Sunday Services: 1999 |
| December 26 (10:30 a.m. service only!) Morton Nadler, Fellowship member and Minister, Humanist Society of Friends: The Roman God Janus was two-faced. The head on the great seal of Morton's alma mater, CCNY, had three faces, corresponding to the school motto: respice, adspice, prospice. In English, it sounds like re-spice, ad-spice, pro-spice (“spice” as in Texas Pete) and freely translated, we can say: “look to the past, look to the present, look to the future.” At this end of the year, for all but purists the end of a century, and of a millennium, we have the duty to do just that. (That's a tall order, but Morton does not shrink from tall orders.) There will be no RE classes, but childcare will be available. |
March 5 (both services), “Christiansburg Institute: Voices from the Community.” Marcy Schnitzer, Virginia Tech's Asst. Director of Tech's Service Learning Center, which has a partnership with the CI, and Elaine Carter, doctoral student and Christiansburg Institute alumnus (class of 1948), who talked at a 9:00 a.m. service in October about the history of the Christiansburg Institute, are returning. This program will emphasize “our desire to involve citizens in the redevelopment of the Institute. We will discuss projects and needs in which people can become involved.” They have agreed to stay and continue this discussion over lunch.
March 12 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “UU Women of the Wild, Wild West.” When the West was being settled, Unitarian congregations sprung up in wild and wooly towns of Ohio and Wisconsin. It was the women ministers who braved the rigors of western life and carried the message of liberal religion to the frontier. Rev. Brownlie will tell their story.
March 19 (both services), Karen Eriksen, member and a professor of counseling at Radford University, “Accountability and Interdependence over Independence in the Church.” Karen goes on to say about herself that she is “a recovered fundamentalist, a committed Christian with experiences in a socially active and interpersonally and spiritually accountable church.”
At the 10:30 service, Karen and Garrett Mcauliffe will perform “River” by Bill Staines and one Irish song.
March 26 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Religion in an Age of Disbelief.” We live in interesting times. The discoveries of science and the developments of technology are challenging the foundations of traditional religion. Yet all over the world, fundamentalism and new religions are both on the rise. What is the place of religion in our scientific, post-modern time?
April 2 (both services -- Times are Daylight Savings Time!), Rev. Robert Hughes: “Meditation and Movement.” Drawing on Tai Chi as an “embodiment” of Taoism, this sermon explores intentionality and awareness as essential to ongoing spiritual growth. Rev. Hughes is the minister of the UU Church of the Shenandoah Valley, near Winchester, Virginia. He is a student of Tai Chi and authored a chapter on movement and meditation in Everyday Spiritual Practice, edited by Rev. Scott Alexander.
April 9 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Fools and Money.” April 15th is drawing close and money is on our minds. For many of us, the topic of money is painfully difficult. For me, this difficulty keeps me from utilizing this resource as effectively as I might for my own life and to benefit others. I'd like to talk about our challenges and some ways we might get a handle on this topic.
Special Music: Liz Austin (cello) and Goldie Terrell (flute)
will play Bach at the 10:30 service.
April 16 (both services), Morton Nadler, member and Minister, Humanist Society of Friends, “The Evolutionary War.” Stephen Gould is almost as well known a science popularizer as was Carl Sagan. His theories of evolution are under attack from the right and from the left. What is the scoop on this? As usual, Morton tells all. Rev. Brownlie will lead us in a Child Dedication during the 10:30 a.m. service.
April 23 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: Easter Sunday “Being Born Again” Jesus often said that to enter the kingdom of God, we must be born again. To me, this is the essence of the Easter story. On this holy day, let's explore what it means.
The UUFNRV Choir will perform during the 10:30 a.m. service.
April 30, 9:00 service: Delegate Benny Keister (Radford, Pulaski County and part of Giles County), will share his impressions of successes and failures in the recently ended session of the General Assembly. Mixing healthy doses of determination, realism and humor, Delegate Keister will share anecdotes which characterized his experience as a freshman in Richmond.
10:30 a.m. service: YRUU Sunday. “Diversity:
a tapestry of tangents.”
This presentation will explore
their own experiences having a different orientation to life
than many of their peers. The service will include music,
story, poetry, and the famous rainstorm.
Congregational Meeting will start at 11:45 a.m. (see story below)
Rev. Dr. Barry Whittemore is a former memberMay 14 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Our Humanist Heritage.” In the early 1900's, humanism swept the Unitarian churches. Within a few years, Universalism had also felt the effects of this movement. What is humanism and what place does it have in a “religious” community?
of the UUFNRV and adjunct instructor at New River Community College. In his earlier life he earned degrees from both Virginia Tech and Radford, and more recently from Carnegie Mellon and M.Div., Duke. Currently, he is the minister of the Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Gray, Tennessee, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Catawba Valley in Hickory, North Carolina.
Rev. Kirk Ballin (May 28) was ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 1983. He has served in the Unitarian Church in Meadville, PA and most recently for 12 years at the UUCR in Roanoke. Presently he is the quarter-time minister for the Lynchburg, VA, church.
Kirk Ballin was unable to speak because of a family emergency. Fellowship member MK Johnson filled in for him giving a talk in the spirit of Memorial Day about vererans, war, peace, etc.
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June 4: 10:30 a.m. Service Only! We follow our annual tradition of closing our regular-year programs with a Flower Communion, where everyone brings a flower and takes a different one home. At this intergenerational service, we honor our Sunday School teachers, our Board members, and all who have contributed to the life of our community. At the service we will also recognize significant transitions in the lives of children and adults. If you have a child entering kindergarten, middle school, high school or college, please contact Kristine Reid. Adults who have marked a significant transition this year should contact Rev. Christine Brownlie. |
June 11: Bob Richards: “Growing up is hard to do. Is it worth it?” A reflection on the value of the child in all of us and the value of regression. Bob is a transition resource specialist with the Department of Rehabilitation Services working with students with disabilities and their preparation for the world of work. In his former life, he was a Lutheran minister for 20 years.
June 18: Korey Mercier and Jennifer Ramey, Fellowship members: “Summer Solstice.” Come experience a taste of the past! We will be performing a ritual to celebrate the Summer Solstice, based on the religions found in pre-christian Western Europe. Your participation would be greatly appreciated, but not required. Note: The service will be outside, which is just as well as the Elarth Hall floor will be drying from having been refinished June 12-14.
June 25: Erik Leveille, member of the UUFNRV and a violinist and violin teacher: “Where love is deep, much can be accomplished” -- the vision of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.
July 2: Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Right to Hate.” Over the last few years our society has become less tolerant of people who hate people of other races, religions, nationalities, ethnic groups, or sexual orientation. Some of these groups complain that they have the right to hate and this claim has been supported in the courts. Like most liberals, I find it very difficult to support this "right." I'll present a few ideas and I hope to have a lively discussion on this prickly topic.
July 9: Rev. David Herndon: “To Serve or to Discuss.” Uninformed efforts to make things better can sometimes actually make things worse. One the other hand, a person (or a congregation) can exhibit “paralysis by analysis.” Have you ever felt that you had to attend so many meetings that you couldn't get anything done? Some say that any strength overdone becomes a weakness. Can discussion ever become an impediment to a religiously guided life? If adequate discussion left no time or energy left for service, for example, would we say that there might be sometimes be such a thing as too much discussion? Rev. Herndon grew up here at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley in the late 1960's and early 1970's. He attended the College of William and Mary, majoring in physics. After attending graduate school in physics, he switched over to preparation for Unitarian Universalist ministry, attending Meadville/Lombard Theological School and the University of Chicago. Since 1990, he has been serving as minister with the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, PA. He is married and has two small daughters. Over the last three years, he has been pursuing a graduate degree in non-profit management at Carnegie-Mellon University.
July 16: Dr. Reginald Fuller, has a long career including appointments at Seabury Western, Union Theological, and Virginia Theological seminaries, and being a member of several commissions for translation of the New Testament, foremost Christologist. His topic will be “Current Ethical issues.”
