• Flip Flop Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  October 13th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  9:15 & 11:15 a.m.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• A Dream Deferred

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 6th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  9:15 & 11:15 a.m. Rev. Elizabeth Greene; Sharene Watsen, Celebrant
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Partner Church Celebration Day – Oh We Give Thanks

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 29th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  9:15 & 11:15 a.m. Join Rev. Sara LaWall and Rev. Robert Balint of Transylvania Music by BUUF's Choir 20th Anniversary Bridge Celebration Sunday, September 29, 12:45 p.m. after Second Service Featuring Duet of "Cradle of Dawn" performed by Mary Schwartzman & Lessie Brown Speakers include Reverends LaWall and Bálint (from Transylvania), Alan Schwartzman and Gwyn Reid.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Simple Twist of Fate

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 22nd at 11:15 am
  9:15 & 11:15 a.m. Mary Beth Bolin, Ministerial Intern; Rev. Sara LaWall, Celebrant
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Simple Twist of Fate

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 22nd at 9:15 am
  9:15 & 11:15 a.m. Mary Beth Bolin, Ministerial Intern; Rev. Sara LaWall, Celebrant
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Expectations for a New Life

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 15th at 11:15 am
  9:15 & 11:15 a.m. Rev. Sara LaWall

• Expectations for a New Life

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 15th at 9:15 am
  9:15 & 11:15 a.m.

• Where the River Never Runs Dry

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 8th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Mingling of the Waters - Annual Water Communion Rev. Sara LaWall Join us for our annual multi-generational Water Communion; a "welcome back" service when we regather as a whole community after our summer adventures. In a unique UU ritual, we'll gather the waters of our community, whether from your summer travel, a token from our own Boise river, the backyard garden hose, or kitchen sink faucet; these waters receive the blessing of all of us and serve as our communal holy water for the year. Please bring a small container of your water for the ritual. Children and families worship together.

• Maybe So, Maybe Not

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 1st at 10:00 am
  10:00 a.m. single service through Labor Day weekend Rachel Murphy, Guest Preacher; Patricia Heeb, Celebrant; Mike Lemieux, April Ward, Music

• What Does it Mean to be in UU Community?

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  August 25th at 10:00 am
  10:00 a.m. single service through Labor Day weekend Rev. Sara LaWall; Patricia Heeb, Celebrant; Carrie Bastian, Music

• “Soulful Sunday”

  Rev. Sara LaWall, Michael Alvarado, Sarah Olson, Emily & William Emerson Paige, Mike Lemieux

  August 18th at 10:00 am
  10:00 a.m. single service through Labor Day weekend
  There is no Audio file for this date

• “Spiritual Practice of Stubborn Love”

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  August 11th at 10:00 am
  10:00 a.m. single service through Labor Day weekend Rev. Tandi Rogers; Rev. Sara LaWall, Celebrant It has been said that church is where we come to learn to be human. It’s been said it’s where we go to be countercultural, to learn and practice new ways. I say it’s all that and also where we learn to love fiercely and bravely and stubbornly. Maxwell Hughes, Musician

• “The Care and Feeding of Beloved Community”

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  August 4th at 10:00 am
  10:00 a.m. single service through Labor Day weekend Rev. Sara LaWall; Debra Smith, Celebrant

• Who Shall We Save?

  Bill Reid

  July 28th at 10:00 am
  Identity, intersectionality, and ideology. Mark Zimmerer, Celebrant; Mike Lemieux and Bill Reid, music.

• The Wonders & Strengths at the Broken Places

  Carolyn Bevington

  July 21st at 10:00 am
  One ordinary woman’s extraordinary journey toward healing by wonders and strengths found at the broken places. Gwyn Reid, Celebrant; Liza Long, William Emerson Paige, Musicians

• Walking in the Desert: Reclaiming My Narrative of Faith

  Wyatt Schroeder

  July 14th at 10:00 am
  Where is your identity left when your childhood faith matures into adulthood? And further, when your adulthood faith yearns for a child's understanding? We explore the personal need for a spiritual conversation and how important our choice of narrative plays in shaping a faith community. Rev. Sara LaWall, Celebrant; Liza Long, Wyatt Schroeder, Michael Alvarado, musicians.

• Where is the Healing?

  Dena Duke

  July 7th at 10:00 am
  Did you know that right under your nose lies one of the greatest tools to help you care for whatever it is that ails you? It's just waiting to be recognized and invited in to lend you a hand. And not only that, but it provides a perspective that you can't see for yourself, something that can free you to look at life and yourself differently. Come hear the top ten ways to get in touch with that special something! Mark Zimmerer, Celebrant.

• “Live Poetry”

  Debra Smith

  June 30th at 10:00 am
  Six poets who participated in the Drop-in Poetry Workshop share their poems and demonstrate how writing poetry can be a spiritual practice that opens new pathways for seeing the self and seeing the world. Debra Smith, Celebrant, and poet; Lessie Brown, Greg Duffy, Eileen Oldag, Miriam Woito, Ken Fries, Janet McClenahan, poets; Mike Lemieux, Lessie Brown, William Emerson Paige, musicians.

• Beauty as a Spiritual Practice

  Mark McGinnis

  June 23rd at 10:00 am
  The slide-sermon will deal with how we experience beauty in nature and beauty in visual art. The message will focus on how we can transform common visual experience to a spiritual practice making our lives more enjoyable and meaningful. Patricia Heeb, Celebrant.

• Saying Hello to the Stranger in the Red MAGA hat

  Sarah Googe

  June 16th at 10:00 am
  Sarah Googe, Guest Preacher; Gwyn Reid, Celebrant; Sue Langley, music.

• Queer Inclusivity

  Tessa Veto

  June 9th at 10:00 am
  Tessa Veto, Guest Preacher; Debra Smith, Celebrant
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Can Beauty Save the World?

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  June 2nd at 10:00 am
  Sharene Watsen, Celebrant

• Flower Communion

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  May 26th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am

• Curiosity & Contemplation

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  May 19th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Lean in to May’s spiritual theme of curiosity! Bring your open-minded, curious self to this alternative worship experience. ... The service will also recognize our graduating seniors with our annual bridging ceremony at our little bridge after the second service. Emmie Schlobohm, Celebrant. Carrie Bastian, Tenje Zimmerer, music.

• Coming of Age Youth

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  May 12th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am

• Spring Music Service

  Carrie Bastian

  May 5th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am

• Filling the Holes Doesn’t Get You to Wholeness

  Debra Smith

  April 28th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Debra Smith, Guest Preacher; Patricia Heeb, Celebrant; William Emerson Paige, Music.

• Letting In the Wholeness of the World

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  April 21st at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Easter Sunday Rev. Sara LaWall

• Celebration Sunday!

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  April 14th at 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall An incredible Celebration Sunday service on April 14th worshipping all together with ONE SERVICE at 11:15am followed by a big party in our courtyard in the style of an old-fashioned church picnic with food, cake, lawn games, UU trivia, BUUF clowns, bounce house, and more! Visit our tables in the entryways for more information.   "If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.” Gail Sheehy

• Whole is Where the Heart Is

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  April 7th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall; Wholeness

• Journey or Destination?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 31st at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

• Somewhere Between – A 50 Year Journey

  Gwyn Reid

  March 24th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  “To make a record: Take one miracle and add two dreams”. Thus begins the cover note from the first record album, “Somewhere Between, by Rosalie Sorrels” under BUUF’s record label. The miracle makers and dreamers among the 50 members of BUUF’s congregation in the late 1960s wanted to give voice to their faith-inspired response to the times in which they were living... 50 years hence, what lessons can we, as a faith community, glean from these carefully curated songs? Patricia Heeb, Celebrant

• Soulful Sundown

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  March 17th at 5:00 pm

• The Journey Towards Justice

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  March 17th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Mary Hester, Celebrant; Carrie Bastian, Lessie Brown, April Ward, Music.

• Our Journey of Becoming: Being the Change

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  March 10th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall

• The Journey of Education

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  March 3rd at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall

• Soulful Sundown

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 24th at 4:30 pm
  Rev. Sara LaWall
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Trust the Process: Flip Flop Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 24th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Variations on the Theme Trust

  February 17th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Celebrant, Patricia Heeb

• In Guns We Trust

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 10th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall; Debra Smith, Celebrant

• Building Little Bridges of Partnership

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 3rd at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  An international partnership such as BUUF’s with the Unitarian church in Mészkö, Transylvania builds bridges: for BUUF folks to the deep history and heritage of our faith going back more than 450 years in Transylvania, to an important wellspring of historic Unitarian theology and identity, to the wider world of our global U/U faith with thriving congregations spanning the globe from Wales to Indonesia. Little bridges of partnership help build the bigger bridges our faith and our world so desperately need. Rev. Bertschausen is the Executive Director the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council.

• Ask What’s Possible

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 27th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall

• Nine on the Bench

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 20th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall

• Possibility at the Border

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 13th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am

• Fire Communion

  January 6th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Gwyn Reid, Celebrant

• 10:00 Poetry & Music

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 30th at 10:00 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall; Michael Alvarado, Celebrant; Mike Lemieux, Music
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Christmas Eve Service

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 24th at 5:00 pm
  Rev. Sara LaWall A celebration of the Season, featuring stories, carols, poetry and a candle lighting to the music of Silent Night.

• It’s a Mystery

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 23rd at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall

• Solstice Celebration

  December 21st at 7:00 pm
    Join us for a time of reflection and respite on the longest night of the year.  Before we turn back to the light, let us sit in the dark together, accepting the blessings and the lessons that darkness offers.  Come celebrate an earth-centered Winter Solstice service. This is family friendly service, children are invited to participate with their parents or guardians. If you wish to be smoke cleansed, please show up at 6:45pm.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Holiday Pageant

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 16th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara, multi-generational service

• Holiday Music Service

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 9th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  BUUF choir and musicians

• Justice Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 2nd at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall

• Music of Our Lives

  Carrie Bastian

  November 25th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am

• Apple Communion & Soulful Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall, Michael Alvarado, Sarah Olson, Emily & William Emerson Paige, Mike Lemieux

  November 18th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall

• We Remember

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  November 11th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall

• DACAmented & Stories from the Border

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  October 28th at 9:15 am and 11:15 am

• Seeing Sanctuary Differently

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  October 21st at 9:15 am and 11:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Be Filled and Go! Giving and Receiving Sanctuary

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  October 14th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall

• Sanctuary for All: Immigrant Rights are Human Rights

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  October 7th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall A Justice Sunday connecting with and honoring the work of our October Plate Partner, PODER of Idaho. PODER (Protecting Our Dreams and Empowering Resilience) is a collective collective of undocumented and Latinx organizers in Southwest Idaho working to raise awareness, mobilize, and empower the Latinx community culture, community building, and social justice. Together, we can build an Idaho where neighbors are welcomed and families remain united.

• Vision, History & Pilgrimage: Reflections from Transylvania

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 30th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall, Carrie Bastian Join our BUUF pilgrims as they share their about their summer pilgrimage to Transylvania, the birthplace of Unitarianism and the celebration of our 25th anniversary with our partner church in Mészkő.   .

• Blurred Vision: How Our Stories Shape Our World

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 23rd at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall; Sharene Watsen, Celebrant    

• Soulful Sundown – Vision

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 16th at 4:30 pm
  Join Soulful for an evening filled with our brand of creative, connective worship!  Together we’ll reach for the spiritual connections needed to come to peace with the mundane, unappealing, and lackluster of our days; because the uneventful sustains the whole of our lives.  In the work of being human, we must make space together to acknowledge our struggle with impermanence and lack of recognition, realizing that what we lack in ourselves we can gain through connection.

• A Vision for Democracy – Hands on the Arc of Justice

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 16th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall; Debra Smith, Celebrant A justice Sunday honoring the work of our Plate Partner the  American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho.

• Water Communion – Let Justice Roll Down Like Water

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 9th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall Multi Generational Service Join us for our annual multi-generational Water Communion; a "welcome back" service when we regather as a whole community after our summer adventures. In a unique UU ritual, we'll gather the waters of our community, whether from your summer travel, a token from our overflowing river, the backyard garden hose, or kitchen sink faucet; these waters receive the blessing of all of us and serve as our communal holy water for the year. Please bring a small container of your water for the ritual. Children and families worship together.

• Where Did All the Good People Go?

  September 2nd at 10:00 am
  Bill Reid, Guest Preacher; Mary Hester, Celebrant; Mike Lemieux, Musician

• Worship Service – Reimaging Sunday School: Growing Passionate UUs

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  August 26th at 10:00 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall, Emmie Schlobohm- DRE, Debra Smith Imagine a future filled with engaged adults steeped in the philosophy of open minds, loving hearts, and helping hands. Adults who live their lives so thoroughly connected to and immersed in our Unitarian Universalist Seven Principles that the principles are second nature to them and the lens through which every decision is made. That’s what our ministries with children and youth and their families strive for here at BUUF. We invite you to come help us imagine what the future for our intentional RE program can look like.

• Soulful Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  August 19th at 10:00 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall, Michael Alvarado, Emily & William Emerson Paige, Mike Lemieux, Sarah Olson Soulful Sunday is Boise UU's alternative worship, focusing on contemporary music, poetic readings and contemplative moments. We join together every month for participatory, intimate services, nourishing our spiritual lives and sharing it all with this community. We will focus on community building: creating compassionate, small-worship based community that includes families, young people, spiritual seekers, and those searching for an intimate form of worship.

• How We Care: hUUs Respond to Life Crises

  Jeannette Ross

  August 12th at 10:00 am
  hUUmanists; Gwyn Reid, Celebrant This search for meaning and purpose is, for humanists, mostly making our way through the daily business of life, until we confront an extraordinary test, our own or that of another. How do we respond to the unthinkable, the impossible, one crisis and then another? Three of our humanists will share how they responded to challenging situations.

• This is the Moment: RiseUp Idaho

  Adrienne Evans, Guest Preacher

  August 5th at 10:00 am
  In this volatile moment of our nation we are witnessing a widening divide in our communities as well as our government. We all sense a change is needed; a revolution, to fulfill the promise to unite people, to remind us of our connection to one another and the whole. Now is the time to Rise Up, reach out and speak truth to power in love and solidarity with those who are pushed to the margins. Join Rev. Sara and Adrienne Evans of United Vision Idaho to hear about the new campaign Rise Up Idaho and its visionary resistance to reweaving our communities back together and lifting up the voices of all of us.

• A Humanist Dies

  Ken Watts

  July 29th at 10:00 am
  At one point in our history over fifty percent of those who identified themselves as Unitarian Universalists called themselves Humanists in one form or another. That number is somewhat lower today, but Humanists are still of significant numbers and influence in Unitarian Universalism. Today we will explore how Religious Humanism is lived out in time of crises, such as end of life or tragedy.

• Poetry & Music

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 31st at 10:00 am
  Join Rev. Sara LaWall and musician Mike Lemieux for a lovely contemplative service.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Christmas Eve Service

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 24th at 5:00 pm

• Christmas Eve Morning Service

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 24th at 10:00 am

• Winter Solstice Celebration

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 21st at 7:00 pm
  This annual favorite is a reflective service celebrating light’s return and pondering what we want to leave in the darkness and what to bring into the light.  About an hour long, it’s very appropriate for children who can sit relatively quietly for that long.  The nursery will be available for parents who find it necessary to be with their children somewhere besides the service itself.  Bring holiday goodies for the festive party afterward!
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Holiday Pageant: The Star

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 17th at 9:15 am
  Celebrate the season with this fun and festive worship service for all ages. Children and youth worship with their families for our annual multigenerational Holiday Pageant. This year we present, "The Star," the well-known players in the nativity story (Angeles, Shepherds, Magi and the Star) battle for the position of who is the most important player in the story. This year we've added our own twists and Star Wars homage ending the service with a 30+ year BUUF tradition singing our special Interactive all congregation version of the 12 Days of Christmas!

• Soulful Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 3rd at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall, Wyatt Schroeder, William & Emily Emerson Paige, Sarah Olson,Michael Alvarado

• The Music of Our Lives

  November 26th at 9:15 am
  Carrie Bastian, Music Director; Gwyn Reid, Celebrant
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Apple Communion – Multigenerational Celebration

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  November 19th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall; Emmie Schlobohm, Celebrant A multigenerational celebration of the abundance of community, families worship together with story, song and spirit! We'll enjoy our annual Apple Communion Ritual, sharing in the fruits of the season in sacred space.

• Serving with Abundance

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  November 12th at 9:15 am
  Rev Sara LaWall; Patricia Heeb, Celebrant Service is an act of one's heart. It comes from a place of connection and spiritual depth. Serving is different from helping; requiring no obligation or quid pro quo. As participants in this beloved community, the call to serve is a vital component of our spiritual life and growth and contributing to the abundance of this community and the world.

• Thick and Thin: The Abundance of Community (the auction sermon)

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  November 5th at 9:15 am
  In a New York Times op-ed piece, David Brooks reflected on institutions that leave a mark on people. He wrote, "Some organizations are thick, and some are thin. Some leave a mark on you, and some you pass through with scarcely a memory." How does BUUF reflect the hallmarks of a thick institution and how what roles are we all called to play in keeping it thick that each person who joins us experiences the abundance of community? This sermon topic was chosen by BUUF member, Marcia Lyons, auction winner of "sermon topic of your choice" from Rev. Sara.

• The Courage to Remember: A Transylvanian All Souls Day Celebration

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  October 29th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall; Mary Hester, Celebrant; BUUF Choir Music In this year of honoring our 25th Anniversary with our Partner Church in Mészkő, Transylvania and our upcoming Boise UU Pilgrimage, we celebrate the traditions of All Saint's Day and All Souls Day from a Unitarian lens. At this time of year, when cultures around the world honor their dead with rituals combining ancient practices with Christianity, we will explore our Unitarian history and theology and create our own ritual in the style of the Hungarian observance of Mindenszentek napja. All will be invited to participate in honoring our deceased loved ones and our ancestors.

• Boston Bound and Back Again

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  October 22nd at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara with BUUF's Boston Bounders This past summer, 15 youth and 6 adults embarked on this congregation's 8th Boston Bounder pilgrimage to explore the birthplace of American Unitarianism. Imagine a lively bunch of 21 UUs on the streets in Boston; visiting our UUA headquarters, ringing the church bells of one of the oldest UU churches, and walking the freedom trail, encountering the past and present of both our American and Unitarian Histories. Join our youth as they share their experiences with you.

• Soulful Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  October 15th at 9:15 am
  Soulful Sundown is Boise UU's interpretation of alternative worship, focusing on contemporary music, poetic readings and contemplative moments. Since this worship team their monthly services in February of 2016, we have enjoyed bringing the monthly themes to life in new and creative ways--creating participatory and intimate moments, asking deep questions, nourishing our spiritual lives and sharing it all with this community.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Community Sunday: Variations on the Theme – Courage

  October 8th at 9:15 am
  Theme: Courage Debra Smith; Sharene Watsen, Celebrant Four Shillings Short, Music Variations on a Theme of Courage:  Why is talking about racial prejudice so complicated nowadays? Fiona Montagne, Gwyn Reid and Debra Smith will share their experiences and memories of trying to talk honestly about what Rev. Jim Wallis calls “America’s Original Sin.”

• The Courage of Being Invisible

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  October 1st at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall & Philip Thompson; Patricia Heeb, Celebrant A Justice Sunday sermon reflecting on the power and legacy of our October Plate Partner: The Idaho Black History Museum. The Museum not only celebrates black history locally and nationally, but also plays a vital role in our current conversations and understanding of racial justice issues in our community. Rev. Sara and museum Director, Philip Thompson, will share the pulpit offering their reflections on courage and race, then and now.

• Soulful Sundown

  Emily Emerson Paige

  September 24th at 5:00 pm
    Soulful Sundown is Boise UU's interpretation of alternative worship, focusing on contemporary music, poetic readings and contemplative moments. Since this worship team their monthly services in February of 2016, we have enjoyed bringing the monthly themes to life in new and creative ways--creating participatory and intimate moments, asking deep questions, nourishing our spiritual lives and sharing it all with this community.   This year Soulful Sundown is mixing it up a bit and launching Soulful 2.0. The team will be creating and leading Sunday morning worship every other month and offering Sunday evening worship on the alternating months. We will focus on community building: cre...

• We are a Promise Making, Promise Breaking, Promise Renewing People

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 24th at 9:15 am
  We UUs are a conventional tradition (as opposed to creedal one). Explore the meaning of covenant and our very first congregational covenant, voted on during our May Annual Meeting. Covenants express our highest aspirations about who we hope to be in relationship together. Our covenant can also express the ways in which we can practice and embody welcome as a beloved community.

• Welcoming Vision – What Matters Most?

