Sunday January 27, 2008

An Exercise of Reconciliation Rev. Felicia Urbanski

The third of our series from "Owning Your Religious Past" involves people. Who was influential in your personal spiritual development? Who is "back there", no longer being a part of your journey? What would it be like to have a dialogue with that person? For example, this could be a Sunday School teacher, relative, clergy figure, or historical personage - a person who is either living or dead. Before we conclude our series of interactive explorations together, we will have enriched each other's journeys through sharing our own and through active listening. Music: Stephen Preece, Tom Nagy and Colin Read.

Sunday January 20, 2008

The Haunting House of Worship Rev. Felicia Urbanski

What do you remember about your place of worship before the age of 16? Some of us were perhaps in a large ornate indoor space, or a small intimate home, or some may have worshipped in the great outdoors. We all can benefit by looking back upon these memories. This Sunday, we will continue the interactive exploration that we began on January 6, with a special focus on place. A guided meditation will aid this process. Music: Boyd McDonald.

NOTE: Our experiment with Joys and Sorrows begins today. Please see a designated person at the front door with a large book in which you may write your joy or sorrow to be read during the service. Plan to stay for a facilitated Sharing Circle following the service, if you wish.

Sunday January 13, 2008

A Pagan's crisis of faith at a Thai Buddhist Temple 

"For over a decade I had identified myself as a Pagan. However, a two-week stay at a Buddhist temple in Northern Thailand initiated my 'deconversion' process. It is funny how it is the little things - a question here, a reflection there - that can change a person's life." Our speaker is a PhD student in philosophy and an ex-Pagan. Service Leader: Melissa Rockenfield. Music: Boyd McDonald.

Sunday January 6, 2008

Personal Religious and Spiritual Journeys
Rev. Felicia Urbanski
This Sunday will begin a series of interactive explorations based upon a program called "Owning Your Religious Past". Many Unitarians have come from a variety of religious backgrounds or no formal religious affiliation at all. In a series of four Sundays, we will begin the process of re-examining and retrieving various aspects of past religious connections, addressing the affective (feeling) elements of these connections, rather than dogma. You are encouraged to keep a journal between these Sundays. We will retain certain elements of our service today, while providing opportunities to share aspects of significant moments of your journey with those seated near you. Today I will also introduce the idea of an experiment with our Candles of Joy and Sorrow, which will be implemented later this month and continue through April, with ample opportunities for giving feedback and evaluation along the way. Plan to stay for the discussion afterwards on this topic. Music: Boyd McDonald.