September 5th, 2010

Why I Was Willingly Arrested and What I Learned Along the Way

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Dani Beale

I believe that Arizona's new anti-immigrant law is immoral and unjust. So when the call came to travel to Phoenix to participate in the National Day of Non-Compliance this past July, I knew I had to answer. To talk about my experience I have to follow several threads. My sermon this morning will include reflection on immigration history, worker justice issues, civil disobedience philosophy and the prison industry. Our worship this morning will include a couple of great songs from the Unitarian Universalist soundtrack of the Human Rights Summer!

September 12th, 2010

A Time of Reckoning

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Kristina Spaude

What would you find if you were to seriously take stock of your failings? What would you need to make right if you were to carefully review the mistakes you have made in your relationships this past year? The "Days of Awe" following Rosh Hashanah in the Jewish tradition are a time of reckoning. It is a time for owning up to mistakes, a time for apologies, a time for making amends. Come consider the spiritual gifts and challenges of confession, repentance and beginning again.

September 15th, 2010

Wellspring Wednesday

5:30 Catered dinner in Fessenden Hall. Modest cost to be announced. Contact office with reservation by 9/12.

6:15 Sacred Singing with Saunis Parsons, sanctuary

7:30 "Making Peace With Your Religious Past" with Rev. Carvill-Ziemer, Fessenden Hall

September 19th, 2010

Yes! No! I Don't Know!

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Kathy Kerns

Navigating change can feel like riding an emotional rollercoaster. One moment we might be brimming with excitement about the new possibilities before us, the next could find us filled with grief for all that we stand to lose if we make a change. It is enough to leave us uncertain, confused or even depressed. How can we live through the changes in our lives - at home, at work, and here at church - in a way that fosters health and wholeness?

September 26th, 2010

Chalice Groups - Building Community Eight at a Time

Elaine Bowen and Chalice Group members

Over the past 5 years, the face of UUCK has changed with a new minister and many new members. It can be difficult to get to know each other or engage in deep conversation in the noise & distraction of coffee hour or in a few moments of greeting. This service aims to introduce Chalice Groups as a opportunity and invitation for congregants to engage in the development of relationships through the discussion of meaningful UU related topics.

August 1st, 2010

The Abrahamic Faiths -- A Quarreling Family

Bonnie Fraser with Worship Associate Christie Anderson

Members of the Neighboring Faiths class from the UU church and the United Church of Christ in Kent will share reflections about their experiences attending Jewish, Islamic, and Christian worship and the insights about contemporary issues learned through discussions with religious leaders.

August 4th, 2010

7:00 pm Vespers

August 8th, 2010

What is Your Personal Legend?

Lori Mcgee with Worship Associate Kristofer Sperry

Have you ever wondered what your life's purpose is? After reading Paulo Coello's wonderful book, "The Alchemist", last spring, I was inspired to lead a service which explores ways we can answer this question for ourselves. The answers might be easier to find than you think.

August 15th, 2010

The Breath of Life

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Dani Beale

Last fall Brad Bolton was the highest bidder on the item I submitted for the service auction: the chance to choose a theme for a worship service. Brad gave me a most interesting challenge. I'll tell you more about the challenge and about how I settled on my theme during the sermon. Here is a hint. If there were room on our outdoor sign for a subtitle it would read "A Theological and Spiritual Reflection on Reproductive Choice."

August 22nd, 2010

The Common Good

Renee Zimelis Ruchotzke and Worship Associate Kathy Kerns

According to UU Theologian Paul Rasor, part of the postmodern challenge is related to our society's emphasis on consumption over the common good. Does what we buy reflect who we are?

August 29th, 2010

Belonging

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer, Director of Religious Education Karen Lapidus and Worship Associate Eric van Baars

At this special multigenerational Ingathering Service we will celebrate the joy of belonging. Please bring a very small vial of water and soil to the service from a place that you feel you belong (symbolic water and soil is fine if it is not possible for you to get it from the place you have in mind). Children aged 3 and under will attend the nursery. Children aged 4 and up will attend the service.

