Programs for the Year 2006
January 7 - Time to Forgive Even If You Can't Forget - Rev. Ron Green
I enjoy the church signs that say: "Forgive your Enemies. It Will Drive Them Crazy." What a great concept: Forgiveness and Revenge in one stroke. The odds are, however, we won't get that satisfaction. If we want any peace of mind, if we want to release ourselves from reliving some hurtful past over and over, we have to settle for forgiveness without the satisfaction of revenge. Can we start our year that way?January 14 - Global Warming and the Cellulosic Ethanol Revolution - David Soule
January 21 - Commission on Appraisal Report - Rev. Ron Green
We UU are theologically diverse. The Commission on Appraisal has suggested that we take theology seriously, develop theologically welcoming expressions of worship, and make our congregations theologically safe places.January 28 - Rescuing the Frog (or leaping into the 21st century with global warming at our heels) - Sandy Hohmbreker
February 4 - Darwin Day, or, Evolution Sunday - Rev. Ron Green
On February 11 congregations from all over the country will gather to discuss the compatibility of religion and science. For far too long, strident voices have claimed that we must choose between religion and science. More than 10,000 Christian clergy have signed The Clergy Letter demonstrating that this is a false dichotomy. Now, on the 198th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, many of these leaders will bring this message to their congregations through sermons and discussion groups. Together, they will be making the statement that religion and science are not adversaries. Our own celebration is one week early.February 11 - William Grant Still, Dean of African American Composers. A Voice High Sounding. - Rosa Julstrom
Have you ever felt discrimination? Class? Color? Gender? Size? Age? Nerd? Outsider? Any of the above? Maybe it is universal, not just you or me!February 18 - Tantra - Rev. Ron Green
“Tantra is that Asian body of beliefs and practices which, working from the principle that the universe we experience is... the concrete manifestation of the divine energy of the Godhead..., seeks to ritually appropriate and channel that energy, within the human microcosm, in creative and emancipatory ways.” (Excerpted from Tantra in Practice by David Gordon White.)February 25 - Scott Joplin-a Biography - Harold Schmaldfeld
March 4 - A Morning with May Sarton: Readings and Reflections - Rev. Ron Green
May Sarton's work "is a chosen art beholden to stillness and its plenitude" ... her poems and journals are steeped in subtle lessons of patience, fearlessness and conscience. Sarton's intrepid gift has always been to secure for us the infinite contained in the small and unnoticed.... Above all else, hers is an enlightening art that cannot lead astray. (Excerpted from a review by J. Johnson)March 11 - The Life and Voice of Beverly Sills - Rev. Ron Green
Beverly Sills was perhaps the best-known American opera singer in the 1960s and 1970s. She was famous for her performances in coloratura soprano roles in operas around the world and on recordings. After retiring in 1980, she became the general manager of the New York City Opera. In 1994, she became the Chairman of Lincoln Center and then, in 2002, of the Metropolitan Opera. She will be inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2007.March 18 - Scott Joplin-A Biography - Harold Schmalfeld
March 25 - Why Should I Care: Darfur and Other People of Concern - Rev. Alice Davenport
This is Social Justice Sunday.April 1 2007 - Poetry Sunday - Rev. Ron Green
April is National Poetry month, as acclaimed by the National Academy of Poets in 1996. Come and help us celebrate this powerful art form, and the arrival of spring!April 8, 2007 - Sam Harris and the “new” Atheists - Bob Zellman
There will be an Easter Party Egg Hunt for the children in Religious Education.April 15, 2007 - No Easy Providence: On Sin. The Cross and Easter - Amy Carr
Amy Carr is on the faculty of the Western Illinois University Department of Philosophy and Religious StudiesApril 22, 2007 - Bill Moyers, Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth - Rev. Ron Green
Excerpts from the book The Power of Myth that followed the popular PBS program by the same name will be discussed. This series presented Campbell’s ideas concerning mythological, religious, and psychological archetypes Joseph Campbell grew in popularity following this program.. He died at the age of 83 on October 31, 1987, at his home in Honolulu, Hawaii, shortly after completing filming.the series.April 29 2007 - The Web of Life-A Peace Corps Volunteer’s Experience in Zambia - Christina Davis
May 6 - Human Trafficking /Modern Day Slavery - Rev. Ron Green
This sermon is drawn from the UN Conference Ron took the youth to. This will also be new member recognition Sunday.May 13th - Religious Education Service
Our children, youth and RE teachers will present a program about their church year.May 20th - Peace and Values - Larry Rawlins
May 27th - Flower Ceremony - Rev. Ron Green
This is our traditional end-of-the-year Flower Ceremony and Potluck. This will be held at the Fellowship this year. Please bring flowers to be shared.There was not a summer program series this year. The church year ended in May, and church resumed in late August.
