Celebrant: Nancy Nelson Tracy Simmons, an award-winning journalist specializing in religion reporting, started covering religion because she grew up experiencing its darker side, but what kept her at it — for more than 20 years — is what she keeps witnessing: people of radically different beliefs finding common ground in their commitment to love and … Continue reading Finding Common Ground
In any group, there are people at the center of power and people on the edge. Who is at the center in our community, and who is on the outer ring? We will revisit what it means to be a Welcoming Congregation and see if we can cross some of the boundaries that separate us. … Continue reading Circles of Welcome
We start laughing before we can talk and if we are lucky, we keep it up all our lives because as Mark Twain wrote, “against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.” Join us for jokes, a skit (!) and laughter as we explore the power of humor. Welcome Greeting and Announcements Territorial Acknowledgement Chalice … Continue reading Laughter as Resistance
Iowa is not typically seen as a hotbed of radical movements. Yet in the late 19th century, a group of Unitarian women there defied societal expectations, challenged traditional beliefs, and broke gender norms to bring the Unitarian message to rural communities. Remarkably, they were well received. This service will explore the history and lasting impact of these women … Continue reading iconoclasts: The Iowa Sisterhood
While daily life in the world demands effort, an effortless path of deep meditation naturally permits awareness to access more silent and settled states within. Regardless of age, lifestyle, language, or belief, an authentic method of meditation allows any person to begin to experience the healing peace of turning attention inward toward depth and increasing … Continue reading The Principle of Effortlessness
Celebrants: The children of the congregation Most weeks, we sing the children off to their classrooms to take part in programming designed just for them. On this Sunday, the children will graciously invite the adults into their sacred spaces to help us remember how to play. Welcome Greeting and Announcements Territorial Acknowledgement Chalice Lighting and … Continue reading Reverse Church
Special Guests: Kathie LaFortune and Shelley McGuire Watch the service recording How do we nurture and sustain a shared commitment to the common good, particularly in the face of political polarization? What is the impact of the partisan divide on moral and social evolution? We’ll hear from two close friends who have both chosen each … Continue reading All of Us Need All of Us
Watch the service recording. Pluralism is a response to diversity that consists in learning about meaningful differences.” — The Pluralism Project, Harvard University. What are the different beliefs in our own congregation? How can we preserve our members’ diverse religious commitments? By engaging with our diversity of beliefs, we hope to build relationships based on … Continue reading Our Pluralism
Celebrant: Joe Pallen Watch the service recording and the full interviews on the Bi-Religious UU’s Playlist. Our exploration of UUism as a pluralistic faith continues with a service centered on video testimonials from UU ministers who hyphenate. We’ll hear from a Buddhist-UU, a Jewish-UU, a Muslim-UU, a Wiccan-UU, an Atheist-UU and a Christian-UU. Welcome and … Continue reading Bi-Religious UU’s
Celebrant: Julia Parker Alexis Pauline Gumbs is a poet, scholar, and feminist whose book, Undrowned, offers “submerged wisdom” from the lives of marine mammals. Together, we’ll reflect on these oceanic lessons and meditations in hopes of finding inspiration as we swim through the murky waters of modern day life. Welcome and Announcements Territorial Acknowledgement Chalice … Continue reading Breathing Underwater Service
