Sunday Topics
Our Sunday worship is a hybrid format: both in person in the sanctuary and via Zoom* meeting software. (See below for more details about how to attend on line and in person services).
Upcoming Speakers and Topics
November 3: JD Stillwater. Ancestors: Honoring Them, Becoming Them. JD shares his journey from judging his ancestors to questioning his fitness to be one. As always, science plays a leading role, along with several other faith traditions and cultures. Children in the sanctuary for the first part of the service. FIA meeting at 12:15 p.m.
November 10: Irene Glasse. Winternights. Families and friends gathering together as the nights grow longer is rooted in deep historical currents. Learn ways to build a contemporary practice informed by folklore, history, and the cycles of nature that can enhance the depth and meaning of the season of darkness. Micah’s Backpacks in the Martin House basement after the service.
November 17: Rev. Dr. Paul Britner. Ethical Eating. How we eat has tremendous social justice implications for public health, the environment, and the treatment of animals. This message likely will not produce a consensus on many of these issues, but it may provide a way to advance our common commitment to justice, equity, and compassion.
Offering in Action Collection. UUCH Book Table Open. Potluck Lunch after the service.
November 24: Fleeting Holiday or Culture of Gratitude. In November, we try to be thankful for part of one day— before football or early sales distract us. How could our lives be different if we felt and expressed appreciation more often? The Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee offer us a template with their Thanksgiving Address, which opens and closes every social, cultural, and religious meeting and, as a daily personal ritual, welcomes sunrise.
Micah’s Backpacks in the Martin House after the service. Adult RE Class 12:30 p.m. in the Martin House
December 1: Rev. Susan Rak. Perseverance. How do we live life fully and face its challenges? Our conscious response to the world and our condition may be fueled by hope, but it is driven by perseverance.
Children in the sanctuary for the first part of the service. FIA meeting at 12:15 p.m.
December 8: Irene Glasse. Dark Season Spirituality. The long winter nights and shorter, colder days can be emotionally challenging. Pagan spirituality has tools and approaches to the dark season that can help us sustain the light till springtime. Micah’s Backpacks in the Martin House after the service
December 15: Rev. Dr. Paul Britner. The Scrooge in All of Us. Charles Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge is an archetype, and there’s a little bit of him in each of us, though some have more and some have less. This message will suggest how we may use our “inner-Scrooge” to cope with the many stresses of the holiday season.
Offering in Action. Potluck Lunch after the service. UUCH Book Table Open
December 22: Rev. David A. Miller. Reimagining the Christmas Story: A Metanoia Moment. A different take on the traditional story. Micah’s Backpacks in the Martin House after the service
Tuesday, December 24, 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service. UUCH Players. Deconstructing Christmas. Two college friends who lost touch run into each other on Christmas Eve. But their quiet evening to catch up is repeatedly interrupted by persistent carolers, a neighbor with a secret, surprising deliveries, a Unitarian ghost, and eventually good tidings of great joy. Bring cookies to share after the service. This intergenerational service is generally appropriate for everyone school age and up.
December 29: Saturnalia, UU-Style. End the year with a modern celebration of the ancient Roman winter festival of light—with masks, music, and gifts —reflecting our UU search for meaning and connection.
How to Attend Our Worship
Please log in to Zoom or be in the sanctuary between 10:30 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. The pre-serviced music begins at 10:40 a.m.
Our services end around noon and are followed by refreshments and time to chat.
To attend a service via Zoom, you need the new log in link and password, which are emailed each week on Friday.
If you aren’t receiving the link, email worship@uuhagerstownmd.org by Thursday to be added to the worship log in list.
*If you have never used Zoom, check out the Zoom Basics Page.
Covid Safety Precautions: We continue to focus on being together in person again but Covid precautions change. Be alert for on-going adjustments.
- Masks are now optional for fully-vaccinated and boosted people. Some fully-vaccinated people continue to mask for additional safety; others do not.
- If you are NOT fully-vaccinated and boosted, we ask you to mask to protect yourself and others.
- People are asked to mask while singing hymns.
- If a family member or you are feeling ill (cold, flu, etc.) or have been exposed to Covid, please stay home and attend via Zoom.
- Please be thoughtful with your greetings. Many people are not ready yet for hugging and other close contacts so always ask.
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Improved Air Quality The new HVAC system installed in 2020 in both the Martin House and sanctuary should keep us safer as well as warmer and cooler. The new system includes an air purification system in the HVAC ductwork. According to the EPA, the combined use of filtration and germicidal UVC light is an effective means of preventing the distribution of airborne viruses in occupied spaces. Our system has a high intensity dual-light system: one light controls bacteria, viruses, and mold spores; the other oxidizes and removes noxious odors. The air goes through the purification system eight times an hour.