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 17th at 9:15 am
  As we wrap up our Next Steps Weekend and dive into this year-long strategic planning process, we are charting a course for our future. How do we welcome the vision for that future with openness and joyful anticipation? We'll reflect on these essential questions to guide us through this process: what is our shared vision for the future? In these times, who are we called to be and who are we called to serve? What matters most for us as a community in this moment? What is our story?   To welcome our new program year with new leaders, and RE teachers, this service will include a "Blessing of Leadership" ritual for all those service our fellowship this year.

• Make Waves – Water Communion

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 10th at 9:15 am
  Join us for our annual multi-generational Water Communion; a "welcome back" service when we regather as a whole community after our summer adventures. In a unique UU ritual, we'll gather the waters of our community, whether from your summer travel, a token from our overflowing river, the backyard hose, or kitchen faucet; these waters receive the blessing of all of us and serve as our communal holy water for the year. Please bring a small container of your water for the ritual. Children and families worship together.

• Spiritual Context

  September 3rd at 10:00 am
  Mary Hester, Guest Preacher; Wanda Jennings, Celebrant; Carrie Bastian, Musician We all have heard the expression that context is decisive. What does that really mean - and how can we apply that to our spiritual lives to have them expand in areas we never imagined?

• Soulful Sunday – Fortifying Your Soul

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  August 27th at 10:00 am
  Welcome to the resistance! Over the last seven months, we've been overwhelmed new challenges testing our commitment to justice, human dignity, and compassion for each other and the world. How are we called to respond and what fortification do we need to be able to move forward from a place of spiritual grounding and connection to our shared humanity. Experience the music, poetry, and reflections of our Soulful Sundown Team in a contemporary worship service offering the sustenance to help us remain strong, carry each other and the work forward and hold community at the center. Service led and music provided by: Emily Emerson Paige, Rev. Sara, Sarah Olson, William Emerson Paige, Michael A...

• UU Jihad

  August 20th at 10:00 am
  Patricia Heeb, Guest Preacher; Sharene Watsen, Celebrant; Carrie Bastian, Musician UU Jihad. Is that a thing?  Should it be?  Do the times call for a holy war by reasonable fanatics of peace and moderation?

• Living the Questions

  August 13th at 10:00 am
  Emily Emerson Paige, Guest Preacher; Gwyn Reid, Celebrant; Will Emerson Paige & Carrie Bastian, Musicians When was the last time you said "Yes!" and then watched the world take your hand and dance? Explore searching for our voices through the questions that live inside us.  This reflection on journeying through uncertainty and wonder is fueled by Emily's celebration of five years of membership at Boise UU and the amazing gifts of belonging and leadership she has found here.

• Holding Hands and Climbing Mountains

  August 6th at 10:00 am
  Ann Sabin, Guest Preacher; Debra Smith, Celebrant; Carrie Bastian, Music What do holding hands and climbing mountains have in common? Holding hands and climbing mountains are a couple of examples Ann uses to explain to others how her bipolarity impacts her capacity for intimacy, connectedness and possibility. She hopes to give you insight into how life can roll with, or despite, mental illness.

• A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine

  July 30th at 10:00 am
  Rev. Elizabeth Green, Guest Preacher; Mark Zimmerer, Celebrant; Liza Long, Musician

• Joy in the Journey: Faith, Transitions, Recovery & Hope

  July 23rd at 10:00 am
  Liza Long, Guest Preacher; Patricia Heeb, Celebrant; Mike Lemieux, Musician

• Religious Freedom and the Rights of Children

  July 16th at 10:00 am
  Roger Sherman, Guest Preacher; Debra Smith, Celebrant What are the limits of religious freedom?  Do parents have the right to allow their children to die for their beliefs?  In Idaho the answer is yes.  How do religious liberals reconcile their respect for other faith traditions and still oppose religious practices that are harmful?  There are no easy answers, so don't expect any!

• The UU Justice League

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  July 9th at 10:00 am
  Explore the spiritual themes of the summer blockbuster, Wonder Woman, woven together with stories from our annual UU General Assembly and our collective superpowers in serving the call for justice.

• The Practice of Being More Than Yourself 

  July 2nd at 10:00 am
  Wyatt Schroeder, Guest Preacher What's the daily regime of the Unitarian? It's a walk in nature. An hour volunteering at the shelter. But are we challenging our assumptions? How do we create a daily practice that doesn't just affirm our stereotypes, our biases, and slowly shape into the things we rail against?

• Much Ado About…

  Ken Watts

  June 25th at 10:00 am
  Kenneth Watts, Guest Preacher It's a story about a tiny meteorite and a seemingly unending universe that continues to be the focus much discovery and theorizing.  Both can bring forth a sense of awe and wonder.  Where do we fit?  What do we make of it all?   

• In Search of Identity

  Jodi Peterson

  June 18th at 10:00 am
  Jodi Peterson has worked with Interfaith Sanctuary for the past 11 years helping with fundraising efforts and programming for the guests at the shelter. In 2015, a tent city rose behind Interfaith Sanctuary dubbed Cooper Court. Jodi brought aid to this group of chronically homeless and it was there that she learned their stories. Her sermon features the story of a man, that after living on the streets for 14 years, asks for her help to get a photo ID. The seemingly straightforward errand of obtaining a photo ID becomes a herculean task. Jodi's sermon takes you on a trip into the trenches of restoring a lost picture ID and opens your eyes to the challenges those at our Interfaith Sanctuary Ho...

• Soulful Sundown

  June 13th at 7:00 pm
  Join us for our intimate alternative worship service, Soulful Sundown. Our hour-long service will explore our spiritual theme this month: Resistance. What if the world needs your praise as much as your picket signs? What if it needs the creation of beauty as much as the elimination of injustice? Soulful Sundown Worship Team Music by Soul Folks, featuring Seth Hoffman  
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Designs of Faith

  Mark McGinnis

  June 11th at 10:00 am
  A sermon by artist Mark W. McGinnis on his 1990s project, "Designs of Faith," that explores in both paintings and essays four Western, four Eastern and four Tribal religions. The studies for the paintings are in BUUF's collection and hang in the north and south hallways. The sermon will also feature the artist's reflections on religious violence and what is "true" religion.

• Flower Communion

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  June 4th at 9:15 am
  Celebrate the wonder of our beauty and diversity with our annual Flower Communion. This ritual first began in the Unitarian Church in Prague, Czechoslovakia by the Rev. Norbert Capek who wanted to honor the beauty in the diversity with a spiritual moment of liturgy. Today, UU congregations around celebrate this ritual annually and this year we do so as a special commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the first Flower Communion and its wondrous beauty.

• Can We Just Listen: Reflections on Race in our UUA

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  May 28th at 9:15 am
  Our Unitarian Universalist Association is in a time of great turmoil as we confront our institutional failure to become an anti-racist, anti-oppressive organization. Some brilliant and brave self-examination and real soul work is being done. Several leaders have stepped down, and a new leadership team with more persons of color has stepped up to serve. We will join more than 600 congregations who dedicated a service in late April or May to a “teach-in” about the pervasive effects of racism in our culture and our lives. 51 years ago in Hollywood, FL, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to our General Assembly about the need for the church to fight this horrible curse among us. Th...

• The Roots and Wings of the Free Church – Bridging Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  May 21st at 9:15 am
  Sermon text available HERE We'll explore a bit of the past and present of what it means to be part of the "Free Church" tradition as we celebrate our graduating seniors with the special UU Bridging ritual.

• The Freedom of Youth – Coming of Age Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  May 14th at 9:15 am
  This special service is one of our UU traditions. Join our Coming of Age (Junior High) youth as they present this service of their creation and share their personal credos.

• Soulful Sundown

  May 9th at 7:00 pm
  Join us for our intimate alternative worship service, Soulful Sundown. Our hour-long service will explore our spiritual theme this month: Freedom. What if the world needs your praise as much as your picket signs? What if it needs the creation of beauty as much as the elimination of injustice? Soulful Sundown Worship Team Music by Soul Folks, featuring Seth Hoffman  
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• Freedom is Life

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  May 7th at 9:15 am
  Special Music from the BUUF Women's Chorus including the popular Women's March anthem, "I Can't Keep Quiet" by MILCK. Join us for this Justice Sunday honoring and connecting with our May Plate Partner, The Women and Children's Alliance as we explore the theme's of women's freedom, liberation, feminist theology and the social and cultural impacts on how we embody our own lives and claim our freedom and power.

• Those Who Ignore History Are Condemned to Retweet It

  Dr. Said Ahmed-Zaid

  April 30th at 9:15 am
  Sermon by Dr. Said Ahmed-Zaid, Islamic Center of Boise Explore some powerful speeches of the four Caliphs or successors of Prophet Muhammad and what they understood as the role of government in society. Commentaries will be added to explore the revolutionary ideas put forth 1400 years on how to transform a society so that it protects its most vulnerable citizens (those whom Jesus referred to as the least among these brothers and sisters of mine).

• Resistance of the Earth – An Earth Day Sermon

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  April 23rd at 9:15 am
  It is no secret we are in the midst of an ecological crisis. The impact of climate change continues to grow. This is nor merely a scientific crisis, but an spiritual one. As UUs committed to environmental justice and supporting our interdependent web, how are we called to show up for the Earth; to resist on its behalf? And, what is the spiritual work we must promote to affect lasting change? Part of our call to this work comes from our desire to ensure a sustainable future for our children. We'll celebrate the hope of that future by dedicating our newest children and babies.  

• Easter Sunday: Resistance & Resurrection

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  April 16th at 9:15 am
  New Member Joining Ceremony Sermon by Rev. Sara LaWall Explore the Easter Story through the framework of Jesus' ministry in standing against the systems of power and control of his time. What does resurrection look like for contemporary UUs in our own time and in our UU culture? Where are we called to the work of resistance and where might we need to set aside our own internal resistance to see new possibilities and make room for resurrection in our own lives? This sunday will also celebrate the continuing "resurrection" of our fellowship by welcoming new members in a special joining ceremony.

• Soulful Sundown

  April 11th at 7:00 pm
  Join us for our intimate alternative worship service, Soulful Sundown. Our hour-long service will explore our spiritual theme this month: Resistance. What if the world needs your praise as much as your picket signs? What if it needs the creation of beauty as much as the elimination of injustice? Soulful Sundown Worship Team Music by Soul Folks, featuring Seth Hoffman  
  There is no Audio file for this date

• 11:00 a.m. Yes, and…The Circle of Love

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  April 9th at 11:00 am
  11:00 single service at the BSU Stueckle Sky Center Join us for this joyous service of all ages as we celebrate the Circle of Love that is this beloved community. Enjoy music from our fabulous BUUF choir and our Soulful Sundown band as we say "Yes, and" to our fellowship! This service is the pinnacle of our Annual Giving Drive when members are invited to make their 2017 - 2018  annual pledge to the church. Lunch provided. Please RSVP to Nancy Harms by April 3.
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• Can Resistance be a Spiritual Practice?

  Debra Smith

  April 2nd at 9:15 am
  We learn over time that for our spiritual health, we must learn to yield to forces outside our control.  But then that advice became obsolete.  A new call went out, urging us to stand and resist what was happening to our country.  Maybe resistance is as necessary for our spiritual well-being as yielding.  Especially now.

• Promise & Covenant

  Matthew Sabin

  March 26th at 9:15 am
  The foundation of our UU tradition is covenant; the promises we agree to hold for ourselves, each other, and the world. BUUF has begun the process of creating its own "Covenant of Right Relations" specifically for our community. This can be a guiding document, and anchor, to express our commitments about how we want to be in community together. Join our Right Relations Task Force for this worship service to explore the meaning and value of creating a covenant together. After the second service, join us to explore draft language of our covenant and offer your insights and feedback.

• We Sing of Golden Mornings: The Promise of Spring!

  Music and Choir, Rev. Sara LaWall

  March 19th at 9:15 am
  This special music service features our talented choir under the direction of Music Director, Carrie Bastian. enjoy music, poetry, celebrating the coming of spring and the turning of the Earth once again; honoring the cycle of evolution and revolution and the promise of renewal.

• Soulful Sundown

  March 14th at 7:00 pm
  Join us Tuesday evening for our March alternative worship service. We will be exploring our shared worship theme: Promise. What does promise mean to you? Soulful Sundown is a monthly alternative worship service that combines music, poetry, readings and personal reflections to explore our monthly worship themes. William Emerson Paige, Michael Alvarado, Sarah Olson - music  
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• The Promise in the Circle of Love

  Cherie Buckner-Webb

  March 12th at 9:15 am
  Join us for the kick-off of our Annual Giving Drive with special guest preacher, Cherie Buckner-Webb. Cherie is a fifth-generation Idahoan whose enthusiasm is as boundless as her talents. She is currently serving as Idaho State Senator for District 19 reaching across party lines to work for the common good of all Idahoans. Special music from "The Analog Sisters" a Boise women's acapella group featuring Michelle Coleman, Peggy Jordan & Patricia Folkner who deliver a sassy blend of Americana, vintage swing, and

• The Promise of Choice

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  March 2nd at 9:15 am
  9:15 & 11:15 a.m. Rev. Sara LaWall A Justice Sunday honoring and connecting with our March Plate Partner, Planned Parenthood.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Blessings of Our Brokenness

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 26th at 9:15 am

• Stubborn Gladness and Delight

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 19th at 9:15 am
  Service times:  9:15 AM and 11:15 AM Rev. Sara LaWall This one line of a dark poem by Jack Gilbert reminds us that in times of doubt, fear, darkness and uncertainty, we must risk delight, we must allow music and beauty into our souls as nourishment for the journey of this life and these particular times. Stories abound of artists and musicians who dedicated themselves even more deeply to their work in times of crisis and despair in their lives and the world. May we be inspired to do the same

• Soulful Sundown

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 14th at 7:00 pm
  Soulful Sundown returns this month with a special Valentine's Day service to wrap up our 30 Days of Love Campaign--Fortifying the Movement. Whether you have a valentine or not, come celebrate with this beloved community with an intimate service of contemporary music and poetry. Soulful Sundown is our monthly, mid-week contemporary service offering a more informal and intimate worship setting. Live, contemporary music plays a central role with readings, poetry, and ritual woven throughout. This service is coordinated and led by members of the congregation and features multiple voices and participants.
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• Generosity and Delight

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 12th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall; Sharene Watsen, Celebrant Services at 9:15 and 11:15 Many religious traditions teach the essential spiritual practice of generosity, giving of yourself, your inspiration, vision, and commitment without expectation of direct reciprocity. And yet, when we practice that kind of generosity we often receive much in return. How can we unlock that generosity within us and our community and welcome in the delight of abundance? We will also practice generosity by welcoming new members into our community in a special New Member Ceremony.

• The Delight in a Community of Learning

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 5th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall, Patricia Heeb Celebrant
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Kinship of Living and Dying

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 29th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall  

• Kinship Across the World

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 22nd at 9:15 am
  Join us as we honor our 23-year partnership with the Unitarian congregation in Mészkő , Transylvania. We'll explore how this kinship is a sacred covenant that connects us to our historical roots and to others across the globe offering opportunities for transformation along the way. Music from the BUUF Choir, Carrie Bastion, Music Director. Sermon written by Rev. Sara and delivered by Gwyn Reid, Sharene Watsen, Celebrant.  (Rev. Sara with at the winter retreat with Quest II).

• Kinship & Identity: Whose are We?

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 15th at 9:15 am
  A service honoring the vision and teaching of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We'll explore how his message continues to call us to our own commitments to justice and resistance and shape them for our time. We'll also launch the Standing on the Side of Love's campaign, 30 Days of Love - Fortifying the Movement.  Get ready for four inspiring weeks of building the movement for justice, focusing on relationships, covenants, transformation and sustenance. Rev. Sara LaWall, Wanda Jennigs - Celebrant

• Church Services and Activities Cancelled Today

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 8th at 12:00 am
  Sunday Services & Activities Canceled (1/82017)! Due to a severe winter storm alert issued by the National Weather Service, the Board of Directors and Rev. Sara have made the decision to cancel Sunday morning services and activities tomorrow, (January 8, 2017). We do so to minimize the risk to all our congregants and staff as driving conditions are unsafe and the national weather service urges extreme caution, driving only in an emergency. Please stay home and stay safe. If you find yourself in need of supplies, support, or companionship, please reach out to your fellow BUUFers, the Congregational Care Team or me--we are here to help each other. Please reach out to your BUUF friends to b...
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• 10 a.m. Fire Communion – The Miracle Flame of Kinship

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 1st at 10:00 am
  On this final night of Chanukah. What does this miracle story have to teach us about the miracle of light and kinship in our own lives? We'll join together in reflection with our own Fire Communion ritual.

• 10 a.m. Quaker Service

  December 25th at 10:00 am
  The early Quakers considered silence to be a direct path to God.  This was a radical idea in its time.  Silence remains a radical idea today.  In our culture of iPhones, cell phones, the Internet, high-definition TV and continual bombardment of advertising, cultivating silence – as opposed to consuming products – is a radical idea.  But it can connect us to – and keep us on – the path we’re supposed to be on.  Join Nancy Harms for this simple service.
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• 7 p.m. Christmas Eve – Two Miracles

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 24th at 7:00 pm
  Rev. Sara LaWall Celebrate Christmas Eve and the first night of Hanukkah as we reflect on the many miracles of the season and in our lives. How might these ancient stories teach us about connecting with our monthly theme, Defying Hate? We'll open up a reverent space to let love in as celebrate with stories and poetry, sing carols and light candles as we reconnect with our sense of mystery and wonder at this time of the year.  

• 7 p.m. Winter Solstice Service

  Jay Wechselberger

  December 21st at 7:00 pm
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Holiday Pageant – Night of the Dancing Goats

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 18th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall & Emmie Schlobohm, DRE A multigenerational service (all ages worship together) to celebrate the Holiday Season in story, song and spirit.

• 7 p.m. Soulful Sundown

  Emily Emerson Paige

  December 13th at 7:00 pm
  Soulful Sundown is a contemporary, intimate, music-filled alternative service. Each month's service follows the worship theme for that month. Service coordinators: Emily Emerson Paige, William Emerson Paige, Sarah Olson, Wyatt Schroeder, Michael Alvarado and Rev. Sara LaWall Music by: William Emerson Paige, Wyatt Schroeder, Sarah Olson and Michael Alvarado
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Choir Music Sunday

  December 11th at 9:15 am

• Justice Sunday: We are All Idahoans

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 4th at 9:15 am
  A service about refugee justice, connecting with honoring our December Plate Partner the Family Medical Center Refugee Justice Program.

• Community Sunday: The Music of Our Lives

  November 27th at 9:15 am
  The second annual Music service featuring BUUF members and friends and the hymns and music that have inspired and informed their lives.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Apple Communion Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  November 20th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall & Emmie Schlobohm, DRE A multigenerational celebration of community, families worship together with story, song and spirit! We'll enjoy our second annual Apple Communion Ritual, sharing in the fruits of the season in sacred space.

• 7 p.m. Soulful Sundown

  Emily Emerson Paige

  November 15th at 7:00 pm
  Soulful Sundown is a contemporary, intimate, music-filled alternative service. Each month's service follows the worship theme for that month. Service coordinators: Emily Emerson Paige, William Emerson Paige, Sarah Olson, Wyatt Schroeder, Michael Alvarado and Rev. Sara LaWall Music by: William Emerson Paige, Wyatt Schroeder, Sarah Olson and Michael Alvarado
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Resilience and the State of the Union: The Good Will Go On

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  November 13th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall This Sunday will offer a space of healing, reflection post-election.

• Justice Sunday

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  November 6th at 9:15 am

• The Blessing of Remembering Well – Honoring El Dia de los Muertos

  October 30th at 9:15 am
  Bring a small memento or photo of a dear departed loved one for the ofrenda (altar). Make sure it is well marked so that it will be returned to you after service. Rev. Sara LaWall Wanda Jennings, Celebrant

• Community Sunday: Variations on the Theme of Blessing

  October 23rd at 9:15 am
  Community Sunday: Variations  on the Theme of Blessing Hear reflections from our members and friends about our monthly spiritual theme: Blessing. We've asked them to reflect on the following questions: Do you believe you are a blessing? How has this community been a blessing to you? Gwyn Reid, Celebrant

• Choose to Bless the World

  October 16th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall In the words of Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, "Your gifts-whatever you discover them to be-can be used to bless or curse the world." In this time of uncertainty how will we use our gifts to bless the world? Child Dedication Sunday: We will bless the world by dedicating any new babies and children to this Fellowship and us to them. (interested? contact EmmieSchlobohm) David Scott, Celebrant

• 7 p.m. Soulful Sundown – Blessing

  Emily Emerson Paige

  October 11th at 7:00 pm
  Do you that believe you are a blessing? Do you own and honor your uniqueness? Do your words bless others?   Are there any words that have fallen from your lips lately that you need to go back and turn into a blessing? Soulful Sundown is a contemporary, intimate, music-filled alternative service. This month's service follows the worship theme for October: Blessing. All are welcome - childcare is provided. Service coordinators: Emily Emerson Paige, William Emerson Paige, Emmie Schlobohm, Wyatt Schroeder, Michael Alvarado and Rev. Sara LaWall Music by: William Emerson Paige, Wyatt Schroeder, Emmie Schlobohm and Michael Alvarado
  There is no Audio file for this date

• The Blessing of Atonement

  October 9th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall Exploring and honoring the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Atonement is akin to our practice of right relationship, it is the ritual that allows us to renew that relationship with one another, with the world, and with the holy. BUUF Choir, Music Sharene Watsen, Celebrant

• Justice Sunday – Paying it Forward: The Blessing of Community

  October 2nd at 9:15 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall The great twentieth-century Rabbi, Abraham Heschel, wrote: "Just to be is a blessing," a perfect introduction for this month's spiritual theme of blessing. We will explore the many blessings of this community, highlighting the ministry of our Congregational Care Team. We'll highlight our monthly Plate Partner, BUUF's own Pay it Forward Fund which offers financial assistance to members of this community in times of crisis and need.

