| SERVICES
DURING
THE 2005-2006 CHURCH YEAR |
Tapes of past services
are sometimes available
in the church office.
They may be borrowed for a short time, but they
must
be returned.
|
Sunday, September
11, 2005, 10:30 AM The Rev.
Mary Samuels "Water Celebration and Peace Pole
Dedication"
On this our ‘welcome back Sunday’, we encourage everyone to bring water
from their place of rest or vacation and tell us what they did and
where
they were over the summer.
MVUUF is the first church in Bloomington to become a peace site
and
install a Peace Pole. It will be dedicated outside as part of the
service.
This service is intergenerational
The children will join the adults so there will be no RE
classes; however,
the usual nursery care will be available.
Sunday, September 18, 2005, 10:30
AM
The Rev Mary Samuels "It’s All Religion"
Today’s service will begin with a litany of dedication for all the
Religious Education Teachers who will teach, care for and get to know
our
community’s children in the coming year. The readings and sermon will
identify
that which ‘hold us together’ as a community.
The children will be present the first 15 minutes.
Wednesday, September 21,
2005,
7:00 PM, Fireside Room The Rev Mary
Samuels
International Day of Peace
MVUUF will host a short service to reflect on what it would mean,
in the words of Mary Oliver, to ‘wage peace’. The wider community
is
invited to join us.
Sunday, September 25, 2005, 10:30
AM
The Rev Mary Samuels "Our Green Sanctuary"
Bill McKibben said: “The story of the twentieth century was finding
out just how big and powerful we were. And it turns out that we’re big
and powerful as all get out. The story of the twenty-first century is
going
to be finding out if we can figure out ways to get smaller or not. To
see
if we can summon the will, and then the way, to make ourselves somewhat
smaller, and try to fit back into this planet”.
We here at MVUUF are going to try to do that through our Green
Sanctuary
Program, and the sermon will address why we should care about creation.
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Sunday, October 2, 2005, 10:30 AM Howard Bell,
M.Div.,
Executive Director of Pathways
"Finding Wholeness When Dealing with Illness"
Pathways is a Health Crisis Resource Center that provides
programs
that are designed to support a creative healing response to
life-threatening
illness.
Howard will begin by exploring the definitions of wholeness,
disease
and healing. He will present information on healing techniques
and
complementary therapies which are the basis of Pathways, a wonderful
resource
in our community. There will also be a sharing of stories and a
discussion
of the role that issues regarding death may play in the healing
process.
This program is highly recommended for anyone dealing with any type of
illness or health issues.
Fireside chat after
the
service. NOTE: The book mentioned by
Mr.
Bell in his talk was Quantum Mind : The Edge Between Physics and
Psychology by Arnold Mindell, Lao Tse Press..
Sunday, October 9, 2005, 10:30 AM
Rev.
Mary Samuels "The Most Difficult of
Virtues"
The history of forgiveness is a story of rituals and bargains. This
sermon will address some misconceptions about this most difficult of
virtues.
The children will be present for the first 15 minutes, including
the
children’s story “What If Nobody Forgave?”
Sunday, October 16, 2005, 10:30 AM
Elise
Schebler Roberts "Ethical Wills"
We take great care to write wills that ensure our financial assets
are passed down to our heirs. But what about our ethical, moral
and
historical values? Many people are creating Ethical Wills, that
allow
them to pass these very important values on to future
generations.
You don't need a lawyer, just a sheet of paper!
Sunday, October 23, 2005, 10:30 AM
Rev.
Mary Samuels "The Core of Unitarian
Universalism"
What do you think holds this congregation together? What do the members
share or have in common that makes it a community? Reflect on
these
questions and send your response by email to Mary Samuels.. This sermon
will reflect on The Commission on Appraisal’s report “Engaging Our
Theological
Diversity.”
Sunday, October 30, 2005, 10:30 AM
Jane
Barish, Executive Director, The Continuum
Center
"Flooding in the Year of Einstein"
The Continuum Center, a non-profit corporation organized to explore
the nature of consciousness, human capacity and the interconnectedness
of life.
There is a new mythology emerging, one in which consciousness is
central
and the cutting-edges of science blend with the most ancient
insights.
A new mythology that demands our attention and describes a whole new
universe.