July 23: Bo Chagnon, experienced speaker, workshop leader, writer and musician: “For Whom the Economy Tolls.” To hear the major media tell it, our economy is booming, good jobs are plentiful, and poverty is a personal option willfully chosen by lazy and irresponsible freeloaders. This dominant paradigm is promoted to justify economic trends which in the past few decades have produced obscene wealth for a few and impoverishment for many. Today, over 20% of America children are growing up in poverty - clearly an affront to UU principles of justice, equity, compassion, and inherent worth. In the service, a clarion call for action, Bo exposes the propaganda supporting oppression, challenges us to take an honest look at the deadly consequences of classism, and reminds us that the bell tolls for us all.
July 30: Patricia Lynn Reilly, a feminist theologian, author, and member of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, California: “Love of Self/Love of Other: The Essential Connection.” Her Virginia itinerary includes a July 21 appearance at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Roanoke, SUSSI, and our Fellowship.
WATER CEREMONY SERVICE: 10:30 A.M.
August 27, Water Ceremony: Our traditional first meeting of the “normal” year in which we bring real (or symbolic) water from our summer travels and share brief anecdotes about our summer experiences. This is an intergenerational service. Religious Education “open house” and registration will be the following Sunday, and RE classes will begin Sunday, September 10.
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September 3 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: "Work is Love Made Visible." In The Prophet, author and mystic Kahlil Gibran says that work is love made visible. Is that true and if so, what does our work say about our loves?
September 10 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: "Our Trinity." Historian Earl Morse Wilbur says that we Unitarian Universalists do indeed have a Trinity that provides a firm foundation for our beliefs, our worship, and our actions. Today I will reveal our UU trinity and examine how our trinity guides us.
September 17 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: "Will God Make a Difference in the Voting Booth?" Religion and Politics have been bedfellows for most of human history. The current race for president is heating up this love-hate relationship. It seems that no matter who is elected, God will be a player in American politics and our common life for the next few years. What might this mean for America and for Unitarian Universalists?
September 24 (both services), Tom Sherman,, Professor and Chair, Teaching and Learning Department, Virginia Tech and member of the Blacksburg Town Council: "Why public education in the United States is so terrible and will never get any better."
October 1 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “A religious response to the religious right.” Rev. Fred Phelps and his family had said they would come from Kansas to picket the funeral of Danny Overstreet. I want to speak to this abuse of religion.
October 8 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Solidarity Sunday.” On Friday, September 22, a man named Ronald Gay went to a Roanoke cafe, known to be a “safe” place for gay and straight people, with murder on his mind. He shot seven people, killing one man (Danny Overstreet). Today I want to examine the issue of hate in our society and invite you to stand in solidarity with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people as we affirm and promote the right of all people to live in peace and security.
October 15 (both services), Andy Morikawa, executive director for the Board of Community Foundation of the New River Valley, will talk about community building and reconciliation, about gardening and grandchildren. It will be about the teachers among us, about listening, and about prophetic voices speaking now in our community.
| During the second service, the UUFNRV Choir will perform, and Rev. Brownlie will lead us in Child Dedications for Katherine Anne McGuire, daughter of Molly and Brian McGuire and for Benjamin Jeffery Wynn, son of Tess and Jeff Wynn. |
October 22 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Joy of God.” Many of us are familiar with the Sufi poet, Rumi, and we love his ecstatic verses. Recently I was introduced to another poet of the same tradition, Hafiz, who is even more popular in Persia. I'd like to share some of his verse with you today.
October 29 (both services), Russell Gregory, Professor of Religious Studies at Radford University and many time visitor to our pulpit: “When Scripture Is Taken Seriously: The Dao De Jing's Resurrection.” Recently the Dao De Jing was (re-)fitted for parents. Why is this laudable?
November 5 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Spiritual Recovery.” Many of us like to describe ourselves as “recovering” Methodists, Lutherans, Catholics, or whatever our faith tradition was earlier in our lives. Even those of us who have never been involved in organized religion seem to operate under certain assumptions about religions based on what we've seen in movies or read in the paper. I hope that this sermon will help you on your path to total recovery.
| During the 10:30 service, we will welcome new members into the Fellowship, and the UUFNRV choir will perform ("Blessing" by Katie Moran Bart). Following the 10:30 service there will be a brief Informational Meeting, at which members of the Finance Committee will answer questions about the budget to be voted on at next Sunday’s Congregational Meeting. |
| Immediately following the second service, there will be a Congregational Meeting to vote on the six month Bridge Budget, approved at last month’s Congregational Meeting. If you are a member, please come or give your proxy to another member who is attending. (One member can hold only one proxy, but the President or Lisa Evanylo can take multiples in person or by mail at the Fellowship.). |
| November 26 (10:30 service only!), “How music can breathe life and passion into a service.” Garrett McAuillife & Karen Eriksen will provide some of the music, but promise to involve the Congregation . The service will be followed by a potluck brunch. Bring a favorite brunch dish to share buffet-style. RE classes will meet during the service. |
December 3 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “He Comes to Us As One Unknown.” Who was Jesus and what did he teach? This question has been asked by Christian and non-Christians for two thousand years. The most famous effort to search for the historic Jesus in our time is the work of the Jesus Seminar. This morning I'd like to share with you some of their insights about Jesus and his words.
Child Dedication: Halle and Lucas Keighton will be dedicated at the second service.
December 10 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Best Gift You Can Give Yourself.” While you're wondering what to get for all your friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbors, the kid's teachers, and even the dog, let me encourage you to give some thought to the best gift you can give yourself this holiday season.
December 17 9:00 Service, Our seafaring lawyer member, Richard Thomas, will speak on the Moral/Ethical problems posed by our archaic law system that is in discord with our evolving society.
10:30 Service, “Celebration of Light.” Through words and music, the Fellowship Youth Group invites you to join with them in an ecumenical celebration of the season.
During Children’s Time at the 10:30 service, we will have the Mitten Tree celebration.
December 24 (10:30 service only!), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Festivals of Light and Love.” This morning we'll share favorite stories, poems, and family traditions from Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule and Christmas. (No RE classes)
June 3 SINGLE SERVICE AT 10:30! “Flower Ceremony.” Today we celebrate our beloved community with our traditional ritual sometimes called "flower communion." We also honor the women and men who have served the congregation as teachers and YRUU advisors. Please remember to bring a flower for each member of your family who will participate in the flower ceremony.
Potluck Picnic follows the service.
June 10: Franklyn Moreno, a private consultant in Christiansburg and longtime friend of the Fellowship: Dedicated to End-of-Life Choice. Franklyn will address us about the memorial society movement, now called the Funeral Consumers Alliance (www.funerals.org). He is on the organizing committee (along with several Fellowship members) setting up the Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge. [Note: Franklyn’s wife, Bonnie, created the handsome stole our minister wears on ceremonial occasions.]
June 17: Rev. Christine Brownlie: Can UUs Agree to Take a Stand, and Will It Matter If We Do? Our annual General Assembly will convene next week. On the agenda for the first time in our history is a Statement of Conscience. We will also select a new study-action issue (five issues have been chosen, one will be selected). Hours are to be spent debating the merits of these issues, the language of the statements, and the inevitable amendments. This morning we'll look at the statement of conscience and the study-action issues and discuss what they might mean to us as a congregation. (For texts of these documents and more information go to socialwitness@uua.org)
June 24: Basil Gooden, Coordinator of Outreach and Community Relations for Virginia Tech and current President of the local branch of the NAACP: The Impractical Community. Recognizing that practicality is a valued element in any well functioning culture, what is the role of impracticality in our society? Does impracticality present problems to be solved or opportunities for us to develop?
