UUFA Sunday Morning Program Committee
The Sunday Morning Program Committee (SMPC) plans and
implements year-round Sunday morning services during times
when our minister doesn't speak. The committee works with our
minister to facilitate and to plan shared programs. Members
arrange for speakers from within and from outside the
Fellowship.
Current Working Schedule
Programs in 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Agenda for upcoming meeting
Facilitator Duties
Workshop Notes
Committee Members
Resources
Fellowship Musicians
Programs Presented in 2006
January 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
Jan 1 "Communitarian Family Values"Speakers: Toby Ewing & Katie Bruna [50]
Chosen Communities" Facilitators: Toby Ewing & Katie Bruna
Single Service 10am Accompanist: Ginny Molgaard?
Special Music:
Faster than raising your own family! More powerful than a
casual circle of friends! Enables you to leap tall
obstacles with grace and joy! In our mobile society,
"chosen families" often replace the extended families of
yore. We'll talk about how a chosen family works, how to
build a community, and why you should be part of one.
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During the rest of January the Stewardship Committee requests that
each service begins with one verse of Hymn #347, "Gather the Spirit"
preceded by their three minute message.
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Jan 8 "What's in It for Us? Speakers: Mary Sawyer [60,85]
Christianity and Community" Facilitators: Mary Richards
Accompanist: Ginny Molgaard (both)
Special Music:
Testimonial: Molly Nesbitt: A Sense of Place--what our building
makes possible, how caring for it enriches me.
Unitarian Universalism draws from many religious
traditions, including Christianity. Within the membership,
however, the level of comfort with this tradition is
varied. How this reality plays in our project of
community-building may depend on which Christianity we
look to for resources.
Jan 15 "There Are No Strangers Speakers: Vic Moss [60,80]
here" Facilitators: Chris White
Accompanist: Mary Richards (both)
[Children - 1st 15 min] Special Music:
Testimonial: Jessica Egli: Why the Youth program is important,
to me and to others I know.
In our community, when we say "there are no strangers
here," what do we mean? How do we see poverty in our
community? Vic Moss, the director of the Emergency
Residence Project, will share his perspective on poverty,
homelessness, and community.
Jan 22 "Community: A Place Where Speakers: Rev. Kari Skadberg [66(2),82(1)]
We Can Be" Facilitators: Sam Wormley
Accompanist: Megan Eagen (both)
Special Music: Fellowship Voices
"Words Like Freedom"
Testimonial: Liz Weber: Without our larger UU association,
where would we be? What we "get" for our "dues".
"We are all longing to go home to someplace we have never
been, a place half-remembered and half-envisioned..." --Starhawk
I am so looking forward to "coming home" and being with you
all. It seems it has been so long!
Jan 29 "Serenity Dogs" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [61,92]
[Children - 1st 15 min] Facilitators: Joel Geske
Kids - Guest at Your Table Accompanist: Cynthia Marten (both)
(up to 10 minutes) Special Music:
Testimonial: Donald Lewis: A Sense of Place part II--how the
humblest tasks can be meaningful (or how you've watched our
building and grounds grow and mature along with the congregation,
or what your ministry of our physical space has meant to you--perhaps
collude with Molly and try to hit different points)
Serenity Dogs: How might pets, especially dogs, embody Reinhold
Niebuhr's serenity prayer? Can our four-legged friends teach us
the "wisdom to know the difference" between what we can and
cannot change? This is the topic Tom Janicki chose for his auction
sermon.
February 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 <-- Sam at PSD Meeting in Twin Cities
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28
Feb 5 "In Support of Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [46,90]
Transformation" Facilitators: Mary Richards
Accompanist: Peggy Earnshaw (both)
Offertory Music: Ed Carbrey, cello, Peggy Earnshaw, accompanist
Intermezzo sinfonico (from Cavalleria Rusticana) by Pietro Mascagni
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During the rest of February the Stewardship Committee requests that
each service begins with one verse of Hymn #347, "Gather the Spirit"
preceded by their three minute message.
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Feb 12 "What Does it Mean to Love" Speakers: Kelly Poole & Sam Wormley [50,96]
[Children - 1st 15 min] Facilitators: Kelly Poole & Sam Wormley
Accompanist: None Needed!
