Starting April 20, audio files of the sermons will be made available; check for hyperlinks on the sermon title.
BUUF 2008 Sunday Services Archive
January
Sunday, January 6, one service at 10 am followed by potluck
"Margaret Fuller: Courage and Soul," by Rev. Elizabeth Greene
One of our important foremothers is the Transcendentalist thinker and activist, Margaret Fuller. Passionate and intense, she lived her soul's vision. Bruce Dowlin, service coordinator. Mike Lemieux, music.
Sunday, January 13, 9 and 11 am
"Kronos and Kairos: of Schedules and Time," by Rev. Elizabeth Greene
In this final sermon before her six-month sabbatical, Elizabeth will reflect further on how we spend time. She will talk about what makes up "regular" time and also "time out of time." Gail Haldeman, service coordinator. The Plethora, music
Sunday, January 20, 9 and 11 am
Marilyn Schuler, Idaho Human Rights Commission
Marilyn Shuler is the former director of the Idaho Human Rights Commission, having retired after 20 years in 1998. She has served the state and the Northwest in many other capacities including: president of the Idaho Human Rights Education Center, founding member of the Northwest Coalition against Malicious Harassment, been a member of the Boise School Board and the Boise Redevelopment Agency, and public employees retirement board (PERSI). She now serves on the boards of the Idaho Public TV Foundation, City Club of Boise and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at BSU. Mark Zimmerer, service coordinator. Conner von Huene, music.
Sunday, January 27, 9 and 11 am
"Ministry as the Human Journey" - Rev. Margaret Keip
Our "sabbatical circuit rider" will sketch for us a kaleidoscopic view of ministry that sheds dancing lights on the wholeness and hope of congregational life, and the gifts that all of us may be to each other. Carol Wechselberger, service coordinator. Cees Hoefnagels and Janelle Brown.
Special Congregational Meeting
A special congregational meeting of the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 12:30 P.M. at the Fellowship building at 6200 Garrett St., Boise, Idaho, to determine what, if any, position or action BUUF will take regarding the War in Iraq.
February
Sunday, Feb. 3, one service, 10 am, followed by potluck
"Passion," the Rev. Deborah Raible
Passion seemed to be appropriate for a sermon taking place in this month of Valentines, and because Deborah is passionate about BUUF! The Rev. Deborah Raible is the Minister Associated at University Unitarian Church in Seattle, WA. David Ward, service coordinator. Choir directed by Carrie Bastian, music. Sue Langley, music.
Sunday, February 10, 9 am and 11 am
"Feeling Small in the Midst of it All," Rep. Nicole LeFavour
Boise Representative Nicole LeFavour draws on her previous experience as a wilderness ranger in the Frank Church Wilderness to help articulate the humility that we often feel when experiencing nature firsthand. Tony DeAngelis, service coordinator. Nuralima, music.
Sunday, February 17, 9 am and 11 am
"Roots Hold Me Close, Wings Set Me Free," Debra Smith and Elton Hall
In a preview of the class on American mysticism, Debra and Elton expose the false dichotomy between mysticism and community action, unfettered individuality and vibrant community. Carol and Jay Wechselberger, service coordinators. Bruce McAllister, music.
Sunday, February 24, 9 am and 11 am
"People Magic"—Rev. Margaret Keip (our sabbatical anchor)
Pursuing Gandhi's view of violence as anything that violates the integrity of something living, Margaret will bring it home to everyday life with each other. To achieve what we long for, this is where best to begin. Gail Haldeman, service coordinator. Coston Frederick, music.
March
Sunday, Mar. 2, one service 10 am, followed by potluck
"What on Earth have I done? -- Stories, Observations, and Affirmations," Rev. Robert Fulghum
Questions often asked of children by parents; questions we should be asking of ourselves, but often do not. Joining us this Sunday, Rev Fulghum brings his words and poses the questions – what have we done, what are we about to do, who do we think we are, just for starters! What can we learn from such self examination and why might it make a difference. David Ward, service coordinator. Tom von Alten celebrant. BUUF Choir directed by Carrie Bastain, and Sue Langley, music.
Sunday, March 9, 9 and 11 am
"Different Paths Same Journey," Rev. Ricky Hoyt, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Santa Clarita Valley
The Hindu religion reminds us that there are many equally effective ways to reach our spiritual goals. Which practice is best for you depends on your natural affinities. Are you a thinker, a worshipper, a helper, a mystic, or something else? The task of our faith is to remember that though we may travel different paths, and even describe the goal in different ways, our journey, and the journey of all religious folks, is the same. Tony DeAngelis, service coordinator. David Ward and Debra Smith, celebrant. Cees Hoefnagels and Janelle Brown, music.
