First Unitarian Church, Louisville Kentucky-2003 Services

Celebrations of Life
2003 Archive

January 5, 2003
Conservative Victories and Other Irritants
Rev. Norm Stewart
The important work that we are now called to do. Cohesiveness; power; truth; coping; bonding; organizing; moving on, with the combined strength of others like us and perhaps not so like us.
January 12, 2003
War in the 21st Century
Rev. Norm Stewart
War: how do we live with it or do we? How does our religious community deal with this seemingly ever-present possibility? How should we respond to the existence and potential use of weapons of mass destruction? After the service, join us for one of our Second Sunday lunches and then stay for the congregational meeting to consider a resolution in response to the potential or perhaps actual war on Iraq.
January 19, 2003
Honoring the Dream
First Unitarian Youth, with Rev. Norm Stewart
A multi-generational service honoring the dream and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 26, 2003
Art and Religion
Rev. Norm Stewart & Barbara Coles, Worship Associate
A reflection on how the “high arts” have formed and informed our spirituality and religion and projected them onto our culture.
February 2, 2003
The Zen of Fishing
Rev. Norm Stewart & Tom Dalglish, Worship Associate
Gone fishing. Just fishing. Fishing expedition. The fish symbol. Something’s fishy. The old fishing hole. I’d rather be fishing.... Wouldn’t you? Let’s go fishing.
February 9, 2003
Tolerance and Congregational Culture
Rev. Norm Stewart & Suzi Schuhmann, Worship Associate
Tolerance and the limits of tolerance. Hot buttons in the UU church... e.g., Christianity vs. our other sources as a source of wisdom. Where do we draw our lines? What are our limits?
February 16, 2003
Services canceled, due to weather
To be rescheduled:
Prayer
Sam Avery, Worship Associate & Friends
Public, private, spoken, sung, whispered, thought: What is prayer? This may be a controversial topic for Unitarians. Who still does it? Why, and to Whom or What?
February 23, 2003
Gathering Our Stories: For the Children of Our Children
Angelyn DeBord and Rev. Norm Stewart
A multigenerational service exploring the ways we create and preserve our congregation’s cultural legacy through storytelling. The service includes an original storytelling presentation by our latest artist-in-residence class.
March 2, 2003
How Much Is Enough?
Rev. Norm Stewart & Tiffany Taylor, Worship Associate
Canvass kick-off Sunday. Rev. Stewart will be sharing a theology of money for members and friends to consider.
March 9, 2003
Stolen Gifts and Addiction to Approval
Rev. Norm Stewart & Tiffany Taylor, Worship Associate
As parents, teachers, friends and acquaintances, what we say and do to one another often has more dramatic power and influence than we imagine. Combined with the human desire for the approval of others, this influence and power can rob us all of many of the gifts with which we have been blessed. How can we avoid taking these gifts away from one another and how can we recover some of our own lost gifts? We will also look at how our church can be helpful in this process.
March 16, 2003
It Matters
Rev. Norm Stewart & Tom Dalglish, Worship Associate
It matters what we believe, it matters what we say about what we believe, and it matters what words we choose to say or sing in our services. On the other hand... we can’t possibly make everyone happy with what we do, say or sing. Why do UUs spend so much time rewriting things and what makes us think we have the right to rewrite the words of others?
March 23, 2003
Prayer
Sam Avery, Worship Associate & Friends
Public, private, spoken, sung, whispered, thought: what is prayer? This may be a controversial topic for Unitarians. Who still does it? Why, and to Whom or What? This service was previously scheduled and snowed out.
March 30, 2003
There’s So Much Work To Do
We will share the stories of women who have found their voices in the community and in the church and will explore the question of why it matters to all of us.
April 6, 2003
Living with a “Different” Brain
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Tiffany Taylor
Mental illness: Prejudice, response, support, and acceptance (or not). What can we as a religious community do in response to the many forms and degrees of mental challenges and “different brains” in our midst? This will probably be the first in a number of services dealing with this topic over the next year or two.
April 13, 2003
Jr. High Youth Service
Sharon Leightty, Worship Associate
April 20, 2003
The Velveteen Rabbit
Easter Multigenerational Service
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Pat Allison
Using a familiar story, this service examines the Easter theme of transformation and the pain that often accompanies change. The story tells how with courage and openness we can experience transformation and live more authentic and worthwhile lives.
April 27, 2003
Music Committee Sunday
The Music Committee of First Unitarian Church
A Celebration of Life with music and song.
May 4, 2003
Beltane - A Celebration of Fertility and New Life
CUUPS & Rev. Norm Stewart
Today’s service celebrates Beltane, one of several pagan fertility festivals. It honors new life and new light. It is the time when the sun is fully released from the bondage of winter and is able to rule over summer and life once again. With the children and youth we will dance the Maypole during the service.
May 11, 2003
Mothers’ Peace Day
Rev. Norm Stewart
Unitarian Julia Ward Howe is remembered by many as the author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” She is not so well remembered as the initiator of Mothers’ Peace Day, the precursor to our modern Mother’s Day celebration. Today we will be remembering Julia, mothers and the on-going need to work for more peace everywhere. We will also welcome new members on this traditional New Member Sunday.
May 18, 2003
RE Recognition Sunday
Recognition of our Religious Education teachers.
May 25, 2003
Pentecost and Other Unitarian Holy Days
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate David Leightty
First Unitarian Choir will sing
Today we will look at some of the historical and theological grounds for the creation of celebrations in our Unitarian Universalist tradition. In particular we will consider Pentecost from a Unitarian Universalist perspective and we will consider how we might create our own personal celebrations.
June 1, 2003
I Beg to Differ . . .
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate David Leightty
First Unitarian Choir will sing
In our covenantal faith how can we honor diversity, appropriately express our anger and outrage and disagree with one another without tearing one another apart?
June 8, 2003
Otter Creek
Church Camp Out at Otter Creek

