Updated Spring Services

SPRING SEMESTER, 2008 SERVICES, Roger Butts
DRAFT/DRAFT/DRAFT/DRAFT

UPDATED
3/30/2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
8:30:54 PM

Feb 3---Centering Prayer, Lay Leader Joe Maciejko
There is an increasing awareness of the importance of spiritual practices among religious liberals. We’ve seen knitting as a spiritual practice. We’ve seen praying the poets. We’ve seen walking. One of the great practices across religious traditions has been the idea of praying. Is it possible to do such a thing for the modern Unitarian Universalist? Where did this practice come from? What does it seek to accomplish? “I don’t know how to pray,” Mary Oliver says, “but I know how to pay attention.” Let’s talk.

(feb 6th begins a series of four Wednesdays on centering prayer with Sister Catherine Cleary)
Feb 10--Thirst--Mary Oliver/Emerson, Lay Leader, Ellen Kelly
Feb 17—MULTI GEN

Feb 24---RSC

March 2--- What Starhawk Can Teach Us, lay leader Meg Bolich
One of my favorite pagan writers, Starhawk constantly asks us to think about the importance of community, the importance of ritual and the importance of nature in the life of the spirit. This morning celebrates her approach to the religious life.

March 9---- WITCH HUNTS featuring a moment on the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Lay Leaders Linda G and Rev. Ron Quay
Linda G is with us for one year from Washington, D.C. She and her husband, Bob, are longtime Unitarian Universalists. Linda is a lawyer who happens to be the chair of the NRCAT. She and I talk about what torture has to do with religion.
March 16------The Bear, or Against Supernaturalism
What do you say when someone says that you’re going to hell because of your religion?

March 23 Easter///The Poetry of Denise Levertov…5th anniversary of Iraq occupation/invasion/war…Lay Leader, Dave Coe
Death of Oscar Romero 28th anniversary
5th anniversary of my ordination

Political writer, anti-war writer, religious writer, Denise Levertov has a depth that is remarkable. Here is Gloria from ….Today I tell the story of Denise Levertov. Pure and simple.
March 30…WHAT THE WILDERNESS CAN TEACH US
What the Wilderness Can Teach Us, lay leader Dane Moulton, if upstairs
Gerald May wrote a book while he was dying. A therapist, a mystic, a spiritual guide, he allows us to see what life ultimately means. He uses the metaphor of wilderness in his reflection on life, but wilderness can happen anywhere, even in an office or study, even in a suburban park. What is your true nature? How will you discover it? Where will it lead you?

April 6—This I Believe, Kathy Bowman helping to organize and others as lay leaders.
Along with the Adult Religious Education committee, let us explore our semester of crafting our own credo statements. Where are our commonalities? Where are our divergences? What can we learn from one another? What might be next?

April 13…RSC Teacher Appreciation
April 20 Pulpit Exchange with Rev. Ted Tollefson of the UU Congregation in River Falls, Wisconsin

April 27… Play (with Dee Oberlee)
There is an increasing awareness of the importance of spiritual practices among religious liberals. We’ve seen knitting as a spiritual practice. We’ve seen praying the poets. We’ve seen walking. There is a whole study of the folly and madness and foolishness of the holy person. Laughter, surprise, joy are all names for God. Is it possible to have fun and laugh for the modern Unitarian Universalist? Let’s talk about play as holy.


May 4…140th Birthday Guest---Professor Rev. Dr. Michael Hogue, Meadville Lombard Theological School. Recently awarded 2008 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, Michael Hogue’s work focuses on the earth, liberal theology and liberation. As part of our 140th birthday, Rev. Butts invites his dissertation advisor to come and celebrate with us by preaching on the earth and faith.

YOM HASHOAH COMMUNITY SERVICE

May 11 Prophetic Sisterhood…Lay Leader, Barb Robinson
In the Midwest, from the latter part of the 19th century through the early-mid 20th century, women Unitarian ministers redefined what it means to do and be church. This is a fascinating story of women in ministry and while it is not all sunshine and light, it sure has a lot to teach us, even now, about gender, ministry, church and life.

May 18…Music Sunday, Tyson Danner


May 25…RSC
June 1…140 years celebration—the ecumenical spirit in the Quad Cities, our greatest value: Religious Tolerance, Lay Leader: Rev Ron Quay
June 8…Flower Communion, Roger and RSC MULTI GEN
June 15…140 years celebration…Beacon on the Hill, lay leader, Don Moore

UPCOMING SERVICES
Oct 12 10th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, “Pink Triangle”
Nov 9 70th anniversary of Kristalnacht