“Memory and Meaning” (Memorial Day Sunday) with Rev. Jennifer Brooks
In his poem “The Young Dead Soldiers,” Archibald MacLeish gave voice to soldiers killed in battle. He imagined them saying: “Our deaths are not ours; they are yours; they will mean what you make them.” This weekend America remembers those who gave their lives in military service. What meaning do we make?
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Posted in May 2012, May 27th, Sunday Services, Sundays
“The Softest Voice” with Rev. Jennifer Brooks
Patricia Shuttee writes, “In the human world, abundance does not happen automatically. It is created when we have the sense to choose community.” In this service preceding the All Souls congregational meeting, Rev. Jennifer reflects on the ways that people “choose community.”
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Posted in May 2012, May 20th, Sunday Services, Sundays
“Notes on the Nature of God” with Rev. Jennifer Brooks
We UUs are seekers. We covenant to encourage one another to spiritual growth. It’s the differences in our points of view that make conversation about the nature of “God” stimulating and growth-provoking. Rev. Jennifer shares perspectives that offer all of us an opportunity to deepen our thinking about the universe, our lives, and our relationships.
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Posted in May 13th, May 2012, Sunday Services, Sundays
“Music Sunday” with Anthony Edwards and the All Souls Choir
Every year our Music Program celebrates music in the life of our congregation by offering large choral works. This year we explore the life and poetry of Virginia Hamilton Adair and the music of Gwyneth Walker in “An Hour to Dance.” The offering will benefit the LRD and Music Programs.
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Posted in May 2012, May 6th, Sunday Services, Sundays
“Pictures from an Album” with Rev. Jennifer Brooks
Each one of us has a mental photo album of important moments in our lives. No matter how close we are to others, each person’s album is different. So it is with the snapshots that combine to create an album of moments that contribute to a person’s religious perspective. In this sermon, Rev. Jennifer reflects on some of the photos in her personal album of religious experience.
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Posted in April 2012, April 29th, Sunday Services, Sundays
“Earth Day: Doing Our Part” with Carolyn MacDonald and All Souls members
We celebrate Earth Day and honor our UU seventh principle, respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. All Souls members will share ways they are working to support our environment and each child will receive a flowering plant.
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Posted in April 2012, April 22nd, Sunday Services, Sundays
“Restorative Justice” with Rev. Jennifer Brooks
The 15th of April resonates for most Americans more strongly than the Ides of March. It’s the traditional due date for income tax returns (this year, it’s officially Monday the 16th). As Americans we contribute to the financial support of our society. What will it take to make that society humane and just, to become a society that does not tolerate the injustice exemplified in the death of Trayvon Martin?
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Posted in April 15th, April 2012, Sunday Services, Sundays
“Body and Soul” Flower Communion Sunday with Rev. Jennifer Brooks
Spring is here with its vibrant colors that vividly remind us of life’s ability to renew itself. On this Sunday celebrated in the Christian tradition as Easter, All Souls celebrates our diverse community with a Flower Communion. Bring a flower to the service today (and extras, if you have them). In the sermon, Rev. Jennifer reflects on ancient and contemporary ideas about the relationship between body and soul.
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Posted in April 2012, April 8th, Sunday Services, Sundays
“Reason & Reverence: Religious Humanism for the 21st Century” with Rev. Dr. William R. Murry
Rev. William R. Murry, Past President of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, will discuss a new Humanism that merges Humanism with religious naturalism and is enabling many Unitarian Universalists to re-discover and reclaim Religious Humanism today.
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Posted in April 1st, April 2012, Sunday Services, Sundays
Many people assume there are only two alternatives – traditional religious belief or atheism/ agnosticism – but Humanism offers a third way that includes the best values and principles of the other two. Rev. William Murry is the Past President of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago and Minister Emeritus of River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Maryland.
His most recent books are Reason and Reverence: Religious Humanism for the 21st Century and Becoming More Fully Human: Religious Humanism as a Way of Life. The talk will be followed by a reception and book signing.
Rev. Murry will be speaking at the 11:15am Sunday Service on “Reason and Reverence: Religious Humanism for the 21st Century.”
His visit is sponsored by Friends of the Forum.
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Posted in April 1st, April 2012, Sunday Services, Sundays
