Category Archives: News

September 3, 2017: Water Communion

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Presented by: Don Morishita

water joinThe Water Communion, also sometimes called Water Ceremony, was first used at a Unitarian Universalist (UU) worship service in the 1980s. Members are asked to bring a small amount of water from a place that is special to them. Symbolic water also will be provided to those who do not bring water with them. During the appointed time in 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 to them. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources.

One purpose of this ceremony is an opportunity for us to express our commitment to our 6th 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.

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. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is usually available.

August 13: Facing the Bogeyman

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Presented by: Ryan Terry

MVUUF members, Ryan Terry and his wife, are proud parents of two lovely girls, ages 7 and 11.

One of the Terrys’ favorite pastimes is to spend time in nature. The Terrys enjoy hiking and backpacking in wilderness areas where there are very few people. As their daughters have gotten older they have often express interest in exploring nature alone without direct parental supervision.

Ryan will explore this topic further with an emphasis on how nature can teach us to face and overcome our fears, and provide both the young and the old with opportunities to gain a greater sense of confidence and awareness.

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.

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. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is usually available.

August 6: Living as a Buddhist

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Presented by: Michael Johnson

Did you ever wonder what it’s like to be a Buddhist? Sounds so exotic! Surely it must be different from anything ever experienced!

Actually it’s very interesting, surprisingly simple, and, for Michael Johnson, the philosophy has provided the most direct path to personal contentment and happiness.

Join Michael in this brief look at a new way to experience yourself, the people around you and even people you may never meet.

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.

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. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is usually available.

July 30: How Much Church is “Too Churchy”?

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Some people think Unitarian Universalism is “not a real church” – it’s the kind of criticism that you get used to when you belong to a creed-less faith. But strangely enough, some people check out UU and still feel it’s “too churchy”. Why?

Why do people come to a church like ours? Why do they keep coming, or not? What makes church different from a discussion group, a TED Talk, a Meet up group, a civics course? What elements do people connect with or have trouble connecting with when they come from other religions, or no religion?

Join us as we think about not only what makes church church, but how church and the beloved community relate to one another.

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.

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. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is usually available.

July 23: “Resistance as a Spiritual Practice”

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Presented by: Debra Smith

This Sunday we look forward to hearing from our guest speaker, Debra Smith, from the Boise UU Fellowship, here to share on the topic of “Resistance as a Spiritual Practice.”

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.

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. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is usually available.

Announcement: MVUUF Garage Sale Coming Soon!

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Hi All,

The MVUUF garage sale is fast approaching. If you plan to donate items for the sale, please bring them to the fellowship this Sunday, (tomorrow, July 16th). You may also bring items to the Vendor Blender on Friday evening, July 21st from 7 pm to 9 pm as volunteers are setting up for the sale.

The garage sale will be held Saturday, July 22nd from 8 am to 4 pm.

We are looking for volunteers to help set up on the eve of Friday the 21st as well as to help run the sale on Saturday the 22nd. This sale will benefit CSI refugee center.

Thanks to all of you for your generosity.

Warmly,
Michelle Richman,
Your MVUUF Vice President

July 16: “Freedom”

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Presented by: Julie Merrick

Freedom is state of mind. It is an open door; it is wind rushing against canyon walls; it is birds hanging in flight. Freedom is to feel one’s soul dancing inside one’s body as the illusion of the time dissolves into a moment of infinity.
We find freedom by releasing the mental constructs which enslave us, by letting go of all that weighs us down, by being fully present in the now and by loving in a way that causes others to feel free.

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.

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. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is usually available.

July 2: “The Living God”

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What do you think about when you hear the word God? Turn on? Turn off? No reaction? And how does our being human make the idea of a God seem to be a necessity?

Theologians have been at this issue for centuries…let’s see what we can do in 30 minutes!

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.

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. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is usually available.

June 25: “Showing Up and Staying Put”

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 Presented by Guest Speaker Jen Blair

What does radical love look like for mothers of LGBTQIA children? When religion asks the impossible, what is the answer? How can faith, family, and LGBTQIA communities be celebrated and championed?

Justice and love lead some to leave beloved faith communities and find others where they can be their authentic selves. Others are led to stay and keep showing up on the side of love. No matter what path parents and families choose, there are difficult challenges that love calls them to meet. These challenges do not have to be met alone.

Join us as guest speaker Jen Blair talks about her experiences as an LDS mother and an active member of the Mama Dragons organization. Mama Dragons is an organization that exists to inspire and empower mothers of LGBTQIA children.

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.

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. We are handicapped accessible. Please park in the rear of the building. Child care is usually available.

IMPORTANT Please Note: June 18 Service is off-site and will NOT BE at VENDOR BLENDER location

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Topic: “Living Our Truth”

Presented by: Julie Merrick

PLEASE NOTE!  Our service this Sunday will be at the home of Michael Johnson and Monie Smith, 559 E 300 S, Jerome, Idaho 83338 beginning at 10:30 AM. No service will be held at the Vendor Blender location.

Joy and freedom come to us when we live what we most deeply feel to be true. A path of integrity, where we express and do what is true for us in all situations, is not always easy to follow. We may be fearful of disappointing others or being seen as different. We may be unclear as to what our truth is and how best to live it.

As we tune into our hearts and draw upon courage and kindness, we can embrace a life of honesty and live our truth.

Our service this Sunday will be at the home of Michael Johnson and Monie Smith, 559 E 300 S, Jerome, Idaho 83338 beginning at 10:30 AM.

For information or directions please call Michael Johnson at: 208-420-5567 or Monie at: 208-420-5568.

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.

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.