• Community Sunday: Variations on the Theme

  September 25th at 9:15 am
  Hear reflections from our members and friends about our monthly spiritual theme: Anticipation. We've asked them to reflect on the following questions: Has anticipation ever surprised you or let you down? What is your greatest anticipation? Do you anticipate a brighter future for your children? What anticipated future drives our church?

• Being a Pessimist Probably Won’t Work Anyway

  September 18th at 9:15 am
  In exploring our monthly theme of anticipation, how does pessimism get in the way? When Unitarian minister Rev. Waitstill Sharp and his wife Martha left their family for Europe to help save scores of Jews from Nazi terror, there was no room for pessimism, only action. Is pessimism a hindrance to building the world we dream about? How can we balance anticipation and pessimism? In anticipation for our new program year with new leaders, RE teachers, staff changes and more this service will include a "Blessing of Leadership" ritual for all those serving our fellowship this year.  

• 7 p.m. Soulful Sundown

  Emily Emerson Paige

  September 13th at 7:00 pm
  This month we are exploring the theme of Anticipation. What are you anticipating right now? Are you doing anything to make that happen? Soulful Sundown is a contemporary, intimate, music-filled alternative service. Each month's service follows the worship theme for that month. Service coordinators: Emily Emerson Paige, William Emerson Paige, Sarah Olson, Wyatt Schroeder, Michael Alvarado and Rev. Sara LaWall Music by: William Emerson Paige, Wyatt Schroeder, Sarah Olson and Michael Alvarado
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Love is the Water that Wears Down the Rock

  September 11th at 9:15 am
  Join Rev. Sara LaWall and Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Education, for our annual gathering of the waters and Multi-generational Water Communion Ritual to officially begin our new program year. Participants of all ages are invited to bring water from a special place, from your summer travels, or from your home. Think about what blessing and/or opportunity for transformation you would like this water to represent. We will mingle our waters together in a beautiful ritual with singing, joyful noise, reflection, and beautiful music from our choir. This is a Multi-generational worship service when children and youth are invited to worship alongside their families. Nursery...

• The Labor of Our Faith

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 4th at 10:00 am
  This national holiday is about more than backyard barbecues. Labor day honors the creation of the labor movement who fought for fair labor conditions and wages for those whose work, yesterday and today) helps build this country, contributing to our social and economic achievements.  But as the income inequality gap widens, organized labor is being eroded, violence swirls, anxiety rises, and the future of our country feels at stake, we must ask ourselves what is the work we are called to do as Unitarian Universalists? How can we embody the essence of the labor movement to strive to build the world we dream about. What is the labor of our faith?  

• Disability and Religion in the United States

  August 28th at 10:00 am
  Disability, in one form or another, affects all of us. Whether it is our own disability, or that of a friend or relative, disability is part of the human experience. How we deal with disability, both personally and publicly, is influenced by many factors including our spiritual beliefs. But how and when? And does our disability define who we are as people? Come explore these ideas with us. Sermon by Jen Grush-Dale Sharene Watsen, Celebrant Mike Lemieux, Music

• But How Do We Get There From Here?

  August 21st at 10:00 am
  The work of being a "good" U.U. to say nothing of being a "good" human is enriching and rewarding, but often arduous and demanding.  What guides your directions and perceptions?  We're going to be talking about maps. Sermon by Patricia Heeb David Scott, Celebrant Carrie Bastian, Music

• Soulful Sunday

  Emily Emerson Paige

  August 14th at 10:00 am
  The Soulful Sundown worship team is bringing their contemporary, music-filled service to the Sunday crowd! This service's theme is Rootedness and will explore ideas of what it truly means to be rooted. Get a chance to experience this new form of worship, or, if you've been a Soulful regular, have a chance to attend during the day. Question for contemplation: "What roots you most? People? Places? Ideas? Stories? Hopes? Values?" Service coordinators: Emily Emerson Paige, William Emerson Paige, Sarah Olson, Dena Duke, Wyatt Schroeder, Michael Alvarado and Rev. Sara LaWall Music by: William Emerson Paige, Wyatt Schroeder, Sarah Olson and Michael Alvarado

• White Allyship and #BlackLivesMatter

  August 7th at 10:00 am
  Sermon by Bryan Lyda and Deanah Messenger of Anti-Racists in Idaho We all must show up for racial justice. We need white people to show up for racial justice with both passion and accountability. Unfortunately, we can do more harm than good if we do not answer the call for justice intentionally and humbly. By working together, acknowledging our privilege and listening to the voices of communities of color, we can have significant impact in the movement for racial justice. Celebrant: Rev. Sara LaWall Music by Liza Long
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• How Will You Decide? Rev. Kenneth Watts

  July 31st at 10:00 am
  Gwyn Reid, celebrant: Liza Long, music

• Who Is My Neighbor? Moving beyond the stigma of mental illness

  Liza Long

  July 24th at 10:00 am
  Mike Lemieux, music

• You Just Don’t Understand, Mary Hester

  July 17th at 10:00 am
  Sharene Watsen, celebrant; Sue Langley, music

• Ask What Makes You Come Alive, Wyatt Schroeder

  July 10th at 10:00 am
  Dena Duke, celebrant; Liza Long, music

• Watching the Wheels, Mark Zimmerer

  July 3rd at 10:00 am
  Debra Smith, celebrant; Mike Lemieux, music

• The Priesthood and Prophethood of All Believers, Bill Reid

  June 26th at 10:00 am
  Nancy Harms, celebrant; Mike Lemieux, music

• Universalism: Past, Present and Powerful, Rev. Kalen Fristad

  June 19th at 10:00 am
  Rev. Kalen Fristad has been a United Methodist minister for more than 38 years, is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship, and is President of the Christian Universalist Association. He traveled the country full time with his wife, Darlene, from 2003 to 2006 accepting invitations to speak at churches, countering the teaching that many people will suffer for eternity in hell and proclaiming the hopeful message of Universalism. Following then, he served churches in Iowa half time, while spending half time on the road. He retired from the parish ministry in 2013, but continues to travel the country speaking on Universalism. Over the years he has spoken at more than 190 UU c...

• Survival of the Kindest

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  June 12th at 10:00 am
  Sue Langley, music

• Flower Communion

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  June 5th at 10:00 am
  Multi-Generational Service, with Rev. Sara LaWall  Music from the BUUF choir.

• Celebration Sunday: Now, More Than Ever, We are Called

  Rev. David Miller

  April 10th at 9:00 am
  April 10, 2016 "Celebration Sunday: Now, More Than Ever, We are Called," Rev. David Miller The Magic Continues as we wrap up our Annual Giving Drive with special guest preacher, Rev. David Miller, Lead Minister of the UU Congregation of Fairfax, VA and Rev. Sara's mentor.

• Metamorphosis: Shedding the Culture of Violence

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  April 3rd at 9:00 am
  "Metamorphosis: Shedding the Culture of Violence," Rev. Sara LaWall A Justice Sunday sermon honoring our April Plate Partner, The Women and Children's Alliance  

• Hitchhiking With Jesus

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  March 27th at 9:00 am
  "Hitchhiking With Jesus" Rev. Sara LaWall (transcript), (Audio) March 27, 2016

• Welcome Spring

  March 20th at 9:15 am
  Celebrating the vernal equinox in word and song
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Where the Magic Happens

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  March 13th at 9:00 am
  "Where the Magic Happens" Rev. Sara LaWall (transcript) (Audio) March 13, 2016 Don't forget to SPRING FORWARD! (Daylight savings time begins March 13.)

• Offering Sanctuary

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  March 6th at 9:00 am
  "Offering Sanctuary," Rev. Sara LaWall

• The Spiritual Practice of Lecttio Divina

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 28th at 9:00 am
  An ancient spiritual practice, derived from a Latin term, meaning "divine reading." It describes a way of reading spiritual texts whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what the spirit/the divine/our heart/the universe wants to say to us. (transcript) (Audio) February 28, 2016

• Belovedness: The Antidote to Fear

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 21st at 8:00 am
  (transcript)

• Love, How Many Kinds?

  Elton Hall

  February 14th at 9:00 am

• And How Are the Children?

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  February 7th at 9:00 am
  (transcript)

• Poetry & Piano

  January 31st at 8:00 am
  Rev. Sara LaWall & Mike Lemieux A special service, featuring art in word and music; no hymns, no sermon. (And no audio recording, sorry.)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• The Generosity Path

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 24th at 8:00 am
  (transcript) January 24, 2016

• Partners in Community

  January 17th at 9:00 am
  Becky Groff, Wanda & Bryan Jennings, Bill & Gwyn Reid, Nancy Harms  January 17, 2016 Five BUUF members who traveled to Mészkő to participate in the dedication of the new Community House will share insights from their travels and visit in our partner village.

• Radical Hospitality #2

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 10th at 9:00 am
  (transcript) A second sermon in a series exploring the concept of radical hospitality in our church, our lives and our community.

• Fire of Commitment, Fire Communion

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  January 3rd at 9:00 am
  A justice Sunday sermon connecting with our Plate partner for the month, BUUF's own Partner Church Boise/Mészkő Annual Scholarship Fund. We'll reflect on our own passions and commitments as we join together in a Fire Communion, letting go and setting ablaze those things in our life that no longer service us and hold us back. (transcript)  

• Quaker Service

  Nancy Harms

  December 27th at 8:00 am
  A silent service. (No audio recording.)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Preparing Room

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 24th at 8:00 am
  "Christmas Eve Service, "Preparing Room"," Rev. Sara LaWall

• Winter Solstice

  December 21st at 8:00 am
  An ritual from our earth-centered tradition (No audio recording.)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Multigenerational Holiday Pageant

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 20th at 8:00 am
  "Multigenerational Holiday Pageant," Rev. Sara LaWall and Emmie Schlobohm All ages worship together to celebrate the holiday season.

• The Open Heart: Music and Meditation for the Holidays

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 13th at 9:00 am
  "The Open Heart: Music and Meditation for the Holidays," Rev. Sara LaWall and Emmie Schlobohm

• Catch the Stones: Mercy, Brokenness, and Compassion

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  December 6th at 8:00 am
  "Catch the Stones: Mercy, Brokenness, and Compassion," Rev. Sara LaWall A Justice Sunday sermon connecting with our December plate partner, the ACLU of Idaho and their work on criminal justice reform and the death penalty.

• The Music of Our Lives

  November 29th at 9:00 am
  Carrie Bastian, joined by musical members Mike Lemieux, Patti Raino, Sarah Cox, Will Smith (No audio recording.)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Apple Communion

  November 22nd at 9:00 am
  "Apple Communion," Rev. Sara LaWall All ages worship together to celebrate this season of gratitude. We will also be officially welcoming our Minister Emerita, Rev. Elizabeth Greene.

• Radical Hospitality

  November 15th at 9:00 am
  "Radical Hospitality," Rev. Sara LaWall This service also honors the Transgender Day of Remembrance, nationally recognized on Nov. 20.

• Experiencing the Holy

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  November 8th at 9:00 am
  "Experiencing the Holy," Rev. Sara LaWall

• Inch by Inch to Fertile Ground

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  November 1st at 9:00 am
  "Inch by Inch to Fertile Ground," Rev. Sara LaWall A sermon about food justice, connecting with our November Plate Partner, the Boise Farmers' Mobile Market  

• Stories From the Way

  October 25th at 8:00 am
  Stories from the Way Carrie Bastian and David Scott How a 500 mile pilgrimage across Spain can change the stories we tell ourselves

• We Were Boston Bound

  October 18th at 9:00 am
  "We Were Boston Bound," Boston Bounders Our Religious Exploration's biennial "Coming of Age" program culminates in a pilgrimage to Boston to learn about our UU roots. The 2015 Bounders share their experience with us.

• Your Liberating Ministry: Toward a Shared Vision

  October 11th at 9:00 am
  "Your Liberating Ministry: Toward a Shared Vision," Rev. Sara LaWall

• Giving Life the Shape of Justice

  October 4th at 9:00 am
  "Giving Life the Shape of Justice," Rev. Sara LaWall

• Building Sacred Trust

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 27th at 9:00 am
  "Building Sacred Trust," Rev. Sara LaWall

• A Blessing for Beginning

  September 20th at 9:00 am
  "A Blessing for Beginning," Rev. Sara LaWall

• Gathering of the Waters

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  September 13th at 9:00 am
  "Gathering of the Waters," Rev. Sara LaWall

• Extinction, Ecological Collapse and Pope Francis

  Mark McGinnis

  September 6th at 9:00 am
  "Extinction, Ecological Collapse and Pope Francis," Mark McGinnis Painter and writer Mark McGinnis will present work from his current project "Extinct and Almost Extinct: 50 Paintings" and discuss aspects of our current ecological crisis, referring to Pope Francis' encyclical letter, "On Our Common Home," a profound document that gives direction and hope to what seems like a hopeless situation.

• Moving Beyond the ‘Why?

  Ken Watts

  August 30th at 9:00 am
  "Moving Beyond the 'Why?' Questions," Rev. Kenneth Watts So often in the hospital I hear the "Why?" questions from family members, patients, and others in the midst of painful medical realities. In my early days of ministry in the conservative Christian tradition I tried hard to have all the right answers. After all, I was the minister. Nowadays, I find that keeping my mouth shut and listening is much more helpful than spewing forth my seminary wisdom.

• Journey

  August 23rd at 9:00 am
  "Journey," Quest participants This spring saw the end of the first offering at BUUF of the 19 month program for spiritual development, "Quest: A Spiritual Journey." Fifteen participants, four leaders, and a back-up ministry team completed the journey. Spirits were deepened, lives were changed. In this service, several will share their experience and the impact of the program on their lives.

• On Being a Heretic, Long Strange Trip

  Mary Hester

  August 16th at 9:00 am
  The six part series may have been a UU history series, but it had some major spiritual impacts on me. We will explore how the journey of our UU ancestors can impact us in the present day.

• What is it about listening?

  Matthew Sabin

  August 9th at 9:00 am
  "What is it about listening?" Matthew Sabin In college I read John Brunner's The Shockwave Rider wherein he proposed "a service that allows people to anonymously talk with another person who only listens." I've been noticing this special form of listening ever since.

• General Assembly: Who Knew It Would Be So Spiritual!

  August 2nd at 9:00 am
  "General Assembly: Who Knew It Would Be So Spiritual!" GA Attendees The Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly, a five day annual meeting of delegates and attendees from congregations all over the United States met in Portland at the end of June. Twenty-four members of the BUUF congregation attended. The event was packed full of energy, education and inspiration: a more than “What We Did on Our Summer Vacation” report.

• Spirituality, innovation, diversity, and radical inclusion

  Bill Reid

  July 26th at 8:00 am
  "Spirituality, innovation, diversity, and radical inclusion," Bill Reid I will be asking a lot of questions this Sunday. Possible questions include, “Who is spiritual and who is not?” “Who decides?” “If we really welcomed everyone, what would happen?” “Is there such a thing as too much diversity?” “Are we as inclusive and welcoming as we think we are?” I have lots more questions, and I don't know the answers. Please join me for the beginning of a conversation.

• Songs of Solidarity

  Marshall Voit and Ibis Laurel

  July 19th at 9:15 am
  This summer, Marshall and Ibis embark on their Songs of Solidarity tour, on which journey they will sing with nearly a dozen faith congregations in six weeks. They will lead singing in English, Spanish and Hebrew, and invite participants to experience the galvanizing power of communal song. The Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson of Palomar UU Fellowship remarked, “Marshall and Ibis are musical masters and inspirational activists. My congregation was captivated by the beauty of their voices, their compelling musicianship, and their weaving together of spirituality and activism.”

• Charity: What could possibly go wrong?

  Debra Smith

  July 12th at 9:15 am
  Clara Barton, Universalist and founder of the American Red Cross, fought against slavery and the unfair treatment of women, the unacknowledged suffering and sacrifice of soldiers, the intransigence of American politics, and--at last--against the people in the very organization she founded. In this service we will draw inspiration from this visionary and persevering woman, and draw lessons about how we might “do” social justice work in the world. We will acknowledge her significant contribution to our world by conducting a blood drive on Thursday, July 16.

• The Demise of Democracy in America

  July 5th at 9:15 am
  American servicemen and women, and their families, for two and one half centuries, have given and sacrificed mightily to achieve and preserve freedom and democracy for us. As we pay tribute to them, it is our duty and responsibility to honor them by reflecting and asking ourselves: “Are we, the present generation, living up to our duty to insure that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth?”
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Maturity—What Is That and How Do I Get It?

  Elton Hall

  June 28th at 9:15 am
  Maturity is a condition that we hope comes with age and experience, but just what it is and what we can do to gain it can be elusive. We will explore emotional, moral, mental and spiritual aspects of maturity and ways we mature.

• Summer Solstice

  June 21st at 9:15 am
  The longest day of the year occurs on this Sunday during the service. At the summer solstice, the Sun travels the longest path through the sky, and that day therefore has the most daylight. Join us to sing and chant and meditate as we celebrate the sun.

• Who’s Your Daddy?

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  June 14th at 9:15 am
  On this Sunday before Father’s Day, we will consider role of fathers and masculine energy in the world, in us all.

• Flower Power – Flower Communion Service

  June 7th at 9:15 am
  All Generations: Flower Power was the cry of a whole generation. The Flower Communion ritual represents the power and beauty the arises in a diverse community. What is BUUF’s flower power?

• The Good and the Perfect

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  May 31st at 9:15 am
  My time with you as your Interim Minister is coming to a close. We have done so much good work together, made a misstep or two, traveled some rocky roads, and come out happily at the end of our journey together. I will reflect on my time at BUUF, what I have learned about you and what you have taught me.

• Peace and Freedom

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  May 24th at 9:15 am
  Even as the wars that are raged in our name are winding down at last, we are still a nation at war. Men and women are fighting in distant lands to protect us. Protect us from what? On this Memorial Day Weekend, we will consider where our responsibility to those women and men.

• Free Thinking Mystics With Hands

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  May 17th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Tom Owen-Towle describes Unitarian Universalists this way. How might we live up to this description? Which of these three parts are we best at – thinking freely, engaging mystery and the mystical, using our hands to be of use in the world?

• Coming of Age

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  May 10th at 9:15 am
  Our Coming of Age youth will share their statements of faith that they have developed over the years and through the journey of discovery that has been our Coming of Age program for the last eight months. Join in on this celebration of youth and share in the journey with these incredible young people!

• Why Church?

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  May 3rd at 9:15 am
  Statistics paint a bleak picture for mainstream religion in America. Attendance is way down across denominations and churches are closing their doors. We Unitarian Universalists sit near the bottom, remaining stagnant in our numbers for decades. To many, it seems we are dying. Couple that with the high numbers of young adults that are distrustful of religious institutions and we might begin to ask, "Why bother with church at all?" And yet, this church community means so much in the lives of all of you, the answer to “Why Church?” lies right here among us.

• Dare Greatly

  Rev. Sara LaWall

  April 26th at 9:15 am
  Life is full of challenges, adventures, opportunities for transformation and lots of the unknown. To dare greatly is to live with wholeheartedness, to step into uncertainty with a spirit of joyful optimism and love. Sometimes we will stumble and even fail. But if we pay attention along the way, noticing the spaces in between, the journey offers great beauty, deep wisdom and opportunities for transformation. As we begin a new ministry together, full of hope for a strong future, how will we dare greatly?

• Alive with Faith! Growing and Transforming from the Ground Up

  Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove

  April 19th at 9:15 am
  Let's celebrate the ways our faith helps us dig in and reach out to make a real difference in the world. In this single service at 10 a.m, we will celebrate all that BUUF is and will be and make our pledges for the coming year. We welcome the Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove to share the pulpit with Rev. Dana.