Special Music: Reggie Greenlaw (yes!)
Testimonial: Doug Marek--The importance of UU leadership
training--how it's made a difference in your personal life
as well as in your leadership at UUFA, and/or how leadership
training has benefited the Fellowship generally over the years.
What does it mean to love? The dictionary provides us many
definitions of love: a deep, tender, ineffable feeling of
affection (e.g., toward a person); to like or desire
enthusiastically (e.g., chocolate); or an intense
emotional attachment or response (e.g., to art)... Join us
as we discuss together the great loves of our lives.
Feb 19 "In the Beginning" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [48,82]
Facilitators: Mark Witherspoon
Accompanist: NO MUSIC*
Special Music: NO MUSIC*
There are almost as many creation narratives as there are
cultures. Each one tells us something about what it means
to be human, yet how do we understand that meaning in
light of a scientific view of the universe?
Feb 26 "The Decline of Civility and Speakers: High School Youth
Ethical Values in American Life" Facilitators: none required
Accompanist: none required
[Children - 1st 15 min] Special Music: Youth
Is It True? The high school youth group will explore this
subject in the realm of politics, religion, family life,
and culture. Join them for another stimulating and
thoughtful Youth Sunday.
Testimonial: Susan Jasper: How Religious Education benefits
our children and the long-term vitality of our religion... and
maybe even benefits our teachers too!
March 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 <== Spring Break in Ames Schools Mar. 13-17
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Brian out of town March 19
26 27 28 29 30 31
Mar 5 "Universal Benevolence" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [64,79]
Facilitators: Marcia Brink
Accompanist: Peggy Earnshaw (both)
Offertory Music: Pam Schwab (horn) & Peggy Earnshaw
Youth Prelude: Eden Marek (piano)
1st movement of a sonatina by David Karp
Many religious traditions offer a 'do unto others'
principle. Could this be a basis for constructing a
universal religious ethic? We'll explore the roots,
possibilities and limitations of such a goal.
Mar 12 "Fulghum Readings" Speakers: Jack Vas, Chris White and Sam Wormley [57,66]
No RE Facilitators: Chris White
Accompanist: Cynthia Marten (9)
Special Music: Larry Burkhalter and Reggie Greenlaw
Many people know about Robert Fulghum in the context of
his best-selling books, including "All I Really Need to
Know I Learned in Kindergarten", but fewer people know that
Fulghum is a UU minister. Today's program is built around
Fulghum's true, humorous stories to share how they relate
to UU Principles and how his work has helped and inspired
countless people. Come and enjoy Fulghum's work that will
inspire you, cause you to reflect, and make you laugh!
Mar 19 "Earth Day: Seeking Harmony" Speakers: Erv Klaas, et al [42,71]
No RE Facilitators: Toby Ewing
Accompanist: Reggie
Special Music: Lisa Larsen and Dylan Larson-Konar
Lisa Larsen and Dylan Larson-Konar will perform special
music: an arrangement of "Everything is Holy Now" by Peter
Mayer. Also, Dylan will perform 2 companion pieces as a
youth prelude: Whirling Leaves and From a Lighthouse
Window, both by Edna Mae Burnam.
To achieve harmony within our community, we must identify
our common values. We must engage citizens in the tough
and complex job of creating a great city with liveable
neighborhoods and villages. Our decisions for the future
must look at all the available options on the basis of
fairness and maximum benefits.
Mar 26 "Growing our Grass Roots" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger, Paul Turner [70,76]
[Children - 1st 15 min] Facilitators: Tom Janicki
Accompanist: Megan Eagen (both)
Special Music: Fellowship Voices
We know that deeply rooted plants prevent water from
eroding away top soil. The same is true of communities.
Deeply rooted people create strong, nurturing communities.
Join us as we discuss how we can grow the roots of our
community.
April 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 <--- Daylight Time began Apr 2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 <-- First Amendment Day, Apr 20, VEISHEA weekend
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 <--- PSD Annual Conference and Meeting (April 28-30)
30
Apr 2 "Buddha's B'Day" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger, Chris Albrecht & Marcia Brink [61,84]
Facilitators: Chris Albrecht & Marcia Brink in for Chris White
Accompanist: Cynthia Marten (9) Anne Kimber (11)
Youth Prelude: Emma Runquist
Approximately 2,569 years ago in a northern province of
India, a baby was born who sought to change the world.