For those not attending the Otter Creek gathering, a small service will be held in the Music Room at church.
The topic will be:
Wallet Theology
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Suzi Schuhmann
June 15, 2003
Dancing as Spiritual Practice
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Pat Allison
Spiritual practice and dancing can take on many different forms for different people. Over the past 12 years, community dancing has been the most consistent spiritual discipline that I have been able to maintain. Among other things, it has taught, and continues to teach me a lot about the importance of balance in my life. Dance is about community and our connections to one another.
June 22, 2003
Somebody Touched Me
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Suzi Schuhmann
Many UUs self-identify themselves with some variation of the description rational religionists. Unitarian John Bucklin, Louisville’s first mayor said he didn’t believe in anything that he hadn’t seen or touched. Today, we’ll grapple with what happens when we are personally touched by something inexplicable? To paraphrase a line from a song, ˜you can’t explain it when it happens to you.
June 29, 2003
Gender Outside the Box
Jo Ann Dale, Ellie Moss, Carol Uebelhoer, Blair White, & Laura White, Worship Co-Leaders
A multi-generational exploration about what gender is and why this culture has decided that there are only two. We will explore the strong messages we get from the "gender police" to conform to the binary gender concept and the swift and mostly effective punishment for not conforming.
July 6, 2003
The American Creed: e pluribus unum
Rev. Norm Stewart
July 13, 2003
Who was Ralph Waldo Emerson and Why are We Talking About Him?
Worship Associate Kathie Johnson
This is the first of a six-week series on Emerson.
July 20, 2003
Leaving the Church
Worship Associate Greg Gapsis
Emerson in his famous Divinity School Address challenged the basis of religious experience. Instead of scriptural revelation and dogma he urged people to convert life itself into universal truth. We’ll look at the risks of leaving safe assumptions and taking risks required of a living faith. Special music by Gary Falk, Marian Ziebell and Kyle Ellison.
July 27, 2003
What is Self-Reliance?
Worship Associate Linette Lowe
August 3, 2003
The Role of Nature in Emerson’s Religion and Our Own

August 10, 2003
What About Community and Social Action?

