Services for March 2021
Soul Matters theme: Commitment
Unless otherwise noted, services include sermons preached by the Rev. Andrew Clive Millard and take place on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/920676087, or you can dial-in to 646-876-9923 (Meeting ID: 920 676 087).
March 7th: “Non-Creedal Community”
Unitarian Universalist congregations are famously non-creedal communities. We say that what binds us together is our common covenant, rather than a common creed, but does being non-creedal mean that we don’t have any creeds? What about the individual beliefs of individual UUs? How do we build deep relationships with each other when we don’t share the same beliefs, and how do we build community with other people of faith around us?
The Rev. AJ van Tine is the minister of the Sierra Foothills Unitarian Universalists in Auburn CA. He is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and a graduate of Christopher Newport University, during which time he attended the UUFP regularly, hosted campus ministry and co-organized the Hampton Roads UU Revival of 2013. We welcome Rev. AJ back to the UUFP in this (long-distance) pulpit swap with Rev. Andrew!
Special Service!
7:00 p.m. on March 12th: “Lamentation, Gratitude and Hope”
At this one-year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ll gather (virtually) with some of our sibling UU congregations in Virginia to mark this overwhelming year by lamenting our collective loss and our individual loneliness, by offering our thanks for those who have cared for the sick and those who have kept society going, and by lifting up our hopes for a healthier, kinder and more just future.
March 14th: “Loved into Being”
Faith in Unitarian Universalism isn’t an intellectual exercise: it’s “heart” work. With a sermon preached by the UUA President, the Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray, as well as vibrant music and story- telling and other inspiring worship elements, let’s grow in spirit, in courage and in generosity. Join us for this adventure in stewardship!
This program is made possible in part by UUs like us, thanks to our support of the UUFP and the UUFP’s support of the UUA!
The Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray began her term as president of the Unitarian Universalist Association in 2017. As president, she is responsible for the UUA’s staff and programs that serve more than 1,000 member congregations. Susan brings a strong focus on mission and strategic planning to her leadership as the UUA works to dismantle systems of white supremacy. Prior to her election, she served as Lead Minister of the UU Congregation of Phoenix AZ where she was a national voice for immigrant rights. Susan played a critical role in the long-term campaign to end the constitutional violations of the Maricopa County sheriff.
March 21st: “I Dream a World: Stewardship, Economic Justice, and Beloved Community”
Justice and money are tied together in our country; lack of social mobility and economic disparity demonstrate what can happen when that tie is twisted in the wrong direction. Engaging with our congregation allows us to move away from zero-sum thinking and live fully into our UU Sixth Principle: “The goal of world community with peace, justice, and liberty for all.” What is our commitment to economic justice? What is our commitment to each other in our community? And how are those two values intimately connected? Come and explore with us!
Mark Ewert is a congregational stewardship consultant for UU communities, with a focus on helping congregations to grow their cultures of generosity. He is a past president of All Souls UU in Washington DC and is author of The Generosity Path: Finding the Richness in Giving, published by the UUA’s Skinner House Books. Mark has been consulting with us since our “Stay or Go” decision last year, and we welcome him to the UUFP’s pulpit!
March 28th: “Our Principles Within”
What are commonly called the Seven Principles are part of the covenant that all UU congregations make to each other as part of our membership in the Unitarian Universalist Association. Here at the UUFP, however, we have named four more principles that are uniquely ours: growing in wonder, connecting in love, engaging in service and inspiring generosity.