Upcoming Worship Services
All services via Zoom for now.
Join the interactive Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/368701920?pwd=RDc3THNTTWowSzdkaU94bGQ2SnZIZz09
Meeting ID: 368 701 920, Password 548638
From your phone: 1-646-558-8656, ID: 368 701 920#, Password: 548 638#
August Services
| August 2, 2020Guest PreacherRev. Dr. Randolph W.B. Becker, guest minister, will speak on “The Writing On Your Wall” – In these strange days of COVID-19 we have been invited into many homes for online interview of people. Invariably the settings are either in their kitchens or in front of their bookcases. When in front of bookcases I find myself drifting away from what they are saying, more fascinated by what titles they are claiming as part of their being. How about for you? What do you claim to have read? Remembered? Been changed by? Rev. Dr. Randy Becker is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and retired minister. He grew up in this church and served UU congregations in Williamsburg, VA; Park Forest, IL; and Key West, FL. August 9, 2020“Home with Hosea”Rev. Erin Dajka Holley Hosea Ballou (1771-1852) was a Universalist minister and theologian who was highly influential in the development of American Universalism. What might we learn from him that can inform our faith and lives today? August 16, 2020“Know Your Place”Rev. Leslie Mills When it comes to racial justice, what does it mean to “know your place”? Some see it as a phrase with an oppressive and violent racially-charged history. Others seek to know their place so they might be better engaged and connected in the work of collective liberation. Together we will explore what it might mean to Unitarian Universalists today. Rev. Leslie Mills is delighted to be visiting Utica — from her home in St. Paul, Minnesota! She is the minister of the UU Fellowship of La Crosse, Wisconsin (also from her home in St. Paul), following a ministry at the UU Church of Elgin, Illinois. She lives in an artist collective, practices the Japanese martial art of Ki-Aikido, and hopes that her calico cat will be able to welcome the new Roomba into their home without too much consternation. August 23, 2020“Principled Faith”Rev. Erin Dajka Holley Unitarian Universalism has no creed, no set of beliefs that we share. We are connected by our Principles and Purposes. This Sunday, let’s get a 30,000 ft view of these seven statements. In the coming year, we’ll consider each in depth, as well as the proposed eighth principle. August 30, 2020Guest PreacherRev. Mike Ballman (tentative) Mike Ballman is the Pastor of both Cornerstone Community Church and Plymouth Bethesda Church and the founder and director of the Oneida Square Project – all located on Plant Street in Oneida Square in Utica. |
Service Descriptions for July 2020
Theme of the Month: No theme for July
Hymn of the Month: TBD (Melissa’s Choice)
Chalice Lighting of the Month:
by Barnaby Feder
We kindle a flame we trust will lead us forward as we travel
in unknown lands,
where the question, “Shall I ever get there?” resounds:
A clear pure note in every silence.
Descriptions:
July 5, 2020
Sky Williams-Tao
Sky Williams-Tao is a student at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California. They have just completed a year as Ministerial Intern with the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse. Sky has also worked for the UU Congregation of Phoenix and for Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray’s campaign for Presidency of the UUA.
July 12, 2020
“Alphabet Soup: What does it mean to be LGBTQIAP+ and a UU?”
UU Utica Inclusion Team
Join UU Utica’s Inclusion Team to travel through UU history in recognition of past and present efforts by LGBTQ+ members to bring diverse perspectives and voices to the forefront of church conversations.
July 19, 2020
“Just This Moment”
Rev. Erin Dajka Holley
In this digital age, as we photograph, record, and post so many of our experiences to the internet, it is getting more difficult for pieces of our lives and our souls to exist only in their singular moment. Where and how do meaning and spirituality exist as photographs of our meals will survive forever in some corner of the internet?
July 26, 2020
“Spiritual, not Political”
Rev. Erin Dajka Holley
Join us to explore the ways in which political and activist action are based in Unitarian Universalist theology and spirituality.
10:30AM, Sunday, June 21, 2020 “Lighting Your Internal Fire” UUUtica Worship Committee
Join together on this summer solstice, the longest day of the year, to think about what lights a fire in you. What makes you burn and yearn for change? What lights up your passions and your creativity? As plants gather and store the sun’s energy, we too can find ways to collect these sparks and keep ourselves going.