In 1949, conservation biologist Aldo Leopold coined the term “land ethic” to describe a new way of thinking about the natural world and the place of humans within it. For Leopold, the environment was not a commodity but a community. Guest speaker Brian Attebery will explore some of the ideas from Leopold’s classic A Sand County Almanac in relation to the seventh of the principles adopted in 1984 by the Unitarian Universalist Association: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. As we strive to live out that respect, we can learn much from Leopold’s invitation to “think like a mountain,” which means getting beyond individual self-interest and short-term gain to see how trees, wolves, deer, humans, and every other living thing depend on one another. 

Worship Associate Don Morishita

Please join us Sunday for a delicious potluck and a chance to give back to the building and grounds that provide the space for gathering in fellowship.  Following a short worship service we will get to work making love visible.

Tasks will be divided into indoor and outdoor categories. Come dressed according to your choice. If you have special tools that might lighten the load, please bring them. Also, please bring a dish to share at the “chores completed“ potluck following the work session.

Plants are one of the two major groups of living organisms that are essential to the function of our earth. Plants are found in nearly every part of our planet in all shapes and sizes. They include green algae, mosses, ferns, vines, grasses, bushes, herbs, flowering plants, and trees. From cultivated crops and ornamentals to plants growing in undisturbed areas and wild lands, they all have many characteristics that make them so special and critical for our survival. Join us for a presentation on the importance, as well as the magic and mystery of plants.

By Don Morishita.

Worship Associate Betsy Morishita

Inspired by How Old Am I?: 100 Faces from Around the World, a book by JR and Julie Pugeat, Erika Hopkins will lead an intergenerational activity that honors the value and dignity of every stage of life. Participants will use a guided worksheet to interview one another and learn about the stories, memories, and experiences that have shaped each person. By sharing across generations, we will build connections, learn from one another, and challenge assumptions about age. Together, we will create a collaborative mural that celebrates the richness of our congregation and guests.

UU’s first principle is “The inherent worth and dignity of every person.” Someone in each of our lives has excelled in intersecting in each of our lives and  been a hero.  This could have been a family member, a neighbor – or a stranger!  Our service will be better and more rewarding with more congregants and visitors participating. I do hope you’ll be an out loud and proud part of our Sunday service.  Stories of people who have helped us, supported us, and made our lives better will include small tales of service that have made one day a little bit brighter – or larger stories of heroes who have changed our lives for the  better.  Did a stranger return your lost wallet?  Did a stranger change your flat tire? Did an aunt or uncle help raise you? Someone in each of our lives gave us a hand up, a dose of courage, a more confident sense of self.  

Presented by Pam Blankenheim

Over the past 18 months, Idaho Solutions has worked across the state to create opportunities for Idahoans to come together around ideas rather than ideology. Through public lectures, community conversations, bipartisan panels, and partnerships with organizations representing a wide range of perspectives, the organization has sought to strengthen civic literacy, encourage thoughtful dialogue, and inspire greater community involvement.In this presentation, Chenele Dixon will share the story behind Idaho Solutions, the experiences that led to its creation, and what has been learned while bringing people together across political, religious, and geographic divides. She will highlight some of the organization’s most meaningful programs and partnerships, discuss why informed and engaged citizens are essential to a healthy democracy, and explore how each of us can contribute to building stronger, more connected communities.Rather than asking people to agree on every issue, Idaho Solutions encourages Idahoans to stay curious, remain engaged, and recognize that lasting solutions are found through conversation, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the common good.

Chenele Dixon is also the Worship Associate

Minimalism is focusing on what is important in your life and removing everything else. It is letting go of what no longer ads value to your life. Minimalism is much more than decluttering closets or having sparse living areas. This talk will explore different approaches to minimalism and address the many benefits.

By Collete Hoglund

Our country has gone through some big shifts in how it looks at equality of human rights, how it looks at our immigrants, our relationships with other countries around the world, and how our country thinks of the environment. 

Yet, there are many things about our country in which we can be proud.

Join us for a discussion this Sunday to share your thoughts about what America means to you now. This could be comments from the heart, an essay, reading, poem or song about what America means to you, what it has meant to you, or even what you think it may mean in the future.

By Don Morishita

It is said that “Sometimes the most powerful therapy comes from a heart that beats beneath a mane.” Please join us on Sunday as Marni Porath, Executive Director of Rising Stars describes the relationships that transform participants in their equine therapy program.

by Marni Porath

As Martin Luther King said “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.“ What Martin Luther King is alluding to here is the importance of creating an inclusive community.
Please join us as Lieutenant Gassert from the Twin Falls Police Department shares with us the Department’s efforts to create a sense of community through their outstanding community outreach program that focuses on populations who typically feel underserved.

Presented by Lieutenant Steven Gassert

Worship Associate Melody Lenkner