Monthly Archives: August 2019

September 1: Water Communion

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Presenter: Karen Fothergill

The Water Communion, also sometimes called Water Ceremony, was first used at a Unitarian-Universalist (UU) worship service in the 1980s. Many UU congregations now hold a “Water Communion” once a year, often at the beginning of the new church year (September).

Members, including friends and visitors, bring to the service a small amount of water from a place special to them. During the service people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special.

Participants may also bring a small sample of water which can be symbolic from the actual location to add to the bowl. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources.

The Water Ceremony is an excellent opportunity for Unitarian-Universalist congregations to express their commitment to our Sixth Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.

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 our spiritual journeys. As Unitarian-Universalists, we 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.

Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are working on becoming handicapped-accessible but are not fully there yet. To avoid steps into the sanctuary please enter through the rear entrance to access a sloping hallway to the sanctuary. Please park in the rear of the building or on the street, in front or the side of the building. Child care is available during the adult portion of the service.

August 25: “Empathy as a Superpower”

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Presented by: Rev. Jenny Peek

JennyP_180pHow is empathy developed? What are its challenges and benefits? In a time when ideologies are polarizing neighbors and family members leaning into the discomfort with curiosity and loving concern seems counter-intuitive. What if empathy (and let’s add some love and compassion for good measure) were our greatest superpower? Join us Sunday as our visiting minister, Rev. Jenny Peek, shares her reflection on empathy in the least possible places.

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 our spiritual journeys. As Unitarian-Universalists, we 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.

Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are working on becoming handicapped-accessible but are not fully there yet. To avoid steps into the sanctuary please enter through the rear entrance to access a sloping hallway to the sanctuary. Please park in the rear of the building or on the street, in front or the side of the building. Child care is available during the adult portion of the service.

August 18, 2019: “Will I Stand Up?”

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Presenter: Don Morishita

Among the seven principles Unitarian Universalism teaches, four are related to social activism, which is an important part of what Unitarian Universalists stand for.
Those four principles are to affirm and promote: 1) the inherent worth and dignity of every person; 2) justice, equity and compassion in human relations; 3) the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and 4) respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

These principles are not exclusive to Unitarian Universalism and are practiced by many non-secular and secular organizations. In today’s political climate, racism and white nationalism is a charge that has surfaced with our country’s leadership. Racial and ethnic minorities who have been the target of tweets, statements, and comments feel the burn from these published words. Sadly, there are people who support these hateful words. Most Americans however, are embarrassed and ashamed by these words. When these hateful actions are seen firsthand, how many of us will stand up for what is right?

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 our spiritual journeys. As Unitarian-Universalists, we 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.

Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. We are working on becoming handicapped-accessible but are not fully there yet. To avoid steps into the sanctuary please enter through the rear entrance to access a sloping hallway to the sanctuary. Please park in the rear of the building or on the street, in front or the side of the building. Child care is available during the adult portion of the service.