July 1: Doris T. Zallen, Professor of Science and Technology Studies, Virginia Tech and Director, Choices and Challenges forum project: The Human Genome Project: Benefits, Burdens, and Obligations. The Human Genome Project is the international effort to map every human gene to its exact place on a chromosome and to decipher the chemical structure within each gene. She will be discussing the scientific findings of the Human Genome Project and their likely applications to health care as well as the ethical and social concerns that they raise.
July 8: Ruth Smith, Fellowship member: The Role of Possessions in Our Lives: Materialism or Meaning? Ruth will talk about our love-hate relationship with our possessions. On the hate side, we feel guilty that our consumption of material goods is environmentally irresponsible and possibly indicative of a character flaw. On the love side, possessions define who we are and constitute tangible links to our loved ones as well as a connection to our pasts.
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July 15: Morton Nadler, Fellowship member and Minister, Humanist Society of Friends, will speak
about being Born and B(red) in Brooklyn NY in the 20s and 30s. Morton, who
has just turned 80, actually remembers that exciting time. (Note: this is a change from the program listed in the newsletter.)
July 22: Rev. Gail Tapscott : Living the Passionate Life. Drawing on the work of philosopher Sam Keen and psychologist Brad Blanton, our speaker will help us examine some of the barriers to living passionately and suggest some ways to overcome these obstacles and live our lives as passionate cosmic lovers. Rev. Gail Tapscott is currently the settled minister in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Previously she was a consulting minister to several churches in Arizona. She has an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School and has completed training in spiritual psychology and creative work with the imagination, She spent many years working in the environmental movement as both a writer and fundraiser.
July 29: Dave Nachmanoff: To Make a Thing of Beauty. Combining songs and stories from his own experience, Dr. Dave Nachmanoff will explore the challenges and joys of a creativity-centered life. Whether you are a musician, visual artist, or a creative lawyer, plumber or caregiver, you will probably see a little of yourself in Dave's award-winning songs and interesting stories. “To make a thing of beauty, a single thing of beauty, a human thing of beauty - that would be enough.” Dave Nachmanoff is a nationally-touring singer/songwriter and recording artist based in Davis, CA. Last summer he was featured as one of the concert hour performers at SUUSI. With a Ph.D. in philosophy, Dave always finds interesting topics for his songs, but remains down-to-earth. He's appeared at folk festivals and concert halls, schools, churches and synagogues, and frequently leads workshops on song writing or guitar for people from ages five to ninety-five. His web site can be found at www.davenach.comm
August 5: Rev. Christine Brownlie: Never Call Them Jerks--learning to love difficult people. Can we really love alike when we don't all think alike? This morning we'll consider some ways that we can deepen our relationships without giving up our differences.
August 12: Prayer and Healing, a Scientific Validation of Religion? Fellowship member Glen Augustine will speak on recent scientific studies, and his own clinical experience regarding prayer and healing. Dr. Augustine is a chiropractor practicing in Blacksburg.
August 19: This morning's service is presented by your minister, delegates, and other members of the Fellowship who attended the Unitarian Universalist Association's General Assembly in Cleveland, Ohio at the end of June. More than a report, we hope to impart energy and enthusiasm to the challenge of translating what we learned into action at the local level. Presented by Rev. Chris Brownlie, Larry Landrum, Bob and Ethel Marie Underhill, Marilyn and Frank DuPont.
WATER CEREMONY SERVICE: 11 A.M.August 26, Ingathering: It has been our tradition to begin each fellowship year with a ritual of bringing water from our summer travels and to give a report of our adventures during the service. This year our ritual will follow the same format, but with a different emphasis. Please come ready to share a brief summary of where you spent you time. More importantly, please tell us (again, briefly) about a change, a revelation, a moment of healing that graced your family or you as an individual this summer. |
Sept. 2nd (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Passionate listening.” Listening seems to be a passive activity when in reality it calls for passion! What is passionate listening and what difference would it make in your life and relationships if you became a passionate listener?
Special Music: At the 11 a.m. service, Bob Underhill will sing "Sabbath Prayer" from Fiddler on the Roof.
Sept. 9th (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Eight Themes that Unite Us.” Many UUs are proud to say that we are a free, non-creedal faith. But it can be hard for us to name what it is that holds us together. Over the next few weeks, I'll present a series of sermons based on the themes that have been our foundation from the very beginning of our history as a religious movement.
Special Music: At the 11 a.m. service, Garrett McAullife will perform.
Sept. 16th (both services), Montgomery County Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Fred Morton, will speak on “Spiritual Dimensions of Leadership.” How can one balance ethics, spirituality, and leadership in a diverse
community? Who do we support? How can we listen and hear each other
effectively? What are the needs of all children? What is the TLC necessary
to meet these needs? Mr. Morton will share perspectives of one
superintendent as he works daily to respond to these key questions.
Special Music: At the 11 a.m. service, Amy Lythgoe will sing.
Sept. 23rd (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “What Do You Say After You Shake Hands With a Terrorist?” NOTE! Topic has been changed from that which is in the newsletter.
Special Music: At the 11 a.m. service, Goldie Terrell will perform.
Sept. 30th 9:30 a.m., David M. Moore will make his presentation rescheduled from July, “Ethical Concerns Associated with the Use of Human Subjects in Research.” Dr. Moore is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia/Maryland Regional School of Veterinary Medicine, as well as the Chair of the Virginia Tech Institutional Review Board for projects involving human subjects. Our speaker will provide some historical examples of inappropriate uses of human subjects in medical/clinical research and other research areas, and current concerns related to protection of human subjects in research.
11:00 a.m. , “The Baha'i Faith.” Baha'i members Howard and Ruth Leeb, and Dr. Suzanne Ament will present a program describing the Baha'i Faith, the second most widespread of the world's independent religions, established in 235 countries and territories throughout the world. Baha'i come from more than 2100 ethnic, racial, and tribal groups, and number some seven million world wide. At the heart of the Baha'i belief is the conviction that humanity is a single people with a common destiny. Howard Leeb is a retired Foreign Service Officer, and Ruth Fair Leeb is also retired. Dr. Ament is a professor of Russian History at Radford University, and will bring Quinny, her service dog and companion.
Special Music: At the 11 a.m. service, the UUFNRV choir will perform,
and the piece is "The Breath of All" words by Mary Grigolia
Oct. 7th (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Pink or Blue or Neither?” Today we will celebrate Solidarity Sunday, an opportunity for us to stand with those whose expression of gender identity is different from our own and possibly disturbing to us. The hope is that there be in all the churches of the land expressions of solidarity with our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters. One form of that expression is the simple wearing of rainbow ribbons. Our children will give you a ribbon during the service. Do wear it with pride!
Our Teacher Dedication: will be held during Children’s Time at both services.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Angela Clevenger, will sing
Oct. 14th (both services), Russell Gregory, Professor of Religion at Radford University: “Life goes on: Stories and Songs.”
RE Open House: immediately after both services
Oct. 21st, (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Divine Seed in Every Person.” When I was in seminary, I was often challenged to explain our UU ideal of "the inherent worth and dignity of every person. For obvious reasons I'm revisiting this idea and I'd like to share my thoughts about this idea which I named in a previous sermon as one of the eight themes of our way of the spirit.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: The UUFNRV Choir will sing.
Oct. 28th (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Belonging.”. Today we’ll look at what it means to be a member of a voluntary organization and how belonging benefits us and the Fellowship
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Laura Hernandez will sing
NOTE: First day of Eastern Standard Time — turn your clocks back one hour.
Nov. 4th (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “All Souls.” It seems fitting and right that we should set aside a time to reflect on the reality of death and to honor those we love who have died this past year. We will also honor those who lost their lives in the violence of September 11 and in the violence that continues. If you have someone you wish to remember, please bring a photo, a memento, or a candle to light in their memory.
New members will be formally welcomed during the 11 a.m. service.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Garrett McAuliffe will sing.
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Nov. 11th (both services), Morton Nadler, Fellowship member and Minister, Humanist Society of Friends: “Twenty Years in Twenty Minutes.” My life as a communist, from start to finish.