This babe, born in the shade of protective trees, became
the Buddha. Join in a celebration of his birth, as we
recount the story of his life and some essentials of his
teachings.
Apr 9 "Of Suffering and Mercy: Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [85,123]
the Story of Job" Facilitators: Marcia Brink
[Children - 1st 15 min] Accompanist: Ginny Molgaard
Youth Prelude: Ian Werbel and Carter Slagell
Special Music: The UUFA Recorder Ensemble
The UUFA Recorder Ensemble has 2 pieces prepared to
perform. We thought that we would play one piece at the
offertory spot (Ricercare #6 by Palestrina) and one for
Special Music (Fantasia I by Alfonso Ferrabosco II).
The Ricercare (shorter than the Fantasia) could be played
as a Postlude, if that would open the offertory slot to
the recorded piece suggested by Dena.
As the middle school class presents its interpretation of
the Hebrew Bible story of Job, we'll explore the meaning
of suffering and how we can be merciful in its wake.
We'll also kick off our Guest At Your Table program to
benefit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
Apr 16 "The Magic of Easter Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [82,101]
and Spring" Facilitators: Krista Weber in for Tom Janicki
Accompanist: Cynthia Marten (9), Mary Richards (11)
All-congregational Special Music: Free Spirits
Youth Prelude: Zoe Prichard
Spring and Easter recur each year in a tandem reminder of
life born from seeming death, of hope rising from the cold
ground that seemed to have signaled defeat. Is it magic?
Certainly not the sleight-of-hand variety of tricks and
misdirection chicanery, but maybe there is a more powerful
"magic" that nudges us toward remembering and honoring
spring and Easter.
Apr 23 "Balance of Freedoms" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [96,91]
[Children - 1st 15 min] Facilitators: Mark Witherspoon
Ethics Accompanist: Megan Eagen
Special Music: Fellowship Voices
Prelude - "One Light through Many Windows", B.A. Brannon/J.S.Bach
Offertory - "To You", Music by Dave Brubeck, Text by Langston Hughes
In our nation we have freedom of belief, freedom of
speech, and freedom of assembly. Sometimes these freedoms
clash. When that happens, how do we balance these
interests?
Apr 30 "Pests that Changed Speakers: Lyric Bartholomay and Donald Lewis [68,80]
History" Facilitators: Linda Barnes
Accompanist: Reggie Greenlaw
Special Music: Reggie Greenlaw
From the earliest origins of our species, through biblical
stories and the modern military-industrial complex,
insects, those ubiquitous 6-legged critters that surround
us, have altered the course of history, shaped the destiny
of nations and determined the outcomes of wars. Join us as
we learn more about the history of the world as seen by
our two (count them, two!) UUFA entomologists.
May 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
May 7 "The Art of Creativity: Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger and Peggy Earnshaw [85,125]
Fine Arts Sunday" Facilitators: Chris Albrecht
All-congregational Accompanist: Anne Kimber (if needed)
Special Music: Everybody
Join in this celebration of the creative spirit.
Performance of the musical, spoken, and visually artistic
genre will all be featured on this special Sunday.
May 14 "Theologies of Peace" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [58,69]
Mother's Day Facilitators: Tom Janicki
Accompanist: Cynthia Marten (9), Mary Richards (11)
Offertory & Special Music: Mary Richards in for Barbara Evenson (harp)
Many religious traditions promote the idea of peace. Why
then is our world so filled with war? We'll honor Mothers
Day by exploring the hope for peace that led Julia Ward
Howe to initiate this holiday.
May 21 "Natural Constants and Speakers: Toby Ewing and Sam Wormley [47,66]
Human Variables" Facilitators: Toby Ewing and Sam Wormley
Accompanist: Megan Eagen
[Children - 1st 15 min] Special Music: Fellowship Voices
"The Forest [Wakes]" - Williams/Martin
"At the River" - Jacobson/Emerson
There are unchanging constants in nature, yet nature is
constantly evolving. Perspectives on humans' place and
part are constantly changing. A free and responsible
search for truth and meaning is at the heart of "Natural
Constants and Human Variables".
