Weekly Wednesday Wellspring: 9/30/09, New & Improved!

September 30, 9:12 PMBaltimore Unitarian Universalist ExaminerAdrian Hilliard

Previous

2 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Baltimore Unitarian Universalist Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Welcome to your NEWLY EXPANDED once-a-week listing of goings-on of interest to Unitarian Universalists—current and potential. The Wellspring now lists service topics for every UU church within 37 miles of Baltimore City, and will continue to expand up to a 50-mile radius as it grows to include more congregations. Other church events and related activities will continue to be included for the seven congregations within 25 miles of Baltimore City, and on occasion for congregations outside of that range. Please send suggestions for events you would like to see highlighted in future editions. Feedback on the new layout, or on any Baltimore Unitarian Universalist Examiner pieces, is always appreciated. The synopses contained in the Wellspring, where not written by me, are taken directly from the newsletter/website of each church or organization listed.

• Where are the Baltimore area Unitarian Universalist churches? 
• What should I expect when visiting a Unitarian Universalist church?
• Why might Unitarian Universalism be right for you?

• First Unitarian Church, Baltimore MD (0 mi), 11AM
  “More than Marriage, No Less than Equality”, Rev. David Carl Olson
  Didn’t the women’s and early gay rights movements believe that relationships that didn’t follow traditional marriage pattern would help bring down the whole patriarchal system? A week before the National Equality March, a few thoughts about the new movement for marriage equality and the larger question of sharing power in relationships and in society.
• Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, Lutherville MD (10 mi), 9:30AM & 11:15AM
  “Who We Were, Are, And Ought To Be”, The Reverend David Hicks MacPherson
  TUUC’s 50^th Anniversary Special Service
  The Reverend David MacPherson, TUUC’s first minister, will remember what TUUC represented in the community in the 1960's, when he served as our minister. We have a rich history of community involvement which shapes our mission today. What is the theology behind it? And how can it guide TUUC's future?
• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, Columbia MD (13 mi), 9AM & 11AM
  Rob Keithan
  For the third year, we celebrate Association Sunday along with many others in the Unitarian Universalist Association. Our guest will be Rob Keithan, who will preach about Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God. About his sermon, Rob writes, “Let’s face it: Sin Happens. Humans are flawed beings. But love happens to. Is sin inescapable? Is salvation possible?” Mr. Keithan is in training for the UU ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary, and is the Director of the UUA’s Washington Office for Advocacy. Worship Associate: Kay Armstrong Baker. Michael Adcock and Tom Benjamin will be providing music, playing two arrangements by Bill Ross, Minister of Music at the San Antonio UU church: “Danny Boy” and Foster’s “Beautiful Dreamer.” NOTE: We will collect our customary Second Sunday Outreach Offering on this first Sunday, with proceeds going to Association Sunday, whose funds this year will benefit projects that are helping Unitarian Universalists in Growing Our Diversity.
• Channing Memorial Church, Unitarian Universalist, Ellicott City MD (13 mi), 10AM
  Topic not available at time of publication.
• The Unitarian Universalists of Fallston, Fallston MD (19 mi), 11AM
  “Three Tales of Worth and Dignity, Told in Honor of Disability History and Awareness Month”, Dr. Michael Franch
  There are great Americans few people have heard of. They should be on postage stamps and known by all. They accomplished great things despite the limitations imposed on them by their bodies, by the built environment, and by our minds. Their achievements benefited themselves, of course, but also our entire society.
• Cedarhurst Unitarian Universalists, Finksburg MD (21 mi), 10:30AM
  Youth and Adult Service: "Wounded Healers", Rev. Henry Simoni-Wastila
  Today the Youth will be part of the main service, but the service is NOT directed only at youth and children. We are dealing with important topics and incorporating the older children into our service. This is a new format for services to bring our youth into our community more directly.
• Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, Annapolis MD (21 mi), 9AM & 11AM
  “From the Inside Out”, Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.
  Our seven principles indirectly show us that we must start inward before real change occurs outward. Come hear how we can change the world!
• Goodloe Memorial Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Bowie MD (26 mi), 10:30AM
  “Unitarian Universalism: The Multicultural Dream and the White Upper Middle Class Reality”, Rev. Cynthia Snavely
• Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River, Chestertown MD (27 mi), 10AM
  “Ouch, You’re Stepping on my Beliefs”, Annie Levin
• Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring, Silver Spring MD (27 mi), 9:15AM & 11:15AM
  “Diversity As We See It”, Rev. Liz Maclay and UUCSS Diversity Team
