Iain Goddard

One of the many things that set us apart from other denominations and religions is our 7th Principle: respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. What does this mean in our anthropogenic era of climatic disasters and dwindling resources? What can we do to protect life-as-we-know-it?  Iain will discuss the UU Green Sanctuary program that was set up to help UUs take action through this principle, and the progress we’ve made in our NSUU Green Sanctuary Project.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in his Journals in 1836, “Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet.” With this, Emerson was not calling on his readers to create their own individual religions; he meant to encourage them to follow the Renaissance practice of compiling favorite quotes, poems, letters, and passages into a book to be used for reflection and inspiration. What spiritual wisdom and revelations move us? Who are the prophets whose words inspire, comfort, and inform our own lives? In this service, we will consider what it means to “make our own Bibles” in the 21st century world, drawing upon religious texts, literature, poetry, and social media.

Edith Fenton

It is a luxury to have the time to sit, think, write and share those unexpected insights into how we became the people we are today. Members of the Memoir Group will offer some of those surprising realizations as we “write ourselves whole” one story at a time.

Rev. Julie Lombard, Minister

We know that racism exists in every corner of our world, but have you heard of the plight of the Freemen of the Cherokee Nation? They are the descendants of the slaves once owned by the Cherokee Indians. Their ancestors walked the Trail of Tear with their owners often carrying the heaviest of loads and caring for their owners along the way. Today, the Freemen fight for their equal rights to be a part of the Cherokee Nation, to vote, to have health care, and honor their lineage and their place in the tribe, but not all in the nation believe they belong. Join us for worship and hear a story of one group’s fight for justice.

Edith Fenton

Last summer we started we started our summer worship with a special service that helped all to prepare for a full summer of reading. Books and reading have held a special place in American hearts. We go to books for information, comfort, wisdom, inspiration, and theology. Books provide us with entertainment, enjoyment, and escape. Before this service, please think about your favorite books. Do you return to them again and again? Do they amuse you or offer insight? How do they resonate in your life? This service gives us a chance to share the books we love and the reasons why they are meaningful. Good books are good friends and meant to be shared.