November 6: On Poverty(9AM & 11AM)

Speaker: Paul Blackburn; Worship Associate: Jane Wagner
Music: Sanctuary Choir, Directed by Tom Sears
What does it mean to be poor in the USA and the world?  Our guest speaker, Paul Blackburn, has directed a soup kitchen and a food bank, and is a member of the Mid-Columbia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.  Join us this morning and share some of his experiences and wonderings on the challenging topic.   

November 13:  Engaging Our Theological Diversity
(9AM & 11AM)

Speaker: Marilyn Junkins;  Personal Reflection: Truleen Delgado
Music: Byrdsong Renaissance Consort
How do we engage our Theological Diversity?  Among UUs, personal experience is considered the most important source of religious conviction. How do we deepen and clarify our theological understanding of personal experience individually and collectively? How might we explore how our individual personal experiences become Unitarian Universalist religious convictions?

November 20:  Standing In Our Own Truth
(9AM & 11AM)

Speaker: Rev. Alicia Forsey; Worship Associate: Anna Sontag
Music: Sanctuary Choir, Directed by Tom Sears
The state of the economy has changed the way many of us think about what is important.  Faced with the knowledge that what we used to consider security may not hold up under the strain of corporate greed and other evils -- resulting in unemployment, foreclosures, credit debt and a declining middle class, we know it is imperative that we value and nurture a support system made up of relatives, friends and colleagues.  With support we are removed from isolation.  We know our fears are shared.  We know our own truth is the truth of countless others.

November 27: Bridge Builders Anonymous 
(11AM ONLY)

Speaker: Rev. Alicia Forsey; Worship Associate:  Jake Walsh
Music: Dorothy Clark, Piano
Looking ahead to your search for your next settle minister, this morning we will talk about leadership.  How do you want to be led?  There are many ways a minister may lead. Which style, or combination of styles, will be the best match for the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene? 

October 2  | Mental Health Matters

Speaker:  Rev. Barbara Meyers 
Worship Associate:  Rev. Alicia Forsey 
Music: Sanctuary Choir

Learn more this morning, and in the workshop this afternoon, about how we are not alone if we are touched in some way by mental health issues.  What can we do to get beyond worn-out attitudes that keep this area of concern one that is not openly discussed?  Understanding mental health matters will lead to less silence and shame and more acceptance of ourselves and others. 

October 9 | Columbus Who?

Speaker:  Rev. Alicia McNary Forsey
Music: Susanne Giordano, piano

Why is it we celebrate Columbus Day?  What did Columbus initially think he could achieve, and what did he end up doing?  What is our response to learning history as it is told by emerging research of previously unknown people?  What information had been lost to us, but is now being found? And, where does this new understanding leave us with some of our heroes, such as Columbus?

October 16 | “Jackhammer’n Buddha” Spiritual Practice
in the “Loud and Fast”

Dharma Student: Jake Tenpa Walsh
Worship Associate: Robin Schantz-Mulford
Personal Reflection by Rev. Bjorn Olson
Music: Sanctuary Choir

Although we have images of Spiritual Teachers sitting serenely, many encourage “becoming unstuck”, as the Great Path. Diving into Creative Transformation helps get us out of our small self, partly because we have to leave our familiar ways, and into our greater potential. Our work transforming the dark, closed Masonic Lodge into an open and welcoming Sacred and Social Center gives us many opportunities for spiritual practice... with and without Jackhammers.

October 23 | Festival of Lights

Speaker:  Rev. Alicia McNary Forsey
Music: Chamber Singers

The Festival of Lights as observed by the Hindus is a celebration that relies on a strong community.  How do we celebrate our community, and what is it that binds us together?

October 30 | Worshipful Harvest

Speaker: Katy Siepert
Music: Chalice Choir

The medieval Irish festival of Samhain marked the end of the harvest; an end of the "lighter half" of the year and the beginning of the "darker half". It was celebrated over the course of several days and included a kind of Festival of the Dead. As it turns out, this practice, and the concepts of lightness and dark, sorrow and celebration, are found in traditions all around the world. Come enjoy an interactive, inter-generational, inventive time as we explore these concepts together.
-- Daylight Savings Time ends - sleep an extra hour. --