July 4th, 2010

Doubt Was Our Foundation

Cal Frye and worship associate Susan Goekler

In 1776, this country's Founders created something new, never before seen in political affairs. They had faith in their noble experiment, but not blind faith in either the structure or the outcome. Their faith instead was in the power of experiment and the spirit of Liberty, what Judge Learned Hand called "the spirit which is not too sure that it is right."

July 7th, 2010

7:00 pm Vespers

The Summer Day

Karen Lapidus, Director of Religious Education

The poems of Mary Oliver are akin to gospel in many Unitarian Universalist circles! Her reverence of nature and keen observations delight and inspire us. We'll reflect upon the splendor of July via Oliver's poems and consider what it is we plan to do with our one wild and precious summer.

July 11th, 2010

Patience is a virtue? Are you sure?

Saul Flanner and Kathy Walker

"What are you waiting for?" sounds like a call to action. But what happens when there is no action to take? What happens when all you can do is wait? Saul Flanner and Kathy Walker know a little about waiting and slightly less about patience, but they're going to share what they do know during their multimedia summer service. Explore patience as a spiritual practice and find out how to use ritual, humor, and storytelling to find joy while you wait.

July 18th, 2010

TBA

July 25th, 2010

Summertime Surprise

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer

I am waiting to see what surprises this summer will bring before I write this sermon. I can tell you our services this morning will be a celebration of life. Come share the blessings.

June 2nd, 2010

7:00 pm Vespers

Ice Cream Dreams

Worship Associate Elaine Bowen

Do you recall hot summer days of childhood, eating an ice cream cone or twin popsicle with the sugary drips running down your chin, arm or both? Do you remember not having a care in the world, dreaming of what you were going to do and who you were going to be when you grew up? Have those dreams come true? Or did they fall to the pavement and melt away? We'll welcome the coming of summer with reflection and revisiting our once-upon-a-time ice cream dreams. Real ice cream sundaes will follow at 7:30.

June 6th, 2010

Imagine the Flowers

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Kristofer Sperry

Imagine that the variety and beauty of the flowers represents the variety and beauty of the people who make up our congregation. Come enjoy our annual Flower Ceremony and join in reflecting on creative possibility awakened by imagination. Bring a flower or two with you to church and join in our celebration of life.

June 13th, 2010

The Faith of the Man Who Made the Greatest Show on Earth

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Eric Van Baars

He was a showman, a public benefactor and an advocate of Universalism. Come explore the life and faith of P.T. Barnum and consider what inspiration his story might offer for our lives today.

June 20th, 2010

Religious Education Sunday and Church Picnic

The Religious Education Committee and Karen Lapidus, Director of Religious Education

The end of the regular program year offers us an opportunity to celebrate! Along with expressing our appreciation to our teachers and volunteers, the children in our religious education program will share highlights from their classroom experiences. Our high school seniors will be honored as well. It is sure to be a joyous multigenerational worship service! Our annual church potluck picnic will immediately follow the service. Nursery care will not be provided.

Note that there will be only one service at 10:30 am at Plum Creek Park pavilion. Please bring lawn chairs and a dish to share.

June 27th, 2010

I Never Met the Man

Tom Beck with Worship Associate Dani Beale

We will explore the phenomenon of how our actions can influence others in ways that we may not have anticipated.

May 2nd, 2010

Can I Get a Witness?

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Ted Voneida with special guest Dr. Thomas Grace

The tragic events that took place on May 4, 1970 left an indelible imprint on Kent State University and the larger Kent community. Today as we gather in worship we will mark the 40th anniversary of those events, reflect upon the importance of remembering and consider the significance of organized witness.

