Worship services begin at 10:00 am
Index of Sunday Services 1998-2003
November 2, 2003
Rev. Millie Rochester, MRE
Rev. Nina Grey, Senior Minister
Sing of Living, Sing of Dying
A Service for All Ages
For hundreds of years, people have marked this time of the year, when the veil is believed to be thin between the living and the dead. This is when our ancestors might return to visit, to help and advise. It has been celebrated as the Day of the Dead, All Souls Day, and Samhain (SAH-win). In this morning's service for all ages, we will reflect together on our ancestors, transmitting memories among the generations and throughout our worship community. During the service, there will be an opportunity to write a name and associated gift, then to "plant" it on the branch of a tree. Bring along a photo to share, if you wish, and remember your ancestors - family or friends - who imparted a special gift.
First Forum at 11:45: Help for Haiti
November 9, 2003
Rev. Fred Wooden
The Simple Truth
Rev. Wooden writes: "As a life long UU I have constantly sought a simple compelling way to share this religion with others. After over 20 years of working on it, I think I have found it, and it's so simple you won't believe it. Or rather, it's so simple you can believe it."
Fred Wooden has been the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn since 1994. He began his career after receiving his D. Min from Meadville Lombard in 1979, serving congregations in Massachusetts and Texas before going to New York City. Along the way he was part of the Hymnbook Commission that created Singing the Living Tradition, a member of the Commission on Appraisal, and "playwright" for several GA opening celebrations. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for Meadville Lombard Theological School in his capacity as president of the Alumnae/i Association. He and his wife Wendy were married in Hull Chapel in 1976, and both were members of the church in the late 1970s. They have two sons, Aaron (19) and Stephen (12).
Ethnic Heritage Festival following the service.
November 16, 2003
Mark Ward
A Heretic's Heritage: The Legacy of Michael Servetus
Unitarian Universalists count Michael Servetus as one of the chief forebears of liberal religion, so 450 years after his execution in John Calvin's Geneva it is worth reflecting on the significance for us today of this pioneering physician and anti-trinitarian gadfly.
Mark Ward is a fourth-year student at Meadville Lombard Theological School who recently completed a ministerial internship at First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wis. He is a former newspaper journalist and lives in Wauwatosa, Wis., where he is married and the father of three daughters.
First Forum at 11:45: Social Justice
November 23, 2003
Rev. Nina Grey
Rev. Millie Rochester
A Thanksgiving Service for All Ages: Unto the Seventh Generation
We gather in grateful thanksgiving for the gifts of life, nature's blessings, the loving care of family and friends, the sustaining life of our congregation. And together we ask, how shall we respond to life's bounty? How do we both live responsibly in the present and nurture an attitude of sustainability for the care of our children, grandchildren and beyond unto the seventh generation? Come join us in joyful celebration!
First Forum at 11:45: Face to Face
November 30, 2003
Rev. Millie Rochester, Interim Minister for Religious Education
Rev. Nina Grey, Senior Minister, Worship Leader
What Are We Waiting For?
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, one example of the many religious traditions that incorporate a time of waiting and preparation. How do we wait in the harried holiday season? We explore this question, and the implications of the concept for First Unitarian's period of interim ministry.
Rev. Nina Grey will lead the Children’s Chapel today.