Moments of Bliss
Guest Speaker: Reverend Craig Schwalenberg, UU Minister
This morning Rev Schwalenberg will use stories and imagery to explore the powerful feeling of bliss that all people can and many have experienced. These feelings have been described in a variety of ways including transforming, transcendent and unexpected. His talk will include ways in which these feelings can be encouraged in our lives.
Coffee Hour follows the Service.
A Chalice of Blessings
Speakers: Rev. Dave Hunter & Rev. Kerry Mueller.
Dave and Kerry will sum up our ministry with you and leave you and with our blessings.
Please join us for a Farewell Party following the Service.
Each month UUFP members donate in-kind items to the Pottstown Area Cluster of Religious Communities in order to support housing stability in our area.
In April we delivered to the Cluster: One set of queen size sheets and pillow cases; 14 containers of cleaning wipes; Four bottles of dish detergent; four containers of bathroom cleaner. Thanks to all who donated. These gifts are gladly and grate- fully received by the Cluster.
During the month of June we’re looking for donations of mops and/or brooms. As always, donors are asked to place their items in the big basket that is just outside of the kitchen door in the foyer.
Perhaps you’ve been wondering what religion will be like a hundred years from now, in Pottstown (in the U.S., in the world . . .). Here are some possibilities:
(a) While organized religion has continued its gradual decline, Unitarian Universalism, with its emphasis on social justice, its recognition of the climate crisis, and its realistic theology, has grown and has become the largest religious (some would say post-religious) group in the U.S., and perhaps in the world.
(b) In recognition of commonalities and in response to challenges, there have been some con-solidations: UUs have merged with Quakers, the liberal side of the United Church of Christ, the Ethical Culture Society, Reconstructionist Jews, liberal Muslims (or ex-Muslims), and westernized Buddhists to form the Universal Organization.
(c) The Roman Catholic Church has evolved in a liberal direction. Women have full equality. The bread and wine are no longer considered the actual body and blood of Jesus but are recognized as symbols. Abortions are okay. Popes (or Mopes) are elected to 10-year terms and are no longer considered infallible. Hell has been abolished, and upon death people are given the choice by St. Peter (or one of his assistants): eternity in heaven, fixed term in heaven, reincarnation (with memory wiped out), or extinction. Orthodox Catholics have merged with Roman Catholics. Episcopalians (and Church of England) and Lutherans have returned to the Catholic fold. The consolidated group has taken on the name the Universal Catholic Church.
(d) A few denominations – and independent congregations scattered across the country – are known for their racist, sexist, homophobic interpretation of Scripture.
(e) After a long period of decline, religious participation and affiliation among those under forty has begun to increase, reaching nearly 10% of those between the ages of 25 and 40. Most of the increase has been in Zoom churches and followers of the god Zooz.
(f) Around the year 2100 the earth received evidence of civilized life in a distant galaxy. Subsequently, a religion developed based on worship of the deity (or deities) and on the moral and theological values of that civilization. Needless to say, the creators and followers of that religion have no knowledge of that supposed civilization and have used their imagination to create the new faith.
(g) Religion is of interest only to historians and is remembered only by those over 50. Which, if any, of these seven paths seem the most likely or the most desirable to you? Do you have other (possibly better) ideas?
Love, Dave
Ask Dr. Hooker –the Perennial Problems of Congregations
Rev Dave Hunter
Can a 17th century advice columnist have relevance for us today? In a search for guidance for today, Rev. Dave brings to light a recently discovered trove of letters to and from Dr.
Thomas Hooker, a mid-17th century congregational consultant, who was based in Hartford, Connecticut.
The Pledge Drive Kick-off luncheon is today. Please bring green finger food to share,
(or stick a sprig of parsley on anything…)
Our Feathered Friends
Lay Leader: Mary Ryan
May 14 is International Bird Migration Day and
this intergenerational service will be all about
our feathered friends. Everyone will get a
chance to tell their favorite bird stories and we’ll
see how many different types of birds we’ve
seen over the last month.
Flowers, Fires, and Fellowship: Ritual in Our lives
Rev Kerry Mueller
Once again, we look forward to celebrating our
flower ceremony saying a little about the value
of rituals large and small. Please bring a flower
or several, and plan to take one home.
If you plan to attend virtually, please send a
flower photo to Rick Duske at
webmaster@uupottstown.org
A Constellation of Lights
Emily Quarles-Mowrer
Devon Monk writes in Wayward Moon, “[Life] shines a light on what you think you know. If you’re lucky, you’ll answer with your heart, instead of with the stories people stuff in your heads. Kindness is powerful. Any man who abides by it changes the world.” Kindness is often hardest to hold on to when we need it the most. But just like one candle’s flame can kindle another, passing on the glow of kindness can shine a light on what we think we know.
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Endurance: Part 2
Speaker: Mary Ryan
Part one of the story of the Endurance
expedition to Antarctica ended with the team on
the ice after their ship sank. This morning we
will continue the story. How will this chapter
end?