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Transition to single 10am service from two services at 9am and 11am
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May 28 "Bridges to Cross: Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger and Benette Sherman [122]
Re-Membering and Memorializing" Facilitators: Wayne Beal
Flower Communion Accompanist: Peggy Earnshaw
All Congregational Special Music: Brian Eslinger - Pipes (excellent)
Bridging Ceremony
Life has many transitions. We'll honor several such
changes in the lives of our community while acknowledging
the service people whose sacrifices are especially noted
on this day.
June 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 <-- GA is in St. Louis, Missouri, June 21-25th
25 26 27 28 29 30
Jun 4 "Helping the Next Speakers: George Belitsos & Rev. Brian Eslinger [75]
Generation Soar to Facilitators: Mark Witherspoon
a Brighter Future" Accompanist: Anne Kimber & Megan Eagen
Special Music: Fellowship Voices
"Madrigal of Joy" - Linda Spevacek
"Bird in a Cage from the Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" - Megan Eagen
What is it that creates the passion in a person to work
for our young people? What can we do to help insure a
brighter future for every young person in our community?
Join us to explore these important questions.
Jun 11 "Illegal Immigration Speakers: Dr. Hector Avalos [82]
through Latino Eyes" Facilitators: Chris White (Chris Albrecht, Spoon avail.)
Accompanist: Mary Richards
Special Music:
Current debates about immigration focus on the definition
of "illegal." Dr. Avalos will provide a brief history of
"legal" and "illegal" as it pertains to immigration,
especially from Mexico. He places this discussion in the
context of policies proposed by President George W. Bush,
and in the context of recent developments in Iowa.
Jun 18 "Faith of our Fathers?" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [97]
(Father's Day) Facilitators: Chris Albrecht
Accompanist: Ginny Molgaard
Special Music:
In 12 years, I've never done a service on Father's Day--is
it ambivalence or fear? Join me as I explore what it means
to me to be a father and how to reconcile oneself with the
idea of fatherhood.
Jun 25 "Spirituality of Crafts" Speakers: Krista Weber and Kay Puttock [57]
Facilitators: Krista Weber and Kay Puttock
Accompanist: Peggy Earnshaw (not)
Special Music:
This fun-filled, interactive, intergenerational program
combines meditation and action through coloring, crafting
and kitchen projects. Discover, experience, and discuss
how crafts you haven't done since elementary school (or at
least last week) can be spiritual and/or meditative
activities.
July 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 <-- Sam at PSD Meeting -- Jul 8 (10am-2pm)
Sam in 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
Mason City--> 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
Jul 2 "Ideas that shaped Speakers: Ewing, Witherspoon and (Albrecht) [64]
America: the good, the bad, Facilitators: Toby Ewing, Witherspoon
and the ugly" Accompanist: Peggy Earnshaw
Special Music: Copland
Our intention is to provide a patriot's appreciation and
critique of some seminal ideas that underlie the American
dream psyche, and myth. Where did we go wonderfully
right, where tragically wrong, and how did we end up with
a cowboy for president?
Jul 9 "I've never met people Speakers: Darius Jackson (FUCDM) <jaxunfamily@msn.com> [84]
like you before" Facilitators: Krista Weber, Matt Keller
Accompanist: Mary Richards
Special Music:
Do you know where your children are? Please join us as
Darius Jackson, of the First Unitarian Church of Des
Moines, explores these questions from different cultural
perspectives.
Jul 16 "The Power of Now" Speakers: Bob Sanda (FUCDM) <bobdsm@mchsi.com> [90]
Facilitators: Kay Puttock
Accompanist: Ginny Molgaard
Special Music:
Do you control your thinking, or, does your thinking
control you? Being in the present moment by "Stop
thinking!" is "easier done than said." Bob Sanda reflects
on some implications in spirituality derived from Eckhart
Tolle's book "The Power of Now".
Mary Richard's UU Brunch follows service.