Sunday, March 16, 9 and 11 am
"The Cost of Iraq: Who pays the Price?" UUSC Justice Sunday, Rhonda Schaff
UUSC's Justice Sunday program examines the Iraq War and its impact on our nation from the perspective of Dr. Martin Luther King’s words, "a nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death".Mark Zimmerer, service coordinator; Sue Philley, celebrant; Mike Lemieux, music
Sunday, March 23, Easter Sunday, 9 and 11 am
"Flor y Canto," Rev. Margaret Keip
Margaret brings us a remarkable, empowering and true Easter story from the history of the Mayan people, suppressed by the Aztecs, and long lost. It echoes another resurrection story celebrated elsewhere this day. Carol Wechselberger, service coordinator; Gwyn Reid, celebrant; Gretchen Neeley, music.
Sunday, March 30, 9 and 11am
"Peeling off the Labels," David M. Ward
Come watch David spend 20 thrilling minutes ripping labels off soup cans! Just kidding. People are divided these days by everything from government party affiliation, to sports teams, to choice of automobile. It appears that most of us go through our lives looking for ways to divide ourselves, rather than respect the "worth and dignity of each human being," as our UU principles teach. A self-described "labelaholic," David vows to change his ways and seek out the common humanity uniting us all. Come join him. Gail Haldeman, service coordinator. Lisa Johnson and Sue Philley, celebrants. Connor von Huene, Marcia von Huene, April Ward, and Mike Lemieux, music.
April
April 6, single service 10 am, followed by potluck.
"The Committee Meeting in Your Mind," Rev. Joan Montagnes.
Do you hear voices? Rev. Montagnes doesn't know about you, but she has a lively cast of characters including her mother, a televangelist, and a fictitious character named "the Beet Woman" who help her make decisions. And yes, she also listens to the still small voice within. David Ward, service coordinator. Jo Douglas, Patti Raino, Charlotte Tompkins, music. Tom von Alten, celebrant.
April 13, 9 am and 11 am
"The Conversation" Rev. Thomas Anastasi
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. Tony DeAngelis, service coordinator. BUUF Choir, Carrie Bastian, and Sue Langley, music. Alan Schwartzman, celebrant
In honor of John Harms' birthday, please wear your "John Harms" in tie.
April 20, 9 am and 11 am
"Are You Interconnected?" Wanda and Bryan Jennings
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? Mark Zimmerer, service coordinator. McKenzie Bauer and Amy Tompkins, and Charlotte Tompkins, music. Wanda Jennings, celebrant
April 27, 9 am and 11 am
"Each night a child is born is a holy night..." Sophia Lyon Fahs
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.
Gail Haldeman, service coordinator. Mike Lemieux, music. Dale Winke, celebrant
May
Sunday, May 4, 10am
"The Last-minute Surprise"
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. BUUF choir directed by Carrie Bastian and Sue Langley, music. Tom von Alten, celebrant.
Sunday, May 11, 9am & 11am
"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. Carol and Jay Wechselberger, service coordinators; Gretchen Neeley, music, Alan Schwartzman, celebrant.
Sunday May 18, 10am
"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. Tony DeAngelis, service coordinator; Cees Hoefnagels and Charlotte Tompkins, music; Lynne Tolk, celebrant.The annual meeting will immediate follow at 11:30 am.
Sunday, May 25, 9am & 11 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. Mark Zimmerer, service coordinator; Coston Frederick, music; Elton Hall, celebrant.
June
Sunday, June 1, 10 am, potluck picnic following
Flower Communion and Partner Church commemoration
We share our much-loved Flower Communion, based on Czech Unitarian minister Norbert Capek's brilliant concept: Capek wanted to have the religious, loving ties symbolized by traditional bread-and-wine communion, but without the Catholic overtones.
As he did, we'll bring flowers to church, put them in riotous bouquets in front of the chancel, then when the time comes, we come forward and each person takes away a flower that someone else has brought. Many of us bring more than one flower, so that newcomers and those who have forgotten will be able to partake. We figure it's like life: sometimes you have just enough; sometimes you have a little extra, which you can share; and sometimes your hands are empty and you need the love of friends to fill them again.
BUUF Choir, Carrie Bastian and Susan Langley, music; Tom von Alten,
celebrant.
