Category Archives: Guest Speaker

May 31: “The Big Pivot” (Online Service)

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Presenter: Rev. Monica Dobbins
[UU Minister from First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City]

We are standing on a threshold between one world and the next: the pre-pandemic world is getting smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror and the new world post-pandemic is still out of view around the bend. Now we must ask: what is the purpose of the church in this liminal time? What questions can we ask ourselves to help shape our mission as we travel this uncharted road?

Please join us online using Zoom on computer, tablet, mobile phone, or land line. For general instructions on getting started with Zoom, Click Here.

We suggest logging in a bit early to avoid workload for the person who needs to admit attendees. Once the meeting is underway you may have to wait a bit until that person has a free moment. To connect you can click on the link use the connection information below.

Zoom Meeting Details:
Time: May 31, 2020 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Please click on this link to join the online service:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89497494133?pwd=U282SjFHa1lIRkxDMkFjQm5EN0IzZz09

Meeting ID: 894 9749 4133
Password: Chalice

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+16699006833,,89497494133#,,1#,250190# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,,89497494133#,,1#,250190# US (Tacoma)

By Telephone; Dial by your location:
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 894 9749 4133
Password: 250190

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. Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome.

May 17, 2020: “Great Compassion Without Tiring Illumines Me Always” (Online Service)

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Presenter: Rev. Anne Spencer[Member Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple]

Over Buddhism’s 2500 year history its teachings and practices have traveled from India throughout Asia and now across the world. The Buddhist tradition has adapted and changed with each new culture and era it reaches. But even as Buddhism changes, adapts and modernizes, compassion remains central–even under the most challenging circumstances.

In her message, Rev. Anne Spencer will reflect on the role of compassion in Buddhism, sharing her experiences as a member of Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple (IOBT) in Ontario OR. The temple, which is part of the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism, was founded by Japanese immigrants and their families in the aftermath of their forced relocation to internment camps during WWII. Jodo Shinshu Buddhism teaches that the light of compassion illumines us always. Where have you found compassion in your life?

This service will be presented over the internet using the Zoom platform. If you are not familiar with Zoom, you may read some general instructions by clicking here.

Zoom meeting link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84720804507pwd=bmtYc050dnFHMWwzMDJEZ2Q5WHlNUT09
Meeting ID: 847 2080 4507
Password: Compassion

One tap mobile
+12532158782,,84720804507#,,1#,100430# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,84720804507#,,1#,100430# US (Houston)

By phone, dial by your location:

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 847 2080 4507
Password: 100430

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.

Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome.

April 19: “Somewhere Between” … A 50 Year Journey (ONLINE Service)

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Host: Don Morishita
Presenter: Gwen Reid (Member Boise  UU Fellowship)

“To make a record: Take one miracle and add two dreams”. Thus begins the cover note from the first record album, “Somewhere Between, by Rosalie Sorrels” under Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s record label.

The miracle makers and dreamers among the 50 members of the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in the late 1960s wanted to give voice to their faith-inspired response to the times in which they were living: The war in Vietnam was in full swing with nearly 500,000 American troops deployed, civil disturbances throughout the U.S. evidenced that we had still not moved beyond the original sin of slavery, and poverty and unemployment, especially for minorities, was eroding our hope for better future.
Fifty years hence, what lessons can we, as a faith community, glean from these carefully curated songs. What can this “opening” of a time capsule from 50 years ago in Boise Unitrian-Universalist Fellowship’s history tell us about the present or the possibilities for our future? Join us online and find out!

Use this link below to join the meeting online using Zoom. If you need help, we have instructions here.

https://zoom.us/j/99099755914?pwd=WjdmSkRqK0EyT2NLVG04S2h1eS9zQT09

Meeting ID: 990 9975 5914
Password: Journey

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,99099755914#,,#,436491# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,99099755914#,,#,436491# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

March 15: “Finding Spiritual Peace Amid The Storms of Life.”

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Lejla Becirovic is National Award Winning Social Worker currently working at Idaho Hospice.  Author of Beyond Borders: A Story of War, Love, and Loss, Lejla will speak about “finding faith” during the hardest times in life. She will share her story of escaping war and homelessness and finding faith through her losses.

