April 1
Speaker: Ian Muhlhauser

In Praise of Folly

What does April Fool's Day have to do with Palm Sunday? Most of us associate April Fool's Day with "fooling" each other with tricks of various sorts. It is an apparently secular holiday, a celebration that has uncertain origins and no patron saint such as St. Folly to honor. On other side, Palm Sunday is a sacred celebration that apparently belongs at the opposite side of the extreme between secular and profane. However, the intersection of these two celebrations marks a unique opportunity to explore the convergence of the secular with the sacred. Come explore the pagan roots of Palm Sunday and the hidden spiritual dimension of the misunderstood celebration of April Fool's Day.

April 8
Speakers:
Rev. Nina D. Grey
Rev. David Arksey
Danielle Gerrior
Ian Muhlhauser

Living Hope, Enduring Promise:
A Multigenerational Celebration of Spring, Passover, and Easter

Bring a Flower!

Participate in this joyful service for all ages as, through music, poetry, story and homily, we explore both the uniqueness and the common threads running through these enduring holy days of renewal, rebirth, and freedom. We will join together in our annual ceremony of Flowering the Chalice, sing songs of the rebirth of nature and spirit, and let the choirs' uplifting harmonies restore our hope.

April 15
Sermon: Rev. Nina D. Grey

Empowering Our Mission
Giving, Receiving, As Love Shows Us How

In this Stewardship Sunday service, we ask, "What inspires us to generosity for the sustenance of our faith community? What teaches us the power of giving to make a difference in the world? What strengthens and empowers the mission of our church?"

April 22
Speaker: David Pyle

The Role of Religion in the Global Warming Crisis

The environmental study group is doing the Earth Day service this year. Our speaker is David Pyle, an environmental activitist, and a seminarian at Meadville Lombard Theological School. He is also a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. David is studying to be an army chaplain. He will address the issue of the role of religion in the global warming crisis.

April 29
Sermon: Rev. Nina D. Grey

Welcoming "the Other"

The Commission on Appraisal report Engaging our Theological Diversity challenges us to radical hospitality, to welcoming the other in our midst. Each of us is the "other" to every one of us. Although Unitarian Universalists have much in common, we are also very diverse and in many ways. What are the challenges and blessings of welcoming the "other".

Our Senior Minister, Rev. Nina D. Grey, has grappled with these questions in her Doctor of Ministry work, and in her thesis project. As she approaches graduation day, May 12, she will share with us some reflections on how we can be more explicitly and radically hospitable.

This Sunday we plan to include a New Member Ingathering Ceremony. If you are considering membership, please be in touch with Rev. Nina Grey, or one of the Membership Committee Co-chairs, Bobbi Lammers-Campbell and
Margaret Huyck.

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