Thomas M. Grace, Ph.D., is the author of "Kent State: Death and Dissent during the Long Sixties, 1958-1973" (Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, forthcoming) and "Kent State and Historical Memory," in a forthcoming book to be published by Kent State University Press. He lectures and teaches at colleges in Western New York, including most recently Cornell University and D'Youville College. Fall 2010 he will be teaching at Erie Community College in Buffalo. Thomas Grace was among the nine surviving casualties of National Guard gunfire on May 4, 1970.

May 5th, 2010

7:00 pm Vespers

Feel The Beat!

Christie Anderson

Arouse your heart beats to the sound of drum beats by exploring the rhythmic spirit of drumming, which has mesmerized humans throughout history and across cultures. Experience the rejuvenating energy yourself by participating in or listening to simple rhythmic drumming. Variety of hand drums, rattles and shakers provided. No experience needed.

May 9th, 2010

The Patchwork of Our Lives - Mother's Day Service

Natalie Isvarin-Love

Every picture tells a story, and so does every quilt. Natalie Isvarin-Love, an active member of the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland in Shaker Heights, will be our guest to lead a quilt-themed service honoring all the "patches" that make up the fabric of our lives. We would like to invite members and friends of the congregation to participate in a number of different ways: By bringing a quilt to display in the sanctuary; Sharing a reflection or short story about a quilt, or; both! Please send us your story and let us know if you have a quilt to display as soon as possible and no later than Monday, May 3rd.

May 16th, 2010

Standing on the Side of Love

Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Lori McGee

Standing on the Side of Love is a public advocacy campaign sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association. The goal of the campaign is to harness love's power to stop oppression. How can we stand on the side of love here in Northeast Ohio?

May 23rd, 2010

Coming of Age Sunday

The Coming of Age Youth, their Mentors, Facilitators and Worship Associate Kathy Kerns

This worship service is the culminating event of the Coming of Age Program for our high school-aged youth. All year, they have examined their hearts and lives in preparation for writing their Faith Statements, which will be shared during the service. Children in grades 3 through 8 will be in attendance. The Spirit Play class (age four to grade 2) will go directly to their classrooms.

May 30th, 2010

Perchance to Dream

Rev. Matt Alspaugh and Worship Associate Marion Yeagler

What are we to make of our dreams? Do they offer guidance, spiritual insight, or are they just filler for the nighttime mind? If dreams do have something to say, we'll explore how we might make sense of them.

The Rev. Matt Alspaugh is the consulting minister at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Youngstown. This morning Matt, our minister Melissa and three other area Unitarian Universalist ministers are participating in a five congregation pulpit exchange. Melissa is leading worship this morning at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Canton.

April 4th, 2010

Resurrected!

The Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer, DRE Karen Lapidus and Worship Associate Christie Anderson

Earth awakening! Eggs hatching! Life emerging - anew, again! Easter is a time to rejoice. Come join in sensory celebration of this most joyous Christian holiday. Our early service will be multi-generational and children will be invited to stay for the whole service with their families. Our later service will be crafted with youth and adults in mind.

April 7th, 2010

7:00 pm Vespers

Serendipity

Dani Beale

Defined as "an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident; good fortune; luck." Often there are unexpected joys to be found in life, whether they are fated, or just waiting to be discovered by those who are observant. In this service we will explore those blessings that were not sought, but found just the same. What unexpected good fortune have you uncovered?

April 11th, 2010

Nourishing Body and Spirit

Ethical Eating Group

April 18th, 2010

Finding God in the Earth

The Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Dani Beale

This Earth Day we will draw from the spiritual teachings of earth centered traditions that celebrate the sacred circle of life and teach us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. Is God in the river and the mountain? Are birds sacred? How about trees? What is required of those who love the earth?

April 25th, 2010

The Courage to Create

The Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Worship Associate Eric VanBaars

The film director Akira Kurosawa said that the "artist is one who does not look away." What can art teach us about courage, discipline and the life of the spirit?