September 16th Service: Answering the Religious Right With the Big Heart of Universalism

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Ryan

This Sunday, we will read a sermon by the Unitarian-Universalist minister, Rev. Scott Alexander, a well known Unitarian-Universalist minister serving the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship in Vero Beach (Florida) titled “Answering the Religious Right With the Big Heart of Universalism.” We will then consider carefully how this sermon applies to our fellowship and the community in which we live. A discussion will follow.

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.

Worship Leader: Ray Cross
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

Sep. 9th Service: “Joy in Hard Times” Online Video Service With Rev. Meg Riley of the Church of the Larger Fellowship

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Ryan

The Rev. Meg Riley is senior minister of the Church of the Larger Fellowship ( http://clf.uua.org/ ), a Unitarian Universalist “congregation without walls” with more than 3,500 members who live around the world.

Our service this Sunday will include musical pieces, readings and personal reflections.

Below is an introduction to Rev. Meg Riley and the “Church of the Larger Fellowship” for those unfamiliar with Rev. Riley.

A Day in the Life of Rev. Meg Riley (January 21, 2011)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aS1EAwe9z0

Meditation by Rev. Meg Riley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcgM4H4S3PU

September 2nd Service: Water Communion

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Ryan

Like water flowing to the sea, we have returned from the mountains, rivers and quiet places where we spent some of our days this past year then once again returned to our beloved community.

As we come together for our first service of the “new” church year we will celebrate both new beginnings and reminisce together. Members and guests are invited to bring water from their summer adventures, be they from travels far or near (even from your home water supply).

We will be sharing our stories with each other as we participate in our uniquely Unitarian Universalist ritual of water communion, so please be prepared to offer a sentence or two, not only where the water is from but perhaps more importantly, what meaning it holds for you.

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship meets every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM at the Twin Falls Senior Centerr, 530 Shoshone Street West in Twin Falls. Newcomers are always welcome. Child care is available.

Worship Leader: Karen Fothergill
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

August 26th Service: The Meaning of Life

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Ryan

Our program this Sunday will be a continuation of last Sunday’s discussion on the meaning of life based on material from the Bhagavad-Gita.

In the Gita’s account of the meaning of life, meaning is located on two axes: 1. disinterested individual duty, and 2. freedom and discipline. We will discuss methods to attain the kind of freedom that allows us to make meaningful choices.

To do this we must be able to set aside our personal desires and the influence of external factors like pressure, anxiety, and fear.

If we can do this we will be able to act with reasoned good judgment We will discuss the role different kinds of Yoga play in the process of achieving this freedom.

We will continue to explore what Krishna has to say about himself, the universe, humans, and the divinity. Our program will include video material featuring Dr. Jay Garfield, Professor of Philosophy at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Worship Leader: Ray Cross
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

August 12th Service: Abundance

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Ryan

Robyn Romney and Marion Wallace will share ideas and beliefs dressed with humor about “Abundance” that are meant to perk consciousness in different ways and possibly help us to see ourselves in a whole new light — ABUNDANT LIGHT with LOVE. Come join us on this delightful journey.

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.

Please feel free to invite a newcomer, friend or a past member. Childcare is available.

For information, please contact Ken Whiting at 734-9161.

Worship Leader: Marion Wallace/Robyn Romney
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

July 29th Service: Free to be…me and You

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Ryan

This Sunday Mary McGinnis will lead a discussion about the role “gender” plays in our society and an exploration of our own views with an emphasis and closer look at our everyday language. The title comes from a project of the Ms. Foundation for Women in the early seventies, resulting in a record album and a book of the same name.

It has been over forty years ago since the “Free to be me and you” project. What progress have we made towards the project’s goal, and where does gender bias live in our society today? There will be an opportunity to list gender-identified words, phrases, sayings, stereotypes, descriptions, etc. Those who wish can share what you think about men and women; what you say about men/women; and how you behave. Can we really affirm “the inherent worth and dignity of every person” if we confine their individuality within pre-set and pre-judged parameters of gender?

Worship Leader: Mary McGinnis
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

July 17th Service: Heaven Knows Where We Are Going

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Ryan

In a world where toddlers are in competition to get into the best preschools and bestselling books have names like “Achieve Anything in Just One Year”, many of us seem to be hurtling relentlessly toward a destination, seemingly paying little attention to our journey. What might this singular quest for “something” be costing us? In this service we will explore how we might open ourselves to receiving the ordinary miracles and holy moments that each of our journeys have to offer us.

Worship Leader: Rev. Suzanne Marsh
Sunday, July 17, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

July 15th Service: Transcendence

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Ryan

Karen Fothergill will host our service this Sunday sharing readings by Rev. Robert T. Weston and Rev. Edward A. Frost. We will share our stories of the moments in our lives that are illogical, magical, and mysterious, and ask do we need to reclaim the “spiritual” in our religion?

Newcomers are always welcome.

Worship Leader: Karen Fothergill
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Twin Falls Senior Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Beginning at 10:30 AM

July 20th: Refugee Center Holds 3rd Annual Magic Valley Refugee Day

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Ryan

Dear Members of Record and Friends of MVUUF:

This morning during our service, I circulated [to those present] two letters mailed recently to our MVUUF Fellowship. The first was a letter from the CSI Refugee Program informing us of the upcoming “Third Annual Magic Valley Refugee Day” to be held Friday, July 20. 2012 beginning at 6:00 at the Twin Falls City Park by the bandshell. I know all of you will enjoy sampling foods of the various countries. This event is FREE and open to everyone of all ages.

Please note the following:

Refugee Center Holds 3rd Annual Magic Valley Refugee Day

The College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center is coordinating an evening of ethnic food, information, and entertainment at the Twin Falls City Park Bandshell starting at 6 p.m. Friday, July 20.

The third annual Magic Valley Refugee Day will feature eleven ethnic populations from Afghanistan, Armenia, Bhutan/Nepal, Bosnia, Burma, Burundi, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Vietnam. Event coordinator Michelle Pospichal says each group will have a tent with displays, information about their home countries, and samples of their foods. Presentations on the stage will feature ethnic music, singing and dancing.

“We want to recognize the Twin Falls community for its amazing support and cooperation in relocating our refugees throughout the year,” said Pospichal. “This is a time to celebrate the wonderful diversity of cultures living in Twin Falls.”

Pospichal said information will be available on how volunteers can get involved with the refugees or how to donate to the Refugee Center. Volunteers will also sell raffle tickets for one dollar each or six for $5. Cultural items made by the local refugees or that were brought from their homeland will be the prizes.

The event is free and open to everyone. Those who attend are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for sitting on the lawn. For more information, contact the CSI Refugee Center at 736-2166 or e-mail mpopsic@spro.net.

The second letter received was from Planned Parenthood of the Greater Northwest. For information about this letter which contains general information about Planned Parenthood of the Greater Northwest (including the Magic Valley) please visit: www.ppgnw.org/appt .

Sincerely,

Ken Whiting

July 8th Service: Unlocking the Back Door to Happiness and Understanding the Buddhist Key that Can Open the Door

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Ryan

The Magic Valley Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship will host a discussion titled “Unlocking the Back Door to Happiness and Understanding the Buddhist Key that Can Open the Door.”

Facilitator, Michael Johnson will discuss how we can’t find the door because of the human dilemma we seem to be stuck with but which we can manage if we really want to find happiness wherever we are, whatever we are doing.