Nov. 18th (9:30 a.m.), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Who Are You Calling Post Modern?.” In an earlier sermon I used the term "post modern" to describe our religious movement. What in the world was I talking about?
(11:00 a.m.), Intergenerational Service: The children from our Religious Education Program will present a new play written by Doug Pendergrass. It's charming, it's fun, and it has an important message. After the service we will have a meeting with our Long-Range Planning Committee and Bob Rogers of Architectural Alternatives to discuss ideas for expanding our building and other options. Please see the article on page 2 of the November newsletter for details about the meeting and lunch.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: James Miley, piano.
Nov. 25th (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Genuine Joy.” As I write these words nearly a month away from this service, I'm aware that it's been difficult recently for me to find joy in life. Uncertainty and sadness seem to have a grip on me that I can't quite shake off. So as we prepare for the holiday season in an anxious time, how may we find genuine joy again?
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: David Klemperer, violin..
Dec. 2nd (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Ah Mystery! ” Mystery is one of the eight themes of our way of the spirit. How does a “rational religion” like ours make a claim for that which is beyond reason?
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: a trio consisting of Mary Houska, Susie Fry and Wayne Neu. They will sing Deck the Halls.
Dec. 9th (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Light One Candle, Hanukah is here!” We like to honor this festival of lights as a celebration of the right of freedom of religion. But there is much more to the story of the Maccabees and the King who didn't like them.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: a quartet consisting of Nancy Bodenhorn, Irene Lamb, Ethel-Marie Underhill, and Mike Lythgoe. Angels We Have Heard On High.
Dec. 16th (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Using Up the Leftovers.” My colleague, the Rev. Gordon B. McKeeman, says that making a life is akin to cooking with leftovers. Some of us cook with imagination, some with creativity, some merely resent the task. We all need a secret ingredient if the results are to be edible. I won't promise a surefire recipe for a gourmet life, but you might come away with a few ideas that will give your leftovers a new flavor.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: a quartet consisting of Nancy Simmons, Pat Traynor, Ethel-Marie Underhill, and Bob Underhill. My Master
Today, after the second service, we will decorate our tree, first with mittens, and then with ornaments we create. Please bring a dish to share for a potluck lunch.
Dec. 23rd (both services), “Celebrate the Season: Happy Solstice!” Winter is a time of going within; a time to hibernate; a time to nurture ideas, seeds, and spirit. Winter Solstice celebrates the hope of light returning to the earth. Our celebration will be led by Ethel-Marie, Angela, Amy, and Irene.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: a trio consisting of Nancy Simmons, Derry Hutt, and George Terrell. Silent Night
Dec. 30th (both services), Morton Nadler, Fellowship member and Minister, Humanist Society of Friends: “God's Fool: Mark Twain's dark side.” “If I'm a fool, I'm God's Fool,” wrote Mark Twain. The author of Tom Sawyer and The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County also wrote The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg. Less well known are The Mysterious Stranger and What is Man? Cynical and pessimistic, Samuel Clemens considered that the only way to be happy was to go mad.
There will be a combined RE class during the 11 a.m. service.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Laura Hernandez will sing.
All Special Music is accompanied by pianist Maria Rott.
Jan. 6 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “What Do You Call Your Monkey?” Many of us have made resolutions for the new year, and some of those resolutions may require us to face our addictions. I hope to take some of the shame out of this word and to encourage some dialogue about the many forms of addiction that we struggle with in a society that encourages addictive behaviors and attitude. Sunday-Service Cancellation Policy In case of snow or other inclement weather, listen to WVTF (FM: 89.1) which will air service-cancellation announcements. Also, check your e-mail, as an announcement will be sent if a decision has been made to cancel services or any other event — assuming, of course, that the phone and electric power are workings.
Mar. 3 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “How Poor are You? How Poor Should You Be?” In our society, poverty is shameful, a sign of weakness — even laziness. Is this view helpful, truthful, and does it lead us to good choices? April 7 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Mission Possible?” It's said that every organization needs a mission. If you were asked by someone to explain the mission of our Fellowship, could you do it? May 5 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “What I Want to Know Before I Go.” Death is the greatest mystery of life. Most people hold some fear about death, even if they do not believe in heaven or hell. I don’t have many answers about death, but I do know that there are some things that we can do to prepare ourselves and those we love to face the inevitable.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Bob Underhill will sing “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler On the Roof. Maria Rott will accompany him.
Jan. 13 (both services), Committee on Ministry: “Walking Together: The shared journey of congregation and minister.” The development of a formal covenant between a UU congregation and its minister is a critical part of developing a healthy and fruitful relationship. Developing a covenant allows us to acknowledge the shared hopes, needs, and aspirations that bind us together as a people of free faith. We will share some of the work that was done at the Covenanting Workshop in November to help us begin to formulate a covenant. We will review where we are in the process and describe several ways that everyone can get involved in completing this important step.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: A recording of the 170 voice GA Choir in which the Underhills sang, “The Storm Is Passing Over.”
Jan. 20 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Why Unitarian Universalism Must Change or Die.” Several years ago, Bishop John Shelby Spong published a book titled “Why Christianity Must Change or Die.” I suggest we liberals are also courting our own demise. What is potentially going to kill us, and what can we do about it?
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Maria Rott will play a selection of her choice.
Jan. 27 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Mutuality and Variety: How UUs walk together on different paths.” This is a continuation of the series Eight Themes That Bind Us. For the previous sermons in this series, see the web site or the rack outside the Minister’s Office.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: A quartet — Mary Houska, Nancy Norton, Nancy
Simmons and Goldie Terrell — will sing Tell Me Why. Maria will accompany them.
Feb. 3 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “One Hundred Years of Langston.” This year is the centenary of Langston Hughes’ birth. Poet, short story writer, playwright and courageous voice for the rights of people who had no rights, Hughes speaks to us still.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service:
Feb. 10 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Is Love all It’s Cracked Up to Be?” We live in a society that’s in love with love. Does our infatuation with this emotion help us be more loving? Or does it make true love more illusive?
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: The UUFNRV Choir will sing.
Feb. 17 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Eight Themes that Unite Us: engagement and standing against the negative.” This is another in an ongoing series that answers the question: “What binds us together as Unitarian Universalists?” Today we’ll dip into our history as a religious movement and look at some of our prophets and heroes.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Goldie Terrell and Maria Rott will play a flute/piano duet
Feb. 24 (both services), Larry Landrum: “Is Responsible Consumption Rational Economics?” At the last General Assembly, a “Statement of Conscience on Responsible Consumption” was adopted. Larry will present a modified version of his talk at one of the workshops prior to the vote. We are all for rational consumption, but are commonly advocated approaches really rational ways to fulfill our UU principle of “Respect for the interdependent web of existence.”
Larry Landrum is a long-time member of the Fellowship, and an economist with an almost worshipful attitude toward the power of well-designed market processes to promote human well-being and still protect the environment
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Ethel-Marie and Bob Underhill will sing "Do, Lord." (No accompaniment)
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Elisabeth Rott will play a piano selection
Mar. 10 (both services), Morton Nadler, Fellowship member and Minister, Humanist Society of Friends: “Science and Truth.” When I was an undergraduate, and the post Newtonian revolution was young, my professors used to say: “the photon is a particle on Tuesday-Thursday, a wave on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, and can't make up its mind on weekends.” We now understand these and other such phenomena much better — as long as we don't ask “what is it really?"” I'll be talking about this and closer-to-home questions such as why eggs and butter are unhealthy one week and recommended the next. Also to be addressed: what is the difference between scientific truth — if there be such — and religious truth?
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Bob Underhill will sing “Climb Any Mountain.”
Mar. 17 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie:
“Was St. Patrick an Ophidiophobe?” Did St. Patrick really kill
all the snakes in Ireland, or was he after something else?
