The Paradox of Choice and the Gift of Another Day

We live at a time and in a country where often times our choices seem limitless. For example, as Barry Schwartz points out in his book, "The Paradox of Choice", in his neighborhood supermarket, which he describes as not a particularly large store, there were 85 different brands and varieties of crackers next to 285 brands of cookies.

However, this seemingly unlimited level of choice may not in fact be the case. Our choices may in reality be quite limited. This sermon will explore this phenomenon and focus not on what we choose but the values or lack thereof of why we choose.

Mr. Harrington is a member of First Unitarian, a first year student at Meadville Lombard Theological School and an Assistant Commissioner at the Chicago Department of Public Health.

August 13
Guest Speakers: Anya Sammler and Edward Scott Michael

Correction or Punishment?

What are the ethical foundations for the penal system in the United States? What are the consequences of our treament of criminals? Focusing on the philosophy of Unitarian prison reformer Dorothea Dix, Meadville Lombard Seminarians Anya Sammler and Edward Scott Michael examine the wisdom of our correctional system and the
religious considerations that emerge from our culture's effort to discourage crime.

God as a Verb

God as a Verb is a look at the work of Karl Peters and Henry Nelson Wieman. The service will address the question of, "How might we view God as something other than a supernatural being?"

Ed Loomis is a fourth year M. Div. student at Meadville Lombard Theological School. Last year he completed a ten month internship at the UU Community Church of Park Forest, Illinois. This coming school year he will be completing his final classes at Meadville Lombard while continuing to work with the Park Forest Church as a part-time minister-in-residence.

August 27
Worship Leader: Rev. Nina Grey

Work and Meaning: A Sabbath Reflection

We say that a painter, choreographer, or composer creates works of art; that one who labors with his or her hands is a worker; and some say that the essentials of life are love and work. Why do we work? In her first service after a summer vacation rest, and preliminary to Labor Day, Rev. Nina Grey reflects with us on Work and Meaning.

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