Celebrations of Life
2005 Archive

• January 2, 2005
  If I Were God...
  Worship Associates Lois Allen, Jo Ann Dale, Joe Edmiston, & Tiffany Taylor
  How would you complete that sentence? Representing diverse cosmologies, three First Unitarian congregants will offer their answers to this question.

• January 9. 2005
  Searching for a Unitarian Universalist Soul
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Emil Roy
  The idea of a soul is a notion with which many rational Unitarian Universalists may be somewhat uncomfortable. Do we have a soul? An Oversoul? Or, maybe a collective unconscious? If we had a soul how would we act? Why do so many people who identify as rational and even humanist continue to seek spiritual solace?

• January 16, 2005
  Keeping the Dream Alive
  Guest speakers Phillip Cherry & John Gage, & Worship Associate Norm Stewart
  Phillip Cherry and John Gage will blend drama and music to recreate and honor the spirit, dreams and feelings of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the freedom marchers. Using the words of Dr. King, Phillip will tell the story and John will lead us in singing the simple but incredibly powerful songs of that historic struggle.

• January 23, 2005
  It Makes Me Mad . . . .
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Pat Allison
  Inappropriate expression of anger can lead to violence. Unexpressed anger can lead to depression. Can we find a middle path of appropriate expression of our anger and righteous indignation?

• January 30, 2005
  VIVACIOUS VIVALDI VOCAL EXTRAVAGANZA
  Snowy weather resulted in the cancellation of the planned special music for the Christmas Eve Vesper Service. So we have decided to make today MUSIC SUNDAY so that we may all hear the magnificent Gloria by Vivaldi. The choir under the direction of Marian Ziebell and an orchestra convened by Bonnie Avery will make this a very special Celebration of Life.

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• February 6, 2005
  The Wisdom of Elders
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Suzanne Meeks
  Drawing upon the wisdom and memories of some of our long-time members, we will honor the gift of their presence among us. This is our Doctors of Durability service. We will be recognizing all of the elders (70 and over) of our congregation and presenting several of them with honorary Doctorates.

• February 13, 2005
  Love and Commitment
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Kathie Johnson
  On Valentine's Eve we will be lifting up the joys of love and the challenges of commitment or perhaps the challenges of love and the joys of commitment. We will have a special ritual that calls us to remember what is "highest and best" in our lives.

• February 20, 2005
  Tell Me a Story I've Never Heard Before
  Guest minister Rev. Gail Seavey & Worship Associate Jo Ann Dale
  Rev. Seavey will tell a story and some UU history that traces the way we make meaning as individuals and as church communities today.  She will ask us to reflect upon the church stories our congregation tells to newcomers and what personal stories we tell to each other.  The choir will sing.

• February 27, 2005
  God’s Politics
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associates Jo Ann Dale & Carol Uebelhoer
  Rather than abandoning the intersection of religion and politics to fundamentalists, perhaps we should consider a progressive agenda that is based in liberal prophetic religion.

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• March 6, 2005
  Loose Canons
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Carol Edelen
  A canon, in the context that I am using it here, is "a collection or list of sacred books, etc. accepted as genuine." By their nature they are a list made by a specific religious community at a specific point in time. I would like to suggest that we build our own proposed Canon for our First Unitarian religious community. Come prepared to share the names of one or two books that you think are essential for a UU Canon at this point in our history. I will start the list with the Bible, the Tao te Ching, the Koran and the Bhagavad Gita. Your turn...

• March 13, 2005
  Water
  Its sound is soothing, its appearance is healing, and its taste is life-giving, but a fast growing global crisis threatens equitable access to water. On this UU Service Committee Justice Sunday, we will explore water from spiritual and social justice points of view.
  More information about water

• March 20, 2005
  Ministry Is All That We Do Together
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Kathie Johnson Shared Ministry is not a new idea. It's a concept at least as old as the Bible. How does this age-old religious tradition manifest itself in our congregation today? How might we further expand and enrich the Shared Ministry at First Unitarian?

• March 27, 2005
  Easter with a Transylvanian Twist
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Suzanne Meeks Since Easter falls during our Partner Church month we will be incorporating some Transylvanian traditions into our Celebration of Life today. Our Outreach Offering today will go to support our annual commitment to our partner church in Nagyenyed.

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• April 3, 2005
  Teach Your Children Well – Lessons from Siddhartha
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Ken Shepherd
  Raising children can be a challenge for both the parentor and the parentee. Not the least of these challenges is how much do we protect them and how much do we let them explore and experience the world around them. The story of Siddhartha offers us some insights into the delicate balancing act between parental boundaries and protection and the world of experience.

• April 10, 2005
  Pursuit of Passionate Purpose
  Guest speaker, Theresa M. Szczurek, PhD
  Dr. Szczurek, a long-time UU and author of the new book, Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, offers a secular and spiritual approach to help you reap real rewards of life; meaning, satisfaction, and extraordinary results. A more in-depth workshop on this topic will follow the service from 1-3 p.m.

