BUUF Sunday Services Archive - 2015
January 2015
Jan. 4, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Sharing Our Strength – Fire Communion," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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? Elton Hall, celebrant; David Scott, service
coordinator.
Jan. 11, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Loving Alike," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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 Mészkő? Nancy
Harms, celebrant; BUUF Choir, music; Teresa Wood, service coordinator.
Jan. 18, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Lift Every Voice," Debra Smith
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. Gwyn Reid, celebrant; Will Smith, music; Mary Hester,
service coordinator.
Jan. 25, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"CCT, BUUF's Arm of Comfort and Support," Rev. Jackie Kelly
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. Sharene Watsen, celebrant; David Scott, service
coordinator.
February 2015
February 1, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"The Sum of All Known Reverence," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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? BUUF Choir, music;
Patricia Heeb, celebrant; Susie Hardy, service coordinator.
February 8, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Love Will Guide Us," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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? David Scott, celebrant; Corey Porch, service
coordinator.
February 15, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"The Free Pulpit and the Free Pew," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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. Corey Porch,
celebrant; Nancy Harms, service coordinator.
February 22, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Ferguson in Boise?" Representative Sue Chew
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.
Debra Smith, celebrant; Mary Stell, service coordinator.
March 2015
March 1, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Curiosity as a Spiritual Practice," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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? Dena Duke,
celebrant; Teresa Wood, service coordinator.
March 8, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"The Shorter Longer Way," Rabbi Dan Fink
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. Mary Hester, celebrant; Susie
Hardy, service coordinator.
March 15, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Coming Alive," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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? Gwyn Reid, celebrant; BUUF Choir, Carrie
Bastian and Liza Long, music; Patricia Heeb, service coordinator
March 22, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Our Better Angels," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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? Debra
Smith, celebrant; Mary Hester, service coordinator; Will Smith and
Carrie Bastian, music
March 29, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Stand With Me," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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? Patricia Heeb, celebrant; Nancy Harms, service
coordinator; Carrie Bastian, Lessie Brown, Tom von Alten, Mark and Tenje
Zimmerer, music.
April 2015
April 5, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"We Are Risen," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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. Corey
Porch, celebrant; BUUF Choir, music. Teresa Wood, service
coordinator.
April 12, 9:30 & 11:15 am
Senior Bridging, BUUF Senior High Youth
Come get an infusion of hope for the future! Our Bridging Ceremony is
a Sunday where we hear words of wisdom from our graduating high school
seniors. Experience our next crop of community leaders and rejoice! Come
help our graduating youth bridge to young adulthood and celebrate! Rev.
Dana Worsnop and Emmie Schlobohm, DRE celebrants.
It's John Harms Tie Day; we invite you to
wear one of his, or one of your own to honor John's legacy.
April 19, 10am Single Service Sunday!
"Alive with Faith! Growing and Transforming from the Ground Up," Rev.
Barbara Wells ten Hove
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. Mike Lemieux and Quality Time will play and we'll share
a meal together after the service. We welcome the Rev. Barbara Wells ten
Hove to share the pulpit with Rev. Dana.
April 26, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Dare Greatly," Rev. Sara E. LaWall (Ministerial Candidate)
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? Debra Smith, celebrant; Janelle Brown, Rachel
Murphy, Carrie Bastian, music.
May 2015
May 3, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Why Church?" Ministerial Candidate Rev. Sara E. LaWall
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. BUUF Choir, music.
May 3, 1:00 pm
Special Congregational Meeting
The congregation will decide whether to call Rev. LaWall to be our
new settled minister.
May 10, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Coming of Age," Junior High youth and mentors along with Rev. Dana
Worsnop and Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Education
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!
May 17, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Free Thinking Mystics With Hands," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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? Dena Duke, celebrant
May 24, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Peace and Freedom," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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. Patricia
Heeb, celebrant.
May 31, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"The Good and the Perfect," Rev. Dana Worsnop
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. BUUF Choir, music; Nancy Harms, celebrant
June 2015
June 7, 10 am
"Flower Power," Flower Communion Service, Rev. Dana Worsnop and Emmie Schlobohm
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? Sue Langley, music.
June 14, 10 am
"Who’s Your Daddy?" Rev. Dana Worsnop.
On this Sunday before Father’s Day, we will consider
role of fathers and masculine energy in the world, in us all. Sharene
Watsen, celebrant; Arvel Bird and Sue Langley, music
June 21, 10 am
Summer Solstice
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. Gwyn Reid, celebrant; Sue langley,
music.
June 28, 10 am
"Maturity—What Is That and How Do I Get It?" Elton Hall
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. Debra Smith, celebrant; Mike Lemieux, music.
July 2015
July 5, 10 am
"The Demise of Democracy in America," Bob Huntley
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?”
Mary Hester, celebrant; Nancy Harms, service coordinator; Liza Long,
music.
July 12, 10 am
"Charity: What could possibly go wrong?" Debra Smith
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, from 2 until 7. Watch for announcements with more information.
Patricia Heeb, celebrant; Mike Lemieux, music; Teresa Wood, service
coordinator.
July 19, 10 am
"Songs of Solidarity," Marshall Voit and Ibis Laurel
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.” Debra Smith, celebrant; music by Marshall and Ibis; Teresa
Wood, service coordinator.