August 26 - Water Service
Bring water from where you might have been this summer (or not). Children are welcome at the Water Service.September 2 - Sixteen Tons: In Honor of Labor - Jill Miller and Dana Perry
This is the first day of Sunday school classes.September 9 - A Concert of Selected Songs - Jill Miller and Dana Perry
September 16 - The UU Association Congregational Study Action Issue: Peacemaking - Rev. Ron Green
September 23 - Speaking Peace-Non-Violent Communication - Cher Hamilton
September 30 - Art in Response to War - Marc Nelson
A Peacemaking Concepts and Definitions Session will be led by Phyllis Rippey before the service, at 9-10:15 AM.October 7 - How to Worry Creatively - Rev. Ron Green
We all worry at times; therefore we all should have a strategy for using worry as a creative problem-solving tool. We will look at some practical techniques we can use for making worry work for us rather than against us.October 14 - Soren Kierkegaard - Brian Powell
October 21 - The Search for Significance - Rev. Ron Green
We all want to matter to someone or something, somehow. The search to be significant is important to coming to terms with life. As we make our place and define ourselves by what we give back to life, we grow more at peace. This is part of our search for truth and meaning.October 28 - Theory of Mothers and Peace Making - Polly Radosh
November 4 - Eight Common Elements Of Our "Human Struggle" - Rev. Ron Green
Though we feel like no one is living our life except ourselves, we face challenges everyday and throughout our lives that have much in common with others. Wrestling with these Challenges, as Jacob did at Jabbok, leads to growth and positive change. Come on the 4th for a discussion on how our struggles lead to spiritual growth.November 11 - Juedo-Christian Laws Concerning Homosexuality - Dr. Igolima Amachree
Dr. Amachree is a professor in the WIU Department of Sociology.November 18 - The Gift that Gratitude Gives - Rev. Ron Green
Robert Lintner said, "Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day." The single most important reason to remember this is that gratitude brings gifts far beyond the single object or event being appreciated at the moment. As one cultivates a garden, gratitude is a skill that can, and needs, to be cultivated.November 25 - "My Most Memorable Thanksgiving" - Pamela and Earl Godt
We invite you to join in sharing memories……December 2 - Ancient Wisdom For Our Time: The Analects of Confucius - Rev. Ron Green
Though some of his thoughts are very conservative, there is much to be gained by studying Confucius. Scholar Yu Dan has sparked a revival of popular interest in him by publishing Insights on the Analects Come share the thoughts of Confucius and learn their relevancy for our time.December 9 - "A Christmas Memory" - Jeannie and Dan Woods
Jeannie and Dan will present a reading of a wonderful short story by Truman Capote about his youth in the rural South during the Depression. Capote recalls when he was 10 years old, living with a slightly dotty but loving "cousin," and "it was fruitcake weather." The baking of 30 cakes and the other rituals of Christmas time are painted with nostalgic strokes. The poverty of the 1930s fails to stop a loving relationship at a loving time of the year.December 16 - From Darkness to Light: Winter Solstice - Rev. Ron Green
We honor and encourage the turning of the Wheel once again. As our days this Fall have turned to more darkness, so will they now begin a journey toward the light. We join in a celebration that has for ages danced and sang to encourage the return of the light. No fires and alas, no dancing, but still we gather to acknowledge the wondrous Wheel of Seasons and to honor its place in our life.December 23 - Holiday Program with Choirs
Come to our seasonal celebration and hear the choirs and sing songs of Christmas.