  Diversity has become a word so popular, so abused and so charged that we hear or apply it all the time in all walks of our lives, sometimes without either clarity or enthusiasm. As UUCSS is living into our goal of being a racially and culturally diverse congregation, we aim for both clarity and enthusiasm, and we are realizing those goals. We know we will encounter challenges, surprises, disappointments, and revelations along the way. This path is challenging, exciting, and a rare chance. Our service this Sunday will incorporate reflections from Rev. Liz and members of our Diversity Advisory Team on what it has meant to Unitarian Universalist and part of this movement and part of this congregation on this remarkable and inspiring journey together. This service promises to be important and exciting in the life of our congregation – make sure you put this Sunday on your calendar and bring friends and/or family to share the service this morning.
• Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harford County, Churchville MD (27 mi), 10AM
  Association Sunday, Kit Brown, Glenn Brown and JoAnn Macdonald
  This Sunday we will learn more about the greater Unitarian Universalist Association. The Browns will speak about their experiences as UUFHC delegates at the 2009 General Assembly, which is our national voting body. JoAnn will be speaking about UUFHC and the regional Joseph Priestley District.
• Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, Adelphi MD (28 mi), 10AM
  Topic not available at time of publication.
• Washington Ethical Society, Washington DC (31 mi), 11AM
  “Music and Justice”, Matt Meyer
  Visiting musician Matt Meyer will lead us in an exploration of music and justice. Music can help create communities where those who love justice and peace find the strength and courage to act on their beliefs. Join us for an energetic service of rhythm, music and reflection.
• Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, Rockville MD (33 mi), 10AM
  “Why We Need Faith”, Rev. Lynn Strauss
  This is our first “First Sunday” of the church year and an opportunity to bring a friend to church! Reverend Strauss will reflect on questions of faith in our liberal tradition and in our lives. Feel free to contact her to share an experience of faith in your life. There will be a 15-minute UU orientation session for guests after the service.
• Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, Bethesda MD (33 mi), 9AM & 11AM
  “A Little Bit of Toothpaste is Always Left in the Tube: A Conversation with Shabaka WaQlimi”, The Rev. Roger Fritts
  Several of you have asked me to follow up on an excellent sermon about the death penalty by Pam Gehrke, who served as our Intern Minister in 2008-2009. Thanks to the work of Karen Lerner, on October 4, I will have a conversation with a man who spent thirteen years, 1974 to 1987, on Death Row for a crime he did not commit. Shabaka writes, "No matter how old or wrinkled the toothpaste tube becomes, if you squeeze it just right, something will come out every time. That is all you needed, just that much, to survive each day."
• Universalist National Memorial Church, Washington DC (34 mi), 11AM
  Topic not available at time of publication.
• All Souls Church, Unitarian, Washington DC (34 mi), 9:30AM & 11:15AM
  “The Devil You Know”, Rev. Rob Hardies
  “Better the devil you know,” warns the old adage, “than the devil you don’t.” But what happens when the “devil” we know best is ourselves? In a world where structures of oppression and injustice implicate us all, how do we confront and resist evil when we encounter it within us?
• River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Bethesda MD (35 mi), 9:15AM & 11:15AM
  “The Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person”, Rev. Scott W. Alexander
  Sermon I in the Year-Long Series “The Principles and Sources of Our Unitarian Universalist Faith” with Rev. Scott W. Alexander and Rev. Ginger P. Luke. The first principle of our Unitarian Universalist faith is not only the most foundational principle we claim, it is also the most impossible and vexing. We are a people and humanity-affirming faith, but we must also face both the brutalities and contradictions of human nature. Please join us to explore the challenge of our optimism about the human condition and its potential.
• Sugarloaf Congregation of Unitarian Universalists, Germantown MD (36 mi), 9:30AM & 11:15AM
  “The Bright Side of the Deep Breath”, Rev. Megan Foley
  Change, deadlines, crisis, conflict, fundraising, rushing, hoping, working – what an incredible three years SCUU has been through! What do we do now, when we’re exhausted and strung out and wired and overcommitted? Come to Sunday morning (always!) and join Megan in a look at what it’s like as a congregation to take a deep, cleansing breath. Ahhhh!
• Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, Camp Springs MD (37 mi), 10:30AM
  “Religious Liberalism Series: Who Am I?”, Rev. Bruce Marshall
  All religions address the same questions. The answers vary, but the questions don't. In this sermon I would like to begin a series that I'll continue all year with one sermon a month. In this series, I'll state those basic questions and then offer the responses I find in our own liberal religious tradition. I hope this will be a way to clarify, affirm and celebrate the long and powerful religious tradition in which we participate as Unitarian Universalists. The CHOIR will sing; special music will be provided by Khari Shelton on piano and Michael Shelton on drums. This is Association Sunday, when we honor the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association and pledge our support to it. This year's theme is "Growing Our Diversity." Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout the nation will recognize the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association and take a special collection to support its efforts. The money collected at this service will go toward enhancing the Association's efforts at increasing the diversity of our congregations.
   

The paths Unitarian Universalists follow are not easy,
but oh the Beauty and Wonder you'll encounter along the way!
Photo: Adrian L. Hilliard