Child Dedication: We will
dedicate Charlie Skutt during the second service.
Special
Music during the 11 a.m. service: The UUFNRV Choir will sing.
Fellowship-wide “Town Meeting” and potluck lunch will
follow the second service.
Mar. 24 (both services), Jo Evans, Fellowship member and a Legislative Aide for the Virginia House of Delegates for a total of 12 years, “In The Company of God and Republicans.” This will be an unabashedly biased account of action from the 2002 Virginia General Assembly session scheduled to adjourn March 9th. This year the legislature considered measures covering the posting of the 10 Commandments in schools and “In God We Trust” in public buildings, the rights of carrying concealed weapons in restaurants, linking draft registration with driving privileges, and a $3.8 billion budget deficit that eliminated raises for faculty, teachers, and state employees. .
Mar. 31 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Truth Shall Set You Free!” My favorite Jewish Rabbi is said to have made this statement. I wonder if that’s really true, since telling the truth led to his demise.
We will welcome new members during the second service
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Chris Brownlie, Nancy Norton, Susie Fry; “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.”
FIRST DAY OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
April 14 (both services), Russell Gregory, Professor of Religious Studies at Radford University and many-time visitor to our pulpit: “Jerry Lee Lewis Redux: A whole lotta trumping going on!”
April 21 (both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “When Inner Fires Smolder.” Sometimes the fires and anger can't be put out. What can we do about our personal “hot spots”?
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Wayne Neu will sing.
An informational meeting about the budget and by-laws revision will be held after the second service.
April 28 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “And Service is Our Prayer.” Today we will honor some of our outstanding volunteers for their service to the congregation.
During the second service, we will dedicate Seth Coates Boehringer, son of Louise Coats and Bob Boehringer. Seth's grandfather, the Rev. Walter Coates, will take part in this joyous occasion.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Jim Kern will play the guitar and sing.
The annual Congregational Meeting will follow the second service.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: The UUFNRV Choir: an arrangement of Kumbaya.
May 12 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “What Kind of Mother Is This?” It’s said that the image of the ideal mother in Western society come from the stories and images that surround the Virgin Mary. On this Mother’s Day we’ll look at another divine image of the mother from Hinduism, the dark goddess Kali.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Nancy Simmons, piano.
May 19 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Sacred Here and Now.” This is the last of the series on The Eight Themes that Unite Us. Unlike other religions that teach a dualistic understanding of life, we believe that the holy is found in everyday ordinary events and experiences of life — if only we have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: The children’s choir will sing. “All God’s Critters.” The choir will sing “Lord I Want to Be More Loving.”
Congregational Meeting: 12:15 p.m. to vote on the bylaws revision.
May 26 (Both services), Rev. Kirk Ballin: "Religion: Our Demise or Our Salvation?" As UUs we are probably more concerned about religion than any other religiously based community. But our reasons for this concern grow as much out of our distrust of religion as they do out of our cultivation of being religious. These same reasons for concern may determine the welfare of the unfolding world community. Rev. Ballin is a Unitarian Universalist minister who has served congregations in Meadville, Pennsylvania; Roanoke, Virginia; and Lynchburg, Virginia. Presently Rev. Ballin is the executive director of the Roanoke office of the National Conference for Community and Justice, a New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting understanding , tolerance and respect among communities.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: A quartet (Chris Brownlie, Rosemary Bazuzi, Goldie Terrell, Wayne Neu) will sing “Ave Verum” by W.A. Mozart.
June 2 & 9: Single Services at 9:30 a.m.
Intergenerational, so childcare, but no RE
June 2. Today we will celebrate our beloved community with our traditional ritual sometimes called “Flower Communion.” Please remember to bring a flower for each member of your family who will participate in the flower ceremony.
June 9. Teacher and Youth Advisor Recognition. During this annual tribute to those who have served the congregation during the past year in our children’s RE and youth programs, our children and youth will share their thoughts and feelings about their RE teachers and youth advisors
End-of-Year Picnic
The RE Committee is again sponsoring an End-of-Year Picnic. As in the past this year's picnic will be on Teacher and Youth Advisor Recognition Sunday — June 9th — after the service. The committee will provide hot dogs, burgers (ham and veggie) and buns plus condiments. The committee asks that others attending bring beverages (only lemonade will be provided), salads, vegetable dishes, desserts or whatever else they wish to bring
June 9. Teacher and Youth Advisor Recognition. During this annual tribute to those who have served the congregation during the past year in our children’s RE and youth programs, our children and youth will share their thoughts and feelings about their RE teachers and youth advisors.
June 16, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Are Fathers Necessary?” Now that single mothers are no longer scorned, and biotechnology has made in vitro fertilization available to many more women, are fathers important or even necessary?End-of-Year Picnic The RE Committee is again sponsoring an End-of-Year Picnic. As in the past this year's picnic will be held today (June 9) after the service. The committee will provide hot dogs, burgers (ham and veggie) and buns plus condiments. The committee asks that others attending bring beverages (only lemonade will be provided), salads, vegetable dishes, desserts or whatever else they wish to bring
August 25: “Gathering of the Waters”
We continue our tradition to celebrate the end of summer and beginning of the “normal” year with the ritual of bringing water to this service representing the places we've been and sharing (briefly) some most memorable incident of our summer. What moved you or made you look at your life from a new angle?
Special Music: Jeff Wynne, guitar.
This is an intergenerational service, so only nursery care will be provided.
September 1 (Both services), Morton Nadler, Fellowship member and Minister, Humanist Society of Friends: “With Strings Attached.” My mother didn't understand what it meant to give a present. She always tried to dictate how it was to be used, even to the point of sometimes wanting it back. What has this to do with anything?
Special Music during both services: Bob Underhill will sing “Sunrise, Sunset” accompanied by Maria Rott.
September 8 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Building Castles in the Air.” Henry David Thoreau wrote that we shouldn’t be afraid to build castles in the air, as long as we set a firm foundation under them. There are a lot of dreams for new castles in our Fellowship and today we’ll begin laying the foundations to make these dreams come true.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Goldie Terrell, instrumental
Everyone is invited to attend the Volunteer Fair that will be held between the services. First service folks should plan to stay a little late, second service folks should try to arrive by 10:40.
September 15 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “In the Beginning.” This is the first in a series about ways to think about the concept of God. Whether we believe in a supernatural being or not, all of us have thoughts and ideas about God and today we’ll talk about the God of the Judeao-Christian heritage. There will be a discussion group beginning at 12:30 p.m. for those who would like to pursue this topic further. Childcare will be provided.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Maria Rott, piano
September 22 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” Covenant Groups and other forms of small group ministry are a hot topic in denominations and congregations all over the country. How do small group experiences enrich our lives and strengthen the congregation? Is there a small group in your future?
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: The UUFNRV choir will sing “Celebrate Diversity” by Grace Lewis-McLaren
September 29 (Both services): “From Fundamentalism to Freedom.” Guest speaker Marc Adams will share his journey from being a fundamentalist Baptist preacher's son to his time as a student and employee of Jerry Falwell's university. In his presentation he will share his story of coming out, and of coming out of fundamentalism and how he became a Unitarian Universalist. Marc is from Seattle and the author of several books which will be made available for sale after each service. He and his partner Todd founded the Heartstrong Organization (<www.heartstrong.org>) which is sponsored at General Assembly each year by the UU Office of Gay and Lesbian Concerns.
Special Music during the 11 a.m. service: Small group vocal ensemble
Town Meeting: following the second service led by the Long-Range Planning committee to review the common threads from the summer’s Values meetings.
October 6 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Our Favorite Saint.” Francis of Assisi is probably the number one saint for UUs who tend to see him as a sweet and gentle soul who loved animals and taught the idea of peace to a volatile society. I’d like to expand your ideas of this complex man and take his image beyond the garden statue that most of us know.
Special Music during both services: Emily Pfeiffer (piano).
