BUUF Sundays Archive

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BUUF Sunday Services Archive - 2014

January 2014

January 5, 9:30 & 11:15

Burning the Old Year - A Fire Communion Service, Rev. Dana Worsnop

What do you need to burn away from the old year that you might enter the new one more lightly? Come to this fiery and lively service in which we will burn away old burdens, old habits, old patterns in a flash. Come consider what the New Year invites. Susie Hardy, service coordinator

January 12, 9:30 & 11:15

The Gentle Art of Hospitality, Rev. Dana Worsnop

Hospitality - Being open and welcoming to one another - is one of the highest values in most all the religions of the world. Yes, even as so many mis-use their religion to separate themselves from others. It is the message of Jesus, of the Buddha and of Mohammed among so many others. How do you invite others into your lives? Into this community? BUUF Choir, music. Nancy Harms, service coordinator

January 19, 9:30 & 11:15

An Inescapable Web of Mutuality, Rev. Dana Worsnop

On this Martin Luther King Sunday we will consider the intricate and intimate connections of mutuality which bind us to one another. What might Dr. King have had to say about economic justice and the vast economic inequities of our present day? Tammy Berdahl, Service Coordinator

January 26, 9:30 & 11:15

Community House – A Dream and a Legacy

The congregation of our Unitarian Partner Church in Mészkő dreamed for decades of having a community house where the congregation could gather altogether for meetings, classes, programs, and for regional youth gatherings. Most of the people who originally conceived of such a place are no longer with us. But their dream lived on and was finally realized last year. This service will explore through words and pictures how dreams, actions, and love make a community and a Community House. Carrie Bastian and Michael Stevenson, music; Mary Hester, service coordinator.

February 2014

February 2, 9:30 and 11:15am

Creating Generosity, Rev. Dana Worsnop

We are called as humans seeking connection to be generous to and with one another. Living with an open-heartedness, giving and receiving love and kindness and forgiveness. What does practicing such generosity look like? BUUF Choir, music, Patricia Heeb, service coordinator.

February 9, 9:30 and 11:15am

Loving Alike, Rev. Dana Worsnop

We often say we are a covenantal rather than a creedal faith. We come together not because we share beliefs but because of the promises we make to one another. So that we can learn and practice loving well. As 16th century Unitarian Francis David said, "We need not think [or believe] alike to love alike." David Scott, service coordinator.

February 16, 9:30 and 11:15am

Living Without Hope, Rev. Ken Watts

What would our lives look like without Hope? Is Hope a help or hindrance? When Pandora opened the lid to her jar all the evils that befall the human race escaped: "burdensome toil and sickness that brings death to men", diseases and "a myriad other pains". Only Hope remained. What was Hope doing in a jar full of "all the Spites that plague mankind: such as Old Age, Labor, Sickness, Insanity, vice, and Passion" (Graves 1955:145), unless Hope was an evil itself? Mary Hester, celebrant. Wanda Jennings, service coordinator.

February 23, 9:30 and 11:15am

Sustaining Ministry, Rev. Dana Worsnop

During this interim time, you get to reflect on ministry. What are the qualities you want in your next minister? What do you want your next minister to do among you? Ministry is a 24-7, and yet no minister can do it all. Rev. Dana will share what she is learning so far about how to make a ministry both rich and sustainable for minister and congregation. Susie Hardy, service coordinator.

March 2014

March 2 — 9:30am & 11:15am

Follow Your Folly, Rev. Dana Worsnop

The trickster spirit of foolishness and folly has much to teach us, especially when times seem overfull, anxious or simply serious. On this Sunday we will invite whimsy and delight into lives that can often seem too serious. BUUF Choir, music. Nancy Harms, service coordinator

March 9 — 9:30am & 11:15am

Our Heritage of Love, Rev. Dana Worsnop

Our tradition arises from deep Judeo-Christian roots. What does this mean for those among us who reject a more traditional view of Christianity? What does it mean for those among who still find meaning and spiritual depth in those roots? Wanda Jennings, Service Coordinator.

March 16 — 9:30am & 11:15am

Imagine the Possibilities - A presentation of provocative proposals, Miriam Woito and the Team

Based on the Appreciative Inquiry Workshop a team of experts has stretched, challenged and put their imaginations to the test to come up with inspiring ideas to consider for the future of BUUF. We will be sowing seeds for the imagination. To further provoke you Will Smith and a friend will be performing so you don't want to miss this service! David Scott, service coordinator.

