Upcoming Services:  August and September 2010

 

SUMMER SERVICE SCHEDULE

Beginning Sunday, May 30, and continuing throughout the summer, Sunday services will be held each week at 10:00 a.m.

During the regular church year (Sunday after Labor Day through the Sunday before Memorial Day) Sunday services are held each week at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Giving Away the Plate: Living Out Our Values in the World-- Weekly offering recipients

Worship leaders are assisted on Sundays by Worship Associates and Welcome Teams.

August 1
Things of this World — Patricia Ohmans
"Love calls us to the things of this world," wrote the poet Richard Wilbur. And yet for some of us, our "mountains o' things" can be a way of shielding ourselves from experiencing love and life deeply. How to navigate between asceticism and acquisitiveness? Patricia Ohmans and Worship Associate Laura Schlatter will offer a service on things and their meaning. Musician: Kristin Sponcia, jazz piano.

August 8
Barriers, Boundaries, and Belonging: The Adventure of Border-Crossing — Ashley Horan
"Don't go south of the Midway." "Stand on the Side of Love in Arizona!" "We walked out and went to the Arlington Street Church." "What does it mean to be a neighbor to the Rondo community?" The geographical boundaries we draw with our bodies, communities, and institutions are declarations to the world about our deepest values, just as much as the boundaries we construct around our identities. How does our faith call us to be "border-crossers," both physically and spiritually? Musicians: The Caswell Family.

August 15
A Sermon Without Words: Exploring the Wisdom of Silence — Richard Fousheé
The poet Khalil Gibran wrote: “Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing...” His words echo the theme of all major religions that point to the importance of seeking and abiding in silence. Let us briefly step out of our cacophonous life and listen to the wisdom of silence.

August 22
The Lost Art of Namaste — Katy Taylor
We are often invited to bow to each other during Worship. Why acknowledge each other in what some might call a subservient, and others a reverent, manner? What is the deeper meaning of “namaste”? Katy Taylor and Hal Freshley explore how inviting this often overlooked orientation into our lives can support the unfolding of the Beloved Community. Musician: Sunita Stanislow, harp.

August 29
Claiming Our Faith — Mary Baremore
Most of us who come to Unity started off our lives growing up in other faith traditions, or did not attend places of worship at all. What brought us here to this holy place? What keeps us coming back? When, if ever, do we call ourselves Unitarian Universalists? Mary Baremore and Worship Associate Bob Stellar explore questions of bright faith and enduring faith in a UU context. Musician: Hans York, voice and guitar.

September 5
How Much for Me? How Much for Thee and We? — Dane Smith
We are all God’s children and as Unitarian Universalists we share a core conviction that the Divine One does not want the blessings of our earth distributed so unequally between us children. Reconciling selfishness and selflessness is foundational to spiritual and emotional health. Sorting out economic self-interest and the public interest is central to economics and politics. An important new work called “The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger’’ is the latest in a body of research showing that the more unequal a society is, the worse off everyone is, not just the poor. In our nation and in our state, we have a worsening inequality crisis, and it creates a spiritual crisis, and these issues should animate us as we sort out candidates and policies in November. Musicians: The Caswell Family.

September 12 • Family Sunday: Parents and Children worship in the Sanctuary together
A Merging of Waters

Come merge the waters of the world in a time of reunion as the entire church family gathers to welcome the coming of harvest. The ministers will be joined by our beloved friend, musician Peter Mayer, and our 2010-11 Hallman Intern, Jason Seymour. Come experience again the quality of innocence and enthusiasm the Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg calls “bright faith,” as we begin a new church year together. Bring the water you have collected from your travels (or backyard) for this annual water ritual.
Our annual all congregation worship service and picnic will take place on Sunday, October 10, at 10:00 a.m. on Harriet Island. Turn to the back cover for more information.

September 19 • Religious Education for Children and Youth Begins
Enduring Faith — Rob Eller-Isaacs
The traditional text for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, tells of a father’s faith and a mother’s silence. The binding of Isaac is surely one of the most troubling stories told in Hebrew Scripture. This year for our High Holy Day services Rob and Worship Associate Amy Kujawski will struggle to shed new light on the old strong story.

September 26
Speaking Up and Throwing Down — Rev. Meg Barnhouse
We UUs sometimes get confused about our ideal of affirming the worth and dignity of every person, and we unwittingly extend it to feeling that we have to affirm the worth and dignity of every idea. How do we stand for the good news of Unitarian Universalism? How do we get mouthier and have more fun? This special Sunday worship service is the culmination of the kick-off weekend for the 2011 Unity Church Pledge Drive.

 

Unity Church - Unitarian

732 Holly Avenue

St. Paul, MN 55104

651/228-1456

unity@unityunitarian.org

Last updated: May 2008