and equanimity. Join Hallman Ministerial Intern Jessica Clay and worship associate Kevin Ward as we explore ways that forgiveness practices can be empowering and life giving for the important work of being our full authentic selves. Offering recipient: WEOF |
Family and Story Sundays
Family Sundays 2016-17
Family Sundays take place five times each church year:
Story Sundays 2016-17 Story Sundays happen frequently throughout the church year, with school-aged children (Workshop Rotation, Grades 1-6) beginning in worship with the congregation in the Sanctuary. After the opening hymn, prayers, and children’s message, the children proceed with their Journey Guides to their classrooms for religious education programming.
Coffee and Fellowship HourEveryone is invited to the Parish Hall for coffee and fellowship following the morning service. If you or a team you are working with would like to request a table in the Parish Hall as a way to share information with the congregation about a project, class, or other learning opportunity, please CLICK HERE. Parish Hall tables are reserved for programs and groups affiliated with Unity Church.
Sunday Soup SuppersSoup suppers are served each Sunday after the 4:30 p.m. service. Donations to off-set the cost of ingredients are gratefully accepted!
October 2: Italian or French Minestrone October 9: Chili October 16: Chicken Parmesan Soup and Broccoli and White Bean Soup October 23: Lasagna Soup with Italian Sausage (vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free available) October 30: French Onion Soup and spider web cookies in celebration of Halloween |
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© Unity Church-Unitarian • 733 Portland Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104 • 651-228-1456 • unity@unityunitarian.org • A Welcoming Congregation
