A Month of Sundays

February, 1999

Feb 14 | Feb 21 | Feb 28

Many traditional societies, as well as faith traditions, have lessons and actions that adolescents must undertake along the passageway from childhood to adulthood. What are the implications for institutions (churches like ours for example) in the larger society when these rites of passage are missing. How can we as a community develop these rites for the youth of our congregation.

Valentine's day is the day Hallmark has set aside for the celebration of romantic love. Other forms of love, however, are important in our lives and should be considered and celebrated. This Sunday, the University of Chicago Campus Ministry group will use our own experience to question Hallmark's understanding of Valentine's Day and love.

This Sunday will include a dialogue sermon discussing what is sometimes called "The Great Commandment," You shall love your God with all your heart and mind and soul, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. What does it mean for Unitarian Universalists to love God with all our heart and mind and soul? Which God? Whose God? How do we do that? And how do we stretch ourselves to love our neighbors -- especially the ones we don’t like.

Having come more or less successfully through the recent "Blizzard of ‘99," this morning we will explore the heights of Everest — the mountain to be climbed "because it is there." No climbing gear required this morning, but a sense of adventure helps.

The Rev. Lisa Presley is minister of Northwest UU Church of Southfield, Michigan, and is currently on sabbatical as minister in residence at Meadville/Lombard. She also serves on the UUA Commission on Appraisal.