July 26, 10 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. Gwyn Reid, celebrant; Mike
Lemieux, music; Corey Porch, service coordinator.
August 2015
August 2, 10 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. Patricia Heeb, celebrant; Will Smith and Liza
Long, music; Susie Hardy, service coordinator
August 9, 10 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. Nancy Harms, celebrant; Carrie Bastian, music; Teresa Wood,
service coordinator.
August 16, 10 am
"On Being a Heretic, Long Strange Trip," Mary Hester
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. Gwyn Reid, celebrant;
Carrie Bastian, music; Corey Porch, service coordinator.
August 23, 10 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. Wanda Jennings, celebrant; Carrie Bastian, music; Patricia
Heeb, service coordinator.
August 30, 10 am
"Moving beyond the 'Why?' questions," Kenneth Watts
In the Christian and Jewish Scriptures we read: "For everything there is
a season and a time and for every purpose under heaven. A time to be
born, and a time to die…." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) Very poetic. But the
difficult part of life is everything that happens in between! And
sometimes what happens in between can get pretty difficult. That's where
community comes in. We come together to share our joys; we come together
to share our sorrows and pain. We come together to share our questions,
our wisdom, and our common humanity.
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. Today, I see myself more
as a learner than a teacher, being a sounding board more than making
boring sounds, a questioner rather than the "Shell Answer Man." As
Mark Twain is said to have put it: "We never become really and genuinely
our entire and honest selves until we are dead—and not then until we
have been dead years and years. People ought to start dead and then they
would be honest so much earlier."
Dena Duke, celebrant; David Scott, service coordinator
September 2015
September 6, 10 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. Patricia Heeb,
celebrant; Carrie Bastian, music
September 13, 9:30 & 11:15 am
The Gathering of the Waters, Rev. Sara LaWall
Emmie Schlobohm, celebrant; BUUF Choir, music.
September 20, 9:30 & 11:15 am
A Blessing for Beginning, Rev. Sara LaWall
Hans York, Carrie Bastian, music; Corey Porch, celebrant
September 27, 9:30 & 11:15 am
Building Sacred Trust, Rev. Sara LaWall
Sara Matlock, Ellie Hunt, music; Debra Smith, celebrant
October 2015
October 4, 9:30 & 11:15 am
Giving Life the Shape of Justice, Rev. Sara LaWall
The first Sunday of each month will be a Justice Sunday. Worship and
Religious Exploration will focus on the Justice issue highlighted in the
monthly Plate Partner. This month we'll highlight how we pay it forward
both within the congregation and out in the wider world. Our October
Plate Partner is this congregation's Pay It Forward Fund
(see details
in this month's
newsletter). Lessie Brown, Carrie Bastian, Mike Lemieux, music;
Patricia Heeb, celebrant
October 11, 9:30 & 11:15 am
Your Liberating Ministry: Toward a Shared Vision, Rev. Sara LaWall
BUUF Choir, music; Debra Smith, celebrant
October 18, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
We Were Boston Bound, Boston Bounders
Rev. Sara LaWall, celebrant
October 25, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Stories From the Way: How a 500 Mile Pilgrimage Across Spain Can
Change the Stories We Tell Ourselves, Carrie Bastian and David
Scott
Wanda Jennings, celebrant
November 2015
November 1, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Social Justice Sunday, Rev. Sara LaWall
A sermon about food justice connecting with our November Plate Partner
the Boise Farmers' Market Mobile Market. Debra Smith, celebrant
November 8, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Experience the Holy, Rev. Sara LaWall
Nancy Harms, celebrant; BUUF Choir, music
November 15, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Radical Hospitality - The Golden Rule, Rev. Sara LaWall
(This service will also honor Transgender Day of Remembrance - nationally
recognized on November 20.) Sharene Watsen, celebrant
November 22, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
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. Bring apple themed snacks for afterwards. Emmie Schlobohm,
celebrant
November 29, 9:30 & 11:15 am
The Music of Our Lives, Music Director Carrie Bastian
December 2015
December 6, 9:30 & 11:15 am
"Catching the Stones: Mercy, Brokenness, and Compassion"
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. Dive into the issue early and BUUF's participation in
the UUA Common Read of Just
Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative.
Bryan has dedicated his legal career to defending those who are trapped
by an often capricious, political, and willfully unjust criminal justice
system. Tom von Alten and Carrie Bastian, music.
December 13, 9:30 & 11:15 am
The Open Heart: Music and Meditation for the Holidays, Rev. Sara LaWall
Music from the BUUF Choir, and BUUF musicians
December 20, 9:30 & 11:15 am
Multigenerational Holiday Pageant with Rev. Sara LaWall & Emmie
Schlobohm
All ages worship together to celebrate the holiday season
December 21, 6:30 pm
Winter Solstice
Please arrive by 6:30; the ritual begins promptly at 7:00.
Bring treats to share after the service.
December 24, 7:00 pm
Christmas Eve Service, "Preparing Room"
We celebrate Christmas Eve with stories of Christmas that renew our
sense of mystery and wonder at this time of the year. We sing
carols, light candles and welcome magic and mystery once more into our
lives at this darkest time of the year.
December 27, 9:30 & 11:15 am
Quaker Service
A silent service with Nancy Harms
"Soon silence will have passed into legend. Man has turned his back
on silence. Day after day he invents machines and devices that increase
noise and distract humanity from the essence of life, contemplation,
meditation." Jean Arp