Services for August

Pluralism. Our learning and worship theme for the month of May is Pluralism. Here's a very loose, not-at-all-academic definition: Pluralism is the willingness to allow multiple beliefs and opinions to co-exist. Naturally we prefer our own beliefs and opinions—and, if we work at being good people who grow and learn throughout life, we are willing to adapt those beliefs when we learn something that offers a new perspective. The essence of this kind of pluralism is the openness to new ideas and new information. Embedded in it is the assumption that outside the experiences we've had so far are the experiences of others—experiences that may be different and may offer us new perceptions, new learning. This Sunday we take up an old idea in Unitarian Universalism, unity in diversity. It's the essence of our tradition—the idea that we can be united by our values even though the specifics of our beliefs, and our life experiences, may be quite different. As the French phrase goes, Vive la différence.

~ Rev. Jaye

On War

Sandy Gibbons and Mike Johnson
August 4

Sandy and Mike will explore the human capacity for waging warfare, its penetration in our cultures, its impact on our physical and spiritual lives, and whether there can ever be a moral justification for this (unfortunately) most human of activities.

Loafing

Rev. Jaye Brooks
August 11

Loafing is a word offered up by the Chinese inventor and author Dr. Lin Yutang in his book, The Importance of Living (1937). Dr Lin, born in China in 1895, studied at Harvard University and spent many years in New York City. His observations on American and Chinese Culture, written more than 80 years ago, resonate strongly with our lives today despite changes in both societies. Relax with Rev. Jaye Brooks as she offers languid encouragement to appreciate one of summer's greatest pleasures: loafing.

A potluck luncheon follows the service.

Love At the Center

Laura Bianca-Pruett
August 18

The new Article II places love at the center of our shared values. It is not just love in action but is agapé love—an unconditional love that is full of compassion that we share altruistically to create justice and transform the world. Laura Bianca-Pruett will share a sermon/talk on agapé love based on Christian scripture and traditions (Love is Patient, Love is Kind - 1 Corinthians 13) and how we can apply these teachings to Unitarian Universalism.

Hearing With the Heart

Rev. Jaye Brooks
August 25

In every encounter with another human being, there’s an opportunity to listen—to go deep; to forge, even briefly, an authentic connection. To help illustrate the balance that’s necessary if we’re to hear with the heart, our house band Homemade Jam contributes to Rev. Jaye’s sermon with culturally distinct versions of The Sloop John B—a song that was popularized in the US in 1965 by the Beach Boys. But the origins of the song go back to the Caribbean and West Africa. This voyage of discovery is a service for all ages.