Jul 23 "Ode to Joy" Speakers: Rev. Kari Skadberg [75]
Facilitators: Sam Wormley
Accompanist: Anne Kimber
Special Music:
It is a rare and beautiful quality to feel truly happy
when others are happy. When someone rejoices in our
happiness, we are flooded with respect and gratitude for
their appreciation. When we take delight in the happiness
of another, we increase exponentially our opportunities
for experiencing joy in our own lives.
Jul 30 "Stopping Along the Way: Speakers: Rev. Jean Marie Marsden [79]
My Spiritual Journey: Facilitators: Sam Wormley
Or, How I Came to Be Accompanist: Peggy Earnshaw
an Interfaith Minister Special Music:
A young girl's search for the non-existent role and role
model of a woman minister becomes this old girl's realized
dream. "I am just now answering a life-long call and am
ready to see where my answer leads me."
--Rev. Jean Marie Marsden
August 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
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Darcie Vandergrift can do August 6. [darcie.vandergrift@drake.edu]
But we are filled.
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Aug 6 "Living in Overdrive" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [111]
Facilitators: Tom Janicki
Accompanist: Mary Richards
Special Music:
Each of us has motivations and goals that drive our lives.
Sometimes those drives push us too fast and before we know
it, we're in overdrive. We'll look at motivations for
living, and the effects they can have in leading us toward
chaos or harmony.
Aug 13 "Personal Watermelon" Speakers: Greg Pelley (FUCDM) <gspelley@msn.com> [62]
Facilitators: Tom Janicki
Accompanist: Ginny Molgaard
Special Music:
"Personal Watermelon" with Greg Pelley. An inquiry into
how "we" have become so isolated - so insular - from our
families, neighbors, and community that there is a growing
market for diminutively bred varieties of the
quintessential summer fruit.
Aug 20 "Reflections from the Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [122]
Garden" Facilitators: Mark Witherspoon
Accompanist: Anne Kimber
Special Music: Blue Moon Players
While constructing and nurturing a new garden and picking
cherries from our trusted tree, I had time to reflect on
what these small efforts mean to me. The garden is a
special place, both in real and metaphorical terms. What
could such an ideal represent in our lives?
Aug 27 "Greetings from the Speakers: Linda Barnes & Mark Runquist [112]
non-barcode people: Eating Facilitators: Matt Keller
and Living Well in Place" Accompanist: Megan Eagen
Special Music: Fellowship Voices
"Flow, Oh My Tears"
Eating at its most basic essence is an act to physically
sustain oneself but the act also has spiritual, political
and ecological consequences. What are those consequences
and just who are the non-barcode people?
September 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 9-11:30 (includes facilitator's workshop)
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Sep 3 "Perfectly reasonable Speakers: Toby Ewing & Sam Wormley [60]
deviations from the Facilitators: Toby Ewing & Sam Wormley
beaten track" Accompanist: Anne Kimber
Special Music:
The late Richard Feynman, winner of the 1965 Nobel Prize
in Physics, was as remarkable for his entertaining and
insightful personality as for his groundbreaking work in
physics. We make use of his scientific contributions every
day (a brief quiz on this topic will be administered
during the service), but there is also much that we can
learn from him as a person. Come explore with us some of
the physical and metaphysical gems in Feynman's life and
writing.
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Transition from single 10am service to two services at 9am and 11am
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Sep 10 "Ingathering" Speakers: Revs. Eslinger & Cooley [80,136]
[Children - 1st 15 min] Facilitators: Chris Albrecht (in spirit)
Accompanist: Mary Richards (both services)
Special Music:
Special Dance: UU Co'Motion Kids
As we return to our two-service format and gather together
after many summer adventures, we'll take time to share and
reconnect. Bring some water (be it actual or symbolic) to
represent your summer's story, and we'll join them during
our water communion. Whether your travels took you to the
backyard wading pool or the snows of the Andes, each story
is precious and important to the life of our community.
Sep 17 "Faith" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [63,104]
Facilitators: Wayne Beal & Kali Hayslett
Accompanist: Peggy Earnshaw (both services)
Special Music: Larry Burkhalter with Anne Kimber
Offertory: Larry Burkhalter with Anne Kimber
Each of us has experiences that help us to develop a view
of the world. From that view, we gain the insight that
guides and directs the next steps we take. Is that
insight, faith? Is faith a verb or a noun? How does our
"faith" or denial of it affect our view of ourselves and
our lives?
