June 2004 Worship Services

Ministerial Cogitations

Two hours before dawn I sat in the peeling kitchen and smoked one of Sarah?s cigarette?s, listening to the maelstrom and waiting. Millsport had long since put itself to bed, but out in the Reach currents were still snagging the shoals, and the sound came ashore to prowl the empty streets. There was a fine mist drifting in from the whirlpool, falling on the city like sheets of muslin and fogging the kitchen windows.

Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan

You might be wondering why I started my column with this interesting, but not immediately spiritual quote. This is the opening paragraph of the book my son has been wanting me to read for many months. He says this futuristic detective novel is well written and exciting. This summer will be my first opportunity to read for pleasure in sometime, so I will start with his recommendation.

My summer will be filled with catching up on projects around the house, spending time with my family, and setting up my garage so that my tools are more easily accessible. In addition, I will catch up on my theological studies, read my UU history journals, and generally prepare for the upcoming church year.

I hope to see many of you this summer at SWUUSI, the Southwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute. I will be leading a workshop on conflict resolution, but I will also be attending many stimulating workshops, worship services, theme talks and sunset talks. I have attended many SWUUSIs, and I am really excited about the opportunity to spend some time with UUs from all over the district. UUs will all be letting their hair down and enjoying each other's company.

I will be available this summer for emergencies at the church all summer. I will not be going out of town, except for a weekend excursion or two and SWUUSI. I will miss everyone, but I will put my time to good use.

Well, back to Altered Carbon: I stubbed out the cigarette, mildly unimpressed with myself.

Worship Services:

June 6

Rev. Samuel A. Trumbore's Sermon on Mystery and Mysticis Presented by Sharon Colbert

He says, "There will always be mysteries. And always the urge to know why rises from the deepest part of our being. Let us respect, even enjoy, the persistence of mystery while continuing our quest for truth and meaning."

June 13

Sustainability and the Day After Tomorrow by Paul A. Judice

June 20

A Vision and A Task by Rev. Tom Capo

We will explore the benefits of having a unified vision for the church. What will change if we have a vision for the future? What will stay the same if ...

June 23

Romanticism, the Era We Never Left: 18/19th Century Ideology and the Creation of "ModernMan." by Steve Zani