October 13 (9:30 Service), “Living our UU Values the Rest of the Week.” Those of us who work in an environment where we may find possibilities for acting on our Unitarian Universalist values and principles can count ourselves among the fortunate. Join us to hear from several from among us who find these possibilities in their own workplace. In addition, entertain the likelihood that you do so without even being aware of it, and share your thoughts during the Discussion.
(11:00 Service), “Getting to Know Us.” Ever wonder who the YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) are? Who advice them? What the youth do for the Fellowship and the community? What they do at their Sunday evening meetings? What they wish, hope, and dream? And, what is it like to stand beside them holding all that they are, as advisors? If so, join us and find out. Irene Lamb and John Imbur will introduce you to YRUU, and the youth will share themselves and a story for all ages during the service.
Special Music during both services: Maria Rott (piano).
A special collection will be received during both services to support the UUA initiative “Mind The Gap.” Money from this fund will provide grants for congregations that offer new and innovative programs for youth and young adults
October 20 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Thinking about God: the ‘A’ List.” Many of the traditional ideas about the nature of God come from men who lived during the first millennium after Jesus’s death. This Sunday we’ll take a quick tour of some of the most important theologians of that era with an emphasis on those whose names begin with the letter A: Anselm, Arius, Athanasius, and Augustine — we will get to Aquinas next month. (This is the second sermon in a year long series on ways of thinking about God.)
Special Music during both services: Bob Underhill will sing.
October 27 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “A Wilderness Called Fear. Has Life Become Too Spooky?” Are you feeling haunted by the endless scary news of kidnappings, random violence, and other bad things that go bump in your head? How do we deal with the anxiety we feel after an hour with Dan Rather and still keep in touch with the world?
Special Music during both services: The UUFNRV choir will sing.
November 3 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Precious Memories.” On this Sunday we will honor those beloved family members, friends, colleagues and companions who have died. If you wish, you may bring a photo or a small token to represent your loved one and we will display them at the front of the room.
Special Music during both services: Sextet (vocals): Mary Houska, Christina Mathai, Rosemary Bazuzi, Goldie Terrell, George Terrell, Wayne Neu.
November 10 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “You Know You’re a Unitarian Universalist If ...” We like to say that lots of people are UUs but they just don’t know it. How do you know if you or someone else is a UU?
Welcoming New Members at the 11 a.m. service.
Special Music: Laura Hernandez (vocal).
Fun & Frolic Lunch at the India Garden, following the second service.
November 17 (Both services), Russell Gregory, Professor of Religion at Radford University and many time visitor to our pulpit: “The Open Canon: Finding Truth in Texts and Contexts.”
Special Music during both services: provided by Russell Gregory.
November 24 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Fruits of a Grateful Heart.” Our busy lives and our troubled times can blind us to the bounty that we enjoy. Join us for an intergenerational service that will offer an opportunity to count our blessings. We will also take time to affirm the congregation’s long awaited covenant with our minister and rejoice with her in receiving Final Fellowship this past year.
Special Music during both services: UUFNRV Choir
Lunch with Russell: after the second service.
December 1 (Both services), Rev. Christine
Brownlie: “The Heart of Islam.” As the Islamic world prepares
for the end of Ramadan, we will look as some of the teachings and beliefs
of this growing and complex religion.
Special Music during both
services: Sextet (Mary Houska, Chris Brownlie, Nancy Norton,
Ethel-Marie Underhill, Wayne Neu, Bob Underhill) singing “O Come, O
Come Emmanuel”
December 8 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Can
Peace Come to Palestine?” The violence between the Palestinians and
the Jews continues despite many efforts to find solutions to the many
issues that divide these two peoples. As the attention of the world is
focused on Middle East, Georgia Pfieffer and Rev. Brownlie will offer some
thoughts about this tragic and complicated problem.
Special
Music: Elaine Meyers will play her hammer dulcimer for us.
December 15 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Oh
There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays!” It’s been my
tradition to offer a look at some of the concepts from family systems
theory as we all get ready to spend a few days with the folks we grew up
with. This Sunday we’ll look at some of the buttons that get pushed
and how to keep from pushing and getting pushed.
Special Music
during both services:: UUFNRV Choir.
Please bring mittens and hats for our tree and plan to stay a while
after the second service for a sandwich potluck and creating decorations
for our holiday tree.
December 22 (Both services),
“Sharing Our Holiday Treasures.” Some of the best gifts we
receive during the holidays are the stories and memories that are created
with the people we grew up with. Happy, bittersweet, or tinged with anger,
these gems offer us wisdom and self-understanding. This morning members of
our congregation will share some of their treasured stories, memories, and
a song or two. If you don’t wish to share a memory, perhaps
you’d like to bring some cookies.
Special Music during both
services: Johanna Jones will play the piano and sing "Sun
Carol."
December 29 (Both
services), Morton Nadler, Fellowship member: “Eleven years
behind the Iron Curtain.” Morton continues the presentation of his
life story. In 1948 he fled the blacklist and went to Prague, where a
communist putsch had just taken place. The story of how the United States
government, on the one hand, and the Czechoslovak government, on the
other, reacted to this would make a great movie.
Special Music during both
services: Maria Rott will play the piano.
January 12 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “What Do I Mean When I Say ‘Liberal’?” We all know that words have power and the word “liberal” is one of the most powerful words in the American lexicon. Some see this it as a fence, dividing communities into groups that are inherently conflicted. Others see it as descriptive, a proud badge of identity. What does liberal mean to you and are we a “liberal” congregation?
Special Music during both services: Sextet (Mary Houska, Christina Mathai, Nancy Norton, Polly Stimson, Wayne Neu, and George Terrell).
Guest At Your Table contributions will be collected during the services. Please give checks, not cash.
January 19 (Both services), Martha Snidow, Volunteer Coordinator for Court Appointed Special Advocate s of the New River Valley: “Who Will Speak For This Child?” CASA is a non-profit organization that trains volunteers who are committed to advocating for abused and neglected children who are involved in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court proceedings. Martha will share some of their stories and explain the role of this important community organization.
Special Music during both services: UUFNRV Choir.
January 26 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “World Religions Day.” The Bahai’s will celebrate World Religions Day today. Let's join in the fun and learn something about that faith and what we could do to honor the religions of the world more intentionally.
Special Music during both services: Jeff Wynn will play guitar and sing.
March 2 (Both services), Rem Stokes: "Spiritual Growth and Generosity." Rem Stokes is a member of the UUA President's Council, a member of the Board of Directors, Meadville Lombard Theological Seminary, and a financial consultant to the Central-Midwest District.
Special Music during both services: Emily Pfeiffer, piano
March 9 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “God Exists and I can Prove It!” Thomas of Aquinas offered five arguments for the existence of God and others have followed the path of reason and logic to prove the reality of the divine. How successful is this method? (This is the third sermon in a series about ways to think about the concept of God.)
Special Music during both services: UUFNRV Choir
March 16 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The ‘F’ Word: Some thoughts on Faith.” For UUs the word faith is often the opposite of reason. Is this an accurate understanding of this word, or does faith have a place in our way of the spirit?
Special Music during both services: Vocal Quartet (Mary Houska, Ethel-Marie Underhill, Bob Underhill, Wayne Neu)
March 23 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: On Wednesday, March 29, Chris wrote, “Given the impending attack on Iraq, I've decided to change my sermon topic
for this coming Sunday to Waging Peace in a Time of War.”
Special Music during both services: Dan Spitzner and Gene Bard, classical guitar duet.
March 30 (Both services), Carter Turner, Fellowship member and a doctoral candidate in Religious and Theological studies in the joint program at the Iliff School of Theology and the University of Denver: “God the Verb: Creativity and the Source of Human Good.” Creativity is the tendency within the world for separate events to come together in ways that are mutually enhancing and sustaining. This is the process that turns acquaintances into lifelong friends, or newlyweds into soul mates. Theologian and Unitarian Universalist Henry Nelson Wieman (1884-1975) uses the term “God” to refer to this process. Wieman's God is not supernatural — the process occurs within the natural world. But humans can never fully control the creative event nor guarantee its outcome. What drives the creation of value is utterly mysterious.