March 23 — 9:30am & 11:15am

Peacemaking as a Spiritual Path, M'Tae

M'Tae will present the tenets of the Zen Peacemaker Order: Not Knowing, Bearing Witness and Loving Action and discuss their origin and ways to observe them in daily life. Teresa Wood, Service Coordinator.

March 30, 9:30am & 11:15am

Avoiding the Energy Crisis, Rev. Dana Worsnop

Where do you expend most of your energy? How does it reflect your deepest values? Where do you spend your financial resources? How does that reflect your fondest dreams for your life? How can we feel abundant and generous even in uncertain times? We consider these questions as we consider dreams for the future of this community. Mary Hester, Service Coordinator.

April 2014

April 6, 10:00 am

Loving the Hell out of this World – celebration Sunday Single Service, Rev. Cecilia Kingman and Rev. Dana Worsnop

The religious life can break our hearts, and break our hearts open. What do you find heartbreaking? What gifts can flow out of you, into an aching world? Let's give ourselves away, together! Come hear the Boise Cello Collective and join in the party. Nancy Harms, Service Coordinator.

The Rev. Cecilia Kingman is a member of the Red Pill Brethren, a group of people who seek to turn our lives and churches inside out and bring love into the most broken places of our society. She is an award winning preacher and has served congregations throughout the West. Rev. Kingman is President of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, and resides in Seattle with her family. Nancy Harms, service coordinator.

April 13, 9:30 and 11:15 am

The Wolf, I'm Afraid, Is Inside Tearing Up the Place, Rev. Jackie Kelly

The title of this sermon comes from a letter written by author Flannery O-Connor a month before her death from lupus. It provides us with a way to consider suffering: how it is experienced and how it may be reflected upon, both by those who experience it (which is all of us at one time or another) and those who are in relationship with the sufferer (which is also all of us). Gail Haldeman, celebrant. Teresa Wood, service coordinator.

April 20, Easter Sunday, 9:30 & 11:15 am

Falling and Rising Again – A Human Story, Rev. Dana Worsnop

Resurrection, rebirth, new life arising from the ashes are powerful archetypes. The story of Easter is one of them. How do we embrace the concept and reality of resurrection in our lives and in the world? BUUF Choir, music; Nancy Harms, service coordinator.

April 27, 9:30 & 11:15 am

The Sutras, Mark Zimmerer

The Yoga Sutras are 195 short aphorisms written by someone named Patanjali 2500-3000 years ago, as an instruction manual for living a life that will lead to enlightenment. In January of 2014, Mark Zimmerer began a project of compiling different English translations into one document. What might this ancient text have to say to us in the 21st century? Debra Smith, celebrant. Susie Hardy, service coordinator

May 2014

May 4, 9:30 & 11:15 am

Senior High Bridging, BUUF high school seniors

Come get an infusion of hope for the future! Our Bridging Ceremony is a Sunday where we hear words of wisdom from our graduating high school seniors. Experience our next crop of community leaders and rejoice! Come help our graduating youth bridge to young adulthood and celebrate! Rev. Dana Worsnop nad Emmie Schlobohm, DRE celebrants. Nancy Harms, Service Coordinator

May 11, 9:30 & 11:15am

Many Mothers, Rev. Dana Worsnop

We all have had many people – women and men – who have mothered us through our lives. We have all been mothers, whether we have children in our lives or not. On this Mother's Day, may we honor all our mothers. Nancy Harms, celebrant; David Scott, service coordinator

May 18, 9:30 & 11:15am

Why I Cannot Give Up on God (Even Though I've Tried), Rev. Dana Worsnop

Often when we speak of God, we do it in the negative, speaking of the God we don't believe in – the bearded grandfather in the sky, the smiting and vengeful omniscient presence that alternately judges us and answers prayers. Yet is there another way to positively name the sense of transcendence and connection that feels like it lies beyond us? BUUF Choir, music; Nancy Harms, celebrant; Patricia Heeb, service coordinator

May 25, 9:30 & 11:15am

Our American Roots, Rev. Dana Worsnop

On this Memorial Day Weekend, we will consider the deep connections of our religious heritage to the founding values as a nation. And we will consider how those values might call us to respond to those who have fallen in military service. Debra Smith, celebrant; Teresa Wood, service coordinator

June 2014

June 1, 9:30 & 11:15 am

The Sacred Art of Appreciation, Debra Smith

This is Appreciation Sunday. How does an institution such as a church go about showing appreciation? Well, there is on the internet, a handy appreciation calculator. Alas, it is about calculating projected home values. I checked. Today, calculator or no, we will formally appreciate the service of a number of stalwart members who have decided it's time to step aside to make room for a new generation of volunteers. And we will reflect on how appreciation is a sacred practice that enriches all. Join us after the second service for refreshments, and a joyful honoring ceremony in the Greene Grove. BUUF Choir, music. Patricia Heeb, celebrant. Wanda Jennings, service coordinator.

