Spring 2010 Worship Schedule
Meditation Practices
Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 11:00 am
Our morning service, led by the meditation group, is designed to embrace how different practitioners meditate. This unique service will flow from one practice to the next over an hours time, followed by the meditative film entitled, Ashes & Snow. This 60-minute feature film created by Gregory Colbert is “a poetic field study that depicts the world not as it is, but as it might be: a world in which natural and artificial boundaries separating humans from other species do not exist.” More at www.ashesandsnow.org. There will be no formal hospitality hour or sermon on this day. Please dress comfortably and if preferred, wear shoes that you can easily take on and off for meditation. Worship Associates: Lesley Anderson, Ed Greenlee, Portia Speirs, Curt Woolford.
National Standing on the Side of Love Day
Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 11:00 am
Let us re-imagine Valentine's Day by celebrating National Standing on the Side of Love Day. Congregations across the nation will participate in a day of worship and practice works of love. This national campaign empowers each congregation to take action on issues that matter locally, and to pursue strategies that are effective and meaningful to each. Rev. Nate will speak about how we can effect positive social change and justice in our community. Worship Associate: Kelly LoGiudice.
Blasphemy Laws
Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 11:00 am
Rev. Nate Walker recently joined an amicus brief for the case Kalman v. Cortes, which charges a Philadelphia man for blasphemy for trying to name is film company "I Choose Hell" productions. Rev. Nate will take a strong and public stance by defending Kalman's right to freedom of belief and speech. He will do so by drawing upon the legacy of various Unitarians and Universalists who were imprisoned, exiled and killed for their so called blasphemous beliefs. Given this history, Rev. Nate will articulate how Unitarian Universalists are poised to help overturn the current blasphemy laws in Pennsylvania. New Member’s Ceremony. Worship Associate: Ed Greenelee. Board Welcome: Anne Slater.
Does Classism Divide Us?
Auction Sermon, Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 11:00 am
Often congregations can unmindfully perpetuate a culture of prejudice against or in favor of people belonging to a particular social class. This interactive service will challenge the community to reflect upon our interactions and to articulate meaningful ways we can live out our mission: to seek truth and work for justice, honoring, respecting, and learning from the differences that each of us brings to our community. This service topic is brought to you by Ed Greenlee who won last year’s auction sermon. Worship Associates: Ed Greenlee & Joan Bauer.
Smile: You’re Sexy!
Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 11:00 am
How many Unitarian Unitarians does it take to change the world? One: the person who smiles. Did you know that if you physically smile you alter your emotional state? Did you know that smiles in yearbook photos are predictive of relationship success? Yes, the less people smiled the more likely they were to later end long-term relationships. Rev. Nate will lead a fun and interactive service that will be anything but giggle-free. So go on now, smile and be happy. Smile and stay with your partner. Smile and change the world. Worship Associate: Christine Carlson.
Prayers to Guide My Life
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Prayer is an intensely personal and somewhat mystifying activity. Guest speaker Mark Peterson says, "I have found two prayers which have helped me and which I use as guidelines for how I live my life. It is my intention to share with you why I pray, what these two prayers are and some variations on them which I have fashioned to make them more useful to me." Mark Peterson guest speaker.
Closing Ceremonies: All-Church Olympics
Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 11:00 am
In celebration of the closing Sunday of the All-Church Olympics we will gather in the sanctuary to do a final processional of the team mascots and to present the chalice points and the Olympic metals. Rev. Nate’s sermon topic will be about technological literacy and the digital divide. New Member’s Ceremony. Worship Associate: Val Sandberg.
Love & Marriage
Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 11:00 am
In support of marriage equality, this service led by Kelly LoGiudice explores how a variety of couples view marriage and partnership and their coping skills during difficult times.
Flower Communion
Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 11:00 am
During this intergenerational service we will celebrate the rebirth of spring by participating in our annual Flower Communion: please bring a flower to share in the common vase. Reverend Nate will reflect upon the nature of gardens as metaphors for spiritual and moral growth. Worship Associate: Val Sandberg.
