Beginner Mind
The Perfect Heart
Service at 9:15 and 11:00 am Celebrant, Birch Spick On this Sunday, the last day in our exploration of the theme Journey, David Witke shares his "Religious Journey" during Our Life Together; the Search Committee reveals the conclusion of their journey in the search for a candidate to be our next settled Senior Minister; and children who participated in the Kids Celebrate! class help tell the Paulo Coelho story, "The Perfect Heart"—about a village that learns what special trait the "perfect" leader really needs. Through story and song, we explore the ways our journey together is one of love and trust. This is a service for all ages. Service for All Ages/ Child Dedication; Note: this is the service from the Sunday we were closed due to snow. Special Music: Small choral group to sing When Jelly Beans are Criminal
Thresholds
Service for all ages at 9:15 and 11:00 am Celebrant: Martha Shen Join us for our annual welcoming of the New Year. All who wish will be invited to pass through a threshold to set a compassionate intention for the New Year.
Will the Real Jesus Please Rise?
Watch the Video (You Tube)
On the verge of Christmas Eve, as Christians around the world celebrate a birth that happened more than 2,000 years ago, we Unitarian Universalists seek to discern the true meaning of that birth. As people of diverse theologies, we respect and celebrate a diversity of religious traditions. And we may rightly ask: "What is there in the life of Jesus of Nazareth that invites respect? Who was this Jesus, really?" Two millennia of history aside, what is there about Jesus to celebrate? Answering this question means looking past the assumptions and conventions of the season to discover the real Jesus. This service is suitable for people age 6 and older and is designed to welcome all our diverse theologies.
Stone Soup
Watch the You Tube video here The old story of Stone Soup tells of two weary travelers who arrive in a small village and unexpectedly bring a community together under the guise of making a delicious soup from stones.To make this story come to life, we're encouraging everyone who can to bring pre-cut veggies to add to the pot (from which volunteers will make a veggie soup for delivery to home-bound members), as well as non-perishable food to support our children with their food drive to benefit families in need in the Des Moines community. This participatory service will engage young and old alike in this important tale and also offer food to the hungry. Special music by the UU Singers - I See Colors by PinkZebra
A Tale of Tenacity
9:15 & 11 am In this service for all ages, we share a tale of tenacity: the story of Esther. This true story is the centerpiece of the Jewish celebration of Purim, which this year begins on February 28. In many ways Esther was a true superhero: a seemingly ordinary person who saved many lives through her persistence and courage. Today we consider how our own narratives intersect with this tale of tenacity.
Stone Soup
Watch the Video (YouTube link) The old story of Stone Soup tells of two weary travelers who arrive in a small village and unexpectedly bring a community together under the guise of making a delicious soup from stones.To make this story come to life, we're encouraging everyone who can to bring pre-cut veggies to add to the pot, as well as non-perishable food to support the children with their food drive. This participatory service will engage young and old alike in this important tale and also offer food to the hungry in our community. Special music by visiting musician Peter Mayer.
Cherish: A Service of Remembrance
Watch the Video (YouTube link) This service for all ages remembers the loved ones who have passed away. As we honor their memories, and the ways they shaped our lives, we’re also reminded to cherish every moment we have with those we love. Please bring a photo or item of remembrance for any people and/or animals who has passed away that you (or your family) would like to remember during this service.
River of Life
Watch the Video (YouTube link) Each September, we celebrate our "ingathering" as a community and reaffirm our covenant as people committed to transformation of our own lives and the life of the world. In this service, we use water, the source of human life, as a symbol of our interconnectedness to all living beings. All life emerged from water; all life requires it; and the water cycle, from rain to rivers to oceans to clouds to rain, is a continuing reminder of the cycle of life. In today's service, we reflect on our passage along the River of Life and the ways we restore our hearts, minds, and spirits through life's challenges and changes. Just as water buoys us up, this community supports and sustains us during our life's journey. Together we covenant, and together we renew, our life together.