Special Music during both services: Drumming Circle
Town Meeting: beginning at 12:15 p.m.
April 6 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: "Canvass Celebration: Facing the Future, Growing Our Vision.” Today we will celebrate the end of our canvass and look forward to the future that we have funded for Fellowship.
Special Music during both services: Jim Kern, guitar
Canvass Celebration Lunch: after the second service (See below.)
April 13 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Creation Theology.” This radical (some say heretical) school of theology celebrates creation as the original blessing, refutes the doctrine of original sin, and explores the feminine aspect of God.
Special Music during both services: Elaine Myers, hammered dulcimer
Child dedication: for Isabel Augustine, during the second service
Death and Taxes Ice Cream Social: after the second service
April 20 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “And the Angel Passed Over.” Many of us have a vague idea of the story of Passover and how this holiday is celebrated. On this Sunday we’ll hear the story, about some of the customs of the holiday, and about how this story has influenced radical Christian theology.
Special Music during both services: Goldie Terrell, flute
Informational Meeting about the budget and proposed changes in our name and our mission statement: after the second service.
April 27 (Both services), Jo Evans: " ‘Render unto Caesar. . . the Face on the Coin.” The topics are those of a bad novel — abortion, death taxes, fear, greed, teenage sex, guns and liquor — and with the confounding dialogue and immature cast it imitates a movie sketch, but instead it's a report from the 2003 session of the Virginia legislature. Jo Evans will discuss the actions of the General Assembly against questions about moral leadership, minority responsibility, and our allegiance to government. Jo Evans is a UUFNRV member and a life-long Unitarian. She has worked with the Virginia legislature for 15 years.
Special Music during both services: UUFNRV Choir sings “Let There Be Peace On Earth”
Annual Congregational Meeting: after the second service
May 4 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Who Were the Universalists?” When we began our preliminary discussions about changing our name, someone suggested that we drop “Universalist” since that branch of our history seems to be invisible. This morning I hope to put the contributions of the Universalists in perspective and to celebrate the heritage we have received from them.
Bridging Ceremony: held by the YRUU at the second service to honor our graduating seniors.
Special Music during both services: UU Drumming Circle.
RE Open House: after both services.
May 11 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Divine Feminine.” Most of us were raised with the image of a male god, but there are many who see God as Mother instead of Father. This is another in our series about ways to know and understand God.
Award Sunday: The Trustees will honor some of our hard-working volunteers.
Special Music during both services: Goldie Terrell and her friend Mike Schafale will play Goldie's hammer dulcimer/flute composition and a guitar/flute piece.
May 18 (Both services), Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Sing in the Morning, the Mist Will Hide You.” Gerry Anderson gave me a list of sermon titles and some hints about what he thought they meant. This one caught my fancy, because it seems to speak to our fear of allowing others to know us. I don’t know if that’s what Gerry had in mind, but it’s what I’d like to explore this morning.
We will welcome new members during the second service.
Special Music during both services: UUFNRV Choir sings “For the Beauty of the Earth.”
May 25 (Both services), M.K. Johnson: “Meaning and Suffering: making sense, making meaning, making life.” It is rare for us to get through life without experiencing adversity. Our perception of our suffering and its meaning in our life impacts the quality of our life and the lives of those with whom we are in relationships. Let's explore how we can maximize the potential for positive gain when life sometimes presents us with severe challenges. M.K. Johnson, Ph.D., is a UUFNRV member and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist.
Special Music during both services: Johanna Jones will play the piano and sing.
June 1 & 8: Single Services at 9:30 a.m.
Intergenerational, so childcare but no RE
June 1. Teacher and Youth-Advisor Recognition. This is our annual tribute to those who have served the congregation during the past year in our children’s RE and youth programs.
Special Music during the service: Jim Kern will play the guitar and sing.
The Religious Education Committee with the help of Hospitality is again sponsoring in conjunction with Teacher Recognition Day, the End-of-Year Picnic.
June 8. Today we will celebrate our beloved community with our traditional ritual sometimes called “Flower Communion,” a beloved end of the year ritual in many UU congregations. Everyone is asked to bring a flower for each member of the family. We will use the flowers to create a large and beautiful bouquet symbolizing the beauty of our own congregation. At the end of the service, everyone will take home a flower other than the one they brought as a reminder that even when we are away from one another, the connections remain
June 15, Rev. Paul Boothby, Interim minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley: “Reason and Emotion in Religion: What is the true touchstone of truth?”
June 22, Russell Gregory, Professor of Religion at Radford University and self-proclaimed ZenBuddhistDaoistJewishBaptistAgnosticStoryteller: “Losing Friends: Jiriki in Relationships.”
June 29, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Joy of Being a Cracked Pot.” There is an old story about a water carrier who owns two pots. One is sturdy and reliable; the other is cracked and leaky. As you might imagine, their lives are very different What kind of pot do you aspire to be?
(Starting July 1, our name will be
Unitarian Universalist Congregation.)
On July 20, the Rev. John A. Buehrens will be in our pulpit. Rev. Buehrens served as President, principal spokesman and minister-at-large of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations from 1993 to 2001. He was succeeded by Rev. William Sinkford, who was our pre-SUUSI guest speaker at this time last year.July 27, Rev. Christine Brownlie: What’s a nice Humanist, Buddhist, Atheist, Christian Jew, Pagan, Muslim, Agnostic Hindu (or “other”) like you doing in a place like this? What is it that brings us together in all our diversity week after week?
Born in 1947, Rev. Buehrens was raised largely in the Midwest. He received his B.A. summa cum laude from Harvard College in 1968, and completed his ministerial studies at Harvard Divinity School. He served as parish minister in Knoxville Tennessee (1973–1987). At the present time he serves First Parish in Needham, Massachusetts.
He is co-author (with F. Forrester Church) of Our Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism (Beacon Press, 1989), and has recently written a book: Understanding the Bible, An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers and Religious Liberals, also available through Beacon Press.
Rev. Buehrens has been married since 1972 to the Rev. Gwen Langdoc Buehrens, who is a parish priest in the Episcopal Church. They have two adult daughters, Erica and Mary.
Summer Special Music
In the past we have not had a pianist in the summer. This year we will try something new. We have several guitar players in our congregation. Some of them have agreed to play in pairs for some congregational singing. We will have some occasional special music and some support by one of our members who plays the piano, but, for the most part, we will give our other special music providers the summer off!
A Summer Invitation to all kids!
The Religious Education Committee will again offer a program during the Sunday Service of summer activities and lessons for those children who this past year were preschoolers through fifth graders. Classes will begin June 15 and will continue through August 24. It will be a great way for our children to interact with each other and get to know children of other ages.
We are looking for middle school through high school age kids to be Junior Assistants for the RE Summer Program. Contact Carol Kern if interested. We would like to have one or two Junior Assistants for each Sunday.<./p>
August 3, Ellen Birx, Ph.D., R.N., Radford University Nursing Professor and Zen Teacher: “Zen and the Art of Healing — Yourself and Others.”
Special Music: Bob and Ethel-Marie Underhill, piano and vocal
August 10, "A Message from Home: Report from the UUA General Assembly Session in Boston, historic birthplace of American Unitarianism and Universalism." Nancy Simmons and Bob Underhill, UUC Delegates to the 2003 General Assembly, will provide reflections on their experiences.
Special Music: Elaine Myers, hammered dulcimer
August 17, T’aiya Shiner, Director of the New River Valley Conflict Transformation Center and friend of the Congregation: “Raising Issues and Giving Personal Voice to Things That We Care About.” T’aiya will be the first in a series of guest presenters this year who will speak to the relationship and interaction of the individual with the larger group in our unique faith which not only values diverse voices but claims it as the cornerstone of its identity.
