December 2005 Worship Services

Ministerial Cognitions

“Ours is a religion for the modern world. Acknowledging the heritage of human faith As it has passed down the centuries and through the cultures Of our ancestors and our neighbors; Ours, too, is an ancient religion. Honoring truth and the human quest.”
-- Rev. Jay Abernathy, Unitarian Universalist minister

As this holiday season goes into full swing, perhaps it is time that we acknowledge our ancient heritage. Our heritage can be traced back to the Jews and Christians, to the Chanukah lights and the birth of baby Jesus. But as with every religious tradition, our ancient heritage is also linked to other religious traditions, like those of the Roman and Celtic people, the Mithriac religion with Mithra—the god of light and wisdom--born on December 25 and the December Julmond festival of harvest and rebirth. We don’t often discuss our diverse religious roots, but it is important for us to share them, talk about them, remember them.

Unitarian Universalism can specifically date back to 325 CE and even before that. Before 325 CE (and the Council of Nicea), Christians were even more diverse in their beliefs than they are today. Unitarian Universalism comes from two distinct Christian traditions whose ideology developed during this time of religious diversity: Unitarianism (God is one, not a Trinity; and Jesus was a man, not a divinity) and Universalism (God is a God of love, and everyone is destined for heaven).

As we developed as a denomination over the past 200 plus years, our Judeo/Christian roots gradually became less central to our faith; we now have Buddhist UU’s, Pagan UU’s, Hindu UU’s. But we must still remember where we come from, and teach our children about our history. Our Principles and Purposes remind us that the living tradition which we share draws from many sources, one of which is Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.

This time of year, when we celebrate Christmas or Chanukah or Winter Solstice, let us not forget our Judeo/Christian roots or our Unitarian Universalist history; let us share the ancient and modern stories about our faith with each other and with our children. And let us look for new meaning in these stories, meanings that might have significance for us today. Rev. Tom

Worship Services:

Dec. 4

A Creation Ethic by Rev. Lillie Henley

Creation ethics; unconventional, that is. Not the ethics of creationism, which is what pervades the fundamental landscape of the Deep South, but an ethics of caring for the earth and each other. Please stay for the congregational informational meeting and potluck following the service.

Dec. 11

Recapturing Our Seasonal Rituals by Rev. Tom Capo

My wife and I look at the Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve. Every ornament holds meaning for us. It is an opportunity for us to relax and reminisce. It is during these times that I think back on the Christmas rituals from my childhood and wonder if I am missing something by leaving some of them behind.

Dec. 18

Merry Christmas And Happy Holy Days by Rev. Capo by Rev. Tom Capo

This is our annual Christmas breakfast and intergenerational holiday service. We will wonder together if we might see something more if we look into the eyes of a baby, Jesus, as a Unitarian Universalist.

The children will have the opportunity to participate in a little Christmas play (no practice necessary).

Dec. 24

Christmas Eve Vespers with Rev. Tom Capo

This is our annual vesper service on Christmas Eve; we will sing carols, and reach ancient texts. We will share with one another a special night of peace before the hectic day of family and presents.

Dec. 28

Seasonal Service with a holiday sing-along!