On the first Sunday in May we invite Baltimore and Washington area Unitarian Universalist congregations to join us in celebrating William Ellery Channing's great Baltimore Sermon, preached on May 5, 1819 at the installation of our first minister, Jared Sparks. The Channing Sermon is regarded as the "declaration of independence" for the about-to-be-born Unitarian movement, as it emerged from New England Puritanism over issues of the use of reason in interpreting the Bible. Channing, who came from Boston for the occasion with a distinguished entourage from Harvard, is often seen as the "father of Unitarianism" in this country.
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Those who choose not to gather in Baltimore are invited to attend a service in Quaker style: silent meditation, inviting a deeper spirit within to gain voice.
A Resident Theologian made mention of this state of being the other day. What a perfect Mother's Day theme. Though forgetfulness or perhaps, simply scattered-brain qualities can happen to any parent, male or female, it is certainly a way of being amongst mothers. Today will be a tribute to the juggle of motherhood.
Today we celebrate our UUFHC community, recognizing the Religious Education year, honoring a bridging ceremony and enjoying an all church picnic. This year, we will also try a service that is gaining popularity in UU churches: an open question sermon. We will devote the sermon portion of the service for impromptu questions about Unitarian Universalism. Reverend Ward will respond to the inquiries on the spot.
As our society encounters the return of soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan, it harkens back to another time in our recent history when the wounded were returning from war. Only when soldiers returned from Viet Nam, the reception they received sometimes increased the wounds already inflicted by the war. Today is a Memorial Day Service to honor veterans and loved ones from the Vietnam War Era, focusing their reflections on one of the few respectful tributes to their sacrifice: "The Wall"memorial in Washington, D.C.