• Senior Bridging

  April 12th at 9:15 am
  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!

• We Are Risen

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  April 5th at 9:15 am
  Resurrection is such a powerful metaphor. Even if we don't believe in the literal and physical resurrection of the body, we get to consider what the metaphor can mean in our spiritual lives. Easter is both a holy day for us as Unitarian Universalists, and one that we continue to wrestle with. Let us wrestle and wonder and embrace resurrection.

• Stand With Me

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  March 29th at 9:15 am
  We can only accomplish the great work we yearn to do if we are standing together. The work of transformation, the work of justice, the work of growing compassionate hearts. When we stand together, our voices, our generosity of spirit, our financial and personal resources, and our passion gain strength and purpose beyond our individual lives. Will you stand with me?

• Our Better Angels

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  March 22nd at 9:15 am
  The world often seems more frightening than ever before and new threats seem to confront us almost daily. Yet the longer and larger trends show this to be the least violent time in human history. How can this be so? And if it is so, how might it change how we live?

• Coming Alive

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  March 15th at 9:15 am
  We talk often of the shared ministry of the church, shared among minister, staff and the laity. Yet often people invest only the minister with the authority to "do ministry." If the work of the church is all ministry – from pulling weeds to serving on the Finance Committee to being a worship celebrant – does it change what you do for the church and how you do it?

• The Shorter Longer Way

  Rabbi Dan Fink

  March 8th at 9:15 am
  Rabbi Dan Fink of Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel will be speaking on: "The Shorter Longer Way." The title is drawn from a tale from the Talmud, which speaks of our journeys and transitions, as individuals and in community. Rabbi Fink will focus on the way we mark passages in our lives as congregants and congregations.

• Curiosity as a Spiritual Practice

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  March 1st at 9:15 am
  Our world is so polarized and people are becoming more and more entrenched in their views. It seems each side thinks of themselves as virtuous and the other side as deluded if not outright evil. How might bringing an attitude of curiosity shift our polarization?

• Ferguson in Boise?

  Sue Chew

  February 22nd at 9:15 am
  What about the experience of being singled out and assumptions made because of culture (ala Ferguson). What can those from "white" culture do to learn more and communicate better with others from different cultures, etc. Sue is the representative from Boise's District 17.

• The Free Pulpit and the Free Pew

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  February 15th at 9:15 am
  Ours is a tradition of the free pulpit and the free pew. Whose pulpit is it anyway and who is free to speak in it? What is freedom of the pew and how is it exercised. Important questions all, especially as you prepare to offer freedom of the pulpit to a new minister.

• Love Will Guide Us

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  February 8th at 9:15 am
  Privilege and oppression have been themes in American culture throughout our history. We all have parts of ourselves that are privileged and parts that are oppressed. How can we come to recognize our own privilege and examine it so that the world can be a place where fewer are oppressed?

• The Sum of All Reverence

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  February 1st at 8:00 am
  The Sum of All Reverence, Rev. Dana Worsnop (Feb. 1, 2015)

• The Sum of All Known Reverence

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  February 1st at 9:15 am
  Ours has been a humanist faith, long before the advent of the Humanist movement in the early 20th century. From Renaissance humanists to the advent of Universalism to William Ellery Channing to Walt Whitman, ours has been a faith concerned with human lives and human character. What can we learn from our earliest humanist forebears about ourselves and the theological threads we trace?

• CCT, BUUF’s Arm of Comfort and Support

  Rev. Jackie Kelly

  January 25th at 9:15 am
  Sharing the joys and celebrations of our community are a real bonus of being a part of the Fellowship. And, sometimes we need to reach out to one another when times are not so joyous. What are lessons from a pastoral care perspective—Rev. Jackie shares her unique understanding based on experience as a UU chaplain for St. Luke's Regional Medical Center and the BUUF Congregational Care Team (CCT) talks about its role in providing support and service to our congregants in need.

• Lift Every Voice

  Debra Smith

  January 18th at 9:15 am
  Sunday's service will focus on the fourth of six steps (Discussion/Negotiation) towards attaining "Beloved Community," as outlined by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It matters how we talk to one another. It especially matters how we listen. It matters that all voices be lifted. Honored. Even the cantankerous. How do we manage this? "Using grace, humor, and intelligence," according to The King Philosophy.

• Loving Alike

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  January 11th at 9:15 am
  More than 400 years ago, our Unitarian forebears spoke as a voice for religious tolerance in the midst of the violence of the Reformation. For this they were targeted by both Catholics and Protestants. What do we yet have in common with those Unitarians' direct descendants? Why do people travel half-way around the world to reconnect with those roots with your Partner Church in Mészk??

• Sharing Our Strength – Fire Communion

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  January 4th at 9:15 am
  Join us for a Fire Communion Service as we burn away what is no longer needed from the past year and face the future together. The future is always uncertain and we live in times when many are predicting disaster from many points of view. How do we live with strength and purpose in uneasy times?

• Quaker Service

  December 28th at 9:00 am
  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. (No audio recording.)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Finding Christmas Mystery

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  December 24th at 7:00 pm
  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.

• Winter Solstice Celebration

  December 21st at 7:00 pm
  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. (No audio recording.)

• Believing in Christmas

  Debra Smith

  December 21st at 9:00 am
  "Believing in Christmas," Debra Smith and Emmie Schlobohm 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.

• Peace on Earth

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  December 14th at 9:00 am
  "Peace on Earth," Rev. Dana Worsnop 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.

• Saving Christmas

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  December 7th at 9:00 am
  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.

• Take the Lead

  Matthew Sabin

  November 30th at 9:15 am
  During the week of the 10th of August, three pilgrims attended the Russell Lockwood Leadership School training. Dana told us that it would be transforming, but that turned out to have been an understatement.

• To Have and Have Not

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  November 23rd at 9:15 am
  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.

• Pilgrims in a Strange Land

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  November 16th at 9:15 am
  There are so many stories we tell about the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag and Thanksgiving, complicated by many layers and many perspectives on the truth. The Pilgrims at the heart of it are our direct religious forbears.

• Ode to Joy

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  November 9th at 9:15 am
  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?

• Achieving Immortality

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  November 2nd at 9:15 am
  We 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.

• Good Fences

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  October 26th at 9:15 am
  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.

• The Church as Guest House

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  October 19th at 9:15 am
  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?

• Instant Karma

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  October 12th at 9:15 am
  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?

• Beyond Categorial Thinking

  Jo Victoria and Gil Guerrero

  October 5th at 9:15 am
  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.

• The Price of Silence: Speaking Up, Ending Stigma

  Liza Long

  September 28th at 9:15 am
  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.

• We are the Church that…

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  September 21st at 9:15 am
  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.

• All Are Called

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  September 14th at 9:15 am
  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?

• The Trouble with Bubbles

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  September 7th at 9:15 am
  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.

• How to be a UU Missionary

  David Scott

  August 31st at 9:15 am
  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.

• A Palestinian Speaks

  Reem Anani

  August 24th at 9:15 am
  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.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Beyond BUUF, Beyond Belief!

  August 17th at 9:15 am
  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!

• Two Weddings and a Funeral

  Roger Sherman

  August 10th at 9:15 am
  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.

• Gods, God, No God: Can We Accept Them All?

  Elton Hall

  August 3rd at 9:15 am
  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.

• What’s In Your Toolbox?

  Matthew Sabin

  July 27th at 9:00 am
  What's In Your Toolbox? Matthew Sabin (July 27, 2014)

• Metaphorical Toolbox

  Matthew Sabin

  July 27th at 9:15 am
  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.

• Quest: A Spiritual Journey

  July 20th at 9:15 am
  Last August, 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.

• The Secret to Life in a Children’s Song

  Carrie Bastian

  July 13th at 9:15 am
  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?

• The Flipside of Service

  Mary Hester

  July 6th at 9:15 am
  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.

• Refugees in our Backyard

  June 29th at 9:15 am
  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.

• The Strength of the Pack is the Wolf

  Bryan Jennings

  June 22nd at 9:15 am
  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!

• Taking Pride

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  June 15th at 9:15 am
  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.

• Earth was Given as a Garden – Flower Communion

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  June 8th at 9:15 am
  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.

• The Sacred Art of Appreciation

  Debra Smith

  June 1st at 9:15 am
  How does an institution such as a church go about showing appreciation? Today, 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.

• Our American Roots

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  May 25th at 9:15 am
  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.

• Why I Cannot Give Up on God (Even Though I’ve Tried)

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  May 18th at 9:15 am
  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?

• Many Mothers

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  May 11th at 9:15 am
  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.

• Senior High Bridging

  May 4th at 9:15 am
  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!

• The Sutras

  Mark Zimmerer

  April 27th at 9:15 am
  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?

• Falling and Rising

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  April 20th at 9:00 am
  Falling and Rising, Rev. Dana Worsnop (April 20, 2014)

• Falling and Rising Again – A Human Story

  April 20th at 9:15 am
  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?

• The Wolf, I’m Afraid, Is Inside Tearing Up the Place

  Rev. Jackie Kelly

  April 13th at 9:15 am
  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).

• Loving the Hell out of this World – Celebration Sunday

  April 6th at 9:15 am
  "Loving the Hell out of this World - Celebration Sunday," 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. 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 Unitaria...

• Peacemaking as a Spiritual Path

  March 23rd at 9:15 am
  "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.

• Imagine the Possibilities – A presentation of provocative proposals

  March 16th at 9:15 am
  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!

• Our Heritage of Love

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  March 9th at 9:15 am
  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?

• Follow Your Folly

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  March 2nd at 9:15 am
  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.

• Sustaining Ministry

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  February 23rd at 9:15 am
  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.

• Living Without Hope

  Ken Watts

  February 16th at 9:15 am
  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?

• Loving Alike

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  February 9th at 9:15 am
  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 alike to love alike."

• Creating Generosity

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  February 2nd at 9:15 am
  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?

• Community House – A Dream and a Legacy

  January 26th at 9:15 am
  The congregation of our Unitarian Partner Church in Mészk? 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.

• An Inescapable Web of Mutuality

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  January 19th at 9:15 am
  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?

• The Gentle Art of Hospitality

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  January 12th at 9:15 am
  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?

• Burning the Old Year – A Fire Communion Service

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  January 5th at 9:15 am
  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.

• Quaker Style

  December 29th at 9:15 am
  The early Quakers considered silence to be a direct path to God. This was a radical idea in its time. Silence remains a radical idea today. In our culture of iPhones, cell phones, the Internet, high-definition TV and continual bombardment of advertising, cultivating silence—as opposed to consuming products—is a radical idea. But it can connect us to—and keep us on—the path we're supposed to be on.
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• Lessons and Carols

  December 24th at 9:15 am
  "Lessons and Carols," Rev. Dana Worsnop & Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration

• The Stable of Our Hearts

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  December 22nd at 9:15 am
  With all the voices shouting out about the meaning of Christmas, how can we find our own way into the message of this time of year? How can we enter the story of the myth and the mystery of the birth of Jesus in a way that satisfies both mind and heart?

• Waiting in the Dark – A Solstice Celebration

  December 20th at 9:15 am
  In our modern world, we can become distant from the rhythms of nature. Technology can insulate us from the turning seasons. We lose these rhythms at the cost of our wholeness. As we approach the darkest and longest night of the year, let us gather to celebrate the turning of the year. Let us come together to pay attention to these rhythms and cycles in the midst of the swirling maelstrom of the holidays. What gifts does this dark time offer? (No audio recording.)
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• Some Children See Him: Embracing the Holy Child Within

  December 15th at 9:15 am
  Through readings and through Christmas music from around the world, the BUUF choir and musicians will explore the idea of the holy child of Bethlehem, as created in each culture and as found within each person. This will be a mostly music Sunday.

• Deck the Halls

  December 15th at 9:15 am
  "Deck the Halls," Children & Youth from Religious Exploration & Emmie Scholbohm (Two recordings: 9:30 and 11:15) It's time again for our annual tradition of Deck the Halls Sunday! This year we celebrate and reflect on the winter traditions of heart and hearth. Join us for poems, stories, cookies, and beautiful music.

• All Things Shining—How We Live Meaningful Lives

  December 8th at 9:15 am
  Participants in the Adult RE class All Things Shining will share their insights and discoveries of how people understood a meaningful life at various times in Western history, from ancient Greece to the present. They will also share their own ways of making their lives meaningful today.
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• Giving Thanks

  December 1st at 9:15 am
  Come join all ages - from infants to sages - to give thanks for our many blessings. We will tell stories, sing songs, celebrate community as we turn toward the Thanksgiving holiday. We will partake in a Bread Communion, so please bring bread in small pieces to place in baskets upon the altar.

• So Many Choices, So Little Time

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  November 24th at 9:15 am
  We often think that choice is a good thing, that the more choices we have the happier people are. But there is a point at which the returns start to diminish and in fact even reverse. We will consider our choices as we anticipate a holiday season filled with them.

• Idaho Safe Schools

  November 17th at 9:15 am
  "Idaho Safe Schools," Zach Bramwell and Anna McClain-Sims Idaho Safe Schools Coalition is the only organization in Idaho that serves Idaho's LGBTQ youth. Our mission is to help Idaho schools become safe places where every family can belong, where every educator can teach, and where every child can learn, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Zach Bramwell is one of two Youth Liaisons on the board for ISSC, the president of Capital High Schools' GSA. Anna McClain-Sims is a nineth grader at East JHS and Treasure Valley Math and Science. She been involved with ISSC for 18 months and has participated in events for LGBTQ youth. She's also active with the teen youth group at The Com...

• Día de los Muertos – A Day of Remembering

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  November 3rd at 9:15 am
  We will celebrate the Mexican holy day Día de los Muertos and consider what death has to teach us about living. We will also share a Ritual of Remembrance honoring those who have passed from our lives.

• Telling Your Story

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  October 27th at 9:15 am
  The stories we tell end up defining who we are. What are the stories of this congregation? How do they define you? Are they a complete view? Which stories will carry you into the future and which do you want to move beyond?

• Past, Present & Future Tense

  October 20th at 9:15 am
  Though we are often encouraged to live in the present, be mindful in the moment, in truth the past and the future are present in every breath. Everything that has gone before has brought us to this particular moment, and the future is forming even as we breathe.

• Boston Bound and Back Again

  October 13th at 9:15 am
  Our Junior High youth once again journeyed to Boston this past summer on their bi-annual pilgrimage. Come hear from this crop of Boston Bounders about their adventures in Beantown and beyond.

• Changing, Changing, Changing

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  October 6th at 9:15 am
  The great insights of the Buddha include the realization that everything is always changing – arising and passing away. Human suffering arises when we resist this deep truth, when we wish to hold onto the way things have been or wish to avoid some future change. The path to liberation lies in holding everything more lightly.

• A Wide Embrace

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  September 29th at 9:15 am
  Ours is a faith with a wide theological embrace. Francis David said we need not think alike to love alike. Keeping our embrace wide and open is one of our highest values and one of our greatest challenges.

• Practice Makes Progress

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  September 22nd at 9:15 am
  Practice makes perfect, the saying goes. Yet perfection is a daunting standard. How does that change if we shift perspective and seek and affirm progress over perfection?

• Beginning Again in Love

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  September 15th at 9:15 am
  During the Jewish High Holy Days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur the Book of Life is (metaphorically) open and we have a chance to make amends, to turn a new page, to renew our Yes! To life. We will enter the spirit of the High Holy Days and begin together in love.

• Diving In

  Rev. Dana Worsnop

  September 8th at 9:15 am
  Water Communion All Generation Service. Let us dive in to this year of changes, challenges and opportunity together. We'll hear the poetry of Shel Silverstein and music from the choir and we'll engage in covenant with our Interim Minister, Rev. Dana Worsnop.

• The Politically Correct Book of Job

  David Scott

  September 1st at 9:15 am
  You may remember reading The Book of Job back in Sunday School and thinking it was a huge bummer. It kind of was. But could our man Job have lessons for the 21st century reader? This and other burning questions will be pondered as David attempts to humorously reinterpret the Old Testament story for a more modern UU congregation.

• What do you do when you discover that what you thought you knew isn’t true?

  Debbie Espen

  August 25th at 9:15 am
  A moving story of a world turned upside down by a moment that forever changed a life.

• Four Spiritualities: Are we all spiritual, even if we don’t use the word ‘spiritual?’

  Bill Reid

  August 18th at 9:15 am
  100 years of psychological and religious study have led many researchers to the conclusion that the human search for meaning (spirituality?) is expressed in four major ways, based on four major personality temperaments. UUA President Peter Morales has called us to create an expansive and inclusive faith, a "big tent with no borders." We usually think of inclusion and diversity in terms of race, gender identity, religious belief, or sexual orientation. What if our inherent personalities and spiritualities separate us more than race, sexual orientation, or belief? What if the real challenge facing us is to overcome our personality and spirituality differences? Perhaps embracing the four spirit...

• Amor & Exile

  August 11th at 9:15 am
  Boise-based journalist Nathaniel Hoffman will present a brief history of migration and marriage from the earliest human wanderings to the era of the "Deporter in Chief," based on his new book, Amor and Exile: True Stories of Love Across America's Borders, co-written with Nicole Salgado, an American writer in exile in Mexico. Salgado's husband faces a permanent ban from the United States for immigration violations despite his marriage to an American citizen. The book chronicles the social, political and historical context of citizenship for mixed immigration status couples—both gay and straight. Books will be available for a signing following the service. More information is available at am...

• Faith – What is That?

  Elton Hall

  August 4th at 9:15 am
  We speak of Unitarian Universalism as a "faith tradition." But what is faith? We will reflect on this question, and on what faith might be especially for UUs, as well as what it is not or should not be.

• What Would Joseph Do?

  Ann Sabin

  July 28th at 9:15 am
  Mary knew the baby Jesus was her son. But what if the kid wasn't yours? Not just in a village 2000+ years ago, but today. Your sister's kid. The local schoolchildren. Our congregation's youth. When a child acts out, is it someone else's problem? Or do you look beyond yourself at a larger outcome? Thoughts, musings and possible first steps in creating empowered, just and ethical adults out of today's children.

• The Moon: Symbolic, Sacred and Spiritual

  Miriam Woito

  July 21st at 9:15 am
  Thought about how the moon has inspired us, motivated us and been an ever present part of all our lives?

• How to Pray

  Coston Frederick

  July 14th at 9:15 am
  Do Unitarian Universalists pray? I believe they do if they are alive and serious about life. So, I'd like to spend a few minutes thinking about how we can do it -- and still be Unitarian Universalists. I will suggest some possible implications of daily prayer opportunities; and no one has to close his or her eyes, or kneel down, or say a word.

• Smelling the Roses

  Rick Groff

  July 7th at 9:15 am
  Caught between anxieties about tomorrow and fretting about yesterday with thoughts streaming through your mind, it can be very difficult to be in the present moment. Rick will be talking about learning to live in the present through mindfulness. Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist practice, but he follows a secularized version restated in modern terms.

• What has General Assembly to do with Us

  Elton Hall

  June 30th at 9:15 am
  Wanda, Bryan and Elton will share their experiences at this year's GA in Louisville, KY. Much is changing this year with the shrinkage of the UUA Board, moving of UUA headquarters, and general reorganization. Learn what all this means for BUUF and the future of the UU movement.

• Church for Atheists and Others

  Rev. Kenneth Watts

  June 23rd at 9:15 am
  What does it mean to be "the church"? What benefits are to be gained by being part of an organization that still ties itself to terminology used for two thousand years by the Christian tradition and our own UU tradition that was born out of 18th century liberal understandings? And most importantly, "Why not just abandon all religious groups and stay home or go golfing?" (That last one is very tempting at times and I must admit to giving in on occasion!) I have a chaplain friend who says she worships at the "Church of Serta" every Sunday morning! This service will offer a few ideas for Atheists and non-Atheists to ponder.

• A Conversation of Kindness

  Jeanette Maré

  June 16th at 9:15 am
  Jeannette Maré, Ben's Bells founder and Executive Director, will lead an in-depth discussion of the challenges and opportunities we encounter in every interaction as we strive to create a kinder community. During this conversation, Jeannette will reflect on her own personal experiences with kindness in the face of devastating grief, as well as her work with Ben's Bells Project and the power of kindness to transform people and communities.

• On Sex, On Money, On Coffee and Looking for Ministry

  Matthew Sabin

  June 9th at 9:15 am
  Whether being webmaster, trying to be committee chair (twice), teaching sexuality to our youth or serving espresso most Sundays, I've been looking for where I fit. Early on the way I was told to look for my ministry. That sounded like excellent advice. It turns out there are pitfalls on the road to finding your ministry – I've fallen in quite a few so far. I'll relate some of them, as well as a success or two. My search is ongoing... I share it in the hope that I can provide help for, or at least serve as a warning to others.

