It’s time for our annual ingathering and water communion service! This morning, we’ll explore water’s movement; sometimes it’s still, and sometimes it brings waves big enough to knock us over. Bring water that holds meaning for you to blend in our communal bowl! Photo by Karen Armina Worship Associate: Stephen Rich Special Music from the … Continue reading It Comes In Waves – Water Communion
We have important relationships with the more-than-human beings with whom we share the planet. This morning, we’ll explore the sacred connection we have with the animals on our Earth and in our care. Rev. Karen will also lead a ritual of blessing for our pets and their humans – please do bring your pet if … Continue reading Animals Among Us: Blessing Our Pets
Click here for the YouTube recording of this service This service will be at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg at 10:00 am. This is our third year joining together as the three Madison UU congregations. These times call us to reflect on the role of our shared community in response to authoritarianism. This morning, we’ll … Continue reading Resilience & Resistance in Community
Many of the pleasures in life require just a little work to get to – but oh, they’re so worth it! This morning, we’ll explore some aspects of the experience of pleasure. And we’ll participate in a ritual of release for our Director of Family Ministry, Genevieve McPherson-Shambarger. After the service, join us for a … Continue reading Raspberries and Other Pleasures
Independence Day, in the US, is a celebration of our nation’s declaration that we rule ourselves. Interdependence is one of the seven core values of Unitarian Universalism. This morning, we’ll explore the tensions between our understandings of ourselves as separate beings as inextricably linked together and to all that is around us. [Image: “Together” by … Continue reading In(ter)dependence Day
Pride is a protest AND a party. This morning’s multigenerational fair style service will offer readings, music, activities, and a dance party, honoring the queer ancestors who have been part of creating freedom for LGBTQ+ people, and celebrating Pride! [Image from wikimedia commons] Note for Zoom Participants: This week’s service will have the choice for … Continue reading Free to Be Me!
There are two ways (at least!) to frame freedom: “freedom from” restrictions on our actions, and “freedom to” behave in ways we wish to. These can be in tension with each other; promoting “freedom from” for some is sometimes accused of infringing on the “freedom to” rights of others. This morning, we’ll explore the relationship … Continue reading On Freedoms: Yours, Mine, Theirs, and Ours
Diversity brings beauty and resilience to both natural and human communities, and our annual Flower Communion service is a celebration of that diversity. This morning, we’ll honor the beauty and resilience that comes from diversity – in flowers and in humans – and we’ll celebrate Pride month! Please bring a flower to contribute to a … Continue reading Flower Communion – All the Colors
Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition, which means it changes as we learn and experience new things. And yet, there are threads – constants – that can be traced through our history. This morning, we’ll explore the threads we each bring to this beloved congregation, and the thread of our collective imagination. Our annual congregational … Continue reading The Thread
The Unitarians and Universalists consolidated, and formed the Unitarian Universalist Association, 64 years ago this month. Our founders imagined that these two faith traditions rooted in heresy might complement each other as a new whole was created – and since then, there are ways that we’ve broken and ways that we’ve healed. This morning, we’ll … Continue reading Imagining Ourselves Whole
