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- "Shooting the Sun: The World According to P.T. Barnum"
10AM Only - July 4th
- Service Leader: David Templeton
Worship Associate: Erin Howseman - "Wizards, Elves, Dark Lords, Vampires, Wraiths, and Hobbits: The Spirituality of Fantasy Literature"
- July 11th
- Service Leader: Scott Miller
Worship Associate: Erin Howseman - "A Cure for the Summertime Blues?"
- July 18th
- Service Leader: Andrew Karlson
Worship Associate: Scott Miller - "Rock & Roll Poets & Poetry"
- July 25th
- Service Leader: Andy Levine
Worship Associate: Heather Lawton - "Are Our Values and Ethical Models in Conflict?"
- August 1st
- SService Leader: Jeffrey Melcher
Worship Associate: Lucia Milburn
This Independence Day weekend, we take an entertaining look at one of America’s most inspiring, independent, and controversial historical figures, Phineas Taylor Barnum, whose 200th Birthday is July 5. Showman, publisher, politician, promoter, philanthropist, and avowed Universalist, P.T. Barnum is best-known for inventing the three-ring circus, for harnessing the power of hyperbole (“The Greatest Show on Earth!”), and for suggesting that there is a sucker born every minute (guess what? He never said that!). With a unique philosophy of personal growth and spiritual development—inspired by his own evolution from deeply-prejudiced slave owner to leading abolitionist—P.T. Barnum truly saw the shining soul in all human beings, and felt it was his divine office to provide everyone he encountered with one short moment of happiness . . . even if he then charged them a nickel for it. Step right up for this truly unique Sunday service, followed by a celebration with birthday cake (celebrating the birth of P.T. Barnum and the United States of America!).
Fantasy literature and film has power to move audiences spectacularly, as exemplified by the rabid communities of "Twi-hards," "Ringers," and would-be Jedis and gatecrashers at Hogwarts. The Lord of the Rings, the Twilight series, the Harry Potter books, and other modern works of fantasy, this service will show, have powerful spiritual dimensions— indeed are spiritual works, sharing a great deal of thematic commonalities with scripture. To a spiritually starved culture and world, this literature offers food for growth that (so long as the literature is read critically) can be as rich and healthful as it is satisfying and powerful.
For many, summer is the season of plenty: barbecues, vacations, parties, and adventures. Is it right, though, to be at play when the world is full of evil, pain, and suffering? And what about those of us for whom suffering is a companion that doesn't take a summer vacation? Guest preacher Andy Karlson will explore the question of how we can seek balance between our experience of suffering and our capacity for joy.
Andy Levine, who came of age in late 1960's, will lead us in a celebration of the music that influenced and shaped his life. With a little help from our friends The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and some of our own local talent, Andy will explore with us the protest songs, social action songs, love songs and more. Come on people now, smile on your brother...
Ethical models often bring cherished values into conflict. In our UU principles we are challenged to hold several values in creative conflict: a strong tradition of upholding personal rights and a deep commitment to communitarian ethics. How does this play out in our congregations and social justice work? Come, engage questions, and leave inspired.