• Let’s Cross Over

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  June 2nd at 9:15 am
  Carrie Bastian and musicians, Janine Larsen, Pacific Northwest District Executive, Linda Laskowski, Unitarian Universalist Board trustee from the Pacific Central District and Virginia Phillips, Elizabeth's sister join Elizabeth with Music! Poetry! Colorful stoles for everyone! A glorious farewell as Elizabeth and her guests cross our bridge, celebrating 25 years of a wonderful relationship, and looking forward in hope and jubilation. Here we embody the old hymn that says we celebrate our past and also trust the dawning future.

• Story Link, Linking parents in prison with their children, through stories

  May 26th at 9:15 am
  "Story Link, Linking parents in prison with their children, through stories," Eileen Dingledein and Wanda Jennings Your heart will be moved by the stories told of keeping family connections alive as inmates record stories for their children.

• The Last Laugh

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 19th at 9:15 am
  This is the LAST official sermon Elizabeth will preach as our minister! In it, she would like to deliver Serious Advice Learned Over the Years—but it seems a little earnest for the occasion. Instead, she will share her favorite jokes, and reflect on what "lessons" emerge from our laughter.

• Coming of Age

  May 12th at 9:15 am
  Our Coming of Age youth will share their statements of faith that they have developed over the years and through the journey of discovery that has been our Coming of Age program for the last eight months. Join in on this celebration of youth and share in the journey with these incredible young people!

• No Simple Highway

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 5th at 9:15 am
  Recollecting a long-ago sermon she presented here (1988) on a much-loved song, the Grateful Dead's "Ripple," Elizabeth will share some of her truths that have remained pretty much intact through the years.

• In Their World

  Mary Hester

  April 28th at 9:15 am
  The book "Three Cups of Tea" inspired us with stories of building schools in their world. In spite of the recent controversy, what inspired us remains valid. Come hear what was different about this story, and how we can apply it to our lives.

• Dirt – A Love Story

  Debra Smith

  April 21st at 9:15 am
  Scientists teach us cause and effect and how to sustain (or not) systems. Poets teach us how to love. This morning, in honor of Earth Day, we'll look at a very mundane topic—dirt, through the eyes of a scientist and the heart of a poet. Perhaps we will be re-enchanted with the very ground we walk upon, that in the spring becomes "mud-lucious and puddle-wonderful." This is a "Sermon to Service Sunday," so be prepared to learn about ways you can do work in the world to show your love for the earth.

• The Scholar’s Lamp: Passing on the Light

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 14th at 9:15 am
  "The Scholar's Lamp: Passing on the Light," Rev. Elizabeth Greene, Susan Beasley & Carrie Hope Susan and Carrie are our "Bridgers" this year, seniors in high school who are making that first step into what we traditionally call adulthood. Both young women will share some of their journey, their hopes and plans.

• Owlie Searches for the Truth

  April 7th at 9:15 am
  Follow the adventures of woodland creatures as they explore our fourth principle – a free and responsible search of truth and meaning. Please join us for this service involving all ages with stories, music, and merriment.

• Stories of Spring and Resurrection

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 31st at 9:15 am
  There's Demeter and her daughter Persephone. There's Jesus on the cross, brought to life two days later. There's Isis and Osiris. There's Elizabeth's little rhubarb plant, living miraculously through neglect and presumed death. Resurrection abounds!

• No Offense Intended

  Rev. Jackie Kelly

  March 24th at 9:15 am
  As the Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education at St. Luke's Medical Center, Jackie works with chaplaincy students with diverse beliefs and ways of understanding spirituality. Her students, in turn, learn to minister to patients, family and staff with equally diverse beliefs. It's no wonder that sometimes people feel offended when confronted with deeply held convictions that are polar opposites of their own. So what happens when we choose not to be offended?

• The Wheel that moves the Sun and Stars

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 17th at 9:15 am
  Nearing the Vernal Equinox, when day and night are equal, the star wheel is turning, moving us into spring. Join us for this mostly music Sunday, featuring our choir and additional guest musicians. There will even be a wee bit o' Celtic music for St. Pat's Day as we rejoice in the greening of the year! What can that mean in our lives?

• How Far We’ve Come

  Mary Schwartzman

  March 10th at 9:15 am
  The Fellowship has survived many transitions in the past and will continue to do so. Mary Schwartzman will describe the evolution of our beloved Fellowship from 1967, when she and Alan arrived as newlyweds, to Elizabeth's arrival in 1988. We each play a part in the ongoing evolution. Prepare to welcome some of the people who made the Fellowship what it is today. They are the shoulders upon which we stand. They dug the wells from which we drink. They planted the trees in whose shade we sit.

• What We Value Most

  Rev. John Thornton

  March 3rd at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth attends St. Michael's Episcopal Church when she is not at the Fellowship, and deems John Thornton, former Episcopal Bishop of Idaho to be one of the best preachers she has ever heard. John will speak to us about stewardship, what that means in the institutions we love most.

• The Fingerprints of God

  Emmie Schlobohm

  February 24th at 9:15 am
  Is spiritual experience real? When we pray, what happens? Does consciousness depend entirely on your brain and the unique way it works? Can science explain God? Join us for an exploration of how faith and spirituality affect us physically, emotionally, and spiritually as set out by Barbara Bradley Hagerty in her book of the same title.

• Reverence

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 17th at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth believes firmly that an attitude of reverence can be the concept that unites Unitarian Universalists of all beliefs and philosophies. It is deeply spiritual, and it cuts across the distractions of falsely-divisive belief systems.

• Black History in Idaho

  Cherie Buckner-Webb

  February 10th at 9:15 am
  Many of us probably think that Idaho has no African-American history. Cherie Buckner-Webb, a several-generation Idaho African-American, will let us know otherwise. And, she will sing, always a wonderful experience.

• What I’ve Learned

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 3rd at 9:15 am
  What does a person learn from 25 years of parish ministry, with the same congregation? Elizabeth will share a few of her learnings—some of which might surprise you.

• The Ideas Peddler

  Don Rollings

  January 27th at 9:15 am
  As we continue our preparation for the interim period, accredited UU interim minister, Don Rollins, will lead us in a look at the good things that lie ahead. Don is the Interim Minister at the UU Church of Eugene, Oregon.

• Roots Hold Us Close: Approaching 20 Years of Partnership

  Gwyn Reid

  January 20th at 9:15 am
  In May 1993, BUUF became one of a number of UU congregations to enter into a partnership with a Unitarian congregation in Transylvania. Our partnership with Mészkõ has been an incredible 20 years for both congregations. The sixth principle of the Unitarian Universalist Association is the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. On January 20, we will explore how the transformative, shared experiences of our global partnership have increased our awareness of the interdependency of all people and our common struggles for human rights, social justice, and well being.

• O Pioneer!

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 13th at 9:15 am
  For the Second Annual BUUF Pioneer Sunday, Elizabeth will reflect on the life and service of Jim Tompkins, who served our church deeply and widely, in earlier days. We will also ponder what it is to be a pioneer, how we all are—sometimes unknowingly—pioneers in our lives.

• A New Year Beckons

  Nancy Harms

  January 6th at 9:15 am
  Our task as we enter this New Year is to renew ourselves in the love and labor of filling out our individual biography. We do that by taking hold of the threads in life that seem to assist in this enterprise, in our vocation, our relationships, in what we speak for, and in how we live. In these various ways, through these secondary threads, we stay connected to that changeless, invisible thread that loops through our selves and all being, linking all of them.

• Quaker Style

  December 30th at 9:15 am
  The early Quakers considered silence to be a direct path to God. This was a radical idea in its time. Silence remains a radical idea today. In our culture of iPhones, cell phones, the Internet, high-definition TV and continual bombardment of advertising, cultivating silence—as opposed to consuming products—is a radical idea. But it can connect us to—and keep us on—the path we're supposed to be on.
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• Come Celebrate the Light!

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 24th at 9:15 am
  Can you find the Christmas Eve star, one of the mainstays of Elizabeth's childhood? Can we feel the joy of a light blazing in the winter sky, announcing humanity's divine births? On Elizabeth's last Christmas Eve with us, can we join in the love that has always brought us together?
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• Can an Atheist Worship?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 23rd at 9:15 am
  The question declares itself, bringing up questions like: what god does an atheist not believe in? what is the role of language in our lives, and is it static? are there words that fundamentally should be off-limits in a Unitarian Universalist congregation?

• Solstice

  December 21st at 9:15 am
  This annual favorite is a reflective service celebrating light's return and pondering what we want to leave in the darkness and what to bring into the light.
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• Amazing Grace

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 16th at 9:15 am
  We Unitarian Universalists often substitute "soul" for the original "wretch" in the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace." Elizabeth's position is that we're fooling ourselves when we do this, not to mention missing the possibility of real transformation, especially of suffering.

• O Come Let Us Adore

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 9th at 9:15 am
  The gospels say there was "no room at the inn" for the birth of the infant king. Is there room in our hearts this holiday season to adore the holy and beloved, in all its many forms and traditions? Come explore this question through music and spoken word as the choir and BUUF musicians share our annual mostly-music Christmas and winter holiday service.

• Deck the Halls for the WinterGreene Holidays

  December 2nd at 9:15 am
  It's time again for our annual tradition of Deck the Halls Sunday! (Two recordings: 9:30 service and 11:15 service) On this year of celebrations for and with Elizabeth, this year's Deck the Halls is all about WinterGreene Holidays. Come explore worldwide and green traditions, the power of transitions and transformations, and much much more. Join us for singing, skits, cookies, and music with guest appearances from holiday celebrities.
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• Thank God for Evolution

  Loren Bergeson

  November 25th at 9:15 am
  Back in 2009 Loren read a book by Michael Dowd titled "Thank God for Evolution," which really changed his perspective on the relationship between science and spirituality. In the book, it says that evolution is the greatest religious story ever told. Loren's belief is that if we can truly internalize the story, it will accelerate both personal spiritual growth and the improvement of the communities to which we belong. There's lots of good work being done on how to do this in practical terms, and Loren will be sharing his latest efforts.

• Transgendered Day of Remembering

  November 18th at 9:15 am
  You do not have to be transgendered or have transgendered friends, to find this issue moving and relevant. Who are we, as humans? What is it to find yourself "other" in our society? What are the ties that bind?

• The Greater Causes

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 11th at 9:15 am
  Commemorating Veteran's Day, Elizabeth will reflect on patriotism and other commitments to causes larger than ourselves. What calls us to move "out of ourselves," to step from the ordinary into areas we might not have ever thought we would dwell in?

• My Afterlife

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 4th at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth is retiring in June, after 25 years as our minister, and the most common question she hears these days is, "What are you going to do?" She will offer some sort of answers to that question.

• My Own Country

  Rev. Keith Kron

  October 28th at 9:15 am
  I spent nearly three years living in Canada, and I loved it there. But it was not my country. My country was the United States, even when the changing times here was bad. When faced with change in the places we know, how do we adapt to the change and yet maintain connection to the groundedness on which we have relied? Where do we ultimately plant our stakes?

• BUUF: A Spiritual Co-op?

  Elton Hall

  October 21st at 9:15 am
  BUUF is a remarkable spiritual community. What makes it so? Elton will reflect on how congregations like BUUF are meaningful and essential to individual transformation and collective growth and why they are vital to our democratic culture.

• The Hunger Words

  October 14th at 9:15 am
  How do we talk about hunger? What assumptions underlay the language we use in America when talking about hunger and poverty? "Public assistance," "entitlement," "welfare," "food insecurity," and "charity." Our word choice relates to a way of seeing the poor. It relates to a story, or a narrative—a way of telling about the facts. What ARE the facts about poverty and hunger? And what stories are being told to justify particular policies and actions, or lack of action? And what can you do about it? This is the first of what we are calling "Sermon to Service Sundays," a new initiative described in the October newsletter.

• Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Transforming: Creating Community

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 7th at 9:15 am
  We are always creating, building, maintaining—and sometimes tearing down—community, each of us in different places all the time. How do we deal transformatively with this fact of existence? How do we cherish being together, respecting each other and the whole that is greater than the sum of our parts.

• Relationships for a Reason, a Season, and a Lifetime

  Andrew Spencer

  September 30th at 9:15 am
  Our speakers are members of BUUF Medians, the church's young adult group (about 20-40 years old), rising up to let us "oldsters" know something about their lives and values.

• Saving Lives

  September 23rd at 9:15 am
  Linda Laskowsky, Elizabeth's beloved roommate on the national Unitarian Universalist Board, is honoring us with a visit. She asks, "Why do we pay dues to our national and district organizations?" and comes up with surprising answers

• Building Your Own Theology

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 16th at 9:15 am
  What goes into creating one's personal theology/philosophy? Elizabeth will share experience, authors and people that have contributed to hers.

• Wanderer, Worshipper: Coming Home

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 9th at 9:15 am
  Once again—for the last time while Elizabeth is our minister (she's retiring in June)—we join for "homecoming," the first Sunday in the program year. Bring water from your summer travels, for Water Communion.

• It’s Not A Train

  Don Schutte

  September 2nd at 9:15 am
  Life is often not easy. So how do we survive when life becomes very difficult? What is it that we can use to go another week, or day, or even hour? This is a story of the survival of one person who had their share of difficulties and survived.

• Spiritual Program Coming!

  August 26th at 9:15 am
  Members of the newly formed BUUF Quest Steering Committee, Jackie Groves, Elizabeth Greene, Mike Philley, Jay Wechselberger, Lynne Tolk, Bill Renwick and Mark Zimmerer share our hopes, dreams and concrete plans to offer this curriculum developed by First Unitarian Society in Madison WI, to the BUUF community in 2013. Quest is an 18 month multi-faceted personal spiritual development curriculum in which participants learn how to honor their spirituals selves, awaken their own inherent wisdom and knowledge, and create intentional spiritual community in part through retreats, integration groups, interacting with a spiritual companion, spiritual practice and personal work. This recognition and af...

• Spirituality Progression

  August 19th at 9:15 am
  How has your spirituality progressed? Other than your outright experiences, who or what has helped you along? Come listen to Gail share with us some of her spiritual gurus, sayings, and practices that help her with her along this trek we call human life.

• Come Healing… a morning with Leonard Cohen

  Patricia Heeb

  August 12th at 9:15 am
  A reviewer recently wrote "The old sage (Cohen) may not have any more answers than when he started, but he's still asking questions to the end, looking for the truth and the holiness." The metaphors and melodies of this venerable musician inspire our own look in this service for some truth and holiness. Thoughts from Patricia Heeb; images from Mark McGinnis; music from Leonard himself (alas, prerecorded).

• The Slow Read Movement

  Debra Smith

  August 5th at 9:15 am
  This spring, 10 or so people read and discussed what many consider "the great American novel," F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." Some were impressed with a theme that resonates today: how the concentration of wealth leads to corruption. Others were taken by the author's exquisitely precise, and yet poetic language. Still others were impressed with the author's steely self evaluation. What is it like, in this day of superficial and slap-dash writing, to read attentively, something written with deliberate attention? Fast food and page-turners have their places, but how about a "slow read" movement to complement the slow food movement? Come and hear what 4 slow readers learned about thi...

• How to Worry: Recipes for the Disasters You Know are Coming!?

  David Scott

  July 29th at 9:15 am
  David Scott will take a light-hearted look at worry and attempt to answer the following questions: What is worry? What behaviors do we engage in that allows worry to flourish? When is worry useful and when does it become non-productive? Security blankets are optional.

• Grand Adventure: Rafting the Colorado through the Grand Canyon

  Cathy Carmen

  July 22nd at 9:15 am
  A recipe for fun = 6 kids + 10 adults for 16 days on 6 rafts through the most beautiful canyon in North America! So begins the Boice, Carmen's family adventure in June 2011! How they did it and why they'd do it again (in a heartbeat!) along with stories of side canyon hikes, floating through rapids in life jackets and how to catch lizards with a noose included. Come along for an action-packed ride!

• Exploring General Assembly

  July 15th at 9:15 am
  Immigration was the Big Topic of the Justice Unitarian Universalist General Assembly! Wanda and Bryan Jennings and Elizabeth Greene went to the Unitarian Universalist Association Justice General Assembly in Phoenix in June where the theme was Social Justice with a strong emphasis on Immigration. Come hear about our experiences.

• Finding Social Hope

  Sue Philley

  July 8th at 9:15 am
  We are living in chaotic and challenging times. Why and how can we find the strength and courage to go forward? During her lifetime of non-profit work, Sue's thinking has evolved about self-improvement, work, and retirement. Joanna Macy (one of the wisdom voices of our time), a BUUF Dream group, a World Calling Women group, 4-H teens, and diverse community members starting a new non-profit are helping her to embrace the future.

• Body and Spirit

  Mark Zimmerer

  July 1st at 9:15 am
  Exploring the ways in which our body, mind and spirit influence each other. As Mary Oliver says: The spirit likes to dress up like this: ten fingers, ten toes, shoulders, and all the rest

• It ain’t unnecessarily so

  June 24th at 9:15 am
  "It ain't unnecessarily so," John Connors Zen is commonly thought to be some some blissful state where all is wonderful and serene. Zen Buddhism is not what you think. Rather, it is more about how you live. It is about paying attention. Join us, for a quick trip to another viewpoint.

• Fathers’ Day

  June 17th at 9:15 am
  Four years ago, Greg Duffy, went to the Midwest to take part in a writing workshop. His journey took him through a period in his family's life that was challenging to say the least. Greg tells his touching story, which explains his plan, which was to help someone, and how it played out in real life.

• What I know For Sure: My Spiritual Journey

  June 10th at 9:15 am
  "What I know For Sure: My Spiritual Journey," Janette Young Midlife is traditionally a time of great transition. Many changes occur naturally at this time of life. Your children grow up and move away from home. Your aging parents may become more in need of care. Your relationship focus may change as you contemplate retirement or a change in location. Or your marital status may even change due to divorce or death, causing you to be alone at just the time when you were expecting to enjoy your lives together. Career changes may occur as you begin to realize that you have met your major career goals-or that you haven't really met them. Viewing these transitions from the spiritual perspective bri...

• Flower Communion

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  June 3rd at 9:15 am
  On this first-Sunday-of –summer-schedule, we have a briefer-than-usual service, starring Flower Communion: everyone brings a flower to put in the community vases, then, at a certain point in the service, we each take a flower back. If you forget your flower, Providence always steps in— in the form of other people!

• Complain or Not to Complain

  Mary Hester

  May 27th at 9:15 am
  We all have complaints in life. We don't like this about one person, or don't like that about another. Why do we complain? Does it cost us anything to complain? Does it accomplish anything? In this service we will examine ways we can approach life without complaints and yet still address our concerns.

• The Second Fifty

  Debra Smith

  May 20th at 9:15 am
  This year marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Pacific Northwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. As a UUA National Trustee, Elizabeth is performing her duties at the District Assembly in Anchorage this weekend. In her stead, Board President Debra Smith will engage us in thinking about the spiritual health of our Fellowship today, and about how we stand in preparation for our next fifty years.

• Our Unitarian Universalist Stories

  May 13th at 9:15 am
  "Our Unitarian Universalist Stories," Children and Youth of Religious Exploration (Two recordings: 9:30 service and 11:15 service) Come celebrate our children on this second annual Religious Exploration Celebration Sunday! Find out what our children and youth have explored this year in their classes. Unitarian Universalist faith traditions, our BUUF religious community, and intangible gifts have been the over-arching themes this year, so join us for stories galore for all ages!
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• Song of the Soul: the Power of Music

  May 6th at 9:15 am
  What is the song of your soul? What music, your own and others, inspires you to follow your passion? Elizabeth and church musicians explore music's power.

• Senior High Bridging

  Emmie Schlobohm

  April 29th at 9:15 am
  Do you need an infusion of hope for the future and to know that the world will be in good hands after we're gone? Our senior high youth who are taking that monumental next step forward into their future will share their journeys and visions. Come celebrate their bridging from youth to young adulthood during these vibrant alternative services!

• The Power of Yes

  Miriam Woito

  April 22nd at 9:15 am
  Organic Growth - Change, Passion, Action. Some thoughts on becoming a thriving community.

• Prayer?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 15th at 9:15 am
  In a revisiting of one of those "wounded words" we UUs can find problematical, Elizabeth reflects on the larger meaning of the word "prayer."

• Rejoice and Bloom

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 8th at 9:15 am
  On Easter, diverse faith traditions celebrate the way that life arises from literal and metaphorical death. This Easter, we rejoice at how all creation can bloom, even in the face of despair.

• Fooling Around

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 1st at 9:15 am
  The mytho-poetic implications of the Fool are legion, as are the philosophical and religious undercurrents of why we laugh. Or maybe Elizabeth just likes to tell jokes from the pulpit?

