Programs for the Year 2005
January 2 - Where Do We Find Our Courage? - Dean Howd
January 9 - The Habit of Hurry - Bob Zellman
January 16 - The Strength to Handle the Facts - Randall Faust
What did the facts of segregation mean to a white Unitarian minister in Washington D.C., and the facts of integration mean to a black football player in Auburn, Alabama?January 23 - Two Defining Sermons in Unitarian History - Rev. Ron Green
The sermons of William Ellery Channing and Theodore Parker, both at ordination services in the early 1800's, defined Unitarians and laid the groundwork for the establishment of the American Unitarian Association. Come and learn about these heretical and foundational addresses.January 30 - Our Spiritual Journey - Rev. Ron Green
What work does a spiritual journey requires? Whether we call it enlightenment, awakening, nirvana, salvation, or wholeness, it is work we must do ourselves. No one can do it for us. The Buddha's last words were, "Be a Lamp unto yourselves." The apostle Paul said, "Work out your own salvation." Here is the question: How do we define what we are striving for?February 6 - Prayer - Rev. Ron Green
We've all learned prayers of petition as children, but what do we do with prayer when we no longer have our old beliefs? Throw it out? I hope not. There are powerful and useful forms of prayer that have nothing to do with asking for something from an almighty benefactor.February 13 - How Broken is the Barrier? - African-Americans in the Classical Vocal Arena - Harold Schmalfeld
Biographies and recordings of Roland, Hayes, Marian Anderson, Grace Bumbry, and others will be presented.February 20 - Report from Guatemala - Rev. Ron Green
Ron and Mari spent two weeks in Antigua at a Spanish language school. This morning they will talk about their experiences there, and about the work of the Unitarian Univeersalist Service Committee in Guatemala.February 27 - Social Action at the UUA General Assembly: Process and Issues - Barbara Brown
March 6 - The Spiritual Wisdom of the West - Rev. Ron Green
Though going to the Far East for spiritual training is popular, the same teachings are available in Western writings. Hellenistic teachings, for instance, contain the same wisdom that appeals to spiritual seekers of today. The Greek teachings feel fully contemporary to those seeking a thoughtful and responsible life.March 13 - Messages from Water - Gayla Elliott
March 20 - Socio-historical Overview of Women's Participation in the Military of the U.S. - Polly Radosh
March 27 - For the Beauty of the Earth - Marienne Kreitlow, Jerry Ford, Kitty Karn
Our guest speakers this morning will present a program of original song, poetry, and humor.April 3 - How Jesus Became God - Rev. Ron Green
It was a long and protracted fight to declare Jesus God. Unitarians were on the losing end of this battle. Today we take a close look at the Arian Controversy.April 10 - Earth Day Celebration - Bob Zellman
April 17 - Three Ways of Seeing the World - Rev. Ron Green
Life experiences condition us to see the world in different ways. How we see the world affects the nature and quality of our connections with others. Though change isn't easy, we can reprogram ourselves if we find our view of the world is working against us.April 24 - Theater Performances During the Holocaust - Dr. Al Goldfarb
Dr. Goldfarb is the president of Western Illinois University.May 1 - In Celebration of UU Covenant Groups - Rev. Ron Green
James Luther Adams said that there are two important roles and responsibilities of the religious life: to form Intimacy and Ultimacy. Covenant Group Ministry provides a path to that intimacy. Hear how it has helped people like us and Fellowships like ours.May 8 - Annual Mothers' Day Program
This service is presented by the children in our Religious Education program.May 15 - Our UU Principles - Rev. Ron Green
A discussion of the development of our seven guiding principles and why they are important to us as a denomination. They are not a set of beliefs, but guidelines on how we act towards humanity and our environment. New members will be officially welcomed into the Fellowship as part of the service.May 22 - To be announced
May 29 - Annual Flower Service - Rev. Ron Green
Our annual flower service and annual potluck picnic will take place at the rock shelter in Glenwood Park.June 5 - Why we believe in myth - John Simmons
June 12 - No service
June 19 - Fathers' Day Brunch
June 26 - Christianity as a Religion
July 3 - No service
July 10 - What is Religion?
Videotape and discussionJuly 17 - The Role of Religious Experience
Videotape and discussionJuly 24 - Sourcing Christianity
Videotape and discussionJuly 31 - The Imperial Context
Videotape and discussionAugust 7 - Greco-Roman Polytheism
Videotape and discussionAugust 14 - The Symbolic World of Torah
Videotape and discussionAugust 21 - The Imperial Context
Videotape and discussion August 28 - Water Service - Rev. Ron Green
This is our annual service of regathering. There is no Sunday School, as the children are invited to participate in the service.September 4 - Report of the UUA General Assembly - Rev. Ron Green
Rev. Green will bring us news from Fort Worth, Texas, where the denomination's annual General Assembly was held. Immediately following the service, Ron and the Youth Group will leave to join "The Gathering of Veterans Friendship Pow Wow" at Seven Circles Heritage Center in Edwards, Illinois.September 11 - Unitarian-Universalism as a Compass: Orienting Ourselves on Our Religious Path -Phyllis Farley Rippey
September 18 - UU Study/Action Issues: Actions for Immediate Witness and Statements of Conscious - Rev. Ron Green
Rev. Green will review and report on the issues that will be before next year's General Assembly and be voted on in St. Louis next summer. A Fellowship Barbecue provided by the church board will follow the Sunday Service.September 25 - To be announced
October 2, 2005 - The Spirit and Practice of Yoga - Juliet Smith
Juliet Smith is a Yoga instructor, a holistic health practitioner, and the founder of Your Body Works Inc. Her a program is on the benefits and practice of Yoga.October 9 - "What Opens Our Wings" - Rosalie C. F. Rippy
The title of this talk is in reference to a poem by the Sufi mystic poet Rumi. Ms. Rippy holds Bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from University of Iowa and a Masters of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. She presently works as Marketing and Communications Specialist for Cunningham Children's Home, a United Methodist child welfare organization serving children and youths with severe emotional and behavioral problems.October 16 - Kicking out the Devil - Rev. Ron Green
If God is Dead what about the Devil? Is the Devil a Supernatural Power that opposes the will of Good God, or is the Devil a darker side of our "Good" selves, or is the Devil God's messenger, blocking us from moving in dangerous directions?October 23 - Spiritual Journey - Rod Walkley
Rod Walkley will talk about his own personal spiritual journey.October 30 - Living With Frustration - Rev. Ron Green
Just what is frustration all about? Roadblocks to our path present themselves daily. How do we deal with them?November 6, 2005 - The Senseless Desire to Acquire - Rev. Ron Green
We all know we have too much stuff. Let's look at the cost of all this stuff we are collecting. It costs us psychic energy, home heating and cooling energy, and physical energy. Come on let's get serious about our STUFF.November 13, 2005 - Guest At Our Table - Cathy Null
This service is about our annual Thanksgiving fund-raising project for the needy.November 20, 2005 - Why Are We So Busy? - Rev. Ron Green
Well why are we ? Does it help us feel better about ourselves? Does it mask some inner pain? Come on. Lets talk about it.November 27, 2005 - Three Arguments for God - Bob Zellman
Bob Zellman is Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Spoon River College.