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January 8, 2012  “God’s Politics; Separation of Church and State” with Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

In recent years in this country, we have been encouraged to believe that God has a particular political agenda and that there are those who know what it is. However, most Unitarian Universalists don’t believe that is true, and our federal laws prohibit any congregation with tax-exempt status from endorsing a particular political candidate. This Sunday’s service will invite your participation in exploring what some of the issues are that we can and do support.

December 18, 2011  “The Joys of the Winter Solstice”  Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

On this Sunday nearest the Winter Solstice or Yuletide, we will celebrate the shortest day of the year with story, ritual, and music to welcome the return of the light to our world and to our lives. It will be a service filled with both remembrance and expectation.

December 4, 2011  “Becoming a Welcoming Congregation”  Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

Although our congregation welcomes people with great enthusiasm, we have never been officially recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a “Welcoming Congregation.” For that to happen, we would need to be intentional about our covenant with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and hold an official congregational vote supporting that commitment. So what are we waiting for?

November 20, 2011  “Home Is Where the Home Is – Thanksgiving in the Pulpit” Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

What does it mean to have a home? It is not just a bed to sleep in but also a place where we feel safe and welcome. On this Sunday before Thanksgiving, we will express our gratitude for our homes and our compassion for those who do not have homes – the homeless in our community. In this service we will look at some of the ways we can expand our dreams of service with and for others.

October 30, 2011  "What Is Spirituality Anyway?" Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

We hear a lot of people talking about spirituality as though we all know what it is and agree about what it means. But it doesn't take us long when we get into discussion about it to discover that it is much more complex than we thought. During this service, we will try to demystify the word and discover the many and various ways it can influence and inspire our lives.

October 23, 2011   "The Goal of World Community" Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

The United Nations has been controversial since its formation in 1945. On this United Nations Sunday, we will look at the ways in which our 6th Unitarian Universalist Principle calls us to join with other countries of the world to make life better for all the people. Our youth and members of our congregation will share some of their stories about the challenges of life in a global community.

September 11, 2011   "Gathering the Waters of Remembrance" Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

At our Ingathering Service we will be bringing and pouring together samples of water from our summers, at home or away, and sharing short descriptions of their significance for us. Come and welcome new and old friends as we begin a new church year together. In addition, this year we will honor the memory of those who lost their lives on this significant date ten years ago in the destruction of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.

 

September 4, 2011   “Labor and Liberation” Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

On this Sunday before Labor Day, we will be looking at the subject of labor in both its historical and modern context. Current unemployment figures may leave us with a sense of foreboding, and the days when lifetime job security seemed to be guaranteed are certainly a thing of the past. But there may be hope for us, if we join together to support those in need and ourselves in ways that provide us with courage for the days and years ahead.

 

August 21, 2011   “Finishing Life Well”  Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

We hear a lot today about beginning life well, and a great deal of our advertising and media seem to emphasize the importance of staying young. But what does it mean to find value in our lives as they get nearer to their end point? How do we make the most of the last quarter of our lives – however long that may be? Maybe we need to start practicing now so that we will be prepared to transform our physical, spiritual, and intellectual lives in preparation for the future, whatever it may bring.

 

July 24, 2011 “Unitarian Universalist Sin and Atonement”  Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

We Unitarian Universalists often avoid talking about sin, perhaps because of some of the negative baggage that we have accumulated during our lives. But we can’t deny that people do some pretty terrible things to each other and themselves. Catholics, Muslims and Jews have ways to acknowledge when they have fallen short of their best selves. Maybe it is time for us to look at our lives and find a UU sense of at-one-ment.

 

July 17, 2011  "Taoism as a possible life path"  Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford

The ancient philosophy of Taoism has garnered a great deal of interest in the last decade or so in the United States, even leading to such books as The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff. But what is the draw of the teachings in the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tse, and how can they guide our lives as Unitarian Universalists? Are you a Taoist without even knowing it? These and other questions will be the basis for our service this morning. Also, here is a text copy of the Intergenerational Story which preceded this sermon.