• The Places That Scare You

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 25th at 9:15 am
  Pema Chodron is a well-known Buddhist nun. She writes with compassion about facing our fears, becoming greater-hearted people. Elizabeth will reflect on how we approach this.

• Celebration Sunday: Rejoicing in our Roots and Our Vision

  March 18th at 9:15 am
  Today, we bring our smiles, vision and commitment, as we are inspired by one of our favorite preachers. The lively Rev. Montagnes serves as associate minister to the Eastshore UU congregation, in Bellevue WA.

• Namaste: the Light That Shines in All

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 11th at 9:15 am
  How often do we recognize the light in others? Does it reflect (or not reflect) what we are putting forth? What community results shine forth (or don't), when our lights mingle?

• No One Can Whistle a Symphony

  March 4th at 9:15 am
  There is much work to do in this world. When we work together towards a common goal, the hard work becomes a thing of joy and a blessed act of community. Come explore the joy of heart work with Emmie Schlobohm, our Director of Religious Exploration.

• How Big is the Sky?

  Rev. Sean Parker Dennison

  February 26th at 9:15 am
  A frog in a well does not know the great ocean and cannot imagine the vastness of the sky. (Japanese proverb) What keeps our vision small? What limits our aspirations? Should we seek to change the world? Should we seek to truly make a difference in our communities? What might happen if we let our vision of ourselves and our congregations grow?

• Rescuing St. Paul

  Elton Hall

  February 19th at 9:15 am
  Spiritual seekers leave the religions of their childhoods for complex reasons, but one reason some of us left the Christian tradition was the severe attitudes of St. Paul which seem focused on sin, are harsh in respect to women, and have no sense of joy. Scholars have shown that St. Paul did not write all the epistles assigned to him. When we look at his authentic writings, a radically different St. Paul emerges, one UUs can respect and perhaps even embrace.

• Ubi Caritas: Charity and Love

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 12th at 9:15 am
  The Christian tradition is full of references to love: for friends (philia), for God (caritas and agape), with not a lot about eros, or body-and-soul, lover-ly love. What does it all mean, anyhow?

• Stories of Change and Transition

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 5th at 9:15 am
  Life is just one darned change after another, some more "successful" than others, each similar to others and also unique. How do we roll with the taps and punches of seemingly-continual transition?

• Yearning to Breathe Free: the Immigration Issue

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 29th at 9:15 am
  This June, the Unitarian Universalist Association is holding a Justice General Assembly (GA) in Phoenix, Arizona, hotbed of immigration abuses. Elizabeth will reflect on "the immigration issue," and will have information available on this potentially life-changing GA.

• Musical Pilgrimage

  January 22nd at 9:15 am
  Last summer Tom von Alten and Jeanette Ross participated in a choir that sang through Transylvania and Hungary. Peace pilgrim advised "A pilgrim is a wanderer with purpose." Jeanette and Tom will share stories and insights from their purposeful wanderings.

• Deserving and Undeserving

  Gary Wyke

  January 15th at 9:15 am
  On this Martin Luther King Sunday, we welcome Emerson Hunger Fellows. John Pevy will be talking about giving individuals power and control over their lives and livelihood and Aleta Sprague will talk about how public discourse about recipients of government assistance tends to focus on drawing a line between those who are "deserving" and "undeserving," instead of being guided by love and forgiveness. Gary Wyke and Rick Groff will talk about hunger related social justice work our congregation is doing. We will welcome social justice community partners during and after the second service.

• Celebrating Our Pioneers

  January 8th at 9:15 am
  What does it mean to be a pioneer? Do we appreciate those "whose shoulders we stand on"? In what ways are we pioneers: historically, spiritually, socially?

• The Creation of God

  John Munson

  January 1st at 9:15 am
  Many Christians eagerly await the second coming of Christ. A much more interesting (and more probable) event is the impending arrival of God. In the relatively near future we will create an intelligence that has the capability of recursive self-enhancement. This event is called the Singularity. Its ability to understand and control events in the universe will be unlimited. The time has come to anticipate this event and to explore and understand our role with our new God.

• Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 24th at 9:15 am
  What gifts do we bring to the Divine Child, inside us and in others? How hard a journey are we willing to undertake to see that our gifts are given well?

• Channukah

  Emmie Schlobohm

  December 18th at 9:15 am
  Three of our very long time church members (Bob and Alan date back to the '70s, Emmie since the early '90s) are Jews, and will share their memories of family Channukah celebrations.

• Ringing True: The Bells of Christmas

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 11th at 9:15 am
  Bells are a prominent Christmas symbol: silver bells, sleigh bells, steeple bells. They call out, but to what are they calling us? Come explore this question on this mostly music Sunday while the choir and BUUF musicians share the joy and music of Christmas.

• Deck the Halls

  Emmie Schlobohm

  December 4th at 9:15 am
  "Deck the Halls" (11:15) Emmie Schlobohm and Congregational Youth "Deck the Halls" (9:30) Emmie Schlobohm and Congregational Youth It's time again for our annual tradition of Deck the Halls Sunday! Our children and youth share stories of the season from their unique perspectives. Join us for a celebration of exploration and discovery of the season! Skits, singing, music, music and more music, along with treats and cookies.
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• BUUF Pilgrims

  November 27th at 9:15 am
  Ax Axmaker, Besse LaBudde, Sheila Dengler Shaw, Joe Wechselberger For many of us Chaucer's account of a group pilgrimage to Canterbury was our first knowledge of this practice. Most of us have never been on a physical pilgrimage, but while the custom has waned in the Western world, some Eastern religions still maintain the practice. And then there are spiritual pilgrimages which are universal and usually private, and while not physically arduous, they are nonetheless demanding. Today several members of the congregation will speak of their spiritual journeys to Unitarian-Universalism.

• Transgender Day of Remembrance

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 20th at 9:15 am
  This day is dedicated nationwide to memorializing the transgendered person who have died because of their gender. Emilie is a local trans* person and friend of BUUF. She and Elizabeth will reflect in an appropriately memorial way, and Emilie will share hopeful parts of her life.

• Bridging the Gaps

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 13th at 9:15 am
  We Unitarian Universalists pride ourselves on our diversity. Is this entirely justified? Are there any "categories" that we do not feel compelled to embrace? How do we deal respectfully with genuine difference?

• Band of Brothers (and Their Daughters)

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 6th at 9:15 am
  The fathers of our Board vice president Judy Holcombe and our minister Elizabeth Greene were career US Navy men, and close friends. Their daughters will reflect on their lives, in honor of Veterans' Day.

• Dia de los Muertos

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 30th at 9:15 am
  The lively and colorful Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead, fascinates us Norteamericanos, who tend to be pretty "Protestant" in our attitude toward death. Come join in a more unfettered celebration of our beloved dead than we are accustomed to.

• Privilege, Dignity & Joy

  Richard Adams

  October 23rd at 9:15 am
  Twenty back-and-forth trips to Zimbabwe over the past two decades have led Richard to reflect about his place, and that of other privileged people, in the larger world. He'll use an example from his experience with Zimbabwe Artists Project to help ground some of the conclusions he has drawn.
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• Boston Bound and Back

  October 16th at 9:15 am
  Our Junior High youth once again journeyed to Boston this past summer on their bi-annual pilgrimage. Come hear from this crop of Boston Bounders about their adventures in Beantown and beyond. Child Dedication.

• U + U = U2

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 9th at 9:15 am
  In this incarnation (official incorporation in 1961), the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has been in our Valley for 50 years! Join Elizabeth and several of her inter-faith colleagues, as she shares our history, and they share blessings.

• Listen, Listen, Listen to My Heart’s Song

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 2nd at 9:15 am
  How many of us actually pay attention to the act of listening? Do we listen to nature? Each other? Ourselves? There will be good listening, as Elizabeth and the choir explore the subject.

• WWWWD? (What Would Walt Whitman Do?)

  Debra Smith

  September 25th at 9:15 am
  Walt Whitman is called "The Bard of Democracy," for giving voice to the (once upon a time?) egalitarian aspirations of our country. He came from a family of progressives and embraced the causes of social justice, and yet in his poetry he often takes a stance of classic Buddhist "detachment," as described by and exemplified by Rabindranath Tagore. Did Whitman ever reconcile detachment and his yearning for social justice? Can we?

• Laughter, Community, and Spirit

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 18th at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth will preach her annual "humor sermon," in which she delves profoundly into the religio-intellectual-social implications of humor. Or—well—maybe it's her excuse for telling jokes from the pulpit?

• Flowing Together

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 11th at 9:15 am
  On this Homecoming Sunday, celebrating the beginning of our "regular" program year, we rejoice in community, even as we pause to remember 9/11/2001. Don't forget to bring water from your summer places.

• The Other Side of Christianity

  Don Schutte

  September 4th at 9:15 am
  A look at the other side of Christianity. The First 400 years the religion of Christianity was not what we know today. A look at how Christianity got to where it is today.

• Whatever You Do, Don’t Mention Money

  Sharon Barlow Palm

  August 28th at 9:15 am
  Most people will talk about almost anything before they talk about money. Sharon gets down and gets comfortable speaking about one of our culture's well know conversational taboos.

• What’s in a Name?

  Roger Sherman

  August 21st at 9:15 am
  Who knew? At least 6 elementary schools in Boise are named after famous UUs. What were they all about? What were some of the virtues that our children might learn from them? Who wants to bet no one knew they were UU's when they named the schools? Jim Lyons and Roger Sherman will explore those questions and more in this service for the curious.

• Transformations

  August 14th at 9:15 am
  Dan Hotchkiss, in his book, Governance and Ministry states, "Religion transforms people; no one touches holy ground and stays the same." Bill and Gwyn will use this statement to launch an exploration of the tension between the need for stability in a religious organization's governance and community, and the instability that religious transformation brings.

• Wholehearted Living

  Patricia Heeb

  August 7th at 9:15 am
  The heart is a muscular pump little larger than a fist that moves one million barrels of blood in the average lifetime—enough to fill three oil supertankers. All that and it has its own brain. What does it mean to live with a whole heart?

• Through the Eyes of Beauty

  Miriam Woito

  July 31st at 9:15 am
  Our values guide our beliefs, actions, and behaviors. They are the lenses through which we see the world and measure our understanding. Beauty is a value that is more than just "skin deep". Join me in celebration of beauty.

• Pioneer Day

  Lance Pitman

  July 24th at 9:15 am
  Lance will explore Pioneer Day celebrating the perseverance and dedication of the early settlers. On July 24th many in the west celebrate and honor our pioneer heritage, those who crossed the plains and created many of the cities and towns where we live today.

• Our Role in the Politics of Food

  July 17th at 9:15 am
  Service and Advocacy are the two feet of social Justice. When we fill backpacks for the Idaho Foodbank or help people at the Capital City Market use their food stamps at the market, we are doing service. Advocacy allows us to address the root causes of hunger by addressing policies that lead to food insecurity. Roger Sherman and ICAN Policy Director Leo Morales will present their thoughts about advocacy, social justice, and our role in the politics of food.

• Touchstones

  July 10th at 9:15 am
  Memories can accumulate importance over the years. Members of the 2010/2011 BUUF memoir group will share stories from their childhoods and youth. Music will range through camp and scout songs to rousing renditions of Sunday School favorites in order to share the joy and further spark congregational reverie. Bob Wallace will provide campfire guitar accompaniment.

• Defying Gravity

  Bill Reid

  July 3rd at 9:15 am
  We live in troubled times. Things are grave, indeed, but lest we start to take ourselves too seriously—as individuals, as a community, as a religion—I think I'll try defying gravity!

• Communities of Faith

  Gwyn Reid

  June 26th at 9:15 am
  So a Jew, a Muslim, a Christian, and a UU walk into a bar. Well we have the chance to hear what they have to say this Sunday on tolerance. The panel of speakers will be Gene Badesheim, Said Ahmed-Zaid, and Gwyn Reid.

• Spiritual Procrastination

  Bill Hoffman

  June 19th at 9:15 am
  Do you proudly count yourself among those who are productive and get things done—those who are so conscientious, busy and driven to do good work that you put off allowing yourself to slow down, and disengage? Do you ponder the irony that you don't have enough time to open up to and explore a more spiritually rewarding and less stressful life? If so, have you considered that you–the busy one—may be procrastinating? Yes, drawing on the wisdom of sages like Ellen Degeneres, Eckhart Tolle, Pema Chrodron, Woody Allen and Mark Twain, Bill will turn procrastination upside down and explore how "busy people" can become more comfortable and less anxious about slowing down.

• Kirtan

  Mark Zimmerer

  June 12th at 9:15 am
  Kirtan is the ancient Hindu practice of call and response chanting. While I will talk briefly, the service will be more concerned with being surrounded by the voices of the people around us, and then experiencing the silence that follows.

• Flower Communion

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  June 5th at 9:15 am
  On this first-Sunday-of-summer-schedule, we have a briefer-than-usual service, starring Flower Communion: everyone brings a flower to put in the community vases, then, at a certain point in the service, we each take a flower back. If you forget your flower, well, Providence always steps in, in the form of other people.

• On Aging

  May 29th at 9:15 am
  Aging is really a new experience and something of a surprise for anyone who reaches retirement age so it's is no wonder that so much foolishness is written about its "prevention." There are physical and mental manifestations we could all do without, but a sense of humor helps tremendously, and there are preparations one can set in motion earlier in adulthood. The saddest of both young and senior citizens are those who have no sense of wonder or enthusiasm.

• A Home Where All Belong

  Emmie Schlobohm

  May 22nd at 9:15 am
  Come celebrate our children on this first annual Religious Exploration Celebration ! Find out what our children & youth have explored this year in their classes. Love, home, and family have been the over-arching themes this year, so join us for discoveries galore for all ages!

• A Spiritual Year in Review

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 15th at 9:15 am
  Each year, on the of the Annual Meeting, Elizabeth muses on the "state of the Fellowship." How have we been with each other? Have we nurtured souls? Helped heal the world? Practiced generosity?

• Coming of Age

  May 8th at 9:15 am
  "Coming of Age" (9:30 service and 11:15 service), BUUF Junior High Youth and Mentors Our Coming of Age youth will share their statements of faith that they have developed over the years and through the journey of discovery that has been our Coming of Age program for the last nine months. Join in on this celebration of youth and share in the journey with these incredible young people! (9:30 service)
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• Senior High Bridging

  May 1st at 9:15 am
  Do you need an infusion of hope for the future and to know that the world will be in good hands after we're gone? Our graduating seniors will share their journeys and visions for their futures and ours. Come celebrate their bridging from youth to young adulthood!

• In Time of Daffodils

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 24th at 9:15 am
  It's Easter, when our hearts stray toward the miracles of new life, rebirth—even resurrection! This year, e.e. cummings provides our text.

• Go in Peace

  April 17th at 9:15 am
  The worship service will feature readings and personal reflections by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and musical accompaniment by the Common Ground Community Chorus.

• The van Gogh Café

  Rev. Keith Kron

  April 10th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Keith Kron is the UUA's Transitions Director. Keith was Director of the UUA's Office for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns for over 14 years, and is a valued friend of our minister. We are delighted to welcome him this morning, as he speaks to us about the importance to each of us of telling our story.

• From My Life

  April 3rd at 9:15 am
  Several members of Jeanette Ross' BUUF Memoir class will share selections from writings out of their own lives.

• Fear of Falling

  Rev. Margaret Keip

  March 27th at 9:15 am
  Treasures hiding in plain sight are easy to miss. The profound dynamic threaded through our seven UU principles is one of them. It's a truth too rarely perceived, though it's vital to life itself.

• Loyalty

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 20th at 9:15 am
  What does it mean to be loyal? Is there truth in that old statement "loyal to a fault"? This is an old-fashioned virtue—do we value it?

• Hinduism in a Nutshell

  March 13th at 9:15 am
  Hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world, and it embraces many paths to the holy from polytheism to monotheism to atheism. This presentation will explore various aspects of the religion that make this diversity possible. UUs will detect strong resonances with some of our seven principles.

• Where Do You Draw the Line?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 6th at 9:15 am
  If we are socially aware, wishing to respect other cultures and worldviews, is there ever a time when our respect runs into conflict with our sense of justice? If that happens, what do we do?

• Make a Joyful Noise

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 27th at 9:15 am
  Today, we kick off our Annual Stewardship Drive, focusing for a bit on the material that underlies our vision of love and justice. What song echoes in our hearts, uniting us in joy and connection?

• Who Needs God?

  Rev. Jackie Kelly

  February 20th at 9:15 am
  As a UU minister, Jackie Kelly serves as the Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor at St. Luke's. Join Jackie as she reflects on how talking with hospital patients, family, staff and CPE students about their relationships with God has influenced her thinking about how Unitarian Universalists might also need a personal relationship with God.

• Secrets

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 13th at 9:15 am
  What sorts of secrets do we keep? What effect do secrets have on our lives and relationships? There is still time to type your secret, seal it and get it to Elizabeth!

• Love … or Something Like It

  Wanda and Bryan Jennings

  February 6th at 9:15 am
  With Valentine's Day coming, remember what Clint Black said, "Love isn't something that you feel, it's something that you do."

• Turn the Principles Upside Down

  Rev. Gail Lindsay Marriner

  January 30th at 9:15 am
  Creativity consists of looking at the familiar with new eyes. This sermon reflects on what might happen if we were to look at our principles in a new way and read them starting with the seventh and ending with the first. Rev. Marriner graduated from Harvard Divinity School where she won the Billings Prize for preaching in 1995. She has served congregations in Massachusetts and Texas and is currently the consulting minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth, Minnesota.

• Discovery and Re-Discovery

  January 23rd at 9:15 am
  Each time BUUF members visit with our partners in Mészkõ, our relationship is discovered in a new way. Alan and Mary Schwartzman, and Ed and Irene Rush traveled to Mészkõ last summer. For Mary, it was her fourth trip. Alan, Irene, and Ed were there for their first visit. Come learn how the visit affected each traveler.

• We Have a Dream

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 16th at 9:15 am
  Janine Larsen, our Pacific Northwest District Executive, will speak with us about our vision, as we move into the final years of Elizabeth's ministry.

• Margaret Fuller: a Woman For all Times

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 9th at 9:15 am
  Margaret Fuller was an amazing 19th-century woman, whose life and thought can inspire us. Elizabeth & Elton will present her words & some reflection.

• Whose God is This?

  January 2nd at 9:15 am
  Nancy will explore why we believe whatever it is we believe. And what does it mean to be Unitarian. She will talk about the metamorphosis of her own beliefs.

• O Magnum Mysterium

  Carrie Bastian

  December 19th at 9:15 am
  The ancient chant O magnum mysterium ("Oh great mystery") invites us to contemplate Divine mystery in the birth of a child. Join with the choir and BUUF musicians as we sing and celebrate the mysteries of the holiday season.

• Just Before the Dawn

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 12th at 9:15 am
  This is a dark, reflective time of the year, with the shortest day approaching very soon. What does it mean to be in the wintry darkness, and what does the light bring?

• Deck the Halls!

  December 5th at 9:15 am
  It's time again for our annual tradition of Deck the Halls Sunday! Our children and youth will share their discoveries of the wonders of our "Blue Boat Home." Join us for a celebration of traditions from around the world and right under our feet. Plays, singing, parades, and cookies abound!

• Gratefulness

  November 28th at 9:15 am
  Now that Thanksgiving is over, how can we remember to live in a state of gratefulness and learn to remain grateful not only for what we perceive as the blessings in our lives, but also for the difficult times?

• We Are All Pilgrims

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 21st at 9:15 am
  A special Sunday, featuring woodblock slides and words from a wonderful book about our ancestors, the Puritans. Elizabeth will reflect on this heritage, and we will all enjoy the book (with permission from Annie Bissett, author and artist).

• The Power of Story

  Emmie Schlobohm

  November 14th at 9:15 am
  Stories have been central to humanity for as long as people have been speaking to each other. How else do we really learn what other people's lives are like, feel what they feel, and belong together in community?

• Spiritual or Natural?

  November 7th at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth and Mark are self-confessed "mystic" and "naturalist," respectively. They both practice devotional disciplines. Are they more alike or different?

• All Souls

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 31st at 9:15 am
  On this day, when the veil between this world and the next is said to be thinnest, Elizabeth will reflect on witch hunts and generosity of spirit.

• Circle of Life

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 24th at 9:15 am
  Our Seventh Principle states that we affirm & support the interdependent web of all existence. Is that mysticism, science, or something else?

• Sustainability Didn’t Catch On, Now What?

  Loren Bergeson

  October 17th at 9:00 am
  Sustainability Didn't Catch On, Now What? Loren Bergeson (Oct. 17, 2010)

• Sustainability Didn’t Catch On – Now What?