• April 17, 2005
  Take A Chance
  Worship Associate Carol Edelen
  The Middle School Youth Group presents this service to inspire you to seize the day. Our fears, real and perceived, often hold us back from reaching our goals. This intergenerational service will challenge you to extend your reach just a little further.

• April 24, 2005
  Hard Old Memories
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Suzanne Meeks
  Growing up is a challenge for most of us. None of us gets to choose the home and family environment into which we are born. Some of those environments are much further from ideal than others. Some people survive, maybe even thrive, in less than optimal conditions. Others do not. Some who survive eventually become wounded healers. Today, on the first day of Passover, we lift up the survivors and acknowledge those who did not. In our Shared Ministry model at First Unitarian, I believe that many among you are, or may eventually become wounded healers.

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• May 1, 2005
  Are We Truly Creedless
  Rev. Norm Stewart & Worship Associate Linda Berry
  Let's see, for openers we, the First Unitarian Church of Louisville frequently recite something we call a Covenant. We regularly lift up the UUA's Seven Principles, and Six Sources of Wisdom. And, we also have Vision & Mission Statements that are intended to remind us of who we are and what we are about. Should we consider any of these to be statements of faith which for UUs might be comparable to something like the Apostle's Creed in other traditions? Which of these do I have to agree with to really be a true liberal religionist? May 1st is the Pagan holiday known as Beltane and we will celebrate by dancing the May Pole.

• May 8, 2005
  Creation Stories
  Guest speaker John McCarthy & Worship Associates Carol Edelen & Kathie Johnson
  John McCarthy is a teacher and an artist. He has done extensive research into the creation stories of many different cultures and then created artistic representations of those stories. Today he will share with us some of those stories and the insights they may offer for us in the creation story of our own life.

• May 15, 2005
  First Unitarian Church of Louisville, You Have a Call Waiting
  Rev. Norm Stewart
  Well, do we or don't we?

• May 22, 2005
  It Takes a Village
  Join us for our annual Religious Education Recognition Celebration of Life as we honor all RE participants, recognize our high school graduates, and celebrate our "multigenerational village." The service will include some very special music.

• May 29, 2005
  Stuff That Works
  Rev. Norm Stewart
  Our church year begins in July and ends at the end of June. As we begin to wind down the church year Norm will be reflecting on the year that is coming to an end and specifically on what he has come to believe is Stuff That Works. The title comes from a song of the same name by one of Norm's favorite Texas singer/songwriters, Guy Clark.
  
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• June 5, 2005
  Re-claiming Vacation
  Rev. Norm Stewart and Worship Associates, Carol Edelen and Kathie Johnson
  Are you working more now and enjoying life less? Researchers claim, “U.S. workers now work an average of nine full weeks more than their European workers do.” Author, Sue Bender writes, “We all need a certain amount of fallow time.... Watching the grass grow, sitting on the hillside, staring out the windows daydreaming. When we don't have it, there is a deeper intelligence that won't come forth.”
  
  
• June 12, 2005
  Sunday in the Park ... a Flower Communion Service
  Rev. Norm Stewart and Friends
  The library is in our building for the big book sale today so we'll be having our Celebration of Life in the Choir Room. Bring cut flowers to share during the service.
  
• June 19, 2005
  Living the Welcoming Congregation
  Rev. Norm Stewart and Worship Associates from Interweave
  Welcoming Congregation is not something we visit now and then. It is an ongoing commitment that we weave into the fabric of our congregational character. This service will explore recommitting ourselves to living the Welcoming Congregation program.
  
• June 26, 2005
  Blessing of the Animals
  Tiffany and Doug Taylor and Anne Miller
  Today we’ll honor the pets and animal friends who are part of our beloved community. You’re invited to bring pets on leashes or in appropriate carriers; they must be under adult supervision for the enjoyment and safety of all participating. Please also bring pictures or mementos of pets living or gone, to help decorate the platform.
  
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• July 3, 2005
  It's a Terquasquicentennial!
  Jennifer Lavery
  Or, in English, it’s the very day of the Church’s 175th birthday. Jennifer Lavery, church history buff, will lead a service on the theme of “What’s More?” What “more” were those founding members seeking in July, 1830? What “more” do we seek at First U today?
  
  
• July 10, 2005
  When You Come to a Fork in the Road
  Worship Associate, Emil Roy
  What makes UUs distinctive? Turning away from the well-traveled road because everyone else is on it, thinks Richard Allen, author of this "Great Sermon." Today's service will look into reasons why we have more passion for diversity than identity.
  
