March 5

Sermon: Rev. Nina D. Grey
Worship Leader: Danielle Gerrior

Reverence for Life

Albert Schweitzer's quest for an overarching principle led him to his concept of "reverence for life". How is this similar to our own first principle of the inherent worth and dignity of every human being? What are some personal, social, and political implications of these first principles? This will be the first in a sermon series about our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes.

March 12

Sermon: Edward Scott Michael
Worship Associate: Joan Staples

From Out of Nothing

Seemingly without warning, events and feelings, opportunities and challenges appear. Yet is our world - a sprouting fig tree, creative inspiration, a tough day - created out of thin air? In this sermon Scott will explore questions about Biblical cosmology (focusing on Genesis 1) and how the theologies constructed from that cosmology lead us as a culture to construct unexamined attitudes and and assumptions that affect us every day.

Edward Scott Michael, a second year Meadville Lombard Theological School student, is Field Education Student Minister at First Unitarian Church where he facilitates the Young Adult and Campus Ministry, and has some pastoral care and worship responsibilities as part of his ministerial formation. At Meadville Lombard Scott is Volunteer Coordinator and the chair of the Undoing Racism Committee.

Scott attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where he graduated with honors with a BA in English. He also earned a Masters of Liberal Arts from St. John's College, Annapolis. Scott taught sixth-grade English for Baltimore City Public Schools. He also taught for ten years at Coppin University, an historically black college in Baltimore City's west-side. He has played drums for 33 years.

March 19

Sermon: Rev. Nina D. Grey
Worship Leaders: Ellen Cooper Davis and Danielle Gerrior

For All That Dwells

Many think of justice primarily in human categories, and in fact our second principle talks about justice, equity and compassion in human relations. But what if we extend its meaning to embrace beings of all sorts? Today, nearing the spring equinox, we reflect on environmental justice in a way that acknowledges our interdependence with all beings. This is the second of a sermon series on our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes. The service will also draw on the sixth source of our living tradition, nature based religions that teach us to respect nature's cycles.

March 26

Sermon: Rev. Louis Schwebius
Worship Leader: Rev. Nina Grey
Worship Associate: Margaret Huyck

Can UUs Attain Salvation?

Salvation is a major concept in many religions, usually referring to what happens after we die. There is a whole branch of Christian Theology called "soteriology" which is devoted to ideas about salvation. What would you say if a proselytizer asked, 'Are You Saved?" ("Saved? Saved from what?!")

The Reverend Louis V. Schwebius is the Parish Minister of the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria, Virginia since 2003. He served as Consulting Minister to both the UU Congregation of Central Nassau in Garden City, NY, and the UU Fellowship of Bellport, NY. Lou received his Master of Divinity Degree from New York Theological Seminary in 1997. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Chesapeake UU Ministers Association (CUUMA).

Recently, an excerpt of Lou's writings was chosen to be published in the new Skinner House Anthology "Bless This Child." As a former actor/singer, Lou loves finding ways to incorporate the spirituality of music into his ministry, and is dedicated to bringing more musical diversity into our faith tradition.

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