Artist and ecologist, Gretchen Alexander, will talk with us about how she stepped away from a career in the natural sciences to pursue a calling as an artist, how reframing hardship through the lens of opportunity facilitated personal growth and positive change for her, and some of her thoughts on the intersection of science, art, and revelation.
Unitarian Universalists practice Freedom of the Pulpit, meaning that anyone who provides a Sunday message may speak from their personal perspective and belief; the message is not dictated or constrained by denominational beliefs or doctrine. And on the other side, there is Freedom of the Pew meaning that those who are listening may agree or disagree with the message. So how do we create a Beloved Community with this challenge of finding common ground amid our differing beliefs?
Dorothy Latta has been an active and involved member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Plattsburgh for over 30 years. She enjoys doing worship services and is a Commissioned Lay Minister of the Plattsburgh congregation.
Join us at 4pm for our Christmas Eve Service
Our theme for this service of songs, readings, and a no-rehearsal nativity pageant is “Being a Light in the Darkness.” We welcome folks of all ages to be part of our no-rehearsal pageant as angels, animals, shepherds, and more. And we’ll close the service with our tradition of lighting candles and singing Silent Night so if you are joining us virtually, please have a candle ready at home. All are welcome!
In this service, MMUUF’s youth will take the lead. Children and young teens from the fellowship will serve as hosts, share readings that inspire them, and sing with the fellowship’s Last Minute Choir. They’ll also be performing their original play, “Snow White and the 7 UU Values,” co-created by the children with the help of our fellowship’s lifespan faith development director. Families new to the fellowship are welcome to join in the fun, and we’ll have opportunities for all children to be part of the play if they’d like.
The Wheel of the Year turns. The light and warmth of Summer have passed, and we now enter together in the darkest part of the year. Many of us feel the pull to gather with family and friends around the hearth fire, and to turn our focus inward. Come explore what gifts this time of sacred darkness has to offer.
When we face tragedy or even difficult moments our instincts tell us to become protective of ourselves and our family, keeping others out and yet our history shows us that those who survive with strength and determination are those that are open to receiving the love and support from their community. We will explore connection as the path through challenges.
Together we will delve into faith as an aspect of consciousness and reflect on how we can help ourselves, and each other, along the path of transformation. Julia will draw from many spiritual, physical and metaphysical traditions to lead us in an exploration of transformation within an intentional community. This will include a look at beliefs, ideas, motivations, as well as some practical tools to help us along the way. Hoping to have a part two of this service in the spring to continue this work and discussion, so there may be homework?!
Catherine Stevens and Gaye Symington will be co-leading a This I Believe/ This I Wonder service on October 12th, beginning at 9:30am. Both Catherine and Gaye are members of MMUUF and approach theTIB/TIW service to as a way to explore an aspect of their spiritual journeys and invite reflections from the fellowship. They both live in Jericho.
Catherine plans to focus on Love as the center of the shared values of Unitarian Universalists as well as wondering about the many uses of the word, and sometimes the difficulty of loving. Gaye plans to reflect on the UU emphasis on seeking truth. Having been raised attending a church with a shared creed where congregants expressed their beliefs in unison, she now is more comfortable in a faith tradition that values the journey of learning and reflecting together, honoring different beliefs within a shared framework of values.
During times of uncertainty, how do we propel ourselves forward? Mary Beth will offer a personal take on what it takes to feel empowered enough to take your first step into the unknown.
Mary Beth McNulty (she/her) is a member, worship associate, religious education teacher for middle schoolers at the First Unitarian Society of Burlington. She is an educator, playwright, and enthusiastic napper. Originally from rural Virginia, she now lives with her family in Burlington.
The annual “Gathering of the Waters” at the MMUUF Barn on September 14 is the first service of the season, and one where we bring actual or virtual water from a special/favorite spot we visited over the summer. The service is also an opportunity for attendees to share what they had hoped to do since our last service in June, and if they were able to complete their hopes or if they did other things instead.
