Programs for the Year 2004
January 4 - Beyond Belief - Rev. Ron Green
The book Beyond Belief, by Elaine Pagels, describes how the early Christian church excluded certain Gospel accounts, and in so doing defined Christian belief.January 11 - Exploring the United Religions Initiative - Steve Axley
An interfaith religious initiative with a UU imprintJanuary 18 - The Origin of Satan - Rev. Ron Green
In her book The Origin of Satan, Elaine Pagels describes how the concept of evil power evolved over time.January 25 - What are some of the enduring truths of psychology? - Betty Kaspar & Stephany Joy Newman
February 1 - James Luther Adams, 20th Century Unitarian Prophet - Rev. Ron Green
Adams was a towering figure in 20th century liberal religion. The son of a fundamentalist Baptist preacher, he studied for the Unitarian ministry at Harvard Divinity School. He was instrumental in revitalizing the American Unitarian Association, with an emphasis on social activism and service. After pastoring a number of churches he taught Christian Social Ethics at Harvard Divinity School, and ended his career at Meadville Lombard Seminary.February 8 - Can We Cope with Death? - Dr. John Hallwas
February 15 - The Pagan Roots of St. Valentine's Day - Rev. Ron Green
This sermon is part of a series on the pagan roots of present-day celebrations and observances.February 22 - Robert G. Ingersoll, in His Own Words - Rev. Don Jones
(Rev. Jones is a retired Congregationalist minister.)February 29 - Thomas Jefferson's Free Search for Religious Truth and Meaning - Randall Faust
In 1822, in a letter to Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, Jefferson wrote: "I trust that there is not a young man now living in the United States who will not die a Unitarian." Was he overly optimistic? Did he have a good mind for the future? Are his ideas alive and well today?March 7 - Religion and Environmentalism - Larry Welch and others
Religions often claim to promulgate revolutionary ideas, but in practice they are generally highly conservative. How can they be put to service in the new cause of environmentalism?March 14 - The Struggle To Do Right: Brown v. Board of Education - Phyllis Farley Rippey
March 21 - The Experiences of Gays, Blacks and Gay Blacks - Rev. Ron Green and Monica Brown
March 28 - Thomas Merton: UU Principles of Poetry and Practice - Randall Faust
The life, poetry and other writings of this XX Century Trappist monk, pacifist, and interreligious correspondent provide us with many seeds of contemplation on the UU Principles.April 4 - "My Last Lecture" - Rev. Ron Green
If I had but one lasts lecture to give, what would I say?April 11 - An Easter festival of song and poetry - Rev. Ron Green
We will celebrate the return of spring with a morning of song, poetry and flowers. Bring flowers and/or a favorite poem to share, or just come to share in the enthusiasm of the season.April 18 - A Quest--To Be at One with Our Environment - Dr. David Soule
A celebration of Earth Day. The celebration will be followed by an open house and a display of art and photographs related to the environment.April 25 - Violence in Religion: The Passion of the Suffering - Dr. John Simmons
May 2 - The Passion of Christ - Rev. Ron Green
People see Jesus differently and that affects how they react to the film.May 9 - Agriculture and Community: Recreating Cycles - Karen Mauldin Curtis and John Curtis
May 16 - Why I Pray - Rev. Ron Green
Though not like when I was younger, it is still important.May 23 - Relgious Education Annual Program
The program will be presented by our children and teenagers.May 30 - Memorial Day Program - Rev. Ron Green
June 6 - Flower Ceremony and Annual Spring Picnic - Rev. Ron Green
We will meet at Horn Lodge. This is our last service of the regular church year, before we break for the summer.June 13 - Religion and Revolution
Videotape and discussionJune 20 - Violence in Religion: The Passion of the Suffering
Videotape and discussionJune 27 - Violence in Religion: The Passion of the Suffering
Videotape and discussionJuly 4 - No Service
Happy Independence Day!July 11 - American Religious History
Videotape and discussionJuly 18 - The European Background of American Religious History
Videotape and discussionJuly 25 - American Natives and Newcomers
Videotape and discussionAugust 1 - The Puritans
Videotape and discussionAugust 8 - Colonial Religious Diversity
Videotape and discussionAugust 15 - Black Religion in America
Videotape and discussionAugust 22 - Water Service - Rev. Ron Green
This is our annual service of regathering. We will also hear about our teenagers' experience in Costa Rica.August 29 - Can we find common ground in these polarized times? - Dr. John Simmons
September 5 - Laboring for Decent Labor - Rev. Ron Green
The labor movement made deep strides toward bringing decency to the American workplace. Much still needs to be done for workers around the world; the quality of work for many people ranges from deteriorating to indecent. Before you fire up the grill this weekend, come fire up your will to face some of the painful issues of the world's workplaces.September 12 - The Good News about the Good News - Dr. Bill Davenport
Dr. Davenport will examine some of the latest findings on the life and teachings of Jesus. He will look especially at the work of John Dominic Crosson, author of The Essential Jesus: What Jesus Really Taught.September 19 - Our UU Roots - Rev. Ron Green
Unitarians and Universalists have always been heretics, not because we wish to be rebellious, but because we want to choose our faith. "Heresy" in Greek means "choice." History is filled with stories of UU's who have been persecuted for their beliefs. This morning we will look at people who helped us form the Unitarian-Universalist identity.September 26 - Gadamer's perspective on what can or ought to happen
when we read a classical text - Dr. Richard Palmer Dr. Palmer is Porfessor Emeritus at MacMurry College, and is an expert in hermeneutics. October 3 - What's happening at the Mosque in Morgantown, WV? - Rev. Ron Green
Asra Nomani, born in India of Muslim parents and raised in Morgantown, chooses to pray downstairs with the men rather than climb to the second floor. Nomani challenges the fundamentalist interpretations of Mohammed's teachings about women. She argues that women should reclaim the rights Islam granted them in the seventh century.October 10 - What the Water Tells Me - Dr. Robert Rippey
October 17 - Hispanic Heritage - Rev. Ron Green
October is Hispanic Heritage Month. This will be a Sunday morning dedicated to an appreciation of the contributions of many of the Hispanics who have enriched our lives with literary, artistic and musical creations.October 24 - Politics and War 2004: Apocalypse Now? - Dr. George Hopkins
Dr. Hopkins is a professor of history at Western Illinois University.October 31 - Is Electronic Voting Ethical? - Earl Godt
November 7 - Honoring the Work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee - Rev. Ron Green
Today we launch our fun drive for the UUSC in support of its work for justice and equality worldwide. Come to hear about their current projects, and to begin your participation in our support of them.November 14 - Nature and the Sacred - Dr. John Hallwas
Prof. Hallwas is a well-known lecturer, archivist, author, and good friend of our Fellowship. He recently retired from the English Department at Western Illinois University.November 21 - Giving Thanks - Rev. Ron Green
This Thanksgiving, as in many past, we are reminded of our blessings, and often hold that awareness in juxtaposition with the hardships that we know many in this world experience. Do we have a right to be thankful while so many are suffering? I say we do, and that we must never stray from appreciating the gifts, large and small, that surround us.November 28 - How can I make a difference politically? - Judith Kohler
Ms. Kohler, a retired lobbyist and radio commentator, will lead a discussion.