June 8, SINGLE SERVICE at 10:00 am

Earth was Given as a Garden— Flower Communion, Rev. Dana Worsnop

In this all-generations service, we will take up the story of the Garden of Eden and how we can see all the earth as a garden in which to flower. We will share in BUUF's annual Flower Communion. Emmie Schlobohm, celebrant. Nancy Harms, service coordinator.

June 15, 10 am

Taking Pride, Rev. Dana Worsnop

As we enter Pride season, this congregation has much to be proud of in its advocacy for the LGBT community. We will consider what has been accomplished in bending the "moral arc of the universe" toward justice, as well as what there is still to do. Janice Eby, celebrant. Susie Hardy, service coordinator.

June 22, 10 am

The Strength of the Pack is the Wolf, Bryan Jennings

I have only one message. Every sermon or part of a sermon I have done at BUUF over the past nineteen years has been, at heart, about one thing, and this is another of the same! Gail Haldeman, celebrant. Teresa Wood, service coordinator.

June 29, 10 am

Refugees in Our Back Yard, Rabiou Manzo, Shannon Davis-Jones, Danel Jones; International Rescue Committee

During the past decade, more than 5,000 refugees have resettled in Boise. Who are these people and how have they fared in Boise? How do they find housing and jobs, and deal everyday with the myriad challenges of life in the U.S.?

A panel of speakers from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) will tell us about their work with refugees. Special music from the Congolese Refugee Youth Choir. Debra Smith, celebrant. Mary Hester, Service Coordinator.

July 2014

July 6, 10am

The Flipside of Service, Mary Hester

We all like to be of service to others. But what happens when we get asked "If there is anything I can do, let me know." Are we too independent? Proud? What if allowing others to give to us, is in fact a service to them. Sue Langley, music. Gwyn Reid, celebrant. Nancy Harms, service coordinator.

July 13, 10am

The Secret to Life in a Children's Song: A Deconstruction of 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat', Carrie Bastian

This summer, let's set sail down the river of life and discover if all we really need to know, we learned in a song we sang in kindergarten. Perhaps "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" was penned by a mystic sage or zen master? Will Smith, music. David Scott, celebrant. Teresa Wood, service coordinator.

July 20, 10am

Quest: A Spiritual Journey

Last August 2013, 18 intrepid members of BUUF entered the Quest program, a two year personal spiritual development curriculum including 6 weekend retreats, monthly meetings, and instruction and support to commit to a daily spiritual practice. Together with 14 Spiritual Companions and supported by a seven member Ministry Team, we have journeyed together through our first year. Come join us hear what we're learning and consider if Quest might be in your future. Sue Langley, music. Jackie Groves, celebrant. Susie Hardy, service coordinator.

July 27, 10am

Tools, Matthew Sabin

We all have a box full of (metaphorical) tools. Our social, technical and professional tools we use daily and are probably in good repair. Do you consider religion to be in your tool box? If so what condition is it in? Whether you think of religion as like a hammer, an axe? A spoon? Maybe a sail? I have some thoughts on the use and maintenance of our religious tool set. Four Shillings Short, music. Sharene Watsen, celebrant. Patricia Heeb, service coordinator.

August 2014

August 3, 10am

"Gods, God, No God: Can We Accept Them All?" Elton Hall

The great diversity of views held by UUs include monotheism, polytheism, atheism and many spiritual traditions. How can they all be "true"? We will explore what is going on in our experience that allows—indeed, makes necessary—this diversity and why it is important to us and to the world. Liza Long, music. Barbara Morledge, celebrant. Teresa Wood, service coordinator.

August 10, 10am

"Two Weddings and a Funeral," Roger Sherman

Earlier this year many of us participated in an Appreciative Inquiry process to learn from each other what it is that we care about in our past, what we want to keep and leave behind on our continuing journey and what we want the future to look like. This next year we will be choosing a settled minister. Much change is in the offing. How will we continue to build our beloved community? Some reflections on where we are going as I begin my year as the president of the Boise UU Fellowship board. Elton Hall, celebrant. Mike Lemieux, music. Susie Hardy, Service Coordinator.

August 17, 10am

"Beyond BUUF, Beyond Belief!"

