In these days when we experience sickness, depression, obsessions, relationship difficulties and many other challenges that keep us from experiencing joy and peace, where is the hope? In the hospital setting patients bring not only their sickness but emotional and spiritual pain. Retired Chaplain Doug Schmidt will share how spirituality is not only a vital sign but may be an essential resource to the patient and the family, playing a critical role in people’s lives.
Dr. King was not a perfect person. Instead of hiding from his indiscretions, how can simultaneously holding both his contributions and flaws open up new possibilities for how we learn from figures in American history?
Together we’ll remember and reflect upon people near, dear and notable whose lives concluded in 2023. We’ll light candles; we’ll sing; we’ll laugh; we may cry; and we will mourn together those we have lost and celebrate their legacies.
At the turning of the year, many of us take stock of our lives: what we remember from days flown by, and what we want to find around the next corner. This participatory New Year’s Eve service will take us through a collaborative process of sharing our thoughts, dreams, and goals for UUGP. Where have we been, and where do we want to go, as we live the daily joys and challenges of our seven principles? Onward to 2024!
What better way to enjoy the holiday season than in one another’s company? A bit of music, some poetry, potluck, good company… Hope to see you all there!
Historically, all civilizations have evolved their own cultural views for managing community concerns, which were reflected in their religions or accepted philosophies. As these views changed their laws and institutions changed, often only after great struggles, hardships, or even revolutions. Today, we have culturally accepted views that may be due for changing which might help us transition to better serving our human (and natural) communities.
We encounter it on the news. We may discuss all of the suffering we witness at coffee hour. We may feel hopeless and helpless, but what if there was something we could do to help our world? At such a difficult time in world history, how can the concept of “covenant” help us to find a new way towards transformation – within and without?
Hannah Rarick, 2023 Ms. Wheelchair Oregon, will share her personal journey of disability and the many ways we can advocate for ourselves and others. Sometimes our biggest challenges bring us our most powerful strengths.
Engaging in the simple act of giving thanks brings us into the present. Appreciating opens us to the bond of our belonging on Earth. How might Native American tradition inspire our gratitude? Why does Thanks Giving matter for our future? May we join together in wonder.
As we work to grow our individual and congregational capacity for full inclusion of trans and gender nonbinary people, one of the stumbling blocks can be our strong desire to understand other people’s experience. We’ll explore avenues that open possibilities of deeper embrace of our differences and lead us to freedom, then on to liberation.
