August 5
Speakers: Rev. David Bumbaugh,
The 9/11 Study-Action Group

The Church and the Salvation of the World

The Nine Eleven Study Action Group of the Social Justice Council will be in charge of the Sunday Service. The theme is "Unitarian Universalism: The Voice of Liberal Religion in a World of Crisis." The preacher for the morning service will be Rev. David Bumbaugh, Professor of Ministry at Meadville Lombard Theological School. He will speak on the importance of religion to address issues of social concern, and especially what has happened in Unitarian Universalism in recent years that seems to have muted our voice.

Rev. Bumbaugh has the following background: first, he has served Unitarian Universalist Churches in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Virginia, New York, New Jersey before joining the faculty at Meadville. He has also served brief ministries to congregations in Canada and England. He is the author of two books, The Education of God, and Unitarian
Universalism, A Narrative History and has contributed to various other publications. He is married to the Rev. Beverly Bumbaugh, minister emeriti of the Unitarian Church in Summit, New Jersey. They have four children and four grandchildren. Finally, Rev. Bumbaugh is noted as being skilled in both the theory and praxis of the art of church preaching. His sermon topic for the morning to be announced. Other participants in the service include members of the Nine Eleven group: Elvira Pellitteri, Bobbi Lammers-Campbell, Jim Proctor, Ellen LaRue, Pheifer Browne, Kennie James, Finley C. Campbell, and Carolyn Baker. There will also be a regularly scheduled meeting of
the Nine Eleven Study Action Group, also on this Sunday, at 6:30 pm at the home of Elvira Pellitteri. Call her at 773-230-3883 for more information.

August 12
Speakers: Jennifer Hill

The New Sanctuary Movement

August 19
Speaker: Bette H. Sikes

Turning Points

At the June UUA General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, UUA President Bill Sinkford spoke to us about "Choices That Matter," involving votes on social issues made by the General Assembly over the past several decades – decisions that have had a wide impact on our society. Sikes will review some critical turning points at First Unitarian since the 1920s that have affected not only our own church but often the wider community.

August 26
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Nina D. Grey

Souls Growing Deep

In a poem by Langston Hughes he reflects on his soul growing deep like the river. Do our lives, too, bring openings, sought and unsought, for growing in depth and understanding, opportunities to open our hearts? How can we transform life experiences into spirit-lessons? How can we make intentional paths for growing deep?

Rev. Dr. Nina Grey is spending some of her summer vacation contemplating readings from some spiritual mentors, being in the presence of loved and loving ones, drinking in the beauty of nature, and resting in silence. During her week at Ferry Beach, she will lead a workshop on spiritual journeying. She returns on August 10, and will be leading
worship this Sunday.

First Unitarian Homepage