BUUF members who attended the Pacific Northwest District Assembly in Spokane and the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Providence, RI will be relating highlights of those forays into the UU world beyond BUUF! Gwyn Reid, celebrant. Liza Long, music. Mary Stell, service coordinator.

August 24, 10am

"A Palestinian Speaks," Reem Anani

Reem Anani is a displaced Palestinian who will share out of her knowledge and personal experience, broadly covering the history of the Palestinian-Israeli issue, as well as touch on what is happening today, making us aware of the social justice issues involved and why it should concern we UU's. Debbie Espen, director of the Boise chapter of Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East is sponsoring Reem's presentation and will introduce her. Mary Hester, celebrant. Mike Lemieux, music. David Scott, service coordinator.

August 31, 10am

"How to be a UU Missionary," David Scott

Although many associate missionaries with Christianity, especially with Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, there have been, historically, missionaries from a multiplicity of faiths. Typically, however, people do not associate Unitarian Universalists with missionaries. So, why not us? This and other burning questions will be pondered (perhaps fruitlessly) by David Scott and some special guests through the power of theatrical arts and oratory. Wanda Jennings, celebrant. Carrie Bastian and Will Smith, music. Mary Hester, service coordinator.

September 2014

September 7, 9:30 & 11:15am

"The Trouble with Bubbles – Water Communion All Generations Service," Rev. Dana Worsnop and Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Education

We will re-gather as an entire worshiping community with the annual Merging of the Waters Service. We'll hear the story of a certain queen in a distant land who had some trouble with a particular bubble and learn how we might avoid similar troubles. BUUF Choir, music. Emmie Schlobohm, celebrant. Nancy Harms, service coordinator.

Sept. 14, 9:30 & 11:15am

"All Are Called," Rev. Dana Worsnop

If the church is doing its good work in our lives, we should feel called forth in some way. How are you called, and to what? Nancy Harms, celebrant. Mary Hester, service coordinator.

Sept. 21, 9:30 & 11:15am

"We are the Church that...," Rev. Dana Worsnop

After a year-plus of preparation and consideration, who are you now, and who do you still want to be? These are the perpetual questions of interim ministry ... and of life. Sharene Watsen, celebrant. Susie Hardy, service coordinator.

Sept. 28, 9:30 & 11:15am

"The Price of Silence: Speaking Up, Ending Stigma," Liza Long

Liza Long is the mother of a child who has bipolar disorder. She wrote an emotional response to the tragic school shooting in Newtown, which the Boise State University online journal The Blue Review published as "I Am Adam Lanza's Mother." In her book, The Price of Silence, she takes a devastating look at how we address mental illness, especially in children, who are funneled through a system of education, mental healthcare, and juvenile detention that leads far too often to prison. She is speaking in a way that we cannot help but hear, and she won't stop until something changes. BUUF Choir, music. Mary Hester, celebrant. Teresa Wood, service coordinator.

October 2014

October 5, 9:30 & 11:15am

"Beyond Categorical Thinking," Jo Victoria & Gil Guerrero

Co-facilitators Jo Victoria and Gil Guerrero from the UUA Transitions office will share their personal perspectives on the experience of identity, and how our understanding of identities impacts the ministerial search. After worship and a pizza lunch, we encourage everyone to attend their workshop entitled "Beyond Categorical Thinking" as we learn about the way that our personal experiences and biases can hinder us from finding the best minister for our congregation. The workshop will take place between 1:15 and 4:15. Please come to both the worship service and to the workshop. Elton Hall, celebrant. Mary Hester, service coordinator.

October 12, 9:30 & 11:15am

"Instant Karma," Rev. Dana Worsnop

John Lennon warns us about Instant Karma. Sometimes the powerful truths of life and death and love will catch us unawares and we come face-to-face with ourselves and the world in an instant. What do we do next when that happens? Elton Hall, celebrant. Susie Hardy, service coordinator.

October 19, 9:30 & 11:15am

"The Church as Guest House," Rev. Dana Worsnop

How do you invite the shyest parts of your self to come out and play? What sorts of people and experience do you invite into your life? Who is invited into the church and by whom? How might we all make a practice of inviting the holy, the mysterious and each other into our lives? BUUF Choir, music. Debra Smith, celebrant. Mary Stell, service coordinator.

October 26, 9:30 & 11:15am

"Good Fences," Rev. Dana Worsnop

As the saying goes, Good fences make good neighbors. Sometimes fences can be unnecessary obstacles and yet they also set good, clear, healthy boundaries. How do we discern when to say yes and when to say no? An age-old human conundrum. Patricia Heeb, celebrant. Nancy Harms, service coordinator.