Gay Men’s Blood is Sacred
Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 11:00 am
In preparation for a district-wide demonstration by 64 Unitarian Universalist congregations, Rev. Nate Walker will challenge the fact that it is illegal for gay men to donate blood in the United States. This invidious discrimination is due to the 1983 ruling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent the spread of HIV through transfusions. Aware that all blood is now screened for infections, Rev. Nate will ask why he, the minister of the historic First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, cannot donate blood because of his sacred sexuality. Board Welcome: Tricia Way.
Animal Blessing
Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 11:00 am
In honor of Earth Day, we welcome all of our animal companions – creatures of the land, air and sea – into the sanctuary for a festive blessing of the animals. If you are not able to bring your furry friends, please bring a photo or a memento that represents them for our blessing ceremony. Worship Associates: Dan Johnson, Ed Greenlee, Judy Haraburda.
Public Worship in Rittenhouse Square
Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 11:00 am sharp
We will gather for 10 minutes in the sanctuary then march as we gather at Rittenhouse Square for a public demonstration about the fact that 22% of adults in Philadelphia are illiterate. This Literacy Demonstration will be in collaboration with area organizations and include a public Literacy Freeze with possibly various circus artists, puppeteers, literacy specialists such as the and maybe bicyclists, chalk artists, musicians etc. An Invitation has been sent to the Mayor to be the guest speaker for this event. Nursery-care provided at the church. All Worship & Music Associates will help lead this public worship.
Faith in an Elevator
Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 11:00 am
In his “Our Calling” column in the March/April 2003 issue of UUWorld, then UUA President William Sinkford encouraged us to comprise an Elevator Faith speech. A speech or response that you would give while in an elevator going from the lobby to the sixth floor if asked, “What do you believe as a Unitarian Universalist?” You got yourself forty-five seconds – ready, set, and go! Mark DeCourval, speaker. Ed Greenlee worship associate.
Music Sunday
Mother’s Day, May 9, 2010 at 11:00 am
Join us for annual Music Sunday, led by our fabulous Director Jennifer Hayman. This colorful and inspiring service will cradle your soul and excite the mind as we dedicate this service mothers near and far.
Faith: Healing?
Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 11:00 am
The fourth Unitarian Universalist principle affirms our right to a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Rev. Nate will explore the meaning of the word “responsible” in this principle in relation to the recent stories about the parents who were found guilty of killing children by praying instead of seeking medical care. He will compare these stories to scientific studies that prove the positive impact of prayer in the healing process. Worship Associates: Anne Slater and Kelly LoGiudice.
Literacy Live!
Religious Education Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 11:00 am
We are thrilled to welcome back to the pulpit children and youth who will serve as the ministers for the day. Together they will share all that they have learned about illiteracy in Philadelphia.
Inclusive Communion
Memorial Day Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 11:00 am
Join us for our annual inclusive communion worship service drawing upon Christian teachings that call us to treat others as we want to be treated and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Worship Associates: Dan Johnson.
Shame-Free Church
Sunday, June 6, 2010 at 11:00 am
Shame can be a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the awareness of wrong or foolish behavior. When this emotion becomes a pervasive mood it can cripple people, especially when used by religious organizations. There is also a kind of shame that can be positive, preventing us from harming others and ourselves. Rev. Nate will reflect upon various spiritual practices that can heal feelings of negative shame and inspire one’s moral and faith development.
The Power of Pi
Sunday, June 13, 2010
In celebration of our social justice theme, Literacy & Education, we will close our church year with a true story of children who wow their teacher by discovering the theory of π (Pi): the numerical value of the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter (approximately 3.14159). The service will also include a time to honor all those who participated in the social justice program this year.
From Sunday, June 20th to Sunday, September 5th worship services will begin at 10:00 am.
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