2007
December -
December 23, 2007 - The Unitarian Who Saved Christmas by Janet Wood
November - See November 2007 Newsletter
October - See October 2007 Newsletter
September 30, 2007- "Sukkot - Festival of Tabernacles"
September 23, 2007 - The Autumnal Equinox, with Croning Ritual
September 16, 2007 - "What Does It Mean to Be at Peace?"
We shall practice being at peace, and visualize a world at peace beginning
with ourselves. Come prepared to participate in a guided meditation,
to sing songs of peace, and to listen to the sounds of Native American
flutes.
September 9, 2007 - Ingathering: "Who Is Your God?" (and what is your spiritual type)
September 2, 2007 - "Worship." Ralph
Waldo Emerson's essay - last of summer discussion series.
August 26, 2007 - "Fate." Emerson's 1860 essay on "How shall I live?" In a world with human suffering and social problems, how can we reconcile freedom and fate?
August 19, 2007 - "Experience." Deeply introspective
essay of Emerson struggling for a perspective to reconcile faith and
skepticism, acknowledging life's limitations as well as celebrating its
possibilities. Presented by Harold Wood.
Sunday Forum:
Special Film - "Green: the New Red, White and Blue"
Meet Thomas Friedman, a New York Times columnist who travels the globe in a quest
to unravel the tangled web of energy consumption. Join Friedman as he visits
the front lines of a 'green' revolution that is just taking shape - from the
offices of Internet giant Google to a new Wal-Mart prototype green superstore.
Then, learn why it makes good business sense to go green. On this environmentally
friendly adventure, watch Friedman find solutions to global warming as America
embraces the idea that green is the new red, white and blue.
August 12, 2007 - "The Transcendentalist." Emerson writes about the mystical movement of believers in miracle, inspiration and ecstasy who pursued a "certain solitary and critical way." Presented by Lesley Dyer.
August 7, 2007 - "Spiritual Laws."
Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay describes how contemplation is necessary for meaningful
action. We can discover the natural course of things and be guided to live a
more effortless and spiritual life. Presented by Janet Wood.
July 29, 2007 - Report on 2007 General Assembly - Harold, Janet & April
July 22, 2007 - "Special Service & Concert with Jim
"
"Celebration of Earth Gaia, Mother Earth, and the Oneness of Everything" -
with musician Jim Scott - former
member of Paul WinterConsort - Jazz, classicial and folk styles - writer of
songs on issues of ecology, jutice and peace for children and adults.
July 15, 2007 - Emerson Discussion Series Session 6: "Compensation"
Discussion led by David H on Emerson's difficult notion of accountability,
punishment, right action, "heavenly rewards" or karma.
July 8, 2007 - Emerson Discussion Series Session 5: "Self-Reliance"
Discussion led by Harold Wood on what is perhaps Emerson's most famous
essay, which celebrates genius as a current of energy or power that
can be tapped.
July 1, 2007 - Emerson Discussion Series Session 4: "The
Divinity School Address"
Discussion led by April Hill on Emerson's talk that was delivered in
1838, six years after he resigned his pulpit at Second Church in Boston.
His remarks stirred considerable debate about the Unitarian "orthodox" and
the Transcendentalists.
June 24, 2007 - Emerson Discussion Series Session 3: "A God in Ruins"
June 17, 2007 - Emerson Discussion Series Session 2: "A Certain Wandering Light: The Spiritual Vision of Ralph Waldo Emerson"
June 10, 2007 - Emerson Discussion Series Session 1: "East Yourself and Find the Sun: The Summons to the Spiritual Life"
May 27, 2007 "Pentecost with Flower Communion": Tongues of Fire by Rev. David Takahashi Morris, read by Marilyn Giese.
May 20, 2007 "Sustainable Eating" by Bill Lovett.
May 13, 2007 Mother's Day "The Lessons Mother Taught Us" by Anna Garcia and Dorothy Osak. The congregation shared stories of valuable life-lessons are mothers taught us.
May 6, 2007 "Asphalt Nation" by Katherine Singh. Katherine passed out a two-page “Car Quiz” to test our knowledge about the paving of America and the enormous subsidies our road and highway system take. After assuring us we would not be graded on the test, we went through the answers together, based on the book Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back by Jane Holtz Kay (1997). We were appalled by the huge environmental and economic costs caused by our automobile dependency. Katherine then invited congregants to share their memory of their favorite car. Everything from Model A’s to the Prius! Only one congregant stated that he never liked any of the cars he had – he has always considered them a necessary evil. But after showing how much most of us love our cars, Katherine gave us some strategies for reducing our auto dependency, by supporting better land-use planning, public transportation, bicycle pathways, getting rid of a second car, and even joining a car co-op.
April 29, 2007 - "Beltane, May Eve" Drum Circle, May Pole Dance, and BonFire - a ritual that has been celebrated for over 20,000 years. After learning about these traditions from Marilyn Giese, we moved outside and danced around the May Pole (a living pine tree), played our drums, and praised the four directions. Returning inside after a smudging purification, we ate custard and oatcakes. This was a fun and festive intergenerational service.
April 22, 2007 - "Change a Light, Change the World " - Earth
Day presentation by Harold Wood. Special slide show going beyond
the basics of Compact Fluorescent
Lights:
If you missed it, read: Summary | Power
Point
April 15, 2007 - Janet Wood presented a dramatic slide show, "Into the Light," an exploration of the evolution of science and its struggle with religious dogma.
April 8, 2007 - We enjoyed Easter Breakfast with the Quakers - no evening service.
April 1, 2007 - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." A look at religious humor and the spiritual cleansing power of a good belly laugh. Wecelebrated April Fools Day with Marilyn Giese and bring your sense of humor.
Before this service we viewed the film: "A Visit to a Mosque in
America - Understanding Islam and the American Community"
This unique documentary takes an intimate look inside the life of one
Muslim community at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. Visitors
are taken through the buildings of the Center where various themes are
presented. The Mosque, the Community Center, the Academy and the Cultural
Center. Throughout the tour, Muslims and non-Muslims from the local community
share their thoughts on Islam and their values in a post 9-11 world.
March, 2007 - See March 2007 Newsletter
February, 2007 - See February 2007 Newsletter
January, 2007 - See January, 2007 Newsletter
