Programs for the Year 2002
January 6 - Developing Mercy and Compassion - Rev. Ron Green
Our lives are much like the road from Jerusalem to Jerico, relatively short but filled with twists and turns, dark places, and treacherous paths. This Sunday we take a look at the story of the Good Samaritan and ask the question, "How can we live a life of compassion and Mercy?"January 13 - Forgiveness - Karen Mauldin-Curtis
January 20 - Alternatives to the War on Drugs - Rev. Ron Green
Come to hear and respond to the UUA's interesting and thought-provoking "Draft Statement of Conscience" concerning the War on Drugs. The UUA Commission on Social Witness is taking comments on this draft until March 1st, 2002. We have an opportunity to help shape our denomination's final statement.January 27 - The Writings and Philosophy of Wendell Berry - John Mauldin-Curtis
February 3 - In Honor of Black History Month - Rev. Ron Green
We will look at the origin of Black History Month, important cities in black history, and the Harlem Renaissance. Readings will include works by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.February 10 - Reflections on Liberty - Larry Rawlins
February 17 - The Way and its Power, by Lao-Tse - Rev. Ron Green
Judith Berling wrote, "Lao-tse ... developed the notion of the Dao ... as the origin of all creation and the force ... that lies behind the functionings and changes of the natural world. He and his followers saw in Dao and nature the basis of a spiritual approach to living." We will look at life lived in practice of the wisdom of Lao-tse.February 24 - The Historical Jesus and Faith - Amy Carr
March 3 - The Universal Spiritual Path - Rev. Ron Green
The religious journeyer desires a sense of peace, acceptance, and the experience of union. Where the journey begins is just the opposite, with longing, disharmony, and dissatisfaction. We'll look at this journey together.March 10 - The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World - Cathy Null
A discussion of the recently published book by Michael Pollan after which this service is named. Examine your relationship with the plant world and come hear what an award-winning environmental journalist has to say.March 17 - A Look at Ralph Waldo Emerson - Rev. Ron Green
Much to the chagrin of those who see Emerson as a paragon of self-reliance, he has much to say about the "union of man and God in every act of the soul."March 24 - We are not who you think we are - Polly Radosh
A short film about women and grug crimes, followed by a discussion.March 31 - Easter Service - Rev. Ron Green
April 7 - Spirituality and the Sea: Moby Dick - Virginia Leonard Ewing
April 14 - Religion and Violence: Why? - John Simmons
All meaning systems whether religious or political have the potential to turn violent. John will identify areas of concern that can turn the search for heaven into a hell on earth.April 21 - To be announced - Rev. Ron Green
April 28 - Coffee With Buddha - Susan Martennelli-Fernandez
Exercise or coffee? Wake up blasting or wake up with a blast? Just how should an individual start the day? These are some of the questions that will introduce a personal exploration how to lead a good and well lived life.May 5 - New Member Recognition Sunday: The questions UU's ask - Rev. Ron Green
Though UU's don't seek comfort through religious dogma, we ask the same questions all people ask concerning the the meaning of life and death and the nature of God. As we welcome our new members this Sunday, we affirm the importance of seeing ourselves as religious people asking religious questions. Come greet our newest members and share in the love of our fellowship.May 12 - R.E. Sunday
A presentation by the children in our Sunday School, and a recognition of our Religious Education teachers.May 19 - Woodie Guthrie, his life, letters and songs - Rev. Ron Green
Come listen to the letters and songs of this remarkable atist, best known for his role as "Dust Bowl balladeer".May 26 - "The Last Gift of Time" - Ginni Mock
What can I do with my retirement time? How can I establish some priorities so that the time doesn't just drift away? Ginni borrows Carolyn Heilbrun's book title to share some ideas.June 2 - Flower Ceremony - Rev. Ron Green
Please bring a flower. As we enter we will place our flowers on the Chalice table. During the service we will come forward and choose a flower, and take time to remember significant events and encounters we shared at the UU Fellowhip of Macomb this past year.June 9 - The Act of Peter - William Smith
A discussion of one of the Nag Hammadi codices.June 16 - No service. We are meeting instead at a member's house for a special Fathers' Day gathering.
