The Within Phase of Beloved Conversations: Virtual will continue in the Spring Term. We would love to have you (and everyone you know!) join us for another term of this program, with a continued focus on personal learning and growth!
Please join us to discuss Heather McGhee's informative and insightful work, "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together." This book is a brilliant analysis of how we arrived here: divided and self-destructing, materially rich but spiritually starved and vastly unequal. McGhee marshals economic and sociological research to paint an irrefutable story of racism’s costs, but at the heart of the book are the humble stories of people yearning to be part of a better America, including white supremacy’s collateral victims: white people themselves. With startling empathy, this heartfelt message from a Black woman to a multiracial America leaves us with a new vision for a future in which we finally realize that life can be more than a zero-sum game.
This year, 2021, we will run the auction online, but we hope to also have an in-person live event at East Shore on Saturday November 13th. We will host a zoom party as well, to allow those who are unable to participate in-person to still join in the fun. Keep the evening of Saturday, November 13 free.
How can women of limited means, those who are most excluded in American society, get started in business – and stay in business? Our speakers, Celia Weisman and Maria Alejandra Amiel from the non-profit “Ventures”, will address how these women, often BIPOC or immigrant, can fulfill their dreams of owning a business. To help such new entrepreneurs, Ventures’ work revolves around removing barriers to success by providing access to training, coaching, micro-loans and networking. You will learn the impact that owning a small business can make in individuals’ lives and in under-resourced communities. You will find their stories of determination heart-warming. Please join us!
Rev. Furrer, preaching on the perilous state of democratic society in the current age, how we can defend it, and what are our prospects of success?
In 1925 Mohandas Gandhi published his Social Sins of the Modern World, the last of which was Religion Without Sacrifice. The celebration Veterans Day reminds us of our fallen veterans' sacrifices, but what can we say of their religion?
Les McCann and Roberta Fleck’s hit protest song/single “Compared to What” was subsequently recorded by more than 270 artists, including Ray Charles and Brian Auger. Rev Furrer will use that platform to consider what we can and should be thankful for.
The Third Harmony: Nonviolence and the New Story of Human Nature weaves together interviews with veteran activists, scientists, political leaders (Pramila Jayapal is briefly featured) and others to reflect the transformative power of nonviolence to grow love, repair harm and build a more sustainable, just world. In addition, we are delighted to be joined by a guest, Glen Anderson, during the discussion group which follows the film screening.
Many congregations are adopting an 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism, which calls us to anti-racism, the beloved community, and accountability. What if there was a 9th Principle? What still needs to be said? What is missing from who we say we are, and how can we make that real?
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson is the Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL, where he has served since 2008. He spent his teenage years at East Shore (you know his mom, Wenda Collins), before attending Whitman College, Meadville Lombard Theological School and Iliff School of Theology. He is the author of Newborn Bards: A Theology of Preaching for Unitarian Universalists.
Join the Fourth Wednesday Book Club in October to read Endurance: My Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery by Scott Kelly.
Rev Furrer, preaching on the evolution of the mythic figure we all know as Santa Claus.
In what ways does systemic racism and white supremacy culture apply to our Congregations & Communities? This workshop will cover a section of the UUA's Commission on Institutional Change Report. The report explains the necessity for congregations, and the UUA, to deepen our engagement in the work of anti-racism. First, we have to take it in.
Join us this morning for our RE winter pageant celebration. After almost 2 years of zoom and outdoor RE we will be in the sanctuary to bring you the wonderful story A Holiday for All written by Luna Jubis and Sunshine Glynn. Please join us on line for the fabulous celebration.
Good King Wenceslas has long been my favorite Christmas Carol, partly because it includes a verse with my name in it, but far more because of its poignant social outreach message in a medieval context, its crisp, clear images, and its lovely melody.
Kids and families, please join us on Christmas Eve at 3:30pm for a pre-service scavenger hunt. You’ll have some fun wandering the campus grounds searching for UUnique items! Be sure to come so you can get your warm cocoa and prizes! Check in at the Sanctuary Courtyard Landing.