Fireside chat after
the service.
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Sunday, November 6, 2005, 10:30 AM .Rev.
Mary
Samuels When Your Storm
Comes
In the past few months, we have all witnessed an outpouring
of public and private grief in the aftermath of the hurricane season.
The poet
Katha Pollitt asks “What will unleash itself in you when your storm
comes?”
This service will focus on grief and there will be an opportunity in
the
service to speak the names of those we have loved and lost.
The children will be present the first 15
minutes and we will explore loss and grief with them through the children’s story Badger’s
Parting Gifts by Susan Varley
Sunday, November 13, 2005, 10:30
AM
Dr. Phillip
Griffin
"Darwin, Creationism, Intelligent Design
"
The teaching of evolution is emerging as one of the country’s fiercest
cultural battlefronts. Today’s speaker, a retired professor of
philosophy and religious studies, will help us sort through the various
perspectives and arguments.
A Fireside Chat will follow the
program. .
Sunday, November 20, 2005, 10:30 AM
Rev Shelley Dugan Love Conquers All
Does love conquer all or does love conquer us? Shelley
Dugan is a chaplain at the
Minnesota Veteran’s Home. She will engage the questions of love through
the
sermon and dialogue.
There will be a special collection today for UU Campus Ministry.
This collection allows our UU kids to find other UU ‘s in their campus
life and stay connected to their faith. Please give as you can.
Please welcome her to MVUUF. She is substituting
for Rev. Mary
Samuels who has a family wedding which suddenly came up this weekend.
Sunday, November 27, 2005, 10:30 AM
MVUUF
Members "Religious Journeys"
Three members of the congregation with share perspectives on
the journey that brought them to Unitarian Universalism and to
Minnesota Valley Fellowship. This annual program is a wonderful way for
us to take a look at our own spirituality and quest for a community of
faith.
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Sunday, December 4, 2005, 10:30 AM Rev. Mary
Samuels
"The Season of the Unborn"
“Ah, here they come. Here they come. Those carols are coming
around again with their odd words, so different from the rest of the
year’s
resounding hymns”…This sermon will address not only the longing of
Christmas
carols but the longing of the season.
The
children will be present the first 15 minutes.
Sunday, December 11, 2005, 10:30 AM
Sonja
Johnston, Minister of Music Music Sunday
Join the members of the congregation as they make music for one
another.
Great music, some laughs, and a few surprises!
The children will join the adults so there will be no RE
classes; however,
the usual nursery care will be available.
Sunday, December 18, 2005, 10:30 AM
Rev.
Mary Samuels “The Family of Things”
In a Mary Oliver’s poem, she says “the
world offers itself
to your imagination, calls to you, like the wild geese…announcing your
place in
the family of things”. At Christmas, our place in the family of things
is a
provocative notion for religious liberals. Where do we belong in this
holiday
season? Where do you belong?
Saturday, December 24, 2005,
5:00
PM Rev. Mary Samuels
Christmas
Eve Service
This is a simple intergenerational service that
includes
hymn singing, reading a children’s story “The Blue Angel” and each
person
lighting a candle in the darkness. The Hayen family will once again
serve
Christmas cookies to the children after the service.
Does anyone wish to
have their baby or child dedicated at the Christmas Eve Service?
For those
parents new to Unitarian Universalism, this is a ceremony in which we
welcome
your child into the community. It is similar to Christian baptism.
Please call
the minister ASAP if you wish to be included
Sunday, December 25, 2005 No Service
Today.
A poll of several groups in the church about a December 25th
service revealed that attendance would be extremely low so there will
be no service on this Sunday.
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Sunday, January 1, 2006, 10:30 AM Rev. Mary
Samuels
"The Decades of our Lives "
At
this intergenerational service, a person from each decade between the
ages of ten and 90 will answer the question (in two minutes) “What is
it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” from a Mary
Oliver poem.
The children will join the adults so there will be no RE classes;
however,
the usual nursery care will be available.
Sunday, January 8, 2006, 10:30
AM
Frank Dreisbach "Second Thoughts
About
Freedom "
Rev. Dreisbach acknowledges that we are a nation enamored with freedom
and are even willing to kill or die in its name. An examination of the
concept and understanding of freedom, however, may raise some
challenging questions about our devotion to it.