Special Music: Elaine Myers, piano
August 24, Rev. Christine Brownlie: In response to the recent election of an openly gay man as the Episcopal Bishop for New Hampshire and the questions some of you have asked about the Bible, I've decided to change my sermon topic for this Sunday to "What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?"
August 31, Ingathering Service. Please bring water to represent your travels, physical and spiritual this summer and give some thought to sharing an experience that brought you to a new place in your own heart and mind.
The Religious Education programs of summer activities and lessons during the Sunday Service will continue through August 24. These are for children who this past year were preschoolers through fifth graders. If there are any questions, please contact Carol K.
September 7, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Now!” Now, or the present moment, is all that we have, yet it’s the most difficult place to be. What’s the value of now and how can we learn to live in the moment when life is pulling us forwards and backwards all the time?
Special Music: Maria Rott, piano
September 14, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “It Deepens My Life and Restores My Soul.” These are the words that someone used to describe the value of her covenant group. What’s a covenant group and how you can get involved in this program? Come to the service and find out.
Special Music: Goldie Terrell, flute
September 21, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Isn’t It Enough to be Nice?” This morning is the kick-off service for the Welcoming Congregation program. This program asks us to do more than talk about our feelings and attitudes about those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. It opens us to ways that we can become true advocates in the effort to insure that these people are treated as equal citizens with equal rights. Find out how our congregation can become a truly Welcoming Congregation and how you can play a part in this important work
Special Music: Recording of 2001 GA Choir
September 28, Nancy Simmons, Emerson and Thoreau scholar and member of our UU Congregation: “Emerson Speaks to Theodore Parker's Congregation.”
Special Music: Bob Underhill, vocal
Open Meeting: (sponsored by the Vision Task Force) after second service (see below)
October 5, Rev. Christine Brownlie: 5 “Question Box Sermon.” This morning our minister will answer questions submitted to her by members and friends of the Congregation. The questions range from the personal to queries about spiritual trends within our Congregation and the larger movement to “big” questions about human freedom and God’s agency in our lives
Special Music: UUC Choir
Volunteer Fair: both between services and after the second service
October 12, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “The Most Difficult Person to Forgive.” Many of us struggle to forgive people in our lives who have caused us pain. For some of us though, the most difficult person to forgive is ourselves.
October 19 (9:30 a.m.), Rev. Jeanne Finley, Regional Development Coordinator for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. Rev. Finley does not have a specific title for her presentation, but she will speak about the organization and the work of bringing our beliefs into the public policy arena
(11:a.m.) Congressman Frederick (Rick) Boucher, Representative from the 9th District, “Real Patriots Oppose the Patriot Act.”
October 26, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Becoming an Empowered Congregation.” Today’s service will be a reflection and a wrap-up of the Social Justice workshop sponsored by our own Social Justice Committee. Workshop leaders Rev Cynthia Prescott and Tom Esch will be our speakers.
NOTE: Standard time starts today: Don’t be an hour early.
November 2, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “I Cannot Think of Them as Dead.” Our lives are deeply touched by our loved ones who are no longer alive, but who live in our memories and our hearts. Today we will honor our loved ones and celebrate their memory.
Special Music: UUC Choir, Leon Kok
November 9, Russell Gregory, Professor of Religion at Radford University and self-proclaimed ZenBuddhistDaoistJewishBaptistAgnosticStoryteller: “Beyond the Hero: A Book and Life Review.”
Welcoming Congregation Session: 1–3 p.m. (preceded by a light lunch).
November 16, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “It’s OK to be an ‘Inie.’” No, I’m not going to talk about bellybuttons. Instead, I’ll share the good news about the wonders of being an introvert and how “Inies” can celebrate their unique strengths.
We will be welcoming New Members during both services.
November 23, Intergenerational Service and Guest At Your Table Kick-off. This will be a service for all ages!
Teacher Dedication: During the 11:00 service.
November 30, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Our Pilgrim Heritage,” Most UUs don’t realize that we are heirs to the traditions and practices of the Pilgrims. What do we owe these courageous dissenters and what issues do we still struggle with today?
December 7, Ethel-Marie Underhill, member of the Congregation, will present, "Your Daughter's a WHAT?!", her 1999 General Assembly award winner for the best GLBT issues sermon. It focuses on what she has learned from her lesbian daughter about this world we all share.
Special Music: UUC Choir
December 14,. SERVICE SNOWED OUT. Rev. Christine Brownlie: “A Unitarian Christmas.” You might think of Charles Dickens story, A Christmas Carol, as a slightly maudlin tale for the holiday. It can also be read as a Unitarian parable about salvation. During both services we’ll put our mittens and hats on the tree. After the second service we’ll have a potluck and make simple ornaments to decorate the tree in a more traditional fashion.
Bring a Friend Sunday (both services). Almost 800,000 people in the U.S. identify themselves as Unitarian Universalists, but UU congregations claim a membership of only 125,000. Where are the 675,000? They are probably your neighbors and friends. This Sunday is the perfect time to invite them to join you for a Sunday service.. It is also our mitten tree service, so bring a friend and join in the holiday spirit.
Please make all our visitors and guests feel especially welcome on this Sunday.
December 21, “Kwanzaa Celebration.” Tonya Smith-Jackson and Curtis Jackson will lead us through a traditional Kwanzaa ritual. You are asked to bring a small simple home-made gift to share during the service. Here is a list of suggestions:
Bookmarks; note cards; hair ribbons; decorated T-shirts; apples, oranges, or lemons; studded with cloves; potpourri; jelly or jam; candy; cookies,; breads or muffins; pickles; kitchen towels; hot pads; small dolls or stuffed animals, mittens, or other small knitted items; cloth napkins; decorated wood or plastic boxes.
Kwanzaa colors are green, black, and red. Use your imagination and have fun!
December 28, Morton Nadler, Congregation member: “Was I a double agent? They didn't want to let me go, but I escaped." After being blacklisted in his profession as the cold war opened, Morton went to Prague. He soon found himself in as deep water as 007 could ever dream of. But here he is to tell about it.
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Christmas Eve Service This is a family service, and it will run about an hour. We will honor the life of Jesus, and other saviors who brought good news of love, peace, and courage to humanity. All ages are welcome, and we will not be offering child care or nursery care. An offering for the Minister’s Discretionary Fund will be received. |
January 4, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Be Ye Renewed.” St. Paul writes that we can only be transformed by a renewal of our minds. Dr. Phil, and others, tell us that sometimes we need an attitude adjustment. How might we renew our minds and what might happen to us if we did? This service will include a couple of experiential activities.
Special Music: Goldie Terrell
January 11, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Treacherous Triangles.” This year our family systems theory sermon is a post-holiday discussion of triangulation and how it can trip up our work toward healthy relationships.
Special Music: UUC Choir
Guest-At-Your-Table contributions will be collected at both services. Your contributions should be brought to the Fellowship on that day in the form of a check written to the UU Service Committee. Remember that your gift of $25 or more will automatically enroll you as a UUSC member, which will enable you to receive their newsletter for the next year. Gifts of $60 or more are matched by the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock NY.January 18, Dr. Brian Britt, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Tech: “Hate Speech, Curses, and Biblical Traditions.”
February 1, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “Jubilee!” The idea of a Jubilee year is very old and, to most of us, very odd. It's also an idea that might bring more joy into our lives, and wouldn't that be wonderful?
Special Music: The UUC Choir will be joined by musicians from the Congregation.
February 8, Reverend Dr. Barry Whittemore, former member of the UUC and currently the minister of the Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Gray, Tennessee. The title of his talk is “Cold Mountain: A Novel Approach to Universalism.”
February 15, Rev. Christine Brownlie: “What is Marriage For?” Our society is engaged in a debate about the purpose of marriage as we consider the idea of same-gender unions. It might help to look at how ideas abou