  Loren Bergeson

  October 17th at 9:15 am
  Despite the best efforts of many dedicated people, humanity continues to damage the planet and use up non-renewable resources at an ever accelerating rate. What are the chances of creating enough political will to turn things around? If the chances aren't good, what does that mean for us personally and for our families? What specifically should we do at this point in time? I'll give my answers to these questions which will hopefully generate a productive discussion, followed by useful action.

• Standing On the Side of Love

  October 10th at 9:15 am
  The Congregational Care Committee brings love & care to the congregation. Our denomination is also involved in Standing on the Side of Love. How do they mesh?

• A Brief History of the Future of School

  Debra Smith

  October 3rd at 9:00 am
  A Brief History of the Future of School, Debra Smith (Oct. 3, 2010)

• A Brief History of the Future of School

  Debra Smith

  October 3rd at 9:15 am
  UUs have a long history of promoting free, non-sectarian public schools. In the 19th century, one of our country's most eloquent advocates was the Unitarian, Horace Mann. Today, public schools are buffeted by reform advocates of all kinds. It seems that everyone who has ever attended a school offers a solution for how to improve School. Underlying these reform efforts are two very different visions of what it means to be an educated person. Might it be time for the UUA to weigh in on this discussion?

• What Motivates a Truly Religious Person?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 26th at 9:15 am
  If you look deep inside, looking at your heart honestly, what do you find motivates you? Elizabeth will reflect (honestly!) on this big question.

• History, Hopes & Dreams

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 19th at 9:15 am
  Our Fellowship is dynamic, changing-but-solid. In the best of all possible worlds, what do we long to create?

• Bringing Our Water Home

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 12th at 9:15 am
  Official start of the program year! Bring water from your summer travels, come check in with everyone.

• Who are these Pagans

  Don Schutte

  September 5th at 9:15 am
  What does it mean to be Pagan and how is it different or the same as other belief systems. Let's explore these questions. Let's see if we can find how Pagans are alike and how they are different. You may find Unitarian Universalists have a lot in common with Pagans.

• Everyday Spirituality and Meaningful Rituals

  August 29th at 9:15 am
  The Chalice Circle by the same name will present an experience which shows what makes the "Cool Group" Concept so cool. Special music with flutes, drumming, and didgeridoos!

• Through This We Live

  August 22nd at 9:15 am
  Dr. Cutler will share Lakota/Dakota traditional culture, its values, beliefs, and rituals as he learned and experienced them. Specifically, he will provide a brief overview of the Inipi ceremony including some specifics on materials, meanings of the fire/altar/lodge, how an individual comes to be qualified to pour water. He will also share some Taku Wakan (things that are holy) and some Inipi Olowan (sweat songs) with Fellowship members and friends. Liz Mummey (Assiniboine), a member of the Native American Coalition of Boise, will share one of her oral tradition stories with the children entitled Why the Bear Has a Short Tail. After the candle is extinguished at the end of the service, we wi...

• Spirituality at Work: Churchy Stuff I’ve Learned in My Job as a Psychotherapist

  Patricia Heeb

  August 15th at 9:15 am
  Though I have attended church forever, it has been in my work life that I have found meaningful experience of the "religious" concepts I heard while sitting in the pew. I'll be sharing that journey with you. Brace yourself: I may mention the word "sin."

• Found in Translation: A Rough Guide to Self Discovery through Travel

  August 8th at 9:15 am
  BUUF's music director and her husband will discuss ways in which travel can be a soul expanding experience. They will share some of their travel experiences, both humorous and meaningful, and talk about ways to access the benefits of travel, even when you think you can't leave town.

• Waikiki Walk Lights

  Bryan Jennings

  August 1st at 9:15 am
  Sooner or later everyone rides THE BUS. Hello, is anyone really in charge here?

• Infectious Greed—America’s slide from Democracy to Oligarchy

  Bob Huntley

  July 25th at 9:15 am
  Social Justice and Religious Freedom thrive only in the crucible of a society of involved people who are effectively engaged in the direction and actions of the institutions of government. An infectious greed now grips much of our business community. America is beset by the depredations of six mega-banks (shortly ago thirteen) whose influence over the operations of both Congress and the Executive is destructive of democracy. This, because the merger of excessive corporate wealth and power with political power constitutes a "Ruling Oligaechy", serving not the interests of the people, but only the accumulation of power and wealth in the hands of the few.

• Loving Yourself

  July 18th at 9:15 am
  12:00 AM

• Our Second Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; A cross generational dialogue on social change

  July 11th at 9:15 am
  Our UU principles and especially our second principle, lead us to work for justice. But what is the path to justice, equity and compassion? Anthony and Roger, both raised UU in different times, will talk about the paths they've traveled as they have worked for greater justice, equity and compassion. While their views have been shaped by different forces, many underlying principles remain the same but they have also reached some significantly different conclusions.

• Integrity, Service and Excellence: Lessons from Air Force Basic Training

  July 4th at 9:15 am
  Airman 1st Class Bonnie Harper Bonnie Harper, daughter of our music director Carrie Bastian, will speak on her recent experience in basic military training and on the core values of the United States Air Force: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.

• The History and Evolution of 12 Step Recovery

  June 27th at 9:15 am
  Problem drinking has plagued mankind from the beginning of recorded history. It has affected peasant to king, followers to great leaders. From the "Pledge" to Prohibition, no program or movement made any inroads toward recovery until the founding of AA in 1935 and its 12 step program. Its success has spawned 12 step programs for many if not most identified addictions including Narcotics, Over Eaters and Gamblers. The lives of millions have been changed through 12 step recovery.

• Solstice Earthworks

  Mark Zimmerer

  June 20th at 9:15 am
  The Summer Solstice is Jun 21, 2010 at 5:28am MDT. Come take a tour of earthworks, ancient and contemporary, that help us to understand, appreciate, and marvel at our position in relationship to the rest of our solar system.

• BUUF’s Outdoor Treasures

  June 13th at 9:15 am
  A large part of what makes BUUF "BUUF" are the Grounds, the Grove, Jeremiah's Adventure Garden and A Walk Through Time. Learn how this magical place came to be from Barb Alexander. Jolene Schow will share how JAG was created and John Jacobsen will tell of his spiritual journey as a Master Gardener. Alan Schwartzman will wrap it up with a special surprise.

• Flower Communion

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  June 6th at 9:15 am
  This is the first Sunday of summer schedule, and our chance to say farewell to this program year. Bring a flower for the communion, and a dish for the potluck. After the service, we will process to Little Bridge to celebrate (with plum brandy and sparkling cider) our relationship with our Partner Church.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• The search for meaning in our lives

  Bill Reid

  May 30th at 9:15 am
  When we reflect upon the people and events that have shaped our lives, we invest them with meaning and value. We name them good and bad, blessings and disasters. Are these value judgments useful products of our imaginations? As I approach my 60th birthday, I find myself wondering "why, why, why," like one of Kurt Vonnegut's characters. Join me as I explore disasters and blessings in my life.

• The Glastonbury Covenant

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 23rd at 9:15 am
  On a Sunday packed with many things (new member joining, celebration of our stewardship campaign, the second annual Rock Communion), Elizabeth will reflect on an agreement that makes sense.

• State of the Fellowship (or a Spiritual Retrospective)

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 16th at 9:15 am
  It's often too easy to give a glib reply to the tossed off statement "how are you doing?" Let's hear a thoughtful, nuanced answer (what else?) to the question of how we've done, spiritually speaking, in 2009-2010

• After Enlightenment, the Laundry

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 9th at 9:15 am
  Enlightenment seems a noble and high-falutin' concept. But there's a school of thought that says it's not much use if the laundry doesn't get done, too.

• Senior High Bridging

  May 2nd at 9:15 am
  We hear words of wisdom from our high school seniors, about to "go out into the big world." Experience our next crop of community leaders. Come help our graduating youth bridge to young adulthood and celebrate!

• The Sanctuary of Greenness

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 25th at 9:15 am
  Our church is a Unitarian-Universalist-Association-recognized Green Sanctuary, a designation of which we may be proud. What does it mean? How do we continue, as a congregation, to make our step light on the earth?

• The Medicine Wheel’s Still Pertinent Lessons

  April 18th at 9:15 am
  Somewhere at the interface of religion, psychology, philosophy and self help is the Medicine Wheel of the American Indians. It is a guide to self actualization and the understanding of self and others. It requires no shaman, priest, feathers or drums. It is a guide to change within oneself. Besse will share some of her struggles with the wheel and its possible uses in psychological therapy.

• Day Selves, Night Selves

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 11th at 9:15 am
  Truth is a pretty tricky concept, often put forth as the result solely of scientific observation, or at least processes to which we all apply our brains. What, though, of our "night selves," the parts of us that learn truths through myth, intuition, dream and story?

• The Time For Singing Has Come

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 4th at 9:15 am
  It's Easter! Many religious stories tell of the deaths that lead to new life, to redemption and resurrection. Today, we celebrate life and light's emergence from sorrow and dark.

• Dayenu

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 28th at 9:15 am
  In this Passover season, Elizabeth will retell the central Jewish story related to this holiday, and will lift up the gratitude that characterizes this celebration.

• Passion

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 21st at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth reminds us that UUs have historically been a lot more comfortable with thought than passion, which sounds like we live from our heads rather than our hearts. Can we live more from our hearts, or is there at least a middle ground? As Joseph Campbell said, follow your bliss and as UUs everywhere might add—but think!

• The Legacy of Forrest Church

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 14th at 9:15 am
  Rev. Forrest Church died on September 24, 2009, at the age of 62, leaving what may be the late 20th century's most significant Unitarian Universalist theological and human legacy. Elizabeth will share some of his life and thoughts.

• Social Action: Practical or Theological?

  March 7th at 9:15 am
  Unitarian Universalists do not spend undue time, as a rule, reflecting on their theological foundations. But, can we really act responsibly in the world if we do not know what our assumptions are, behind our work to bring justice and charity in the world? Louise and Elizabeth will share their personal takes on this fundamental question.

• We’re All Student Humans

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 28th at 9:15 am
  Know those "Student Driver" signs on cars? Would we treat each other differently if we all wore "Student Human" signs? Elizabeth and our fabulous house band will explore this question.

• Death as Part of Life

  February 21st at 9:15 am
  Most of this country has accepted, as de facto social law, the notion that life itself is essential precious, and more important than pain and suffering. But the times might be changing, toward acceptance of the right to die with dignity, on one's own terms.

• Love: Many-Splendored or Just Confusing?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 14th at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth reflects on the impossible subject of love, that consumerist-mangled, advertising-perverted human feeling, springing from the depths of our souls.

• The Tao of Ipod

  February 7th at 9:15 am
  David presents a sermon written by the President of the First UU Church of Wichita, Anne Welsbacher, concerning our lives in the Age of Gadgetry.

• Where Do We Stand?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 31st at 9:15 am
  Last spring, about 120 of us participated in a survey conducted by the respected Lilly Foundation, and they have sent us our results. How do we compare with others? With our own aspirations?

• The Rise of Evolutionary Spirituality

  Loren Bergeson

  January 24th at 9:00 am
  The Rise of Evolutionary Spirituality, Loren Bergeson (Jan. 24, 2010)

• The Rise of Evolutionary Spirituality

  Loren Bergeson

  January 24th at 9:15 am
  Loren shares how 2009 was a year of spiritual insight for him, gleaned from Michael Dowd's book, Thank God For Evolution, among other sources. TGFE offers a powerful way to reconcile science with the best of religion, in a way that has the potential to accelerate our spiritual growth and the life improvements that go with it.

• Making a Difference

  January 17th at 9:15 am
  Our faith has blazed a trail to a more caring, more just society, in part living up to Dr. King's "Dream." We will look at the contributions and life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and what we can do to fulfill his prophetic words. From Martin Luther King, Jr: "Any religion which professes to be concerned about the souls of men and women, and is not concerned about the social and economic conditions that can scar the soul, is a spiritually moribund religion only waiting for the day to be buried."

• Hey, boys, how’s the oxygen?

  Mark Zimmerer

  January 10th at 9:15 am
  In the practice of yoga, doing poses is only the beginning of the work. More importantly, yoga focuses on the breath and its effect on our bodies, minds and spirits. Mark Zimmerer will discuss the act of breathing with stories from Thich Nhat Hanh, BKS Iyengar, Al Gore and his own experience that help us to understand its importance to a balanced life in the world.

• Laugh, I Thought I’d Die

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 3rd at 9:15 am
  Once a year or so, Elizabeth does a "humor sermon," delving deeply into the profound theological significance of laughing. Or, well, does she actually mostly enjoy an opportunity to tell jokes from the pulpit?

• Mother Mary Comes to Me

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 24th at 9:15 am
  What must Mary have been going through, as she "pondered all these things in her heart?" Here she is, a teenager, holding the light-filled blessing of new life—which seems to have invited a whole array of amazing visitors. She had been warned beforehand, of course, but must she not have felt that age-old human question: is this mostly a

• Circles of Dark and Light

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 20th at 9:15 am
  It is almost Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year, turning then toward more and more light. To reach the lightest day of the year, turning then toward more and more dark. How does this echo our lives?

• Sure On This Shining Night

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 13th at 9:15 am
  Amidst dark Winter nights, we find the lights of the December holidays, bringing us healing, wholeness and peace. This mostly music service will feature the choir, Natalie Whiting (alto), Mark Zimmerer (baritone), Michael Stevenson (violinist) & Janelle Brown (cellist)

• Deck the Halls

  December 6th at 9:15 am
  May the merry mayhem continue! Join the fun while our children and youth of all ages present plays, songs, poems and more exploring the power of community for the conclusion of our annual Deck the Halls celebration weekend.

• Beethoven’s Daiku Unbound

  November 29th at 9:15 am
  On May 7, 1824, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony received its premier in Vienna, Austria. During its 185-year history the "Ode to Joy" Symphony has provided audiences throughout the world spiritual inspiration and jubilation. In Japan massed choral groups and orchestras come together in December of each year to give performances of Daiku —"The Big Nine". We will explore elements in the finale of this monumental work that may account for its universal appeal and immortality. Rev.

• Getting To Yes: a Brief History of Our Fellowship

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 22nd at 9:15 am
  Our congregation has been a part of the Treasure Valley community for many decades. Elizabeth will speak about some of the high (and low!) spots.

• It’s Not the Changes, It’s the Transitions

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 15th at 9:15 am
  All our life, we are in change & transition. A change may happen quickly—but how do we handle the longer process of transition? Elizabeth has an important announcement.

• Where is my Inspiration?

  November 8th at 9:15 am
  The Minister of our partner church in Mészkõ brings blessings and greetings from Transylvania to Boise, connecting the struggle for religious freedom in central Europe with the principles and purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Our shared inspiration is the love in our hearts, expressed in the respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every human being.

• What Do You Have to Be To Have a Spiritual Practice?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 1st at 9:15 am
  If Unitarian Universalism is to be a genuine religious community, UUs need to have regular centering & transcending practices. Elizabeth will offer examples & ideas.

• Boston Bound and Back Again

  October 25th at 9:15 am
  Our Junior High youth once again journeyed to Boston this past summer on their semi-annual pilgrimage. Come hear from this crop of Boston Bounders about their adventures in Beantown and beyond.

• Music through Community – Community through Music

  Carrie Bastian

  October 18th at 9:15 am
  BUUF Music Director Carrie Bastian will relate her musical and spiritual journey, explore our human impulse to make music, examine music as spiritual practice and discuss how we can create a stronger religious community through musical experience.

• Coming Out For Justice

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 11th at 9:15 am
  Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day, in which gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are encouraged to express their true selves. What can allies do to "come out" in support?

• Living in Community

  October 4th at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth and Lisa will reflect on how we can get our own needs met by paying better attention to the communities we care about. The Committee on Ministry will be part of this, and Congregational Care Team will be encouraging you to join them in their community-building activities.

• Where Children Are Wise and Adults Can Play

  Emmie Schlobohm

  September 27th at 9:15 am
  Our young people's Religious Exploration program is an extraordinary place where you can find your inner whimsy, wonder and awe! People of all ages grow and learn in our RE wings during any given Sunday. Your Director of Religious Exploration, Emmie Schlobohm, invites you on a journey of discovery where play is transformative.

• Restless Souls

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 20th at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth will reflect on spirituality "from Emerson to Oprah," to quote from the book Restless Souls. Starting Oct. 7, she and Elton Hall will teach a class on this book. (See Adult Education offerings for this fall.)

• Water: Its Cosmic Origins

  September 13th at 9:15 am
  We are 55 to 60% water; our blood is 95% water. We depend on water for our very existence. Connie Barlow will explain how much deeper our water connection is—all the way back to the stars!

• The End Starts the Beginning

  September 6th at 9:15 am
  Here we are on Labor Day Weekend Sunday, the official end of summer before the start of our program year. All summer long did you realize you've been preaching to the world around us? We said it with our t-shirts, our actions and our lives. Now at Labor Day we rest, and think about how we spent our summer, our yesterdays, our present, and a glimpse into tomorrow. Summer has ended, everything has its season; there is a time for every purpose under heaven. Wear your favorite t-shirt.

• Standing on the Side of Love

  August 30th at 9:15 am
  Come hear six different impressions of the Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA) General Assembly (GA) held in June in Salt Lake City where we stood on the side of love on several issues. We elected a new UUA president, Peter Morales; and BUUF was recognized for having earned our Green Sanctuary Certification.

• Time has come today

  August 23rd at 9:15 am
  Noted pastor Rick Warren writes extensively about the importance of giving your time and energy to your loved ones. He states that the way you spell love is "T-I-M-E." David agrees wholeheartedly, and is asking you to spend some time with him this Sunday to help spread the love.

• Humanism, Unpacked

  August 16th at 9:15 am
  The confidence that we humans can, and must, take responsibility for ourselves and each other, is one shared by humanists both theistic and non-theistic. What sets us apart from UUs, if anything? Several members of BUUF's humanist group will speak to our philosophy, our ethics, our strength in times of crisis.

• Gardens: life, wonder, awe and sustenance

  August 9th at 9:15 am
  Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) students explore the question, "Where does our food come from?" and reconnect to nature in a hands-on learning environment. Come join BUGS students and Becky Morgan, BUGS executive director, as they share their adventures in dirt, water, weeds, and wonder!

• The Melody of Life – in the key of ‘UU’

  Dale Winke

  August 2nd at 9:15 am
  Examining the overarching theme of Battlestar Galactica, Dale Winke looks at the connections, meanings, and melodies from one individual UU's viewpoint.

• The Calming Breath of Meditation Quenches the Fire of Suffering

  July 26th at 9:15 am
  "The Calming Breath of Meditation Quenches the Fire of Suffering," Tony DeAngelis
  There is no Audio file for this date

• What are Relics to UUs?

  Elton Hall

  July 19th at 9:15 am
  BUUF is hosting the Buddhist Relic Tour, though UU's are not known for their appreciation of relics. Why do some people find relics meaningful, while others are indifferent and some even repulsed by them? Can relics cause epiphanies? We will explore these questions as well as the closely related phenomenon of idolatry, looking at the idolatries every human being confronts.

• What is This Thing Called Love?

  July 12th at 9:15 am
  What is this thing called love? Maybe it's something more than in the music. Maybe it's something more than we've ever been aware.

• Food Ways: When Wretched Excess is Barely Enough

  July 5th at 9:15 am
  Graduate of University of Oregon in folklore, Dan Peterson speaks on noting three historical stages of food ways. Join Dan on his international travels his stories relate. His concept of "excess" has nothing to do with calories. Like James Beard, Dan feels a day is incomplete without learning something new about food.

• Hey, boys, how’s the oxygen?

  Mark Zimmerer

  June 28th at 9:15 am
  In the practice of yoga, doing poses is only the beginning of the work. More importantly, yoga focuses on the breath and its effect on our bodies, minds and spirits. Mark Zimmerer will discuss the act of breathing with stories from Thich Nhat Hanh, BKS Iyengar, Al Gore and his own experience that help us to understand its importance to a balanced life in the world.

• A Whole Lotta Heaven!

  June 21st at 9:15 am
  David spent the majority of his life conveniently ignoring the big questions. Is there a God? What happens when we die? Why are we here? It wasn't like he was afraid to face them or anything. Certainly not! Leave it to his 4-year-old son, Michael, to bring these issues front and center in the most interesting of ways. Ah, the joys of fatherhood.

• Our Debt to the Universalists

  June 14th at 9:15 am
  Compiled by John Harms to explore what Universalism is. Come hear this presentation, back by popular request.

• Flower Communion

  June 7th at 9:15 am
  There is no Audio file for this date

• For All That Is Our Life

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 31st at 9:15 am
  Celebrating the successful end of the Annual Stewardship Drive, Elizabeth reflects on the many gifts that we are given and that we give, creating dynamic, challenging community.

