Monthly Archives: July 2016

Sunday, July 31, 2016: “A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning ”

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Presenter: Chad Minteer

One of Unitarian-Universalist guiding principles that we affirm is a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” What is this freedom, and why is it important?

“As responsible religious seekers, we recognize that we are privileged to be free, to have resources to pursue life beyond mere survival, to continually search for truth and meaning, to exist beyond bonds of dogma and oppression, and to wrestle freely with truth and meaning as they evolve.

“This privilege calls us not to be isolated and self-centered, believing that our single perspective trumps all others, but rather to be humble, to be open to the great mysteries of truth and meaning that life offers. And those mysteries may speak to us through our own intuition and experience—but also through tradition, community, conflict, nature, and relationships.

“As a faith tradition, Unitarian Universalism makes sacred the right and responsibility to engage in this free and responsible quest as an act of religious devotion. Institutionally, we have left open the questions of what truth and meaning are, acknowledging that mindful people will, in every age, discover new insights.”

—Rev. Paige Getty, UU Congregation of Columbia, Maryland

Unitarian Universalism honors the differing paths we each travel. Our congregations are places where we celebrate, support, and challenge one another as we continue on these journeys. Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another.

Please join us Sunday at the Vendor Blender and Event Center, 588 Addison Avenue West in Twin Falls at 10:30 AM. The Vendor Blender is located near the old hospital near the intersection of Martin St. and Addison Avenue West. Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are handicapped accessible. Child care is available. Please park in the rear of the building and use the entrance on the west side of the building.

Sunday, July 24: “How to be Happy (The Fine Print)”

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Presenter: Cindy Yarger

Cindy Yarger will be speaking this Sunday on the topic “How to be Happy (The Fine Print).”

Please Note:   The MVUUF summer camp out is also happening this weekend, and visitors are welcome! Friends and members of the fellowship are welcome, and can review their emails for directions. Group camping areas are reserved for Friday and Saturday nights. Arrive as early as noon Friday. Checkout is Sunday at 10am. Those not camping overnight are still very much welcome to attend and visit during the day and evening hours.

Unitarian Universalism honors the differing paths we each travel. Our congregations are places where we celebrate, support, and challenge one another as we continue on these journeys. Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another.UA GNBathrm

Please join us Sunday at the Vendor Blender and Event Center,  588 Addison Avenue West in Twin Falls at 10:30 AM. The Vendor Blender is located near the old hospital near the intersection of Martin St. and Addison Avenue West. Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are handicapped accessible. Child care is available. Please park in the rear of the building and use the entrance on the west side of the building.

Sunday, July 17, 2016: “The Path of Mysticism”

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Presenter: Julie Merrick

Mysticism is defined as the spiritual apprehension of truths which are beyond the intellect. Always subjective, mystical experiences are personal and often include a sense of unity, timelessness, and a marked shift in perception. The path of mysticism is simple yet profound and does not require us to exit ‘normal’ living but rather be present enough to feel and come to know the beauty and love underlying all existence.

Unitarian Universalism honors the differing paths we each travel. Our congregations are places where we celebrate, support, and challenge one another as we continue on these journeys. Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another.UA GNBathrm

Please join us Sunday at the Vendor Blender and Event Center, 588 Addison Avenue West in Twin Falls at 10:30 AM. The Vendor Blender is located near the old hospital near the intersection of Martin St. and Addison Avenue West. Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are handicapped accessible. Child care is available. Please park in the rear of the building and use the entrance on the west side of the building.

Sunday, July 10, 2016: “Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You”

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Presenter: Mary McGinnis

Most of us have heard some form of “The Golden Rule” since we were children. “Treat others as you want to be treated” is a guiding philosophy in Christian communities and in our culture.

St._Matthew_and_the_Angel

Karel van der Pluym, Google Art Project

Maybe what is less known is just how global that philosophy is in other cultures and other religions.

The Golden Rule Project states: “The Golden Rule is inclusive of all different traditions, philosophies, and religions. Different versions or formulations of the Golden Rule can be found everywhere: in religious and secular texts, works of art, song lyrics and in the words of world leaders and more.”

Please join us as a member of our congregation shares a compilation of some of these formulations from the , Golden Rule Project and encourages personal reflection on how this may be present in daily living- rather than merely becoming empty rhetoric.

Unitarian Universalism honors the differing paths we each travel. Our congregations are places where we celebrate, support, and challenge one another as we continue on these journeys. Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another.

Please join us Sunday at the Vendor Blender and Event Center, 588 Addison Avenue West in Twin Falls at 10:30 AM. The Vendor Blender is located near the old hospital near the intersection of Martin St. and Addison Avenue West. Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are handicapped accessible. Child care is available. Please park in the rear of the building and use the entrance on the west side of the building.

Goodbye to Rev. Suzanne Marsh

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Suzanne Marsh

We mourn the sudden recent death of our previous minister, Rev. Suzanne Marsh. We lost a great advocate for peace and justice, and we will miss her. Below is a letter from Janine Larsen of the Pacific West Region to our congregation:

Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2016 21:36:19 +0000

Dear leaders of Pocatello UU Fellowship and Magic Valley UU Fellowship,
 
Though with great sadness, I wanted to let you and your congregations know of the death of the Rev. Suzanne Marsh, on June 24. While traveling with her spouse of nearly 30 years, Rev. Marsh took a sudden fall, hitting her head on a countertop, and did not regain consciousness.
 
Although Rev. Marsh’s time with the Pocatello and Twin Falls congregations was brief, I know you will feel the depth of loss of her family and friends. As the Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones reminded her congregation, which ordained Rev. Marsh in 2010, events like this cause us to recall that “life is fragile, that the unexpected happens, and that we must love each other truly, madly, deeply every moment that we have.”
 
At the time of her death, Rev. Marsh was serving the UU Church of the Desert in California. The UU Trauma Ministry team and local ministers are helping to care for the stunned congregation, which is also supporting the grieving family. If you wish to send a message of sympathy, you may reach the congregation at Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert, PO Box 2853, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.
 
My very best to you and your congregation.
 
Yours in faith,
Janine Larsen
 
 
Janine Larsen  |  Congregational Life Staff, Pacific Western Region

 

Here is a link to an article about Rev. Marsh from the Desert Sun, a local newspaper:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2016/06/27/gay-pastor-and-activist-dies-apparent-heart-attack/86451808/

Sunday, July 3, 2016: “How Do We All Crave Happiness?”

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Host/Presenter: Michael Johnson

It’s interesting how we all crave after happiness; how all of our choices seem to be tied by ropes or threads to our obtaining happiness.

It’s interesting also when we consider how we participate in that life-long quest. Do we get the level of happiness we want? What do you think?” Please come prepared to discuss.

Unitarian Universalism honors the differing paths we each travel. Our congregations are places where we celebrate, support, and challenge one another as we continue on these journeys. Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another.

Please join us Sunday at the Vendor Blender and Event Center, 588 Addison Avenue West in Twin Falls at 10:30 AM. The Vendor Blender is located near the old hospital near the intersection of Martin St. and Addison Avenue West. Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are handicapped accessible. Child care is available. Please park in the rear of the building and use the entrance on the west side of the building.