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November 10 - Rev. David Weissbard

Huddled Masses

 

November 17 - Julie Jeffers and Eleanor Allen

What, if Anything, Can Our Small Congregation Do About Homelessness in Jefferson County?

 This service will reflect on two contemporary stories about the intermingling of the sacred and the secular, inviting us to consider how we welcome mystery and wonder, within and beyond sanctuaries on Sunday morning. Rev. Heather Janules will deliver the sermon on screen, with the rest of the service led by Eleanor in person.  

 

November 24 -   Rev. Heather Janules

(UUA Congregational Life Staff, New England Region) Mystery’s Meetingplace.  

Unitarian Universalists often name the experience of "transcending mystery and wonder" as a foundational element of a spiritual life. This service will reflect on two contemporary stories about the intermingling of the sacred and the secular, inviting us to consider how we welcome mystery and wonder, within and beyond sanctuaries on Sunday morning. Rev. Heather Janules will deliver the sermon on screen, with the rest of the service led by Eleanor in person.  

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December 1st Robert South

Development of Character

The bylaws of All Souls say, "Our purpose is to join together in a cooperative quest of religious and ethical values and to apply those values to the fulfillment of our objectives, which are the enrichment of spirit, the development of character, and service to all."    Development of character can be the core of this and all the rest.  Development of character enriches spirit and inspires service.  And it is itself a valuable service.  People are not well served by having bad character.  But can we bring ourselves to make value judgments?  Do we have the character?

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December 8th Rev David Weissbard

A Place at the Table

 At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked by Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia whether the Convention had created a Republic or a monarchy.  His famous response was “A republic, if you can keep it.” At various times in its history, the “keeping” of the republic has been uncertain.  This is one of those times.

This is, on one level,  a political question.  On a deeper level, it is also a religious question. The nature of the nation has never been fully resolved - and it may never be- but it matters.  Is its primary role to provide protection for the property of the privileged, or is it to assure the rights of the majority?  We do not all agree.

   
There is a wonderful hymn, “A Place at the Table” by Shirley Erena Murray, a New Zealander, which has stimulated my consideration of that religious issue. I’m projecting that to be the subject for my December 8th sermon. [That’s a goal not a promise.]  .

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December 15th Harriet McMillan and Sarah O'Connell

What Does a Tree Have to Do With Christmas?

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December 22nd Joanne Harter

Solstice Yule

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December 24th Robert South and Sarah O'Connell

Traditional Christmas Eve Service

Christmas Carols, Readings, Stories, Candles.  This year we will eat before the service.  Potluck at 5:30, service starts at 6:30.

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December 29th Robert South

The Power of Resolutions

I truly believe that there is some woo woo stuff going on in the world.  Life uses us for purposes and roles.  When you change your mind you do change the world around you.  A lot of people believe things sort of like that, but the devil is in the details.  The wrong theory can read to the wrong kind of mental changes and the wrong kind of expectations.  When we change ourselves such that we can truly resolve, make resolutions that will actually come true, we gain power over the future.  By gaining power over the future, we can influence what we will be good for, and thus what kinds of tasks and challenges life will send us.  And all it costs is becoming someone who follows through.  And understanding what we humans are for.