Fireside Chat after the
service
Sunday, January 15, 2006, 10:30 AM
Rev.
Mary Samuels and Anne Peek "Eight Paths
to Peace: A Special Interactive Service"
Martin Luther King, Jr. often quoted the phrase “If you want peace,
work for justice”. His dedication to the activist path to peace changed
our country. Louise Diamond believes that we are all peace-builders in
every moment, shaping our shared reality with each thought word and
deed. Using her eight paths to peace, we will take a short inventory
and have small group discussion on each of the paths. Eight Paths to Peace - What Now?
Sunday, January 22, 2006, 10:30 AM
Jim
Klobuchar "Walking Briskly Toward Sunset"
As a former newspaper columnist, author, and noted adventure
traveller Jim has a unique insight on the quest to explore, discover
the wonders of other lands, and recognize simple joys around us –
amidst or despite challenges. He’ll share a few stories and encourage
our sense of adventure, wherever it may take us.
Fireside Chat after the
service.
Sunday, January 29, 2006, 10:30 AM
Guest Minister "Where Is Our Holy Text?"
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Sunday, February 5, 2006, 10:30 AM
Senior High Religious
Education Class "Pressure on Today's Youth"
The Senior High class will
be presenting this Sunday Service. Please make an
extra effort to come and support our youth.
Sunday, February 12, 2006, 10:30 AM
Rev.
Mary Samuels "Moral
Values for a
Pluralistic Society"
What’s love got to do with it?
is the
refrain of a popular song. On the cusp of Valentine’s Day, let’s
consider a
greater and wider love than the one popularized by Hallmark. What if we
practiced the belief that social change is rooted in love…..a radical
love of
all that our religion upholds? We will consider the new study action
issue: “How might the moral and ethical grounding of Unitarian
Universalism be given
greater voice in the public sphere?”
There will be a New Member
Ingathering.
Fireside Chat immediately
following the service. The children will
be present the first 15 minutes.
Sunday, February 19, 2006, 10:30 AM
Chuck
Huff, Professor of Psychology, St. Olaf College "The
Psychology of Good and Evil"
What do emotions have to do with morals; how does vengeance
work; why do moral heroes think they have no choice; how do religious
claims and evolutionary judgements reconcile with empirical claims?
Today's program is designed to stimulate our inquiring minds and
generate some interesting dialogue.
Fireside Chat after the
service.
Sunday, February 26, 2006, 10:30 AM
Rev.
Mary
Samuels "MVUUF: The
In-Between Church"
An in-between church is in transition from one size to another.
MVUUF is growing and that impacts our organization and
governance structure. Consider this our “state of the Church” service,
followed by a Question & Answer Session on Growth in the
sanctuary.
There will be a
baby dedication at the service.
MVUUF: the In-Between Church
An extended dialogue was held after the service on
Sunday,
February 26th. Participants were asked to respond to 3 questions:
- What did you want when you came to this church?
- What has been added to church life as a result of our
growth?
- How do you see the future of our church?
A summary of the discussion follows:
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- What was wanted when people came?
- Acceptance
- Spiritual enlightenment and fulfillment
in service
- Place to look at serious issues of
life,
social action, intimacy, community, social activities
- Self-defense language to use with
faith-based intrusions
- Laughter, music, fellowship
- A place where nobody tells one what to believe
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- The Good about MVUUF
- Laughter, music, Mary’s sermons,
fellowship,
friends, safe environment
- Openness, shared leadership,
acceptance,
respect
- Quality of programs
- “We try to be everything to everyone.
This is a
whale of a good place.”
- Good leaders, abundance of
opportunities/activities
- Intellectual dialogue
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- Visions of the Future/ Suggestions
- Continue this discussion at special
meetings outside
of the service
- Try small group ministry again
- Have a true commitment to values
- Structure can change without changing
character,
nature, values
- Have 2 services, one for families
- Stay with one service
- Look at governance change
- Have a forum for all voices to be heard
- Make available avenues to explore
common interests
- Encourage new leaders
- Redesign sanctuary to open the back for
large crowds
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Sunday, March 5, 2006, 10:30 AM Kelli
Clement, Seminarian
"A Place for Rituals in Our Lives"
Kelli is a UU seminarian and musician (part of the UU Gospel Twins, who
shared their energy and talent with us in 2005) with a special interest
in spirituality and rituals. She calls herself a “metaphorical theist,
religious humanist, and neo-pagan UU” and will help us look at how
rituals are created and celebrated in families and communities.