Sep 24 "Forgiveness (Equinox)" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [64,118]
[Children - 1st 15 min] Facilitators: Cathy Nelson & Chris White
(High Holy Days - Judaism) Accompanist: Ginny Molgaard (both)
Special Music: Barb Evenson (harp) & Kristin Fallon (harp)
This Sunday follows the Jewish holy day Rosh Hashanah
(which marks the beginning of the New Year) as well as the
Autumnal Equinox. One aspect of Rosh Hashanah is
reflection and forgiveness. The Equinox is a day of
balance and harmony. There may well be a relationship
between these concepts which we will explore as aspects of
beginning again.
October 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 <-- Brian Gone
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 <-- Sam at PSD Meeting -- Oct 14 (10am-2pm)
Fritz & 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 No SMPC Meeting in October
Sam in --> 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Okoboji 29 30 31
Oct 1 "Building Bridges" Speakers: Matt Keller, et al [55,69]
Facilitators: Jean-Marie Marsden & Sam Wormley
Accompanist: Megan Eagen (both)
Special Music: Fellowship Voices (Offertory)
"Follow the River" by Julie Wheeler
A strong community can't be built without reaching out, or
building a bridge, to those with different beliefs and
traditions. Join us as we hear testimonials from members
of our own congregation that have built bridges in their
own lives.
Oct 8 "Business Ethics: Speakers: Jim Werbel [52,71]
Preaching to the Choir" Facilitators: Mark Witherspoon & Chris White
[Children - 1st 15 min] Accompanist: Anne Kimber (both)
Special Music:
Dr. James Werbel, who was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to
Portugal for the summer 2006, is the William and Elizabeth
Goodwin Fellow in Management and professor of management
at Iowa State. Werbel's areas of expertise include
employee selection, work and family issues, and business
ethics.
Oct 15 "Doubt" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [59,94]
[New Member Sunday] Facilitators: Kali Hayslett & Tom Janicki
Accompanist: Peggy Earnshaw (both)
Special Music:
Throughout human history, doubt has served to create new
understandings of our place in the universe. Doubt can be
an entryway into new insights or a stumbling block to
understanding. We will explore the thoughts of some of
these great doubters and the importance of doubt in
creating our faith.
Oct 22 "The End of Faith" Speakers: Dawn Cooley [54,80]
[Children - 1st 15 min] Facilitators: Krista Weber, Kali Hayslett (11 only)
Accompanist: Ginny Molgaard (both)
Special Music: Ed Carbrey & Ginny Molgaard
In his book of the same name, Sam Harris calls for the
"end of faith." Yet in Brian's service on Faith in
September, an "abiding faith" (ŕ la Sharon Salzberg) seems
to be something we need more of, not less. Is there a
conflict here? Though Harris writes mostly of/to religious
conservatives and moderates, might his message have
something of value for Unitarian Universalists as
practitioners of liberal religion?
Oct 29 "Day of the Dead" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [74,74]
[All-congregational] Facilitators: Matt Keller & Jean-Marie Marsden
Accompanist: Anne Kimber (both)
Special Music:
Festivals around the world celebrate this time of year as
a special one connecting us with loved ones who have
died. We will join in this important human ritual during
our service. We will be constructing an altar of memories;
please bring a photograph or artifact that reminds you of
someone you would like to honor.
November 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
Nov 5 "Rescue 911" Speakers: Dawn Cooley [61,82]
Facilitators: Cathy Nelson & Chris White
Accompanist: Mary Richards(9), Ginny Molgaard(11)
Special Music:
Millennials (not to be confused with millennialists) are
looking for answers. But the answers they are drawn to are
often based on emotion rather than reason. Can we make
room in our congregations for these young people? What
happens if we don't?
Nov 12 "Bounties of the Season" Speakers: Dawn Cooley, Linda Barnes, Benette [71,67]
[All-congregational] Facilitators: Jean-Marie Marsden & Wayne Beal
[Apple Communion] Accompanist: Anne Kimber
Special Music: Fellowship Voices
The song Bread and Roses reminds us that we need food for
the body and food for our spirits. During this service, we
will participate in both types of nourishment in an annual
tradition: the Apple Communion and revisiting our
connections with Unitarians in Transylvania.
