Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Medicine and Spirituality—An Oxymoron?           Lay leader: Jon Dreazen

At one time many years ago physicians and priests were one and the same. Healing in those days was highly dependent on accessing the patients spirituality as more modern modalities had not yet evolved. For better or worse, medical science has “progressed” and doctor patient relationships have all too often become very sterile and distant interactions lacking true contact from one soul to the other. I believe and hope that I still practice with not only my scientific expertise but also with my heart and soul as I relate to my patients. I will explore this neglected area looking at some thoughts from Hippocrates, the ethical directive of the Catholic Church for hospital care, the wisdom of Maimonides and the ignored style of Native American medicine among others. Perhaps my message will help us all to enrich each of our interactions with others and will support our First principle,

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Our Fifth Principle Lay Leader: Carla Johnson

Our 5th principle calls us to exercise our right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at Large. As a congregation in covenant with the UUA and the other member congregations, how do we exercise the democratic process at our annual General Assembly? Join us in this celebration of democracy and covenant.

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Change Through Acceptance Lay Leader: Emily Quarles-Mowrer

Mother Teresa was an influential person whose actions changed the world, and yet her personal philosophy included, “mind[ing] one’s own business, accept[ing] contradictions and corrections cheerfully, pass[ing] over the mistakes of others, and being kind and gentle even under provocation.” Join us as we explore the ways that acceptance can change the world. Thomas Paine U U Fellowship (TPUUF) joins us for this service and f

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Our Seventh Principle Rev Paul Daniel

The first service of our new church year will conclude a sermon series I began last year. The sermon will address our seventh principle with a little bit of particle physics thrown into the mix.

Sunday, July 2

A History of Great Music from Several Faith Traditions

Lay Speaker: Lisa Jokiel

We will sing and listen to some all time greats, from classical to Gospel and everything in between. I will be asking for requests and suggestions from members and friends. Why do we love these selections? What is the history behind them?

Sunday, July 9

UUFP GOES TO TPUUF

Today our UUFP congregation will visit the Thomas Paine UU Fellowship of Collegeville, for their service. The speaker will be Jim Curtis, whose topic is “Are There Angels in America?”

In Tony Kushner’s play “Angels in America” (later an HBO series), angels appear to minister to those suffering in the AIDS crisis. Do such angels really exist? Is everyone who shows compassion to or sows compassion for those who are suffering an angel? What effect does a scientific background have on belief in angels? To explore answers to these and other questions, come and hear this sermon, which includes paintings of angels and poetry about angels.

Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is located at 3424 Ridge Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426. It is on the right side as you travel east. Their phone number is 610-631-0280. The service begins at 10:30 AM. It takes about half an hour to drive from the Pottstown area to the Thomas Paine Fellowship. Please join together with them as we continue our tradition of visiting each other’s services each summer. (They will visit us on Sunday, August 20, 2017.)

Sunday, July 16

First World Problems              Speaker: Emily Quarles-Mowrer

Have you ever heard of a Complaints Choir? The concept of turning complaints into music was originated by Helsinki artists Tellervo Kalleinen and Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, and the first choir was formed in Birmingham, England. Since that first choir, cities around the world have taken up the banner and composed their own songs. Complaining is ubiquitous, but is it necessary? In his 2007 book A Complaint Free World, Will Bowen argues that it is not. Join us as we contemplate the benefits and distractions of complaining.

Please join us for our Third Sunday Potluck which will follow the service.

1. Sunday, July 23

An Examination of Economic

Inequality in the United States

Lay Speaker: Allan Pallay

“Escalating Inequality” was selected by the 2014 UUA General Assembly as the 2014-2018 Congregational Study/Action Issue. A supporting document asserted that “Challenging extreme inequality is a moral imperative.” In this service I will characterize the level of economic inequality in the United States, review its causes and describe the advantages and disadvantages of solutions. I will present various sides to this issue. Time will be allotted at the end for comments from the Congregation. I expect a lively discussion.

Sunday, July 30

The Interdependent Web…

The Spirituality of Swimming With Sea Lions Lay Speaker: Mary Ryan

This past spring, Mary took a trip to Baja California and came away with a deeper appreciation of the wonders of nature. The highlights were seeing the second-largest animal on the planet and getting dived-bombed by four sea lions. Seeing these, and other amazing animals in their protected environment was probably the definition of our seventh principle. Mary will share her memories and some pictures.