March 2
Rev. Dr. Nina D. Grey

Who We Are, Who We May Become

This morning we will reflect on a Unitarian Universalism for the 21st Century. We will think about our own church mission and vision. We will ask in what ways we are already contributing to the future of Unitarian Universalism and how we may yet help to shape the identity and vision of our larger faith.

March 9
Rev. Dr. Nina D. Grey

Amma: A Peacemaker for our World

In celebration of Women’s History month, we honor Amma, a spiritual Hindu leader who demonstrates peacemaking through her ideas, her spirituality, the way she lives values in the world, and how she inspires others. We ask what lessons we may learn from her teaching and example.

March 16
Rev. Martin Woulfe

Why I Haven't Read Harry Potter

The tale of Harry Potter is a contemporary bestselling version of what Joseph Campbell described as the hero's journey, a tale that has been related in a thousand forms. Well known variations include the life of Buddha and Jesus - but also often includes the lives of many less conspicuous people. Several people have expressed surprise to hear that I have not read any of the Harry Potter books - nor do I have any burning desire to read them. In this service, I will discuss my reasons, which very much differ from those offered by some conservative critics of the series.

The RE Council will be hosting the Social Hour today in Hull Chapel. Please join us for good company and good food and take a few minutes to look at our displays about what the RE Council, teachers, children, youth and families have been up to this year.

Rev. Martin Woulfe was raised in the Chicago area and joined the First Unitarian Society of Chicago in 1987. Before entering the ministry, he had been a salesman, telemarketer, and an administrative assistant of sorts. While in seminary, Martin worked at an emergency service shelter for abused and neglected youth. After graduating from seminary, he and his wife were in charge of a group home for troubled teens - Martin likes to call that his "finishing school" for ministry. Martin served for two years as the Interim Minister at the UU Community Church in Park Forest, IL. The members there ordained him in March, 2003. Afterward, he accepted a call to the Abraham Lincoln UU Congregation in Springfield, IL, where he currently serves. His wife Angela is from Spain and she works as both a pharmacist and as a foreign language instructor at the University of Illinois. They have one daughter, Celeste, who is now in third grade.

March 23
The Dr. Nina D. Grey
Erica Ward

Bring a flower for the Flowering of the Chalice!

We join in joyful multigenerational community to celebrate and breathe in together the holy days of the spring season and their meanings for us. We will flower our chalice and mark Easter, Passover and the coming of Spring with reading, song and story. Join us as we express gratitude for the renewal of life and hope.

Our young people will enjoy our annual Easter Egg Hunt after today’s service. Rev. Nina Grey will lead a First Forum on Possible Meanings of Easter for Unitarian Universalists after this service.

March 30
Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman

Standing on the Side of Love: Justice Sunday 2008

More and more the world is closing in and shrinking. The global village is here at hand and the consciousness of the world is expanding tremendously. Religious institutions such as ours must be ready in these fragile and vulnerable times to assume a leadership role as spiritual guides on this journey toward a just and equitable world. We must be engaged with public issues as well as interfaith dialogue and modeling to the world what the best in humanity looks like as we contribute to the critical thinking of the times. Anything less will simply not do. On this UUSC Justice Sunday, come out and let us stand together on the side of love.

Today we will acknowledge the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and invite our congregants to support the UUSC with contributions and memberships.

Our Annual Talent Auction will follow this service

Qiyamah A. Rahman is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School (MLTS) and was ordained in Charlotte, NC at the UU Church of Charlotte in October, 2007. Qiyamah teaches Religious Education for 4-8th graders at First. She holds a doctorate from Clark Atlanta University’s Africana Women’s Studies. Qiyamah currently serves as the Field Site Developer for MLTS’s newly developing field education practicum for new students. In addition, Qiyamah serves as a Teaching Assistant with the Provost, Sharon Welch in The Art and Ethics of Strategic Peacebuilding.

Qiyamah obtained her Masters of Social Work and a Bachelor’s of Education from the University of Michigan. She has three adult children, Libra, Kaleema and Muhammad, and a grandson, Brandon. She currently lives in Chicago, IL with her traveling companion/cat, Lili.

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