August 17, 2003
Emerson’s Ideas about God and Our Own

August 24, 2003
And Service Is Its Law

August 31, 2003
Schubert Mass

September 7, 2003
Ingathering Revival with Water Communion

September 14, 2003
Voluntary Associations - The Unitarian Universalist Way

September 21, 2003
Putting Others First

September 28, 2003
UUs and the E-Word: Have We Got a Story to Tell!
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Carol Uebelhoer
When it comes to our “Good News” of Unitarian Universalism, many UUs say, “I don’t want to talk about it.” We have an important message to share that can save lives and help save the planet. The choir will sing.
October 5, 2003
Inspiration, Conspiration and At-One-Ment
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Linda Berry
Today begins Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. Our service will include special music from the Hebrew tradition. Today will also be our first Outreach Sunday. All checks and cash offerings not specifically designated for pledge payments will be donated to Tingley House where many First U members and friends have volunteered.
October 12, 2003
Remembering First Unitarian Heroes
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Mark Irwin
Over the years, this church has had many noteworthy members. Today we will be remembering a few of them and some of the contributions they made to this church and the wider community. The choir will sing.
October 19, 2003
Sophia - The Feminine Aspect of the Divine
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Susan Moffett
Today we celebrate Sophia, the Goddess of Practical and Spiritual Wisdom and the central pivot of creation. She represents the feminine aspect in all things.
October 26, 2003
Roots of UUism in Christianity
Rev. Grayson Tucker & Worship Associate Geneva Fry
Rev/Tucker was a Presbyterian minister for 50 years, seven of them as Dean of the Presbyterian Seminary here, and he has been a retired UU minister since October 2000. Given the varieties in UUism and the multitude of Christian theologies, Dr. Tucker suggested the title might be Theological Stew! The choir will sing.
November 2, 2003
Day of the Dead Celebration
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associates Linda Berry & Geneva Fry
“Dia de los Muertos... mixes celebration and mourning. Like a good UU memorial service, it both affirms life and gives us a chance to share our grief.” Before and during the service we will be decorating the altar area with photographs, mementos, favorite foods, flowers, candles, etc. to remember and celebrate the lives of those we choose to remember. Please bring something to help decorate the altar.
November 9, 2003
Re-imagining the Pledge of Allegiance
Rev. Norm Stewart
As of this writing the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance as currently written with the words “one nation under God” constitutes a violation of the principle of separation of church and state. Would removing those 4 words really make much difference? Might there be some other pledge that is more appropriate for Unitarian Universalists and perhaps for 21st century America also?
November 16, 2003
Spiritual Friends
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Barbara Payton
Spiritual direction is a long established practice in many Catholic communities. In some ways it is like therapy for the soul instead of the mind. Today we will be exploring how spiritual direction might serve Unitarian Universalists and how as spiritual friends we might be co-counselors for one another on our personal spiritual quest.
November 23, 2003
Thanksgiving: An Attitude of Gratitude
Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Susan Moffett
A multi-generational service to celebrate Thanksgiving, the quintessential North American holiday. Today’s Outreach Sunday offering will go to the UUA Pacific Southwest District’s Fire Relief Aid Fund.
November 30, 2003
Letting Go
Worship Associates Jo Ann Dale & T. Lynn Singleon
What is for most a joyous season is for some a time of darkness. We will explore why it is so difficult to let go of emotions, ideas and memories that are no longer useful in our lives.
December 7, 2003
Kwanzaa Celebration
Rev. Norm Stewart & Special Guest Service Associates
Kwanzaa is a modern celebration grounded in the history and traditions of African-Americans. It lifts up the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa which carry a universal message for all people. First Unitarian Church’s celebration of Kwanzaa this year will be a service celebrating the Kwanzaa principle of Kuumba (creativity).
December 14, 2003
Simple Gifts
Rev. Norm Stewart
Celebrating the simple gifts that each of us shares not just at Christmas but throughout the year.
December 21, 2003
R.E. Holiday Service
December 28, 2003
Standing Between
Mitra Jafarzadeh, Ministerial Candidate
For the Sunday between the Christmas and New Year celebrations come join a conversation about “standing between.” Mitra will share a little of what standing between means to her as an Iranian-American, a child of Baptist and Moslem cultures, and a UU in a Christian Seminary. Together we will partake of the burning bowl ritual as a way of celebrating transitions and new beginnings.

Return to upcoming Celebrations of Life

Coffee and refreshments served following the service in the Social Hall.
For directions, see our map to the church.

First Unitarian Church * Unitarian Universalist * UU * Louisville Kentucky * KY 2674
www.firstulou.org/scryingsarchive/scryings2003.html

Celebrations of Life 2003 Archive

Celebrations of Life
2003 Archive