“On Faith” – 9:15 and 11:00am
As we begin 2017, Ministerial Intern Kevin DeBeck reflects on the nature of faith and what it means in an unstable world.

January 1, 2017 –Kevin DeBeck

“Stories of the Season” – 9:15 and 11:00am
Unconventional stories of the season, for Christmas Day and the first day of Hanukkah. Rev. Connie Grant speaking.

9:15am – “The Christmas Story”
Telling of the Christmas Story, with Christmas carols.

11:00am – “Participatory Pageant for All”
We’ll enact the Christmas story and reflect on its meaning. Have you always wanted to be a star? Or maybe an angel, a wise person, or a shepherd? This is your chance! No advance preparation is required: costumes, props, and stage directions will be provided on the spot. A worship service for all ages.

”The Power of Silence”
“All I want for Christmas is a little peace and quiet,” someone recently said. This sounds like a cry for freedom: from the media, from the holiday blitz, from politics as unusual. Silence is one tool in our kit that we might cultivate, especially this time of the year, to regain our sense of equilibrium and even power. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.

December 11, 2016 – Rev. Bret Lortie

Music Sunday!
Come celebrate the beginning of Advent with a service featuring movements from Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols (complete with harp), a few additional carols, and poetry celebrating the meaning of this time of year.

“Our Story in Africa”
Through interviews conducted by Rev. Bret with ministers and lay leader serving in each African country with a Unitarian Universalist presence, stories emerge of hope, inspiration, and struggle.

November 27, 2016 – Rev. Bret Lortie

“Breaking Bread Together”
We will break bread together, symbolizing our determination to break only bread and never bodies, spirit, faith, or hope. A Thanksgiving worship service for all ages. Please bring a loaf (or other form) of bread representing your heritage and accompaniments such as cheese, jam, or fruit. During the service, we’ll partake of the bread in celebration of the sustenance we share. Following the service we’ll share a simple meal of bread and the accompaniments you bring.

“Why We Fight”
In the shadow of Veteran’s Day and last weeks election, Rev. Bret and Ministerial Intern Kevin DeBeck will discuss the intersectionality of UU values, military service, and resistance in the face of bigotry, misogyny, and discrimination.

“Why We Fight” – Kevin DeBeck – November 13, 2016 – “Why We Fight ”– Kevin DeBeck

Reflection from Rev. Bret Lortie – November 13, 2016 – Rev. Bret Lortie

“Letter to the President-Elect”
No matter the outcome of the election in a few days, our work has just begun, again. America is divided, with at least a third of the country (you pick the third) so disaffected by the status quo their decisions are being guided by fear and mistrust rather than shared ideals of freedom and democracy. Our work has just begun, no matter the outcome. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.

November 6, 2016 – “Letter to the President-Elect”– Rev. Bret Lortie

“Prayer and Paradox”
How many of us have prayed as if our life depended on it? Such is not a universal Unitarian practice, yet in times of crisis we often find ourselves opening to “a universal mystery” for feelings of guidance, wholeness, connection and healing. Making sense of the act of prayer, and finding ways for Unitarian Universalists to engage in authentic acts of prayer, is a worthy theological challenge. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.

October 30, 2016 – “Prayer and Paradox”– Rev. Bret Lortie