 Greetings fellow UUs and supporters! We are meeting IN PERSON and on Zoom until further notice. Our theme for September is Awakening. "Some are born with spiritual immune systems that sooner or later give rejection to the illusory worldview grafted upon them from birth through social conditioning. They begin sensing that something is amiss, and start looking for answers. Inner knowledge and anomalous outer experiences show them a side of reality others are oblivious to, and so begins their journey of awakening. Each step of the journey is made by following the heart instead of following the crowd and by choosing knowledge over the veils of ignorance.” Henri Bergson "What are the signs of spiritual awakening? Feelings of being connected with others and nature. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experience. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment." --- Sunday, September 25th Service:  This sermon by Rev. Margaret A. Beckman includes Thomas Rhodes poem 'Meditation on the Equinox' which celebrates the 'instant darkness and light exist in balanced proportion to one another' and asks that we 'give thanks for those times in our lives when all seems in balance.' Rev. Beckman's favorite season is Autumn where it is not too cold or too hot. To her, the spiritual aspects of this season 'are the ones that encourage us to slow down, bring in the harvest, review the important aspects of life, and live in gratitude.' It is a time for introspection -- a time to examine our thoughts and feelings. Plants and animals slow down. Pumpkins will become pies and Jack-O-Lanterns. Leaves turn from green to muted colors. It is quieter. Warmer sheets and clothing may be taken out and cold drinks replaced with warmer ones. It is a time for enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. + Potluck dinner after the service! ---Service Outline Service slides Sermon text Facebook Event Please visit us either in person at 1119 Johnston St. or on Zoom: tinyurl.com/zoomuulala or via the link at uulala.org. We now have Religious Education for children up to age 10 We visit with coffee and snacks from 10:30-11 am. The service runs from 11 am until 12 noon. After the service every second and fourth Sunday of the month we have a potluck dinner -- this Sunday! On other Sundays we go out to eat at a local restaurant. Everyone is invited! --- Last Sunday's service recap: This Awakening-themed service features a video presentation by Radhanath Swami on finding spiritual connection. Some of his thoughts: From a spiritual perspective the perilous condition of the world today is caused at its root when we as human beings are disconnected from our true selves. If we use our free will we can be the change that we want to see in the world. There are 3 principles that make that inner connection: to associate with like-minded people who really inspire us, making time every day to keep that connection through spiritual practice such as mediation, prayer, chanting with mantras, etc., and our character -- There is no use in claiming to be spiritual if we are not transforming arrogance into humility, greed into generosity, despair into hope, and hate into love. These are really the great needs in this world.  Every 2nd and 4th Sunday will now be potluck after the Sunday services. We will begin this Sunday, September 25th. You are welcome to stay after the service and enjoy the meal and/or bring something to share. Suggested items: Veggie Dishes, Meat / protein Dishes, Salads, Bread/ crackers, Condiments ( Pickles, olives, etc), Desserts, Tea & Bag of ice, Sodas, etc. --- Adult Religious Education (RE) will be held at 6:30 pm over Zoom on the last Wednesday of every month beginning in October. So join us on Wednesday, October 26th to learn about and discuss Unitarian Universalism so when someone asks you "What do Unitarian Universalists believe?" , you will be able to share what it means to you -- as we are all on our own paths together -- with some common principles and sources of inspiration. --- We will be filling out postcards to swing states voters on Saturday, October 1st from 10 am until noon at church or at home. This is a non-partisan effort to encourage inactive voters to exercise their right to vote according to our 5th Principle: 'The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.' Materials will be supplied. We will hand-write a script on the postcards, attach stamps and later mail them. ---
---  --- Touchstones Journal for September  --- |