November 2014

Nov. 2, 9:30 & 11:15am

"Achieving Immortality," Rev. Dana Worsnop

We will celebrate All Souls Day with a ritual of remembrance. It is said that the veil between the living and dead grows thinner at this time of year. Though perhaps our connection to those who have passed simply feels closer when we create such rituals of remembrance. Nancy Harms, Celebrant. Michael Stevenson & Janelle Brown, Music.

Nov. 9, 9:30 & 11:15 am

"Ode to Joy," Rev. Dana Worsnop

Neither happiness nor joy last, nor are they supposed to. Joy is perhaps more intense and more ephemeral. When have you felt the ecstatic uplift of sheer joy? How does it inform your spiritual Life? Gail Haldeman, Celebrant. BUUF Choir, Music. Joining Sunday.

Nov. 16, 9:30 & 11:15 am

"Pilgrims in a Strange Land," Rev. Dana Worsnop

There are so many stories we tell about the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag and Thanksgiving. The story is complicated, with so many layers and so many perspectives on the truth. The Pilgrims at the heart of it are our direct religious forbears. is far more complicated. Sharene Watsen, Celebrant.

Nov. 23, 9:30 & 11:15 am

"To Have and Have Not," Rev. Dana Worsnop and Emmie Schlobohm.

We will once again celebrate a Bread Communion in an All Generations Thanksgiving Service. So often we speak of gratitude for all that we have. Sometimes it is also useful to consider that which we do not have, and how both can enrich our lives.

Nov. 30, 9:30 & 11:15 am

"Take the Lead," Robyn Broyles, Matthew Sabin, Tony Zornik

During the week of the 10th of August, three pilgrims, Robyn Broyles, Matthew Sabin and Tony Zornik attended the Russell Lockwood Leadership School training. Dana told us that it would be transforming, but that turned out to have been an understatement. Robyn will be out of town, so hopefully we can record her experience on video, but Matthew and I will be sharing our experience in person. Mary Hester, Celebrant.

December 2014

Dec. 7, 9:30 & 11:15am

Saving Christmas, Rev. Dana Worsnop

Our Christmas traditions as we celebrate them now are not even 200 hundred years old. In many parts of Colonial America, celebrating Christmas was banned. Find out how Unitarians helped save Christmas from itself. Debra Smith, Celebrant. Mike Lemieux, Music. David Scott, Service Coordinator.

Dec. 14, 9:30 & 11:15am

Peace on Earth, Rev. Dana Worsnop & Musicians

One of the central messages of the winter holidays is "peace on earth, goodwill to all." In celebration of the season, the choir and our BUUF musicians will take us on a musical journey to places across the globe where music has helped bring peace to a world in conflict, and peace to the soul. Carrie, Celebrant. Choir, and BUUF Musicians, Music. Patricia Heeb, Service Coordinator.

Dec. 21, 9:30 & 11:15am

Believing in Christmas

Come join us for a lively All Generations Holiday service. There will be carols and reflections and we invite everyone - children, youth and adults - to come aboard the Polar Express in their pajamas. And we'll top it all off with BUUF's traditional rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Rev. Dana Worsnop and Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration. Susie Hardy, Service Coordinator.

December 21, 7pm

Winter Solstice Celebration

Come celebrate an earth-centered service as we welcome the dark and the return of the light. We will celebrate the Solstice on Sunday, Dec. 21. The service will start right at 7 pm. The doors will open at 6:30, and we invite all to arrive early to be smudged. Once the service starts the doors will be closed and no one will be allowed to enter. Come in through either the north or south entryways. Bring goodies to share after the service along with our mulled cider.

December 24, 7pm

Finding Christmas Mystery, Rev. Dana Worsnop

We will celebrate Christmas Eve with stories of Christmas that renew our sense of mystery and wonder at this time of the year. We will sing carols, light candles and welcome magic and mystery once more into our lives at this darkest time of the year. Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration, Celebrant. Nancy Harms, Service Coordinator.

December 28, 9:30 & 11:15am

Quaker Service

The early Quakers considered silence to be a direct path to God. Join Nancy Harms for this simple service. We will have our traditional silent Quaker service in the sanctuary for adults and older children and youth. Young children will be welcome in our all-ages classroom that morning for either service. We'll be reading stories, sharing winter magic, hot chocolate, and goodies. Please see the article "Quaker Service" in the newsletter for more information.

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