"Spirituality and Art"

 

Service Leader: Sophia Singleton

Reflection: Rev. Beth Dana (video)

 

Have you ever felt a stirring in your soul when observing a piece of art? Theater? Or when listening to music? Has someone else's artistic expression given you a new perspective or a way to feel grounded in the moment? This Sunday we consider the role that art and creativity has on spirituality. The Rev. Beth Dana, of First Unitarian of Dallas, provides a thought-provoking reflection on the topic.

"The Hands of Our Fathers"

Service Leader: Kevin McCluney

Presenters: Gregg Brownell

Megan Rancier (via reader)

Lisa Merrill-Price

Tina Jones

 

For many of us, fathers loom large in our lives. Our hands were swallowed up by his when we were small. Those hands represented presence, safety, strength, or sadly, for some, fear. They helped shape the people we've become, directly or indirectly. Whatever type of dad or father figure you had, he has left his mark on your life. Come listen to the stories congregants are sharing about their dads this Father's Day.

"The Nutty Professor: The Power of Critical Thinking"

Service Leader: Susan Rogers

Service Presenter: Rick Rogers

 

University professors sometimes appear nutty. Why? Hollywood! Yes! But they may appear to the public and especially to their undergraduate students to think a little differently. Professors teach a subject in which they are experts. But much more importantly they are expected to be a paradigm of “Critical Thinking.” What is that? Why is it so important? Join professor Rick Rogers on Sunday (June 8), who will reflect with you on why Critical Thinking is essential for all of us.

"Songs and Stories"

Service Leader: Megan Rancier

Service Presenter: Gregg Brownell

Through the performance of songs and stories, Gregg Brownell will offer a reflection related to the UU values of Justice, Pluralism, and Transformation.

"Our Shared Values"

Service Leaders: Megan Rancier & Lisa Merrill-Price

This Sunday we will dive into the Shared Values recently revised by the UUA and ratified by UU congregations nationwide in June 2024. We will also talk about how we might implement these shared values at MVUUC and beyond.

"Variations on Indigenous Spirituality: Boogers, Coyotes, Ravens and Jingles"

Service Leader: Colleen Fitzgerald

Service Presenter: Phillip Park Thomas

We take a short dip into Cherokee, Goshute, Haida and Anishinabe stories and dances that reveal diverse spiritual perspectives among four Native American and First Nation societies.

"An Invitation to Love"

Service Presenter: Megan Rancier

In the new UU principle reorganization, love is the central principle that ties everything else together. This Sunday, join us to reflect on the ways we are invited to love in our lives. We will also reflect on how love can shape and guide us emotionally, but spiritually as well.

"Garden Blessing and Prairie Maintenance"

Service Presenter: Megan Rancier

Join us as we reflect on how gardens and gardening help to nurture well-being, connect to the land, build community, and reinforce our UU principle of interdependence. We will do a special activity to bless our MVUUC garden, and plants will be available for you to nurture at home!

"Sex, Gender, and Pride"

Dr. Rainey-Smithback will discuss our world's amazing sex, gender, and sexual orientation diversity, and how to celebrate this during Pride month.

"Juneteenth"

Service Presenter: Tom Edge 

In 2021, President Biden signed a law making Juneteenth a federal holiday. It became the first federal holiday to celebrate the end of chattel slavery after the Civil War. For many people in Black communities, however, this was a mixed blessing. This service will discuss the origins of the Juneteenth holiday among African Americans themselves. At the same time, it will ask us to consider other ways to celebrate the notion of "freedom" by addressing ongoing racial inequity in the United States today.

"Introducing...the cUUkie!"

Service Presenter: Robyn Perry 

Please join us this Sunday as member Robyn Perry introduces her concept of the cUUkie, a new way to visualize to UUs and non-UUs alike what it means to be a UU. Discussion and questions will be encouraged!

"Religious Nones"

Service Presenter: Megan Rancier 

According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 28% of Americans self-identify as religiously unaffiliated (also known as religious "nones"). What might these unaffiliated, agnostic, and atheist folks seek from a spiritual community, and what can a UU congregation offer to this growing population?

"Evolutionary Spirituality"

Service Presenter: Melanie Stinson 

Join Service Leader Susan Rogers for an exploration of evolutionary spirituality, a service written by Melanie Stinson. Are there similarities between science and spirituality? Kevin McCluney will add a biologist's view to the reflection.

"MVUUC's Got Talent"

Service Leader: Robyn Perry 

We are a community of many unique individuals with a wide variety of interests and talents! This Sunday, instead of a regular service, we will present a variety show featuring over a dozen MVUUC members and friends. Join us for the fun and help create a supportive environment where everyone feels welcome to be themselves!

"Singing Our Songs"

Service Leader: Lynn Israel

“The only thing better than singing is more singing!” once said Ella Fitzgerald. Even if you’re not a singer, studies have shown that merely listening to good music boosts endorphins. Interestingly, singing can be traced to at least 800 B.C. and humans were probably making some kind of rhythmic noise and maybe clapping back in our caveman days. Come and join us this Sunday in singing or listening as we explore some wonderful music from our hymnal, “Singing the Living Tradition” and from our hymnal supplement, “Singing the Journey.” We’ll be using recordings stored on our digital piano as accompaniment, most of which were played by former MVUUC pianists Xi Li or Jonathan Guilfand.

"Silent Streams"

Service Presenter: Kevin McCluney

Since Silent Spring was published in 1962, brining light to the harmful impacts of pesticides like DDT, many toxic chemicals have been banned. But global production and use of synthetic chemicals has actually increased dramatically in the 60 years since publication. Little is known about the ecological prevalence and effects of some of these chemicals, like legal and illegal drugs. BGSU ecologist Kevin McCluney will share some of his findings about legal and illegal drugs in wastewater and streams around NW Ohio, with implications for both public health and ecosystems.

"Let the People Lead!"

Service Presenter: Tom Edge

At the heart of the UU faith is the belief in the democratic process, that all should have a voice in the decision-making process within our congregations and communities. As we prepare for our annual Congregational Meeting, this is an excellent time to reflect on what that principle means in practice. How can we build a Beloved Community in which every voice is valued and heard? 

"Cosmic Reset: Trusting Transformation"

Service Leader: Tom Edge

Service Presenter: Michael Ellison, PhD

The world is shifting so fast, how can we navigate these changing waters with more flow, ease and resilience? Change is the nature of growth. We know a tree is growing because it is going places it did not go before. And the more we resist change, the more tension and stress build up. In these rapidly changing times, let’s explore what it means to trust transformation.