Programs for the Year 2008
January 6: Life Before the Gods - Rev. Ron Green
The development of the religions and Gods we know came just last night, relatively speaking. Long before the Gods humans and animals were learning how to live ethically, fairly and, at times when needed, selflessly and with self-sacrifice. I’m going to share some stories from animal life that we would do well to emulate ourselves.January 13: PROGRAM TBA
January 20: Everything I Ever Needed to Know in Life I Learned from My Cat - Rev. Ron Green
Remember when that baby fell into the gorilla enclosure at the zoo, and the mother gorilla, with her own baby under one arm, picked up the human baby and took it to the door of her cage, for the zoo-keepers to get? Come for more endearing, and some not-so-endearing stories of how “human” animals can be, and an interesting comment from a primatologist about people’s reaction to that loving act.January 27: Buddhist meditation - Dr. Win Thwe
February 3: Love and Grieving in the Animals - Rev. Ron Green
There are so many examples of love and grieving in the animal world that it is hard to claim that we are alone with our emotions. There are stories that we can learn from as we chart our own course through life. The many stories of animal love, care and grief contradict the concept of original sin. We are born into a world of beings that knows how to love and grieve. We share that space with them.February 10: Peace Building-A Spiritual Discipline - our Peace Group
February 17th: The Ancient Roots of Empathy and Compassion - Rev. Ron Green
A hippo rescues an antelope from the jaws of a crocodile, and then resuscitates it with warm breaths. A dachshund and an Australian cattle dog keep warm and alive a mentally disabled boy who becomes lost in the woods for three bone-chilling days. We reach out when we see a need, and when we do we join the animals in showing love and respect for all the life around us.February 24: Stephen Cary: the Intrepid Quaker - Rosa Julstrom
March 2: The Happiness Goal - Rev. Ron Green
We all wish to pursue happiness and joy. But, just how do we do that? And why? Why are the Danes considered the happiest people in the world? March 9: Forgiveness - Jeannie and Dan WoodsMarch 16: The Gods of Canaan. - Rev. Ron Green
We’ve looked, previously, at the celebrations that pre-dated our celebration of Christmas (Winter Solstice) and Easter (Equinox), Today let's look at the gods that predated and helped to form Yahweh.March 23: Handel and the Exodus - Harold Schmalfeld.
A comparison of the Biblical account with Handel’s oratorio “Israel in Egypt”.March 30: To Be Announced
April 6: Atonement - A UU perspective - Rev. Ron Green
One of the early defining features of the Universalist movement was its understanding of The Atonement. The Universalist view was that Atonement is something done, not by Jesus, buy by every individual who wants to be reconciled either to people or to God. UU Christians still hold strongly to this view. As guilt is a real factor in every person’s life, it behooves us to know a path to reconciliation that fits with who we are and in how we see ourselves relationship to those around us.April 13: The Post-Industrial Farm - John Curtis
April 20: Living without salvation - Rev. Ron Green
April 27: Jens Jensen and the Spirit of the Landscape - Mari Loehrlein
Our summer series this year was presented by Harold Schmalfeld, and was dedicated to music and its relation to religion.
August 31: Water Ceremony - Rev. Ron Green
Bring a little water from your summer travels for the ceremony. Even if you spent your summer in Macomb come and share stories of your summer adventures. Rev. Ron will conduct the service and the children will remain with us in the service.September 7: The Islanos of New Orleans - Bertin B. Estavez Jr. and Dorothy Benge
Bertin B. Estavez Jr. Mr. Estavez is an recent evacuee from New Orleans and soon will be traveling back to the city now that the hurricane emergency is over. He and his friend Dorothy Benge have written a skit about the history of the Islanos people and their immigration to New Orleans. They will perform this for our service.September 14: Ralph Waldo Emerson - Tom Joswick
Dr. Joswick is a Professor Emeritus of WIU.September 21st: Why I Come To Church - Reverend Ron Green
What is it that draws us here, Sunday after Sunday? To be encouraged and sustained as we seek to live our highest and best life, is an answer many of us might give. To know others and be known by others that share my values, is also important. What is it that draws you here?September 28: Emerson’s Challenge - Brian Powell
Dr. Powell is a member of the faculty of the WIU Department of Philosophy and Religion.October 5, 2008: Emerson's Unitarianism - Rev. Ron Green
What key elements of our Unitarian principles are evident in the preaching of Ralph Waldo Emerson? All of Emerson's sermons that are in print can be found online at http://www.emersonsermons.com/rwe.html. His sermons read like a primer on living the life of a Unitarian. This Sunday I will cover some of the highlights of Emerson's teachings, which are contained in his sermons.October 12: The Ethics of Jesus-a Guide for his Non-Christian Admirers - Betsey Perabo
Dr. Betsey Perabo is a member of the faculty of the WIU Department of Philosophy and ReligionOctober 19: Packing Your Bag For The Spiritual Journey - Rev Ron Green
Life is a minefield of surprises and challenges. To journey on through this life successfully we need to learn and use skills which will help us to grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. We also need to develop a right attitude and reaction to circumstances that could cause us to become sidetracked or derailed, thus slowing or completely stopping our growth. Today's program will include tips for making your journey the best it can be.October 26: Campaigns and Elections - Janna Dietz
Dr. Janna Dietz is a member of the faculty of the WIU Department of Political ScienceNovember 2: Focus on Beacon Press - Rev. Ron Green
The Beacon Press is our UU publishing house, celebrating over 150 years of liberal press. Ron will review their history and current authors.November 9: Eco-Feminism - Heather McIlvaine-Newsad
Dr. McIlvaine-Newsad is a member of the faculty of the WIU Sociology Department.November 16: Rewriting our Principals and Purposes - Rev. Ron Green
The UUA Commission on Appraisal is proposing changes to our foundational statement, the UU Principles and Purposes. This morning we will review the proposed changes.November 23: Crazy For God - Harold Schmalfeld
Crazy For God, by Frank Schaeffer, is about a man who was an evangelic preacher and finally left the fold. Harold will talk to us about this book.November 30: A Christmas Memory - Dan and Jeannie Woods
Dan and Jeannie will again read A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. It is warm story about getting ready for the holiday season.December 7: Living The Question - Rev. Ron Green
Having discarded the need for a religious answer to the meaning of life, we UU's stride on knowing that there is always an unanswered part to our understanding of things. How does this affect us? How does it define us?December 14: Some Versions of God - Bryant Keeling
Dr. Keeling is professor emeritus WIU Department of Philosophy and Religious StudiesDecember 21: The Faith of a UU - Rev. Ron Green
How does a UU, who has no credo, no dogma, live? An extension of the 'Living the Question' program, we will explore those things we do hold fast to, that are guides and beacons, even points of faith in our lives.December 24th Christmas Eve Candle Light Service 7:00 P.M. at the Fellowship
We will join together with Rev. Ron Green for our traditional service of carols and candles and to wish each other a Merry Christmas.December 28: Why I became a UU
Various members will recount how they came to be a Unitarian Universalist.