June 23 - Jonah and the Whale
A discussion on a videotape of a sermon by UU Rev. Judith Urquhart. The Book of Jonah is a very short story about disabling prejudice and transcendent forgiveness.June 30 - Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time
A discussion about an NPR audiotape featuring Paul Loeb, a scholar at Seattle's Center for Ethical Leadership. The tape's themes relate to social justice, overcoming cynicism, and other matters that resonate with UUs.July 7 - The Road out of Hell
A video sermon by the Reverend Kendyl Gibbons discussing Hell as a metaphor.July 14 - A Sand County Almanac
Selections from an audiotape of the book by this name, which the Boston Globe has called it "one of the seminal works of the environmental movement." A discussion will follow the readings.July 21 - Windows to the Sky
In this videotape, Chris Griscom, the founder of the Light Institute, develops her perception of our future responsibilities. A discussion will follow.July 28
A videotaped interview with several Unitarian-Universalist ministers, followed by a discussion.August 4
A follow-up on the work of the Light Institute.August 11 - The Road to Eternity
A videotape of one of Bill Moyers' interviews of Joseph Campbell, followed by a discussion.August 18 - Ingathering, Water Ceremony - Rev. Ron Green
Regular services will begin with Rev. Ron Green giving our "returning home" service. Bring a small vial of water to share from your travels this summer.August 25 - Gardens - Steve Axley
We will explore "Gardens" as a fertile metaphor for the spiritual life. We will elaborate the metaphor, examine its connection with our own spiritual pursuits, and celebrate our spiritual kinship through music of the garden.September 1 - The Poetry of Robert Frost - Rev. Ron Green
Frost was known during his later years as "America's poet". His poems are often painfully honest, and they frequently point toward some of the religious questions of life. Please join us and bring your favorite Frost poem to share with us.September 8 - September 11: A Service of Remembrance - Larry Welch
September 15 - Growing a Soul - Rev. Ron Green
Many of us feel a relentless urge to grow our soul, to make it more. More generous, more forgiving, more accepting. How do we "grow our soul"? Come, lets think about this.September 22 - Neuro-Theology: Brain Chemistry and the Religious Impulse - John Simmons
Is God all in your mind?September 29 - The many paths to Unitarian-Universalism: How I got here - Earl Godt
October 6 - The Wisdom of the Buddha: Who Was the Buddha? - Rev. Ron Green
The Buddha is more a metaphor than a personality. For him, personality was a delusion, and why focus on a delusion? In the Buddhist scriptures the Buddha is neither a fully developed human character nor a god. But you will find a metaphor--one that reveals a path, a way of being in the world.October 13 - The Gifts of Spirit and the Importance of Love - William Smith
The gifts of spirit we all possess and love is our moral compass. This issue will be examined from the Islamic and Christian perspectives.October 20 - The Wisdom of Buddhism: What the Buddha Taught - Rev. Ron Green
The Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh says that Buddhism is not one religion, but many. This is true because at its heart Buddhism is focused on the individual spiritual journey--so it is as various as the number of individual spiritual journeys. There are also many different strands of Buddhism.October 27 - Reason vs. Intuition - Joseph Cornell
Joseph Cornell has practiced and taught meditation for over twenty-five years. He is a senior minister and resident of Ananda Village, California, a spiritual community founded on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. He is also well known for his skill in teaching awareness of nature to children.November 3 - A closer look at the Mexican celebration of The Day of the Dead - Dr. Lourdes Kuthy
Lourdes is a native of Mexico, an anthropologist, and professor of multi-cultural education in the Dept. of Education and Interdisciplinary Studies at WIU. We are delighted to have her share her insights and experiences regarding this Mexican tradition.November 10 - Our own celebration of The Day of the Dead - John and Karen Mauldin-Curtis
On this Sunday, we hope to create the space (both physical and spiritual for all who attend to honor, remember, and celebrate the life of loved ones who have died.November 17 - Unitarians are alive and well in Alaska - David Soule
An illustrated talk will be given on a memorable UU-sponsored WhaleCoast tour in Alaska to see the state's natural wonders. The tour group consisted of 31 UU's from all over the country. In each location lodging was provided in the homes of local UU's. As a result, this trip was unique.November 24 - to be announced - Rev. Ron Green
December 1 - The Seven Miracles of Mindfulness - Rev. Ron Green
Being attentive to yourself and your surroundings can open you to the miracle of life in ways never imagined. Also, being present to others "mindfully" will give them a gift that beats anything they will find under the Christmas tree.December 8 - The Miracles of the Season - Rev. Ron Green
This is a season of miracles. Chanukah celebrates the Temple's candle miraculously burning; Christmas remembers the miracle of Christ's birth. Miracles, in fact, were at the heart of an early Unitarian controversy which brought us as close as we have ever come to enforcing a creed. Let's look at that controversy, and consider the marvels and wonders of our lives.December 15 - Let's Be Mary this Christmas - Rev. Ron Green
Maybe we can't be God on Earth, or Mother Teresa, or the Dalai Lama, but there are still lots of good roles for us to play in this unfolding drama of life. In many ways these other roles are just as important, perhaps more so, than the big ones that get top billing.December 22 - Songs and Carols for Christmas
Our traditional service for the Sunday before ChristmasDecember 24 - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service - 7:00 PM
December 29 - The Trance State as a Religious Experience
Presented by William Smith, Liz Miller, and Connie Knox