• The Young Soldiers

  May 24th at 9:15 am
  This Memorial Day Sunday explore the resiliency of people during conflict. Daniel Wright has been in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Central America and Africa with the Army and as a contractor rebuilding the countries' infrastructure.

• …What’s Goin’ On?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 17th at 9:15 am
  Each year, our minister Elizabeth Greene delivers a "state-of-the-church" sermon on Annual Meeting day, sharing her take on the significance of the almost-finished program year.

• Coming of Age

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 10th at 9:15 am
  "Coming of Age (9am)," BUUF youth, Rev. Elizabeth Greene, Emmie Schlobohm, Cathy Carmen "Coming of Age (11am)," BUUF youth, Rev. Elizabeth Greene, Emmie Schlobohm, Cathy Carmen This Sunday is an every-other-year favorite. Our Coming of Age youth, after spending fun-filled and action-packed months with their mentors, Cathy Carmen and Elizabeth, will share their credos with us.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Senior High Bridging; BUUF high school seniors

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  May 3rd at 9:15 am
  A Sunday always awaited eagerly by our congregation, this is the Sunday we hear words of wisdom from our high school seniors, about to "go out into the big world."

• Reflections on a Sabbatical, Part 3

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 26th at 9:15 am
  As the "church year" is moving toward its busy close (in June, but it happens fast!), Elizabeth will reflect one final time on her sabbatical experiences last week.

• It’s In Your Hands

  April 19th at 9:15 am
  Earth Day is about two environments, yes it is about raising awareness on environmental issues and promoting environmental action; but it is also about the human environment, the inner life that directs us. It is what we think about the Earth as well as our actions and behavior toward the Earth that is at the heart of religion. UUs believe our faith tradition makes a difference and that distinction is what we pass on to our children.

• Up From the Dark We Arise

  April 12th at 9:15 am
  It's Easter, the day we celebrate emerging from the nurturing and mysterious dark. Wear your Easter bonnet, your John Harms tie, and celebrate in community.

• Laugh? I Thought I’d Die

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  April 5th at 9:15 am
  Elizabeth holds the position that laughing is a religious activity. Or maybe she just likes to tell jokes. Come find out!

• We Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 29th at 9:15 am
  Most of us are haunted by the "ghosts" from our past. Times in our lives wrought with embarrassment or regret. David recently returned to Pocatello for a little "ghost-busting" from his college days. Armed with the healing power of love, David sought to silence his ghosts once and for all. Come to BUUF, and together we'll embark on a thorough ghost-busting of the soul.

• The Fire of Commitment

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 22nd at 9:15 am
  On this new-member-joining Sunday, Elizabeth will explore what it means to commit one's self: to another person, an organization, a particular course of events.

• We Are Not the News. Or Are We?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  March 15th at 9:15 am
  So many of us are "news junkies," a habit that can be detrimental to our health. How do we stay aware of our world, and also maintain our sense of hope, let alone optimism?

• A Complaint-Free World

  March 8th at 9:15 am
  What do you suppose the world would be like if everyone spoke honestly but non-judgmentally, without "whining." Elizabeth will share her odyssey of trying to achieve this, with the help of a book.

• “How Can I Keep From Singing?” The Spirituality of Social Action

  Rev. Ralph Galen

  March 1st at 9:00 am
  "How Can I Keep From Singing? The Spirituality of Social Action," Rev. Ralph Galen and Pam Kelly After spending exciting time together on Friday and Saturday, we will have the chance to hear our presenters share worship with us, reflecting on the spiritual path of justice and service.

• So Say We All

  Dale Winke

  February 22nd at 9:00 am
  Come join Dale as he explores how the themes of science fiction can plumb the depths of humanity's spiritual and transcended yearnings.

• Becoming Ourselves

  James Mack

  February 15th at 9:00 am
  How might things have been different if I hadn't felt the need to deny my own uniqueness and imitate the other "normal" kids around me as I grew up? Following his musical revue, Just Married, the Musical! on Valentine's Day at BUUF, James Mack will be the speaker at our Sunday Service. He will tell his personal journey as a gay man in America today.

• Norbert Capek’s Odyssey

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 8th at 9:00 am
  Norbert Capek, best known as the creator of the Flower Communion, had a fascinating history, moving from a conservative religion into Unitarianism. He was a man of inspiration and integrity, and paid for his principles.

• Groundhog Day

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 1st at 9:00 am
  Are there any patterns in your life you don't want and don't seem to be able to rise above? After a Saturday-night viewing of the movie "Groundhog Day," Elizabeth will talk about how we do and don't change.

• Reflections on a Sabbatical, Part II: The Shadow Knows

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 25th at 9:00 am
  Sharing more of her six-month sabbatical, Elizabeth will focus on the 30 days she spent on retreat at St. Gertrude's Monastery in Cottonwood, Idaho. Things arise, when you live with just yourself for that long.

• Martin Luther King, Obama and Great Expectations

  Elton Hall

  January 18th at 9:00 am
  Martin Luther King, Jr., transcended his own religious tradition, learned from Mahatma Gandhi, and set a course that led to the election of Barack Obama as president. We will explore what he knew and how it applies to our nation, our expectations and ourselves.

• What Are We Here For?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 11th at 9:00 am
  On the weekend of January 23rd and 24th, we will all join in asking questions like Who are we? What makes us unique? What is our purpose? Elizabeth reflects a bit, in a preliminary way.

• Beginnings

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 4th at 9:00 am
  Of course, life is always beginning anew every day. But humans take certain times to reflect on what has gone before, and what we hope will happen.

• A Spiritualist, a Skeptic, or a Child?

  December 28th at 9:00 am
    "A Spiritualist, a Skeptic, or a Child?" Nancy Harms We will explore the spiritual, skeptic and child that exists in each of us; manifesting in one form or another depending on a particular moment in time in our lives.

• Christmas Eve service

  December 24th at 7:00 pm
  Christmas Eve service - not recorded.
  There is no Audio file for this date

• The Blessed Sound of Silence

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  December 21st at 9:00 am
  "The Blessed Sound of Silence," Rev. Elizabeth Greene Continuing the tradition of a Quaker-style meeting on the Sunday before Christmas. After a reading, chalice lighting, simple song and brief explanation, we sit in silence for about 45 minutes, emulating the excellent practice of our sisters and brothers in the Friends tradition. (No audio recording.)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Where Are You Christmas? Finding Meaning in the Holiday Season—A Mostly Music Sunday

  December 14th at 9:00 am
  "Where Are You Christmas? Finding Meaning in the Holiday Season—A Mostly Music Sunday," Rev. Elizabeth Greene and BUUF Choir Celebrating the colorful tapestry of nature, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas—Elizabeth, the choir and soloists will illuminate the common threads that let meaning shine through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

• “Deck the Halls”

  December 7th at 9:00 am
  "Deck the Halls" Come one, come all to BUUF's Deck the Halls celebration! This is our own intergenerational welcome to the winter holidays. Our wonderful RE children and youth will share with us "A Thousand and One Ways to Love and to Care." (No audio recording.)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• In the Spirit of Thanks

  November 30th at 9:00 am
  "In the Spirit of Thanks," Sarah Bratley This Thanksgiving holiday, Sarah explores a thankful presence in prayers, everyday life, and social interactions.

• The Lord Loves a Cheerful Receiver

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 29th at 9:15 am
  The Lord Loves a Cheerful Receiver, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (November 29, 1998)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Ministry: Our Partnership

  November 23rd at 9:00 am
  "Ministry: Our Partnership," Gini Courter, Moderator of the Unitarian Universalist Association This is a very big-deal Sunday. The witty, articulate, and grounded Gini Courter, moderator of our entire Association, will preach to us as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of this congregation's ordination of Elizabeth Greene—as we celebrate 20 years of partnership in ministry.

• Moving Forward in Faith

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 16th at 9:00 am
  November 16, 2008 "Moving Forward in Faith," Rev. Elizabeth Greene It's "Miracle Sunday"! Today, we wrap up our fall stewardship drive and begin celebrating 20 years of ministry partnership. If you haven't pledged yet, bring your pledge form. Help us celebrate a no-deficit year and the new ways of doing business that allow us to focus on nurturing our souls and helping heal the world.

• Partners in Faith,” Rev. Elizabeth Greene, Miriam and David Woito, Will Smith

  November 9th at 9:00 am
  "Partners in Faith," Rev. Elizabeth Greene, Miriam and David Woito, Will Smith Four members of our church traveled as pilgrims to Mészkõ, Transylvania, to visit fellow Unitarians, with whom we have been partners for going on 20 years. They will share highlights from their deeply-affecting and fun stay in "our" village.

• Día de Los Muertos

  November 2nd at 9:00 am
  "Día de Los Muertos," Sharon and Charles Barlow Palm At this "All Souls" time of year, we honor the Mexican custom of Day of the Dead, light-hearted and reverent.

• Creation of Spirituality

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  November 1st at 9:15 am
  Creation of Spirituality, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (November 1, 1998)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• The Flaming Chalice

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 26th at 9:00 am
  "The Flaming Chalice," Rev. Elizabeth Greene We UUs have fewer symbols that most religions. But we do cherish the flaming chalice, a beacon to us for many years. Elizabeth will tell the story of this symbol, and we will all reflect on the nature of symbols. Carol and Jay Wechselberger, service coordinators; Carrie Bastian, music.

• Pebbles In a Pond

  October 19th at 9:00 am
  "Pebbles In a Pond," Don Schutte As children we often pitched pebbles into a pond. Maybe we still do as adults. I know I do. What lesson is there in this innocent action? David Ward, service coordinator; Mike Lemieux, music. .

• Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 12th at 9:00 am
  "Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven," Rev. Elizabeth Greene This is National Children's Day, and we will consider that "childlike" attitude seen in advanced teachers like the Dalai Lama. It is also Association Sunday, celebrating this denomination of ours, which helps us teach our children to be confident, competent and compassionate. Tony DeAngelis, service coordinator; BUUF choir with Sue Langley, music

• Religiously Liberal

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 11th at 9:15 am
  Religiously Liberal, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (October 11, 1998)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Let Us Cultivate Boundless Goodwill

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  October 5th at 9:00 am
  "Let Us Cultivate Boundless Goodwill," Rev. Elizabeth Greene What did the Buddha mean by "boundless good will"? On this Congregational Care Team-sponsored Sunday, Elizabeth will reflect on the nature of good will—usually bounded— in community. Nancy Harms, service coordinator; Coston Frederick, music.

• Days of Awe

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 29th at 9:15 am
  Days of Awe, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (September 20, 1998)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Who Is My Neighbor?

  September 28th at 9:00 am
  "Who Is My Neighbor?" Rev. Elizabeth Greene We Unitarian Universalists hold diversity as a high value. Today, Elizabeth will look at some ways about we may embody this value, and some ways where we may opt for denial or benign neglect. Mark Zimmerer, service coordinator. Charlotte Tompkins, music.

• Reflections on a Sabbatical, part one: Experiencing the Holy

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 21st at 9:00 am
  "Reflections on a Sabbatical, part one: Experiencing the Holy," Rev. Elizabeth Greene Over this program year, Elizabeth will be sharing various aspects of her recent sabbatical. On this Sunday, she will reflect on the many and varied experiences she had of reverence and awe—sometimes known as the holy. Carol and Jay Wechselberger, service coordinators. Carrie Bastian, music.

• Don’t Be Afraid of Some Change

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  September 14th at 8:00 am
  "Don't Be Afraid of Some Change," Rev. Elizabeth Greene On this weekend when we will have been stimulated and inspired by a visit from UUA consultant Larry Wheeler Elizabeth will discuss the spiritual, emotional and practical implications of transition—which is always happening. Service coordinator, Allie Gooding. Mike Lemieux, music.

• Re-Connecting in Love

  September 7th at 9:00 am
  September 7, 2008 "Re-Connecting in Love," Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Sorry, this sermon was not recorded.)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Silencing Mr. Negativepants

  August 31st at 9:00 am
    "Silencing Mr. Negativepants," David Ward David desperately wants to break free from his comfort zone. Throw caution to the wind and take complete advantage of this incredible gift we call life. Unfortunately, David's subconscious is dominated by a snobby British butler named "Mr. Negativepants," who constantly tells him he's not good enough, smart enough, and, doggonit, people don't like him. If you square off against your own version of Mr. Negativepants from time to time, head to BUUF this fine August morning and perhaps together we can silence him for good.

• Polishing the Mirror” or “You don’t like my Kung Fu?

  August 24th at 9:00 am
  "Polishing the Mirror" or "You don't like my Kung Fu?" Tony DeAngelis Reflections on the spiritual aspects of the Martial Arts.

• Here Comes the Sun

  August 17th at 9:00 am
  "Here Comes the Sun," Debbie Espen We are physical, material, biological beings who not only need the light and warmth of the sun to live, but also respond emotionally and spiritually to the sun. Debbie shares a personal story of a long, cold, dark night, and what she learned from the experience.

• Shifting Sands in Religion and Politics: A Contemporary Historical Look

  August 10th at 9:00 am
  August 10, 2008 "Shifting Sands in Religion and Politics: A Contemporary Historical Look," Jill Gill Jill will explore changes currently afoot within the religious right as we approach the 2008 presidential election, and place these changes into some recent historical context.

• Science Fact and Fiction—How they informed my faith and world

  August 3rd at 9:00 am
  "Science Fact and Fiction—How they informed my faith and world," Dale Winke Let us see where that takes us.

• The Grand Metaphor – Life on (and off) a raft in the Grand Canyon.

  July 27th at 9:00 am
    "The Grand Metaphor - Life on (and off) a raft in the Grand Canyon." Linden Boice and Gordon Hamilton BUUF members Linden Boice and Gordon Hamilton will recount highlights of their three week rafting trip through the Grand Canyon this spring, and, perhaps, impart a few lessons for living during their multi-media presentation.

• The Velveteen Minister

  July 20th at 9:00 am
  The Velveteen Minister, Sharon Barlow Palm Exploring the role of the minister in all of us.

• Honoring the Spirited Child – Within and Without

  July 13th at 9:00 am
  Honoring the Spirited Child - Within and Without, Sarah Bratley With some group participation, Sarah Bratley shares lessons learned about recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every person - even in those times when you are challenged to find it. She also explores the need for respecting your own spirit while honoring and nurturing the spirit of those around us.

• The History Project

  July 6th at 9:00 am
  July 6, 2008 The History Project, Sheryl Dowlin, Alan and Mary Schwartzman, and Coston and Judy Frederick America is a youth-worshipping culture, and that is appropriate for such a young country, celebrating, as it is, its birthday on this weekend. But any organization needs its elders. BUUF is in the process of video-recording the insights and wisdom of some of its "elders." This Sunday, come and hear from two long-term couples committed to each other and to our fellowship, and find out the secret to a lasting relationship.

• The Power of Four,” by Tom Hanks

  June 29th at 9:00 am
  "The Power of Four," by Tom Hanks, delivered by Dale Winke How many cars would you have to take away from California's crowded roadway to rid them of gridlock? A computer simulation supplied the answer: four percent, or four out of a hundred. The study provided inspiration for actor Tom Hanks in a remarkable speech at Vassar College's graduation ceremony on May 22, 2005.

• The Shorter Longer Way

  June 22nd at 9:00 am
  "The Shorter Longer Way," Guest speaker Rabbi Daniel B. Fink Sometimes what looks like a short cut, isn't. The easy way out is not the path preferred. Rabbi Fink, rabbi of Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel in Boise, will present "The Shorter Longer Way," a sermon based on a Talmudic story.

• Father’s Day

  June 15th at 9:00 am
  Father's Day, Greg Duffy Several years ago, Greg Duffy, then a chimney-sweep, suffered a fall from a roof. He nearly died. Since that time his brain sometimes struggles to find words to express his thoughts. On this Father's Day, Greg will reflect on what it means to give fatherly advice when words fail, literally.

• Making Room for Hummingbirds and Hope

  June 8th at 9:00 am
  "Making Room for Hummingbirds and Hope," Nan Harms Every creature on earth has approximately two billion heartbeats to spend in a lifetime. You can spend them slowly, like a tortoise, and live to be two hundred years old, or you an spend them fast, like a hummingbird, and live to be two years old. (Text by Michael McGee, originally given March 2, 2008 at the UU Church of Arlington, VA)

• What’s so new about New Age Spirituality?

  May 25th at 9:00 am
  "What's so new about New Age Spirituality?" Panel of speakers While current conventional wisdom would suggest that our culture's experimentation with Eastern religions and unorthodox Christianity is new, a closer familiarity with American Unitarian and Universalist histories counters that understanding. A panel of speakers, made up of recent attendees in an Adult R.E. class on the history of American spirituality, reflects on insights gained about their own, and America's, spiritual journey.

• For the Long Haul: Eco-justice for a Sustainable Future

  Rev. Katherine Jesch

  May 18th at 9:00 am
  "For the Long Haul: Eco-justice for a Sustainable Future," Rev. Katherine Jesch Our personal lives, congregational life, and the health and well-being of all life on Earth are intertwined. This sermon invites us to imagine our congregation as a healthy "Earth Community," where moral strength and spiritual sustenance can be found to support our quest for justice on an imperiled planet.

• The Great Mother Virtue

  Rev. Margaret Keip

  May 11th at 9:00 am
  "The Great Mother Virtue," Rev. Margaret Keip Margaret will wrap Gaia, Mothers Day, and a magnificent ethic for living into a message about "size" on the last of her scheduled sabbatical-anchor Sundays with us.

• The Last-minute Suprise

  May 4th at 9:00 am
  Our planned guest speaker, Rabbi Daniel Fink, of Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel in Boise, had a family emergency. David Ward stepped in with a special delivery. Audio: "The Last-minute Surprise"

• Each night a child is born is a holy night…

  Sophia Lyon Fahs

  April 27th at 9:00 am
  Rev. Margaret Keip, our high school seniors, and Religious Education Co-Directors Cathy Carmen and Karen Raese Come join us in celebrating passages of our children and youth during this service when we have Children's Dedication and Sr. High Bridging. It is sure to be a day to remember. Audio: "Each night a child is born is a holy night..." Sophia Lyon Fahs

• Are You Interconnected?

  Wanda and Bryan Jennings

  April 20th at 9:00 am
  We talk a lot about being part of the interconnected web of all things. Do we ever check to see if we are really connected? Would the world be a better place if you were truly connected? Audio: "Are You Interconnected?"

• The Conversation

  Rev. Thomas Anastasi

  April 13th at 9:00 am
  No matter how much disagreement and conflict there in any aspect of our lives—in our families, in the government, in our congregation—the answer is always to be found, I believe, "in the conversation". We need to talk to one another on all these levels. Audio: "The Conversation"  

• Cliches Lies and Love

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  February 14th at 9:15 am
  Cliches Lies and Love, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Feb. 14, 1998)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• Journeys in the Wilderness: Humility in the Wild or “Small in the Midst of it All,”

  February 10th at 9:00 am
  Journeys in the Wilderness: Humility in the Wild or "Small in the Midst of it All," Nicole LeFavour (Feb. 10, 2008)
  There is no Audio file for this date

• What is Worthy?

  Rev. Elizabeth Greene

  January 29th at 9:00 am
  What is Worthy? Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Jan. 29, 2006)
  There is no Audio file for this date

Enough Already!, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Jan. 2, 2005)
Laughing as a Religious Activity, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Jan. 23, 2005)
A Many-Splendored…? Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Feb. 13, 2005)
“Don’t Get Sick!”, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Feb. 27, 2005)
How to Get to Heaven, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Apr. 10, 2005)

Flaming Chalice: UU Symbol, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (March 7, 2004)
Lucy Stone: Making Her Own Way, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (March 14, 2004)
What Touches One Affects Us All, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (March 26, 2004)
Spectrum or Pendulum? Rev. Elizabeth Greene (April 4, 2004)
Passion and Resurrection: The Connection, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (April 11, 2004)
A Spiritual Retrospective, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (May 16, 2004)
Generation Gasp? Rev. Elizabeth Greene (May 23, 2004)
Tikkun Olam: Healing the World, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Sept. 19, 2004)
The Lord Loves a Cheerful Receiver, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Nov. 28, 2004)
And the Greatest of These is Hope, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (Dec. 19, 2004)

Right Brain, Left Brain, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (January 12, 2003)
Sense of Place, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (January 19, 2003)
Whose Rights? Who Is Right? Rev. Elizabeth Greene (February 9, 2003)
The Power of the Ring, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (March 2, 2003)
The End of Education, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (March 16, 2003)
Two Wings and Prayer, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (September 7, 2003)
Rights for which Humans? Rev. Elizabeth Greene (September 14, 2003)
Alabaster Village Beyond, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (September 21, 2003)
The Thousand Natural Shocks, Rev. Elizabeth Greene (December 14, 2003)