Past services

Ramadan

Rev. Melora Lynngood with worship associate David Vest – 

Ramadan began the evening of April 13 this year and continues through to May 12.  

We look at what meaning this tradition has for Muslim Unitarian Universalists, as well as any insights this season of reflection might offer to Unitarian Universalists of all faiths.

Rev. Shana Lynngood with worship associate Casey Stainsby – 

As we begin to see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel, the idea of resurrection takes on, perhaps, new and profound meaning. 

What does the Christian story of Easter, of life after death and transformation say to us in our current context? What will life after the tomb of loss and isolation and reflection look like? How can we prepare ourselves for the resumption of some of life’s rhythms? 

What are we returning to that we would like to have resume as it was, what do we hope has changed?

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Arran Liddel with worship associate Emily Tietz – 

 “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are,” is a call made popular by Theodore Roosevelt. 

We all have different gifts and access to different resources. 

How can we use them to strengthen our commitment to where we are?

View service here.

Rev. Shana Lynngood with worship associate David Tietz – 

Many of the losses and grief wrought by the pandemic as well as the deeper dive we have been doing into racism and colonialism have me thinking more about legacy. 

What have our ancestors left behind in terms of a legacy? 

How have we been impacted psychologically, culturally, and in terms of the structures in which we live? 

This morning we’ll explore the idea of legacy both in terms of our personal histories as well as the collective history of our people and this place.

This will serve as our our annual Child Haven Sunday, the whole plate of our morning’s offering will support Child Haven International. Please Click here to donate. Child Haven is the ongoing legacy of Rev. Fred and Bonnie Cappuccino, founded in 1985 and inspired by the ideals and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi to serve women and children in developing countries.

Rev. Melora Lynngood with worship associate David Vest – 

This month, we consider the spiritual practice of commitment. 

Today, we look at how nurturing a culture of affirmation might strengthen our ability to sustain and grow in committed relationships – our relationships with individual people, as well as our relationship with community. 

How often do you voice your appreciations of others? 

How often do you criticize? 

Is there a difference between what you think in your head and what you say out loud?  

A ‘culture of affirmation’ does not mean saying everyone is the best at everything. In fact, it comes with some relief that we don’t have to be the best at everything. We can come and be valued as is, a mix of gifts and frailties, just the way we are.

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 Rev. Shana Lynngood with worship associate Lynne Bonner – 

As we begin our month of reflecting on the theme of commitment, we start by reflecting on what is gained when we stick with something (or someone) over time. 

What is gained by remaining committed to a cause or connection over time? 

How is it different from those places and spaces in our lives where we have dabbled? 

The longer we stay, how do we ensure that longevity also grows and creates greater depth?

Arran Liddel with worship associate Fran Pardee –  

Join us and celebrate the multigenerational connections in our community.

There will be lots of music and singing as well as a quiz about our very own beloved community.

We will be using the popular quiz platform Kahoot! Please download the app to your phone or tablet, or have it open in another window.

Households can play individually or in a team. Download here: https://kahoot.com/ If that is beyond your technological skill or equipment, don’t worry, we have a back-up option.

Rev. Shana Lynngood with worship associate Emily Tietz – 

As we continue our exploration of beloved community, we’ll consider the quotation from scholar and theologian Cornel West: “Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.”

How do we extend our sense of who is beloved to us such that it brings about more justice?

How do we celebrate the places where we have created an expansive, inclusive sense of community?

Can we learn from our Indigenous neighbours who remind us that it is important to be mindful of “all my relations.”

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Rev. Melora Lynngood with worship associate Casey Stainsby – 

This month’s theme is Beloved Community.

As part of an effort to make that vision a reality, some UUs in Canada and the U.S. have proposed adding to our 7 Unitarian Universalist principles, an 8^th principle:  “We covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

What do you think?  Why would we need this if we already have our 1^st principle: “The inherent  worth and dignity of every person”?