Fireside Chat will follow
the service.
Sunday, March 12, 2006, 10:30 AM
Rev. Mary
Samuels "A Theology of Friendship"
Ralph Waldo Emerson lived for the possibility of a ‘new person’
in his life every day. I think he meant that friendship is an attitude
toward life and all its possibilities. In honor of UU Women’s
History, I will give the sermon I did for the Association of
Universalist Women on the subject of friendship.
We will try the new service format
this Sunday.
This Sunday is Justice
Sunday. There will be a special collection for
UUSC, UU
Service Committee
Sunday, March 19, 2006, 10:30 AM
Sonja
Johnston, Minister of Music Music Sunday
Join the members of the congregation as they make music for one
another.
Great music, some laughs, and a few surprises! The
children
will join the adults so there will be no RE classes; however, the usual
nursery care will be available.
Sunday, March 26, 2006, 10:30 AM
Rev. Mary
Samuels "The Sermon on the Amount"
I once heard the following advice: “If you want to take the
true measure of someone, observe how he or she handles sex, time and
money.” The teachings of every spiritual tradition offer insights about
the question of sex and the use of time. But one would look endlessly
for guidance about money in the great teachings of the past….so we will
give serious thought to money and the meaning of life.
The children will be present the first 15 minutes.
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Sunday, April 2, 2006, 10:30 AM Jack Nelson
Pallmeyer,
St. Thomas University "Is Religion
Killing Us?"
Jack
Nelson-Pallmeyer is an Assistant Professor of Justice and Peace
Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He
argues that nonviolence is crucial to the future of humanity and the
violent behavior presented in the sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity
and Islam needs to be challenged.
All adults and young adults are invited to read the book Is
Religion
Killing Us? and join in a book
discussion and/or a Fireside
Chat .
Resources Mentioned
During Dialogue After April 2 Service
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- The Network of Spiritual Progressives (Rabbi Lerner)
- Fellowship of Reconciliation (For a World of Peace, Justice, and Nonviolence)
- A Force More Powerful (Book/Documentary Video)
(How nonviolent power overcame oppression and authoritarian rule all over the world.)
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- Gwynne Dyer - Journalist
- American Theocracy
by Kevin Phillips - MPR Midmorning Interview
- When Religion Becomes Evil by Charles Kimball (Amazon.com listing)
- The Battle for God
by Karen Armstrong (Amazon.com listing)
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To find information on Mr. Nelson-Pallmeyer go to Google
and enter his last name in the search bar. An abundance of sites
will be found. We do not link to sites associated with current political campaigns.
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Sunday, April 9, 2006, 10:30 AM
Cecily Sommers, Founder and Director of
the PUSH Institute "Brave New Worlds"
Our
speaker is a nationally recognized futurist and founder of the PUSH
Institute. As we all contemplate what’s ahead, it’s important to look
at where personal purpose intersects with future potentials, she says.
Cecily will give us a guided tour of the forces shaping our world over
the next several decades, how to identify opportunities for leadership,
and what it takes to create brave new worlds of our own.
Fireside Chat immediately
following the service.
Sunday, April 16, 2006, 10:30 AM
Rev. Mary
Samuels "Practice Resurrection"
Wendell Berry suggests a radical idea for living- to practice
resurrection every day! On this Easter Sunday we will consider ancient
stories of resurrection and their possible meaning today.
The children will be present the first 15 minutes
There will be a special collection
for Habitat for Humanity and
Unitarian/Universalist
Affordable Housing Partnership.
Sunday, April 23, 2006, 10:30
AM Ken
Keller, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
"Energy and Climate Change; Cutting the Gordian Knot"
Ken Keller is Director, Center for Science, Technology, and
Public Policy at the Humphrey Institute. He believes we must
begin to make better choices about where we get and how we use energy
and become better stewards of our health and environment. He'll review
the realities of global warming and why and how we can individually and
collectively influence public policy. . Fireside Chat immediately
following the service.
