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by Joe Mish, Co-Director of Music
Responsiveness to music is an essential part of our neural nature. ~ Dr. Oliver Sacks, Neurologist NYC
by Phil Wheeler, Board of Directors President
Initially, when Sue and I first joined the church, I persisted in thinking of the church as if it somehow belonged to somebody else. A number of people (Sue chief among them) helped me to see the error of this notion. One on occasion, when I told Jerry K. that "you people should do something" about the humidity in the Sanctuary because it could damage the organ and the piano, Jerry responded, "No, you mean 'we people should do something.'" This was instructive.
by Ryan Shriver, Director of Religious Education
Our Religious Education program seems poised for...something. How's that for specific? I can't quite put my finger on it, but there are a number of positive indicating factors that lead me to believe something very exciting is happening.
by The Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski
Our Church is a busy place this month, offering numerous opportunities for nurturing spiritual growth. We hold our annual Midwinter Retreat on Saturday morning, February 11, welcoming children, youth and adults with an engaging selection of activities and workshop sessions. Many folks are busy reading The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona-Mexico Borderland and looking forward to the upcoming discussions of the book. And we have a lively group participating in the New UU Class that Sarah Rothwell is facilitating.
by Ryan Shriver, Director of Religious Education
Winter at First Unitarian Universalist Church brings many exciting opportunities to join in learning, fellowship, and worship in Religious Education.
On January 14, the Religious Education Committee for Children and Youth and I will be hosting a morning long retreat to discuss ways to include children and youth in more congregational events and to invite youth into leadership roles within more committees. Anyone interested in joining the discussion is welcome and encouraged to attend.
by Joe Mish, Co-Director of Music
When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart.~ Howard Thurman
by The Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski
The turning of the year brings with it many lists of Top 10 Favorites. It's become my practice to share with you what I've been reading, enjoying and finding edifying over the past year. My list includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction; only one was new in 2011. Here are my top 10 reads for 2011:
by Phil Wheeler, Board of Directors President
I wrote last year at this time that roughly 2000 years ago Jesus and his band of followers expelled the money changers from the Temple; ever since that event, people in the Judeo-Christian tradition have been conflicted about money. We need to become less conflicted if our church is to be fair with its staff, maintain our building, teach our children and each other well and make a difference in our community and our planet. We need to be more open about money.
by Ryan Shriver, DRE
"At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." -Albert Schweitzer. "Gratitude is the heart's memory." -Proverb
by Joe Mish, Co-Director of
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy ~ English Carol
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