February 2020

Theme of the Month: Resilience

Hymn of the Month: #1015 I Know I Can

Chalice Lighting of the Month:

by Charles A Howe

We light this chalice to affirm that new light is ever waiting to break through to enlighten our ways:
That new truth is ever waiting to break through to illumine our minds:
And that new love is ever waiting to break through to warm our hearts.
May we be open to this light, and to the rich possibilities that it brings us.

Descriptions:
February 2, 2020
“From Refugee to Community Activist”
Hanka Grabovica
Hanka Grabovica was born in Bosnia, but came to Utica in Dec. 2001 when she was 16 with her parents for a better life and educational opportunities, and in August 2007 became a US citizen. She was 23 years old when she was standing on her own two feet with a college degree, teaching job, house, car, and partner. However, she knew no one in Utica, no family connection, only a few friends. This hasn’t stopped or slowed her down from being extremely active in the community including being on the Boards at WCNY and the United Way and running for Utica School Board and Utica City council at Large. She will talk about her journey and her resilience along the way.
Hanka is married with two children and works at Utica Academy of Science Public Charter School as a Student Affairs Officer. Previously, Hanka worked as an English as a second language (ELL) teacher in the Utica School District. Hanka has a BS from Utica College in Childhood Education and MS in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University, AZ. She is bilingual, has a black belt in Karate, and loves to travel the world, including once traveling to Japan to represent the USA National Karate team.

February 9, 2020

“Bounce”

Rev. Erin Dajka Holley

Let’s celebrate the experience of bouncing – of the fall that does not land hard, but that launches.

February 16, 2020

Stone Soup – Worship Committee
When it feels as though we’re living in a time of scarcity, how can we
act from a place of abundance? This service will relate a familiar story,
introducing two strangers who coax an entire village into realizing
the power of sharing and giving.
*Please bring a non-perishable or canned good for donation as part of the service*

February 23, 2020

“Never Broken, Always Changed”

Rev. Erin Dajka Holley
When things don’t go as we might want, it is easy to see things as broken and unrepairable. Instead, let us consider how we can tell the story of being malleable and changing to remain whole.

March 2020

Theme of the Month: Wisdom
Hymn of the Month: #1028 Fire of Commitment (a very real challenge for everyone)
Chalice Lighting of the Month:by Julianne Lepp
We seek our place in the world
and the answers to our hearts’ deep questions.
As we seek, may our hearts be open to unexpected answers.
May the light of our chalice remind us that this is a community of warmth, of wisdom,
and welcoming of multiple truths. 

Descriptions:
March 1, 2020

“Respect, Agency, and Personhood”

Katheryn Doran, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Hamilton College
Professor Doran earned a PhD in philosophy form UNC Chapel Hill and joined the faculty at Hamilton College in 1991. In 2006, inspired by a talk by the civil rights leader Robert Moses, class of ’56, she began offering philosophy talks at several local prisons such as Mohawk and Marcy. In 2012, she started a regular book group for inmates at Marcy Prison and in 2013, Hamilton College officially launched HOPE, Hamilton Oneida Prison Education. Professor Doran, along with several other members of the Hamilton faculty, lead regular book groups at Marcy Prison throughout the year. Professor Doran will discuss these experiences, why they are important, and some of the things she’s learned from them about philosophy, teaching, and service. 

March 8, 2020

“Nurturing Our Roots”

Rev. Erin Dajka Holley
It is a time of considering growth and how it can come about through nurturing the roots of our hearts, our values, and our church community. This service, we will reflect on what helps our church to thrive, its meaning in each of our lives, and how all of us are needed to help us grow.

March 15, 2020

Rev. Evin Carvill-Ziemer
Evin serves the Central East Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association in the areas of Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, and Intercultural Competency work and as Primary Contact for congregations in upstate and central New York. Evin holds a Masters of Divinity from Earlham School of Religion and Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College.

March 22, 2020

Rev. Erin Dajka Holley

“A Deeper Understanding of Wisdom”
How can we best understand wisdom in our midst, wisdom as it comes forth in our community, wisdom to choose our path?

March 29, 2020

“Mending Walls”

Marty Pelham
We will explore the role our history may play in challenges we face today, the strength rooted in diversity, and the importance of maintaining and mending relationships within our faith community.

Marty Pelham is a Candidate for Unitarian Universalist ministry and currently serving as Consulting Minister for All Souls UU Church of Watertown, NY.