Sept. 1:  The Survivor Tree, an extraordinary true story of resilience, healing, and hope, told from the perspective of a tree broken and buried by a shocking event. This service about survival and regrowth is touching and uplifting for all ages.

            A shorter intergenerational service for adults and children in the sanctuary.     No RE class or childcare 

             Annual end-of-summer potluck picnic after the service       FIA meeting  in Martin House at 12:15 p.m.

 September 8: Kari Gottfried. The Five Jagged Rocks of UUism. What is the bedrock that the UU faith is based on? UUs embrace a belief system that can seem rough around the edges. So the Reverends Nancy Bowen and Mike Morran created the Five Jagged Rocks to recognize “a faith that is dangerous and not always smooth-going.”

            Congregational Meeting in the sanctuary after the service        Drum Circle in the sanctuary 6 – 7:30 p.m.

 September 15: Irene Glasse. Spirituality: Not a Spectator Sport. Many people crave spiritual connection and transcendental experiences but struggle with how to bring those into their lives. Mainstream religious structures can further impede progress by approaching spiritual connection as something transmitted from those in power to those who are listening. Explore techniques, practices, and approaches to move from spirituality as a commodity to spirituality as a sacred personal path.

            Offering in Action Collection    UUCH Book Table and Potluck lunch in the sanctuary after the service

 September 22: Rev. Dr. Paul Britner. What Is Ministry? Using short-story format reminiscent of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon series, this message explores the many meanings of ministry and conversations. Explore approaches to the magnificent imperfection in our world, our spirituality, and our sacred selves.

            Micah’s Backpacks in the Martin House after the service    Adult RE Class 12:30 p.m. in the Martin House

September 29:  Mark Bernstein. A Call to Selflessness. Selflessness is at the heart of Unitarian Universalism.  It finds its expression in service to others and is a gift we give not only to others but to ourselves.  How do we create a culture of selflessness in our congregations and in the process strengthen our sense of community and commitment to one another?

October  6: Rev. John A. Buehrens. Caring. Questions of practical religion, like “What does it mean to care?”—especially to care for others while trying to care for one’s own soul, too—those questions deserve a response.

            Children in the sanctuary for first part of the service           FIA meeting in Martin House at 12:15 p.m.

October 13: Rev. Susan Rak. Equanimity: Beyond Cool, Calm and Collected. One of the Four Immeasurables in Buddhist teaching is “equanimity” — being in the middle of it all and cultivating a sense of balance. So we begin here to find a way to live with and through the instability that so often characterizes our lives.

            Micah’s Backpacks in the Martin House after the service              Drum Circle  6 – 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary

October 20: Rev. Dr. Paul Britner. To Be Purged with Blood. Unitarians had very mixed views of John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry, which still today may inform our perspectives on civil disobedience and social action.

            Offering in Action             Potluck  lunch &  UUCH Book Table in the sanctuary after the service

 October 27: Rev. Beth Marshall.  Handling Hard Better. This morning’s service draws inspiration from an impromptu speech of Coach Kara Lawson’s to Duke’s Women’s Basketball team. All too often we wait for things to get easier, when perhaps our greater strength really comes from learning to do hard things better.

Micah’s Backpacks after the service           Adult RE Class 12:30 p.m. in the Martin House