  
• July 17, 2005
  Unitarian Universalism: The Promise And The Challenge
  Shared Ministry Coordinator, Dr. Linda Givens.
  How has the world changed over the last 40 years or so? What are our greatest cultural needs today? How well do we as Unitarian Universalists meet contemporary needs? Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell, the author of this week's "Great Sermon," claims that the answers to these questions present a great opportunity and challenge to UUs today.
  
  
• July 24, 2005
  The Lure of Community and the Experience of Separation
  Rev. Gary Bennett.
  From his experience as a hospital Chaplain, Rev. Bennett reflects upon our desire for community and the realities of separation. The reality of separation through the death of a loved one or perhaps as the result of drug or alcohol abuse has touched or will touch almost all of us. "Church" is at its best when it provides a sense of community. Sadly, "church" can sometimes be one more experience of separation.
  
  
• July 31, 2005
  Nourishment for the Soul
  Worship Associate, Kathie Johnson.
  A sermon authored by the Rev. Betty Pingel and part of the "Great Sermon Series." Unitarian Universalism is often one of the best-kept secrets in our communities. We often are shy about telling our friends what church we attend and may find ourselves tongue-tied when anyone asks us what we believe. Under those circumstances it seems a fair question to ask if we are finding or can possibly find nourishment for our souls in this religious faith of ours.
  
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• August 7, 2005
  Bends in the River
  Rev. Bonnie Meyer - Community Minister
  We all encounter bends in the rivers of our lives--events which change our lives and affect us deeply. How we respond to these changes can make a big difference on the rest of the journey. Do Unitarian Universalists have resources to help in carefully steering through these bends?
  
  
• August 14, 2005
  Yard Sales As Spiritual Practice
  Rev. Norm Stewart
  Next Saturday, August 20, First Unitarian will take our annual Yard Sale to a new level as we join forces with Central Louisville churches in the First Annual HELP Ministries Giant Benefit Yard Sale. Today we will explore how your participation and support of this sale and of the HELP Ministries can be a part of your spiritual life.
  
  
• August 21, 2005
  Confessions of a Mystical, Humanistically-Inclined Agnostic Theist with Pagan Tendencies And A Love For Jesus
  Worship Associate, Joe Edmiston
  A sermon authored by the Rev. Joy Atkinson and part of the Great Sermon Series. Unitarian Universalists are often accused of either borrowing too freely from too many faith traditions or not believing in much of anything at all. Rev. Atkinson reminds us that UUs are able to hold the best of all religious and philosophical traditions in a wide embrace.
  
  
• August 28, 2005
  Social Responsibility and Personal Responsibility: Annual T-shirt/Clean-up Sunday
  Worship Associates, John Durham and Geneva Fry
  Wear your favorite tee-shirt message and bring your favorite broom, vacuum or rag and cleaners. We hope this service will get you fired up and ready to clean. Is there really a kitchen witch? Are there fairies in the closet? Who cleans our church? Must you ask? Please be prepared to stay 1-2 hours after the service to work. Bring a sandwich and piece of fruit if you need to eat lunch right away. This is a great time to get to know fellow church members and prepare the church for Ingathering.
  
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• September 4, 2005
  What Kind of People Come Here?
  Rev. Norm Stewart, Worship Associate, Joe Edmiston
  August and September frequently bring more visitors than usual. Presumably they are looking for a place where they might feel welcome and comfortable on their spiritual journey. On some level, many of these visitors would like to know, what kind of people come here? and if they (the guest) will be able to find a place at our table.
  
  
• September 11, 2005
  The Wisdom Tree
  Rev. Norm Stewart, Multi-generational Service
  Our annual Ingathering Service with Water Ceremony will begin our new church. Please bring a small sampling of water from your summer journeys, adventures or respite to add to our community water for use during rituals and services in the coming year. The water may actually come from your travels, it may be symbolic of your travels or in rare instances we have been know to accept virtual water.
  
  
• September 18, 2005
  175th Anniversary Celebration Kick-off Service
  Rev. Norm Stewart, Worship Associates, 175th Anniversary Planning Committee
  In 1828, the first Mayor of Louisville was a Unitarian. Our current Mayor, Jerry Abramson recently issued a mayoral proclamation, officially declaring Sunday, September 18, 2005, “First Unitarian Church 175th Anniversary Celebration Day” in Louisville. Today’s service will kick-off a full year of celebrating this milestone for liberal religion in our community.
  

   

• September 25, 2005
  Living Our Values In the Wider Community: Social Responsibility and Our Response to Katrina
  Rev. Norm Stewart, Social Responsibility Comm. & Katrina Task Force
  Throughout our history, social responsibility and Unitarian Universalist values have gone hand in hand. Today's service will look at social justice work we have done and continue to do in our wider community as well as what we can and will be doing to respond to the disaster in New Orleans and across the Gulf Coast.
  
