Is Criminal Justice Just? Changes to Consider ~ Speaker Cheryl Meinshein
I never thought much about criminal justice until I started working with people to receive Governor’s Pardons. I’d like to wonder together about possible changes in order to achieve a fairer, more just system.
Life Lessons from My Little Pony: Laughter ~ Speaker: Emily Quarles- Mowrer
This is a continuation of a sermon series inspired by our Unitarian Universalist Principles, as viewed through the lens of the cartoon series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. The six main ponies from the popular kids show each embody different qualities and display different talents. We will examine at our fourth principle, “A free and responsible search for truth and meaning,” while engaging with Pinky Pie’s humor and sense of the absurd.
Our Third Sunday Potluck follows the service. Please bring something tasty to share.
Mon. 1/1 – 1 pm – New Year’s Day Labyrinth
Fri. 1/5 – 12:30 pm – Goddess Gathering
Sun. 1/7 – 10:30 am – Loving Our Enemies
Mon. 1/8 – 12:30 pm – Communications Committee meeting
Mon. 1/8 – 8 pm – Intro. to Mindfulness Meditation
Wed. 1/10 – 7:30 pm – Membership Committee meeting
Sun. 1/14 – 10:30 am – Other Wise People
Mon. 1/15 – 8 pm – Simply Sitting Meditation
Thurs. 1/18 – 7:30 pm – Committee Council meeting
Sat. 1/20 – 9 am – Board meeting
Sun. 1/21 – 10:30 am – Life Lessons from My Little Pony
Sun. 1/21 – noon – UU 101 Class
Mon. 1/22 – 8 pm – Simply Sitting Meditation
Sun. 1/28 – 10:30 am – Defining Enough
Mon. 1/29 – 8 pm – Simply Sitting Meditation
Loving Our Enemies • Rev. Kim Wilson
Whether we’re talking on a personal or a group level, some say we have gotten too comfortable these days with seeing the other as hateful. Yet, Jesus spoke wise words when he said that we should love our enemies. Notice that he didn’t say LIKE them. Digging deep to find compassion for even the human beings we like least is difficult, yet this work of the mind, heart and spirit has the power to transform us and our relationship with the “other.” Rev. Kim shares some reflections on this topic based in part on the writings of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Other Wise People • Lisa Jokiel
Lisa reflects on a short novel, The Story of the Other Wise Man, by Henry van Dyke Jr., published in 1895 and later made into a play, then a 1985 made-for-TV movie, as The Fourth Wise Man. Was Henry van Dyke Jr. an undercover Unitarian or Universalist? Did his Other Wise Man illustrate any of the Unitarian Universalist principles? Lisa was led to design today’s presentation by her mother’s love of the play and by needing to celebrate her family winter holiday (called ThanksChristmas) on January 6th, the only day everyone could get together! It is also known as Little Christmas, Three Kings Day, the 12th Day of Christmas, or just plain Christmas by the Eastern Orthodox faiths.
Life Lessons from My Little Pony: Adventure • Emily Quarles-Mowrer
This is the kick-off to a sermon series inspired by our Unitarian Universalist Principles, as viewed through the lens of the Mane 6 from the cartoon series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. The six main ponies each embody different qualities and display different talents. We will look at our third principle, “Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth,” with Rainbow Dash’s spirit of adventure, bravery, and loyalty.
Defining Enough • JD Stillwater
Failure to define “enough” means never being satisfied. It makes us vulnerable to slick advertising, and fills our lives with tedium and chaos. It deflects our focus from sources of true happiness, like play, family, relationships, community. Ultimately, it also leads to the desecration of Earth’s living systems. Defining “enough” is a spiritual practice.
Surviving Storms • Rev. Kim Wilson
When storms come and upend our lives, there are three questions we are called upon to ask ourselves, according to the writer and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo: What needs to be repaired? What needs to be reimagined? And what needs to be dismantled? Sometimes, when the storm clouds have parted, we may see that the path before us has been cleared in ways we never imagined.