Greetings!
In a time when so much feels unsettled, disrupted, flipped upside down, uncertain, open and possible, our Unitarian Universalist religious heritage can offer us a way forward. We are a religious people of radical imagination. In fact, from the beginning, Unitarians and Universalists radically reimagined the nature of God, of Jesus, of Love, and of human beings.
Our Unitarian ancestors imagined a deep and profound unity - a recognition that we all come from one common source. Our Universalist ancestors imagined God, or the Spirit of Life - as possessing a universal love; not a conditional love; not a love dependent on a confession of faith or right behavior; not a love that was only available to some, but a love that was wildly inclusive - that held everyone and bound us together in a common destiny. Our Universalist ancestors trusted that people could and would change if they were shown radical love, not threatened with damnation, hellfire, and punishment. In other words, the Universalists bet everything they had that God was love, and human beings are called to love the hell out of this world.
In our online worship service this past Sunday (with a powerful story from Julica Hermann de la Fuente, our Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression, as well a reflection from Dr. Bryana French, President of the Congregation), we explored the power and possibility of radical imagination in the moment we’re in right now, and specifically, what it might look like to radically reimagine community safety and policing. “Defund the Police” and “Abolish the Police” are invitations into radical imagination, into asking the question: “What does make a community safe? Is it more police, or is it opportunity, housing, a living wage, and health care? And what’s the history of policing in this country? Why haven’t police reforms, cultural sensitivity trainings, and anti-bias efforts not taken root?”
While it is true that as a whole congregation, we haven’t yet set a course as it relates to re-imagining policing, many of the communities within this larger First Universalist community have been working to end police brutality, and policing as we currently know it.
Part of our work this year is to discern how we, as a congregation, will act on our faith to support a deep and profound re-imagining of community safety and policing.
This radical re-imagining is not easy work, but it is an effort worthy of lives, our hearts, and our deepest commitment.
I’ll “see” you in church,
Rev. Justin
|
|
MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP
Sunday, August 23, 10 a.m.
This Sunday, August 23, we will celebrate our annual back-to-school ritual (formerly known as Backpack Blessing) in a new way for new times.
Connect to our live streamed worship between 9:55 and 10 a.m.:
ORDER OF SERVICE:
Welcome
Chalice Lighting
Music: "Seed" - Seth Matz
Story: Aimee K. Bryant
Music: "Count on Me" - members of the First Universalist Choir
Spiritual Practice: Barrington Walker
Prayer: Lauren Wyeth
Music: "Spirit of Life"
Homily: Rev. Jen Crow
Blessing
Offertory
Closing Words
"Go Now in Peace"
AFTER WORSHIP:
~11 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
After Sunday worship, join us for virtual coffee hour for all identities (Meeting ID: 212 168 092 Passcode: 383174) or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID and passcode when prompted.
~11 a.m. BIPOC Virtual Coffee Hour for those who are Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, POC
Join here (Meeting ID: 825 3313 5300; Password: 982432) or dial: 1-312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID and password when prompted.
WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIP
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m.
This midweek worship experience for adults and older youth is a brief time (20-30 minutes) of connection, centering, and reflection, to help us find and keep our balance during this time of pandemic and physical distancing.
Connect to our live streamed worship between 6:55 and 7 p.m.:
|
|
Sunday, August 16
"Radical Imagination"
|
Reflections by Liz Farmer:
In the wake of the killing of George Floyd, many are demanding to defund the police. In response, many are asking, “What does that mean? Is it really possible? Who or what will replace the police?” In her message, Board President Bryana French charges the congregation to do the long-term, deep spiritual work of asking who the current systems protect and uphold, and shifting power accordingly to the communities that are now most heavily-policed. She asks her fellow congregants to do the necessary work at the core of Unitarian Universalism: reimagining, having conversations, and taking action. Echoing her, Rev. Justin asks, if Unitarian Universalists can reimagine a major religion, is it also possible to reimagine an entire institution? Listen to Bryana and Rev. Justin on the podcast, or watch the entire service on YouTube.
|
|
Wisdom Story: Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:31)
Poem: H. Adam Harris (8:06)
Message: Bryana French and Rev. Justin Schroeder (12:10)
|
|
Virtual Meetings & Gatherings |
|
Thursday, Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m.
|
|
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. (weekly)
Begin your week with spiritual grounding and sustenance, taking time to connect with your breath, your heart, your woundedness and your joy, in this half hour interactive session in which we check in and engage with a spiritual practice.
Third Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Adults group (for those in their 20s and 30s) is now gathering on a monthly basis. Connect with fellow young adults after Wednesday worship on the third Wednesday of the month for conversation and fun. (Meeting ID: 137 172 572)
Thursdays, 5-6:30 p.m. (weekly)
AUW members are staying connected via a weekly Zoom "Happy Hour."
Meeting ID: 834 7301 7986. Password: 557571
|
|
Children, Youth & Families |
BIPOC/Multiracial Youth Group
Sunday, Aug. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
BIPOC/Multiracial Youth Group with Daryn, Sarah, and youth leaders, for youth who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and/or multiracial. Email Lauren at
Single Parents Gathering
Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
Single Parents Gathering with Rev. Sara Smalley - Parents/guardians who are single and/or co-parenting gather for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. Email Sara to be connected to the group at smalley.sara@gmail.com.
Parents of Babies and Preschoolers (ages 0-4 years)
Parents/guardians of little ones gather with Lauren for mutual support and spiritual sustenance. (Meeting ID: 273-644-536; Password: 446240)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