Sunday, April 30, 2006, 10:30
AM
Rev. Mary Samuels "Poetry Sunday"
I will do a short sermon on poetry and read two of Emily
Dickinson’s poems. She is my favorite poet because her poems explore
the edges of things. Please bring your own poem to read, and if you
want to give it to others, email it to Janet Stevens by 10:00 AM on
April 28th and she will put it into a booklet.
There will be a New Member Ingathering
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Sunday, May 7, 2006, 10:30 AM Rev.
Wendy Jerome "Politics and the Pulpit: W.E. Channing"
William
Ellery Channing, an outspoken Unitarian theologian who died in 1842,
was well aware of the tension between keeping politics out of religion
and religion that guides our daily lives. Today's speaker will consider
Channing's efforts to arrive at balance, especially around the question
of slavery. She'll help us see what we can learn from his decision. Fireside chat follows the service.
Sunday,
May 14, 2006, 10:30
AM
Anne Peek, Adjunct Professor, St. Mary's University of Minnesota
Graduate Program in Human Development & MVUUF
Member "Returning to the Mother of Us All"
Mother's Day reflections influenced by Anne's trip to Malta to study Stone Age temples dedicated to the Great Mother.
Read Anne Peek's meditation in the Reflections section of the Fall,
2005 UUWorld magazine or at The
UUWorld .
Sunday, May 21, 2006, 10:30 AM Jan
Fitzgerald,
Director of Religious Education
Religious
Education Sunday
Religious
Education Sunday is a special service devoted to exploring some of the
topics taught throughout the year. Each grade presents a creative
demonstration of some aspect of the Religious Education
curriculum. Third and Fourth grade Children Chalice Lighters will
be recognized. We also will be honoring our graduating
seniors. This is a delightful way to learn about our Religious Education program.
This is an Intergenerational Sunday so the children will join the adults; however, the usual nursery
care will
be available.
Please
stay for the Congregational Annual Meeting. We need a quorum of
30% of MVUUF members in order to conduct any business.
Sunday, May 28, 2006, 10:30 AM Rev.
Mary
Samuels "The Question of Happiness"
Five years ago an MVUUF member asked me to do a sermon on happiness. I
didn’t forget about the request- I was just ambivalent about what to
say and I still am!
At the website DesperatePreacher.com, I found a book titled Relative Happiness …and that could sum it up or we could have fun together… So bring your reflections-there will be time for dialogue.
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Sunday, June 4, 2006, 10:30 AM Rev. Mary
Samuels
Flower Celebration Sunday
This
is our last service of the church year and each person brings a flower
to share-and takes home a flower brought by someone else. The children
are present for the entire service so be sure to bring a flower for
each member of your family.
The children will join the adults so there will be no RE
classes; however,
the usual nursery care will be available.
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SUMMER PROGRAMS 2006
Weekly services will resume on September 10, 2006
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Sunday, July 30, 10:30 AM - Note the Date Change Frank Victorson, MVUUF Member and Certified Hypnotherapist "Feelings and Hypnosis"
Here's a sampling of the questions covered in this lecture,"Feelings and Hypnosis."
What are feelings for?
Why are all feelings good?
Why do we bury our feelings?
How did we cope with feelings as children?
Can we develop better coping strategies as adults?
What is emotional resonance?
How can feelings help break the cycle of frustration and depression?
What steps can be taken to take back your power and gain control over
how you feel and what you do?
There are no Religious Education classes for children during the summer.
Sunday, August 6, 2006, 10:00 AM Special service at Unity Church-Unitarian
732 Holly Avenue, St. Paul
Google Map - Unity Church - Unitarian
Part of the UU Musicians Network national conference being held
at the St. Paul church, this service will serve as one of the summer
services MVUUF is planning this year.
Sonja Johnston, Minister of Music at MVUUF, is co-chair of the UU
Musicians Network conference. The Rev. Mary Samuels and Sonja
Johnson will participate in this service that closes the
conference. The highlight of the service will be the world-premiere of
a choral piece, composed by Dale Warland, that the UUMN choir
(approximately 250 voices) will perform under his direction.
This service is open to the public, so MVUUF members should arrive in
plenty of time to find seating. Anyone interested in helping with the
conference should contact Donna Kopnick, Conference Hospitality Chair,
to volunteer.
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