Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists » This Coming Sunday

Sermon Topic, November 15 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

wuuwebmaster — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:00:26 +0000

“Why God Won’t God Away”, by Rev. Jennifer Ryu

Engaging the current works of Karen Armstrong and Deepak Chopra, we will keep asking the God Question.

*If you would like to give a 3-minute “From the Heart” about your current thoughts (or questions) about God, please contact Rev. Jennifer by November 10th

Sermon Topic, November 8 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

wuuwebmaster — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:00:45 +0000

“An Experience of the Holy”, by Rev. Jennifer Ryu

Reverend Ryu will speak on the common roots of Baptists and Unitarian Universalists. The Tabernacle Choir will sing, and everyone is invited to join in.

*If you would like to give a 3-minute “From the Heart” about your prior life as a Baptist, please contact Rev. Jennifer by Nov. 3

Sermon Topic, November 1 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

wuuwebmaster — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:00:57 +0000

“Growing in the Dark”, by David Hopkinson and Chris Faia

Speaking on depression, grief, and loss, David Hopkinson and Chris Faia will examine how these experiences can create opportunities for healing and hope. Larry Ventis and David Hamilton will provide special music. The choir will sing at the 9:15 service.

Set your clock back one hour or be early!

Sermon Topic, October 25 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

wuuwebmaster — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:00:46 +0000

“The Veil is Thin”, by Rev. Jennifer Ryu
A multi-generational celebration of Samhain, the pagan “Day of the Dead” observance. As in past years, please bring a photo or memento of a loved one who has passed away for our altar. Bringing back an old tradition, we invite children of all ages to dress up for this event. Chanting, drumming, and the youth choir will be our musical offerings. Liz Wiley will also sing.

A Samhain Harvest Halloween Potluck will be held at 12:30 p.m. Please bring a dish to share—especially a favorite dish of a beloved departed one.

Sermon Topic, October 18 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

wuuwebmaster — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:00:41 +0000

“The Depths of Evil” by Rev. Jennifer Ryu
We use this word to describe the forces which degrade and destroy life. Some people see evil simply as the moral opposite of good. Following the work of Martin Buber, we will investigate whether good and evil can be reconciled rather than polar opposites. Is there a higher unity that can redeem evil?

The WUU Choir offers their voices to this morning’s 11:15 service, and Joelle Griffin Russell will provide beautiful piano pieces for the 9:15.

Sermon Topic, October 11 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

wuuwebmaster — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:00:47 +0000

“How do you like your life best—in solitude or with companions?”
by Rev. Dick Weston-Jones

Minister Emeritus of the UU Church of Ventura, California, the Rev. Dick Weston-Jones has served as parish minister to ten American UU churches and New Zealand over the last 46 years. A friend of novelist Ken Kesey, Dick was the Dean of a 1964 UU summer conference in Pacific Grove, California that was described in Tom Wolfe’s book The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Wolfe referred to him in the book as one of the “young Turks” of the Unitarian Universalist Association. For more information: www.uuchnc.org/dwj.html

Sermon Topic, October 4 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

wuuwebmaster — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:30:12 +0000

“Blessed be the Ties that Bind” by Rev. Jennifer Ryu
The number of Unitarian Universalist congregations may be small, but we aspire to a great purpose: to bring more love, more healing, and more peace into this world. Today, we reflect on the ties that bind our congregation to others, especially through the Chalice Lighters program. The WUU Choir sings today at the 9:15 service. Collection will go to support the UUA nationally and Avalon locally.

Sermon Topic, September 27 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

franz — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:00:45 +0000

“How Do We Suffer” by Rev. Jennifer Ryu
Let me count the ways. Why is there suffering in the world…Buddha taught that to be human means that we suffer–does that make him a fatalist? Is the point of living a good life to eradicate suffering? What are your thoughts about the meaning of suffering? Rev. Jennifer would like to collaborate with you and make this worship service an interactive experience. If you would like to bat around some ideas, please contact her. This does not necessarily mean that you have to speak on Sunday (but it could!)

Both choirs will sing today at 11:15–the Youth Choir will teach us a new song, and the Adult Choir will offer an inspiring piece.

Sermon Topic, September 20 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

franz — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:00:51 +0000

“7th Principle–7th Generation” by Rev. Jennifer Ryu
The perspective of the Iroquois Nation can be found in the US Constitution and in the democratic ideals of our country’s founders. Sadly, we have not grasped one of their most basic visions: “In every deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation…” The average American barely looks at the impact of his/her actions on the next person or the next day. We live as though life is meant just for us. As Unitarian Universalist, we covenant with each other to promote the 7th Principle: that life isn’t just for us and ours, because we are connected in a web that includes everything.

Members of the Green Sanctuary Task Force will share their passionate testimonies with us.
Karen Richardson will share her soulful voice and upbeat piano music for both services this morning.

Sermon Topic, September 13 (9:15 and 11:15 am)

franz — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:00:21 +0000

“Water Communion Sunday: Renewing our Covenants” by Rev. Jennifer Ryu
In this annual tradition of homecoming and re-covenanting we bring water as our holy offering. This water comes from places we’ve traveled (both literally and metaphorically) during the summer. Those places can be as far away as Kenya or as close as our own tears. They are from places we had never seen and places we see every day. We collect the water in a large bowl then save some of it for baby dedications, weddings, commitment ceremonies and other sacred rituals. This is a Multi-Generational worship service. It is also a particularly good service for newcomers, visitors, and guests, so invite your friends.

The choir will offer its gifts at the 11:15 service. The 9:15 water communion will invite people to say a few words about the meaning of their water offering.