Services for May

Sunday 10:30 - 11:30 am

Imagination. Our learning and worship theme for May is Imagination. This week I’m in a seminar for UU interim ministers, learning all sorts of things that stimulate my imagination and fill my heart. In the opening session, Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley reminded us that there’s an aspect of listening that is physical—that we receive messages from one another via our physical beings. I’ve been trying to imagine what those messages might be. Some postures may obviously transmit feelings. Other aspects of physicality may be more subtle yet still communicate. A short-form conclusion is that whenever a topic has emotional context, email and even zoom are not good ways to communicate. Imagine that!

~ Rev. Jaye

Sheer Holy Boldness: Star Wars, the Feminist Ethic of Risk, and UU Communities

Rev. Sara Smalley
May 4

After much grappling with the state of the world this week and analyzing the words of activists, pundits, and theologians, here’s my working thesis statement for what comes next: 2025 will be the year of the Return of the Jedi. But the real-world rebel alliance we’re building is not a scrappy group of ragamuffins in over our heads.

In our coalition there are atheists, humanists, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, mystics, pagans, and more. We are policy wonks with political science degrees and crystal-toting dreamers with imagination.  We are not wielders of endings, but creators of justice. We are builders of a new way.

Imagine That

Rev. Jaye and Jenn Blosser
May 11

For each child that's born, a morning star rises and sings to the universe who we are. That line is from the hymn We Are by Ysaye Barnwell. Today we honor mothers and all nurturing parents and the hopes and dreams they have for their children. We cherish those children, who with their untrammeled imaginations may create the world anew.

Celebrating the beautiful diversity of all people, this service for all ages includes a flower ceremony—if you can, bring a flower. Because many people have plans with family members today, our usual second-Sunday potluck lunch is postponed until next week. This is a Service for All Ages.

Lateral Thinking

Rev. Jaye Brooks
May 18

There are many forms of imagination. People may have creative imagination, or spiritual imagination, or imaginary friends. And then there's lateral thinking, which is an almost dyslexic ability to turn imagination sideways or even flip it upside down. In this worship service, Rev. Jaye celebrates imagination in all its forms and especially the lateral version.

Our monthly potluck luncheon follows the service today.

Annual Poetry Service

Worship Committee
May 25

[T]he war that matters is the war against the imagination
all other wars are subsumed in it.
the ultimate famine is the starvation
of the imagination
it is death to be sure...
            From Rant, by Diane Di Prima

Please join us to celebrate our collective imaginings during the annual poetry service.