Celebrations of Life
2008 Archive

• January 6, 2008
  Epiphanies Surround Us
  After the thundering hooves of holiday mercantilism, maybe on the Twelfth Day of Christmas we can lean towards the spiritual again. Greg Gapsis will explore what The Three Magi might teach us about our search for truth in a world of powers and principalities.
  
• January 13, 2008
  “What’s It All About?”
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  This question is taken from the title song of the movie Alfie; it is one of those Big Questions well worth wrestling with, especially in times of transition.
  
  
• January 20, 2008
  Loving Our Enemies
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  It’s hard enough for most of us to love our neighbors and ourselves. Can we really love our enemies? Should we? What does “love your enemies” mean? This intergenerational Celebration of Life will explore these questions, through the lens of the preaching, teaching and prophesying of Martin Luther King, Jr.
  
  
• January 27, 2008
  Weaving Community
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  Weaving is one of those metaphors that we sometimes use glibly. Until I took a weaving course, I did not really understand its power. But there is a reason that mythologies all over the world tell stories about weavers and weaving.
  
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  February 3, 2008
  Opening to Awe
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  Most of us know the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism. But there are also Six Sources--the important tributaries that feed the river of our living tradition. The first source so named, is “direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder..” At this intergenerational Celebration of Life, we will honor the elders of our congregation, continuing a beloved tradition.
  
• February 10, 2008
  What Would Lincoln Do?
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  A second Source is: “words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love.” For me, Lincoln is one such person--born nearly 200 years ago, less than sixty miles from this church.
  
• February 17
  Faith and Humanism
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  Like the word “God,” “humanism” means different things to different folks. At this Celebration of Life, I will focus on the fifth named Source: “Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.”
  
• February 24, 2008
  Partner Church Sunday
  Barbara Beach
  This year, First Unitarian is hosting the UU Partner Church Council, formed in 1993 in the aftermath of the collapse of Communism in central Europe, home of the earliest Unitarian churches in the world. Connections among North American UUs, and Unitarians and Universalists in other parts of the world have widened our perspective, deepened our connection with our historical roots, and sown seeds for the future of our religious movement. Our guest speaker is past president of the UUPCC, and serves on the International Advisory Council.
  
  
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• March 2, 2008
  International Connections
  Joan Uebelhoer
  As we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8, the First U Women’s Alliance Service will feature Joan Uebelhoer, who will explore Women’s International Connections.
  
  
• March 9, 2008
  The Giving Church
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  Remember that old rhyme, said with fingers: “This is the church, and this is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people”? Despite the rhyme, what makes a church is not the building, and not the steeple—no matter how remarkable their architecture! This Sunday we will be celebrating the people of this church, especially, the generosity of your hearts.
  
  
• March 16, 2008
  Food for Thought
  The Sr. High class presents today’s service with ideas and inspirations they’ve been pondering this year. Come see and hear a youth perspective, enjoy some great music, and join the pondering.
  
  
• March 23, 2008
  Resurrection Tales
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  “This is the truth that passes understanding...life springs from death and shatters every fetter.” So go lyrics, written by Robert Weston, a past minister here at First Unitarian. Such a truth calls for joy and celebration. Come, celebrate Easter in this joyous intergenerational worship service.
  
  
• March 30, 2008
  The Choices We Make
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout this country will be observing Justice Sunday today, coming together in support of the work of our Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
  
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• April 6, 2008
  Where there is Blessing
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  Orthodox Christian theology asserts that we are born into a state of original sin. And one strand of Christianity suggests that the world is essentially depraved, and the path to God is best followed by removing oneself from it. But there are theologians-- including Matthew Fox, and The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, President of Starr King Theological School--who are countering by elaborating on the ancient concept of blessing.
  
  
• April 13, 2008
  The Poetry of Mary Oliver
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  In honor of National Poetry Month, I’ll explore the work of the only poet honored as the Ware Lecturer, at General Assembly. The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  
  
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• May 4, 2008
  Some Kiss We Want
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  In this lush season of sensuality and sexuality, I will consider the intersection of desire, passion, and religion. After the worship service, dance the maypole in the courtyard (weather permitting). The sermon title, by the way, is taken from Rumi. The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  
• May 11, 2008
  Sowing Stars of Gladness: A Celebration of Religious Education
  Join us as we recognize and celebrate those who sow knowledge and gladness. Multigenerational.
  
• May 18, 2008
  Design -- Our Church Home
  John Grossman, principal architect of First Unitarian Church
  Some thoughts about the personal and community search for a religious architecture.
  
• May 25, 2008
  Coming of Age as a Unitarian Universalist
  A celebration of the journeys of our nine Coming of Age graduates. Multigenerational.
  
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• June 1, 2008
  The Meaning of Flowers
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  In the Victorian era, a highly nuanced language of flowers was developed. Both individual flowers and bouquets conveyed meaning and messages. Today we celebrate Flower Communion--the only holy day unique to our faith-- in an intergenerational worship service. Flower Communion is much more than a celebration of flowers, or spring; it is a ritual which communicates the meaning and message of our faith. Please bring a flower; as you choose the flower contemplate what it signifies.
  
• June 8, 2008
  Sacred Places
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  What makes a place sacred? This will be an informal worship service, since many will be at the campground. Come prepared to share your stories about sites you have found holy.
  
• June 15, 2008
  Benediction
  The Rev. Betsy Scheuerman
  This is my last Celebration of Life here at this wonderful, historic church. But ministers come and go; members come and go; even buildings come and go. We will acknowledge what ends, and celebrate what endures as we say, farewell. This worship service is intergenerational.
  
  
• June 22
  Coming Out
  Rebecca Dimon, Member Development Director
  In celebration of PRIDE month, Rebecca Dimon, Member Development Director for First U, will speak. First U’s Interweave group will also participate.
  
• June 29
  Service by John Wiggins; topic to be announced.
  
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  July
  
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• August
  
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• September
  
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• October
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• November
  
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• December
  
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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 5495

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