BeyondBorders

Lejla’s book is available on Amazon.com. (Don’t forget to support our fellowship by using smile.amazon.com whenever you shop)

MVUUF Charitable Organization Support Link:  http://smile.amazon.com/ch/82-0470936

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.

February 16th: “A Quest for the Whole Self”

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Presenter: Christie Bogle
[Member: Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ogden]

Christie Bogle, a professor, linguist, humanist and activist from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden will be our guest speaker. Christie invites all to consider their life’s journey and examine the human urge for exploration. Revisiting the common conception of integrity, we will examine what you already know, what you already have, and who you already have been. From a space of wholeness and resilience, we will spend time present to divinity and creativity.

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.

February 9th: “Unitarian-Universalists Certainly Do Have a Lot of Opinions”

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Presenter: Heidi Cottam
[Member: Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ogden]

What do you get when you put three Unitarians Universalists in a room together? Five opinions and a pot of coffee. UUs are known for having a wide variety of opinions. How is it possible, then, to journey together on our separate paths in the search for truth and meaning?

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.

January 26th: “Add the Words”

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Presenter: Megan Carter [Vice Chair of Add the Words]

MeganCRespect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people is the first principle of Unitarian Universalism. Megan Carter, Vice Chair of “Add the Words”, will present information about the organization behind the equal rights movement to update the Idaho Human Rights Act.

Add the Words and their coalition partners have fought for 15 years to have the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” added to the existing protections in the Idaho Human Rights Act. Each year the Idaho Legislature has not only failed update the statute, they have entertained bills that would directly harm LGBTQ Idahoans.

This presentation will discuss a brief history of the “Add the Words” movement, the legislation expected to be introduced in the 2020 Legislative Session, and how to talk to our lawmakers about these issues.

ATW-IDAHOUnitarian-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.

January 23 @ 6 pm : Community Event : Refugees Share Their Stories

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Refugees Share Their Stories

Since 1980 over 2,500 people have re-settled in the Magic Valley area through the CSI Refugee Program. This has been a successful program of providing a new start for many refugees who have become members of our community. Each of these people have interesting stories about their experiences of having to leave their countries and how they have grown to be members of our Magic Valley community.

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, located at 160 9th Ave East, is hosting a Refugee Stories event on January 23rd from 6 to 8 pm. Representatives of the refugee community will share their journeys along with the courage it required, the sacrifices and adjustments they made to come to the United States for the safety of their families. It is an opportunity for the community to better understand the determination of refugees to be a part of the Magic Valley. This event is free and open to the public and is planned to be the first of several similar events. A reception will be held afterward.

Unitarian-Universalism is a faith tradition that welcomes and stands up for the full rights of all people regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion.

For more information, contact Don Morishita at (208) 308-5180

November 20th: Transgender Panel, Transgender Day of Rememembrance

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Poster for TGDOR 2019-1120

Dear Friends of MVUUF,

You are invited to our upcoming transgender panel event to be held this Wednesday, November 20th: A Panel of Local Transgender People Sharing Their Stories
Facilitated by Brandon Connolly

The goal of the evening is education and acceptance. This will be a reflective evening with adult content; therefore, child care will not be provided. Please plan accordingly.
Thanks and we hope you can attend to hear stories and learn from local transgender folks.

Warmly,
Your Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship Board
160 9th Ave East
Twin Falls ID 83301
mvuuf83301@yahoo.com
208-410-8904 (Our Official Phone Number)

November 10: “Paying Attention to Suffering”

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Presenter: Rev. Monica Dobbins (Video Presentation)

In keeping with Magic Valley UU Fellowship’s theme for November, “Attention”, Rev. Monica Dobbins will bring a message called “Paying Attention to Suffering”. The Japanese novelist and long-distance runner Haruki Murakami says that “Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.” Must we suffer? And if so, how can we keep our suffering from taking over our lives?

MonicaDobbinsRev. Monica is the assistant minister of the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, UT, and is serving in her third year with that congregation. Her ministry focus includes religious education for adults and interfaith cooperation for social justice.

Rev. Dobbins was unable to be with us in person as originally planned. Therefore we will be watching a video she has recorded and sent our way.

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.