Nov 19 "Mindful Living" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [54,84]
[Children - 1st 15 min] Facilitators: Chris White & Jean-Marie Marsden
Accompanist: Anne Kimber (both)
Special Music:
As we enter the holiday season, it is often easy to get
swept up in the turmoil and habits of the past and not
approach this time mindfully. We'll explore what it means
to be mindful and to approach life in such a manner.
Nov 26 "Gratitude" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [86]
[Single Service 10am] Facilitators: Tom Janicki & Sam Wormley
Accompanist: Erv Luedders
Special Music:
Often food seems to come from a supermarket instead of
growing from the ground. On this Thanksgiving weekend,
we'll express gratitude for the bounty the earth
provides.
December 2006
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 <-- Sunday Morning Program Committee Meeting
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Dec 3 "Science and Spirituality" Speakers: Dawn Cooley [80,102]
Facilitators: Toby Ewing & Tom Janicki
Accompanist: Peggy Earnshaw (both)
Accompanist: Ed Carbrey - Cello
Special Music: Larry Burkhalter
Offertory: Aria by J. S. Bach
Special Music: Andantino by Fritz Kreisler
The Auction Sermon, purchased by Sam Wormley. Is there a
dichotomy that exists between the scientific and the
spiritual? If so, how do we reconcile the tension between
them in our congregations. If not, where are the meeting
points?
Dec 10 "On the Other Hand" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [64,98]
[Children - 1st 15 min] Facilitators: Matt Keller & Kali Hayslett
Accompanist: Megan Eagen (both)
Special Music: Fellowship Voices - "Winter" by Z Randall Stroope
As a left-handed person I've notice how being different
than the majority has its challenges. Winter is also a
season when different celebrations co-exist or collide.
We'll explore the commonalities of our responses to those
physical and religious differences and how instead of
dividing, they might strengthen us.
Dec 17 "Stories of the Season" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [68,120+]
[All-congregational] Facilitators: Cathy Nelson & Tom Janicki
Accompanist: Cynthia Marten (both)
Special Music: Barb Evenson and Cynthia Marten
The winter season is full of stories about overcoming
winter's cold and about heroes being born. Join in the
telling of our winter holidays tales.
Dec 24 "Winter Memories" Speakers: SMPC [96]
10am Sharing Stories Facilitators: Sam Wormley
[Hot Chocolate Communion] Accompanist: Erv Luedders & Megan Eagen
Special Music: Fellowship Voices -
"Hold Fast To Dreams" bu André J Thomas
The first of three services offered on Sunday, December
24, is dedicated especially to everyone who may experience
a 'dissonant congruence' at this time of year. For some,
the pull of winter's natural rhythm to slow down, grow
quiet, and turn inward in contemplation, reflection, and
introspection is quite strong. This often puts us at odds
with the season's festivities. We will honor the urge to
seek stillness in winter. We'll invite you to relax with a
hot cocoa meditation. Come create new memories as we share
memories of winters past.
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Dec 24 "The Journey to Christmas" Speakers: Brian Coordinating [132]
5pm Facilitators: Mark Witherspoon
Accompanist:
Special Music:
Our early service on Christmas Eve will feature our play
The Scottish Shepherd's Story and explore the meaning
of the journey to Bethlehem, then and now. What might the
trek taken by shepherds, wise people, and Joseph and Mary
mean for the journeys of our lives in the 21st century?
Dec 24 "Christmas Vespers" Speakers: Dawn Cooley [33]
9pm Facilitators: Chris White & Sam Wormley
Accompanist: Erv Luedders
Special Music:
In the cold, dark night, let us come together to honor the
Christmas tradition in song, story, sharing, and
meditation. Come prepared to sing Christmas carols!
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Dec 31 "How are the Children" Speakers: Rev. Brian Eslinger [82]
[Single Service 10am] Facilitators: Mark Witherspoon & Sam Wormley
Accompanist: Anne Kimber
Special Music:
As we enter the New Year, we will explore ethical
imperatives used by different cultures to ground their
societies. If you have a measure, like the Masai saying in
the title, that you believe helps us determine if our
society and our lives are heading the right direction,
please bring it to share.