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• October 2, 2005
  The Faith of Our Founders and the Separation of Church and State
  Rev. Norm Stewart and Worship Associate Emil Roy
  It is no accident that the founders of our country, many of whom we decidedly Christian, decided that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” We'll explore why freedom of and from religion are core values that most Unitarian Universalists consider a sine qua non of our spiritual essence.
  
  

• October 9, 2005
  Faith of the Atheist
  Worship Associate - Joe Edmiston & Friends
  For those of us from a Christian background, the concept of an atheist as an active church member seems a little incongruous. Have atheists found something to replace god? Where do they find solace and comfort in times of crisis? Are they all alone in the universe, and if they are, how do they feel about that? Are all humanists atheist, and vice versa? Come explore this thought-provoking facet of UUism.
  
  
• October 16, 2005
  Both Sides Now: Evolution and Creationism
  Rev. Norm Stewart and Worship Associate Katy Brown
  Another chapter in the continuing saga of the relationship between science and religion.
  
  
• October 23, 2005
  Boundaries and Free Thinkers: Does Anything go in a UU Church?
  Rev. Norm Stewart and Worship Associate Kathie Johnson
  It is common for non-UUs to think that we can believe anything we want. Most everything in life has boundaries. How do we view boundaries - as good? or bad? or both? How do we as a faith community negotiate our shared boundaries?
  
  
• October 30, 2005
  El Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead Celebration
  Rev. Norm Stewart and Worship Associate Pat Allison
  As part of our Celebration of the Day of the Dead, our service will present a staged reading of The Little Prince. The fox character lets us know 'because of the color of wheat' he will never forget the Little Prince (the Little Prince has sandy colored hair). Everyone is invited to bring to the service items that makes them remember someone who has passed away and set those items on the altar. xxxxx xxxxxx and Youth Performing Arts School students will perform the staged reading.
  
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• November 6, 2005
  What Does It Mean to Be a “Real” UU?
  Rev. Norm Stewart and Worship Associate Emil Roy
  
  
• November 13, 2005
  The Van Gogh Café
  Rev. Keith Kron and Rev. Norm Stewart
  How do you heal a world filled with oppression? Maybe you need a little magic. Using children's stories as a guide, we will examine how these and other stories are instructive on what each of us can do to change the world. This will be an intergenerational service. We also introduced our new members and celebrated with a luncheon.
  
  
• November 20, 2005
  Sharing Our Blessings / Guest at Your Table Sunday
  Rev. Norm Stewart, Worship Associates Kathie Johnson & Carol Edelen
  Each year as we approach Thanksgiving it is a time to reflect upon the blessings in our lives, our congregation, our community and our nation. However, since last Thanksgiving our world has been rocked with devastating tsunamis, hurricanes, and earthquakes that challenge us to re-examine our priorities and re-visit our willingness to share our nation's bounty with others.
  
  
• November 27, 2005
  Unplugging the Christmas Machine
  Worship Associates Katy Brown and Joe Edmiston
  As a rule, Unitarian Universalists don't generally get as caught up in the commercialism of the winter holiday season as many people do. Today's service will explore some positive ways that could help make the season more meaningful.
  
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• December 4, 2005
  Kwanzaa Celebration
  Guest speaker: Dr. Blaine Hudson
  Worship Associates: Pat Allison and Norm Stewart
  Our guest speaker, Dr. Blaine Hudson, is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisville. Dr. Hudson will address the Kwanzaa principle of self-determination, Kujichagulia. Ed White and members of the River City Drum Corps will once again help us celebrate.
  
  
• December 11, 2005
  Innocence and Trust
  Rev. Norm Stewart and Worship Associate: Linda Givens
  Recently I overhead someone say that the Christmas holiday is all about innocence as personified in the birth of a child many years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. Innocence is not a virtue UUs are known for lifting up very often. How might we use the holiday message of innocence to help us build trust in our shared ministry together here at First Unitarian?
  
  
• December 18, 2005
  Angels and Messengers
  Lisa Willner and R.E. Committee members
  Join us for our annual Religious Education Holiday Celebration of Life. This multigenerational service will highlight the leadership, musical, and dramatic talents of our children and youth. The "R.E. Holiday Choir for All Ages" will sing.
  
  
• December 25, 2005
  Happy Christmas, Merry Hanukkah
  Rev. Norm Stewart and the Elves
  Our Celebration of Life today will be a simple service marking both Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah which begins at sundown on the 25th this year.
  
  
• January 1, 2006
  Milestones and Millstones
  Worship Associates: Mike Avery, Debra Gilbert, Evonda Valentine, Benjamin Ensor
  Special music by: Emily Ensor
  Our New Year's Celebration of Life will feature a Burning Bowl, an ancient Hindu purification ritual for freeing the negative aspects of the past from within us. By turning our burdens into white light, we can embrace the coming year with renewed energy. Let the flames of Love release them to the universe.
  
  
  
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• 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 5494

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