March 1 - Lay Minister Rick Johnson will speak about our Sixth Principle, "The Goal of a World Community with Peace, Liberty and Justice for All." Is such a community attainable? How does this goal give guidance to our actions at a local level? Childcare will be offered during the service.
March 8 - Martha Downey of the Bishop Hill State Historic Site will give a program on the history of the colony and efforts to preserve and interpret the history of this former utopian community. Childcare will be offered during the service.
March 15 - Our service this morning will be a celebration of spring in poetry, prose, and music. Join us as we shed the grey gloom of winter and enjoy the growing warmth of the Sun and the new growth we see around us. Rick Johnson will lead this service, and religious education will be offered for our youngsters.
March 22 - Carolyn Evans will present a program on yoga. Many will remember Carolyn from her younger years here in the congregation as an active member of our youth group. Having returned to the area she is establishing herself as a yoga instructor. Please come welcome her back to our Meeting House.
March 29 - TBA
April 5 - Our Seventh Principle will be the topic of this morning's program. Rick Johnson will lead an exploration and discussion of the concept of the Earth as a living entity, casting our existence as a symbiotic relationship with a larger entity. Readings from several sources should spark a lively discussion.
April 12 - Our annual Pledge Sunday Service. We invite all members and friends to come for a time of reflection on the purpose of our Fellowship and how we can contribute to fulfilling that purpose. Pledge cards will be made available at the end of the presentation. Childcare will be offered during the service.
April 19 - Musician Johnny Lipford of Marion, IA will present a program regarding his music career. Johnny Lipford is considered a master of the Native American flute, having performed around the world. He has released twelve albums of flute music and has an active teaching program with students across the country. This program will appeal to young and old alike.
April 26 - Please Note Scheduling Change - Kathy Bowman from the UU Congregation of the Quad Cities will lead a service entitled "Transitions: When Gratitude is Hard to Find" Life's transitions keep hurtling at us, whether we are prepared or not. Last November, I talked about how seeking gratitude in the midst of change can sustain us.. This Sunday, I would like to continue that conversation by examining how life changes 'that challenge us to the core' can be ameliorated by finding solace in family and friends, noticing the natural world, hope in our faith communities, and the 'still, small voice' of our soul. Gratitude is still possible, but a gratitude based on the ineffable power of human self-knowledge.
