Blog

May 24, 2020

This coming  Sunday, May 24th.,  our BHUU Service will be conducted  by member Judith Barisonzi, as we consider “My God and Your God.”  Judy will lead us in continuing the ongoing discussion from last week “on the possibly problematic nature of belief and the origins of religion.”   Offering a slight shift this Sunday she will talk about the Old Testament as well as some personal experiences, and assures “We’ll have plenty of time to share our multiple viewpoints.” 

With a more stable ZOOM link in the world of cyberspace this week, we’re all looking forward to gathering again at 10 a.m.   Members will find the link needed to connect on ZOOM sent to them by email later this week.   We welcome all to participate at Blue Hills UU, so serious parties wanting to take part may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

May 17, 2020

“Incoherent Rants!” ~?~

Our friend, visiting pastor Dennis Peters, returns to Blue Hills UU this coming Sunday, May 17 as we once again gather on ZOOM for our service at 10:00 a.m. Dennis warns us ahead of time: “I’ll be taking apart some cherished ideas, beliefs, and emotional ties here, walking down corridors that we’ve all visited… but with an axe this time.” Further explaining that “sometimes there is a need is for clarity – the clarity after lightning strikes, and the air is newly fresh, and the building you were standing in is now in charred ruins around you” his topic meshes with the times we are living through.

Those unafraid to challenge their beliefs will find the link needed sent to them by email later this week. All are welcome to participate however — serious parties wanting to take part may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

May 10, 2020

Our own James Bradley comes home to Wisconsin through the magic of ZOOM this coming Sunday, May 10th.  Retired Professor of Science and Humanities, Auburn University, Alabama, Jim challenges us to recognize “Modern brain science poses an interesting and perhaps urgent charge to Unitarian Universalists seeking to live by our first UU Principle:  to respect the inherent dignity and worth of every person.”

“Researchers are growing tiny brain-like organoids in the lab in order to help prevent, treat or cure many diseases and disorders. But what if these little assemblies of cells become conscious? Some personal observations about intersections of science, the humanities, and human values may help us think about this and other quandaries posed by modern science and technology.”  

We expect Bradley’s engaging question will inspire you to join us on ZOOM once again this Sunday;   BHUU members will find the link needed sent to them by Email later this week, although all are welcome to participate. Serious parties wanting to take part may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to join the service.

Jim Bradley

Order of Service – May 3rd

Our service today will be lead by Joshua Berg.

–Welcome & introductions

–Chalice lighting

Music – Sending You Light

–Announcements & Speaking for Social Action

–Joys & Concerns – congregation

Music/video – Resilient by Rising Appalachia

Reading: “This Too Shall Pass: Tracing an Ancient Jewish Folktale” – Joshua Berg

–Sermon: Grace in the Unknown:

This months’ Soul Matters theme is “Thresholds” and the sacred word is “Surrender.” A threshold can be an entrance or exit over which we step, or it can mean the limiting force we have to surpass to take that next step. In these very uncertain times, thresholds seem to be tougher to cross and as we have been forced to surrender to the unknown. How do we embrace the increasing list of unknowns with grace in order to step forward and through?

–Discussion: Memento Vitae: What Reminds of Life? – Joshua and congregation

Hymn #131 Love will Guide Us – sung by Tisha Berg, Joshua will play

Offertory

Music – I Am Light: India.Arie

–Extinguishing the Chalice

–Friendship Circle

May 3, 2020

Looking forward to this Sunday May 3rd, BHUU’s guest speaker will be Joshua Berg, a student at the UU seminary Meadville Lombard, Chicago.  Joshua’s sermon, Grace in the Unknown encompasses the month of May’s “Souls Matter” theme of “Thresholds”, and the sacred word “Surrender.”   

Berg expands this topic, sparking our interest by sharing that: “A threshold can be an entrance or exit over which we step, or it can mean the limiting force we have to surpass to take that next step. In these very uncertain times, thresholds seem to be tougher to cross as we have been forced to surrender to the unknown.”   How do we embrace the increasing list of unknowns with grace in order to step forward and through them?   Berg will also share the Reading “This Too Shall Pass: Tracing an Ancient Jewish Folktale” –

Once again we will gather through the magic of ZOOM > BHUU members will find the ZOOM link needed on their “April Calendar”, and more than likely a prompt will arrive later this week.   All are welcome to participate however, so serious parties interested may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to take part in the service.

April 26, 2020

An award winning poet and author of non-fiction, Richard Terrill of Mankato, Minnesota will lead the Blue Hills UU’s in service Sunday April 26.  An accomplished musician as well, retired academic Terrill is steeped in the creative passages;  his message will consider the “Free & Responsible Search – UU Principles & the Creative Process”. Terrill comments “The way in which many artists go about their work can help us to appreciate the richness that following this principle can lend to our lives”. The morning is fairly sure to stoke our passions and imagination.

Once again we will gather through the magic of ZOOM > BHUU members will find the ZOOM link needed on their “April Calendar”, and more than likely a prompt will arrive later this week.   All are welcome to participate however, so serious parties interested may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to take part in the service.

April 19 Earth Day

Blue Hills UU’s will commemorate EARTH DAY again this April 19th, gathering together via ZOOM for our service.   Noted social justice leader Kent Shifferd will lead the service, bringing a message inspired by Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day.  The focus of Kent’s sermon will be renewal of  commitment of creating a better world once this pandemic is behind us.

Members will find the ZOOM link needed on their “April Calendar”, but all are welcome;  serious parties interested in participating may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to take part in the service.

Easter Sunday * April 12, 2020

After a good start gathering on ZOOM last week, the Blue Hills Unitarians will be together again for Easter Sunday, this April 12th – via ZOOM. Members will find the link needed on their “April Calendar”, but all are welcome, so serious parties interested in participating may contact Ken Hood > ken@bluehillsuu.org for the link needed to take part in the service.

Pat Shifferd will lead the service through BHUU’s usual rituals of lighting the chalice, joys & concerns and our closing circle; her message will focus on the two most significant religious observances in Western culture: Jewish Passover and Christian Easter. What do these mean to you personally? And to us as Unitarians? Each person attending will be offered time to share their reflections.

We’ll begin @ 10:00. Hopefully we’re getting the hang of linking in and can begin with a full house. Our cyber-space Guru Ken Hood will be available to help those who need it at the above link. “See you” on Sunday!

Order of Service for April 5th

Chalice Lighting #447

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

Opening Hymn “Come Together”

Announcements & Speaking for Social Action

Presentation: “Telling Stories” by Judy Barisonzi

Joys & Concerns & Comments

Offertory

Closing Hymn “Be Still With Us”

Extinguishing the Chalice #456: We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth, the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.

Friendship Circle: Go well into life now, and when you need us, remember that here you will find the hands of friends.

Additional Reading/Resources:

Rocunited.org

angrytiasandabuelas.com