What makes us laugh? Why do we laugh? Could laughter be a biological adaptation? If so then how did laughter evolve? Are there different kinds of laughter? What does laughter tell us about ourselves our culture? This Sunday we will be investigating these questions and others as we explore the topic of humor and laughter.  Come prepared with a few jokes of your own or just sit back and enjoy the discussion.

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone Street West in Twin Falls. Newcomers are always welcome. Child care is available. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

Our sermon this Sunday is a video recording delivered Sunday, January 27, 2013, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister.

SERMON DESCRIPTION: Since Lance Armstrong finally admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs, there has been a lot of discussion about why people cheat. Athletes cheat to win, citizens cheat on their taxes, spouses cheat on each other, students cheat on tests. What is it that causes people to cheat and how do people who cheat live with themselves? Is there redemption for cheaters and how can it be attained?

On Sunday, we will explore some of the dynamics of cheating and how we can avoid the pitfalls of the human condition that causes us to deceive others — and ourselves — to get ahead. 
Music by Chad Minteer and Susanna Terry

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone Street West in Twin Falls. Newcomers are always welcome. Childcare is available. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

It is said that change is the great constant in this world.  And if that is so, then it would follow that understanding change benefits us in surviving and thriving here. But what are the catalysts for change in our personal lives? What steps can we take to embrace positive change and release our fears?  How have our experiences shaped us and what methods and ideas have had the greatest impact on who we’ve become and what we believe?

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone Street West in Twin Falls. Newcomers are always welcome. Childcare is available. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

Our program this Sunday is a video presentation of the thoughts of John Lame Deer, a Sioux Medicine Man, titled “Our Place in a Symbolic World.” This service is from the “Great Courses Program” by Dr. Jay Garfield of Smith College.

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone Street West in Twin Falls. Newcomers are always welcome. Childcare is available. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

This week we will be exploring the topic of belief. We will talk about what our beliefs are and how we came by them. Are we really free to believe what we choose? What effects do our beliefs have on us and how do our beliefs effect how we live our lives? How do our beliefs effect our choices; even our choice of a religion? Is a person responsible for his or her beliefs? Our Program this Sunday will give you a lot to think about.

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone Street West in Twin Falls. Newcomers are always welcome. Child care is available. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

Our program this Sunday is a video sermon by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa Oklahoma, titled “Love our Enemies – One of the Hardest Part of Love.”

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone Street West in Twin Falls. Newcomers are always welcome. Childcare is available. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

Our program this Sunday is a video sermon by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa Oklahoma, titled “Thoughts on Evolution – Did Darwin Pray?” Is evolutionism enough of a worldview to base one’s religion, or moral system of living? We will explore how the Theory of Evolution offers a moral way of understanding the world and our place in it and how the evolutionary worldview does not discount but uplifts the world’s great religious traditions.

We will have a very brief discussion prior to watching the video, then after the video we will discuss our thoughts pertaining to evolution as it may interact with religion. Is evolutionary thought compatible with religion? The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone Street West in Twin Falls. Newcomers are always welcome. Child care is available. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

Monday, December 24th is our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Service beginning at 6:00 PM. Marion Wallace and Karen Fothergill will lead this service titled “Meanings of Christmas.” Members are urged to bring healthy hor d’oeuvres for treats afterwards. Colette Hoglund and Suzanna Terry will be our featured musicians. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

We are bringing back our tradition of singing Christmas Hymns this coming Sunday in honor of former member Don Royster. For many years, Don attended our Church and led our music program providing accompaniment for hymns and playing original music and classics for our Fellowship. Don passed away Christmas Eve in 2005.

Susanna Terry will be leading the musical part of our program and Karen Fothergill will be the host. Michael Johnson will be featured on the guitar. Childcare is available. The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

The holiday song, ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a carol that aptly describes this time of year. It’s the time of the year when many holidays and events are celebrated.

Of course, Christmas is the holiday that most people around here think of, but it certainly isn’t the only holiday that’s recognized in other parts of our country and the world. We are currently in the final days of celebrating the Jewish holiday ‘Hanukkah’, also referred to as the “The Festival of Lights.” Others celebrate the winter solstice, which of course describes the time of year when the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun resulting in shorter daylight and longer nights. In Sweden, Santa Lucia Day has historical roots to the winter solstice celebration and now combines the Christmas celebration with it. The newest of the holidays is Kwanzaa, an African-American holiday, started 46 years ago and is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa developed to honor the values of ancient African cultures. And finally, Bodhi Day or Rohatsu is a Japanese Buddhist holiday that fell on December 8th of this year and commemorates when Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) experienced enlightenment. Each of these wonderful events’ similarities and relationships will be discussed to enable us to fully appreciate ‘the reasons for the season.’

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone Street West in Twin Falls. Newcomers are always welcome. Child care is available. For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.