January 3, 2016 Rev. Matt Alspaugh Part 1 – Ordinary Confessions Introduction The theme for this month is Resistance, a powerful theme that seems to break two ways. There’s personal resistance – refusing to change, avoiding something new, such as my perennial resistance to writing New Years Resolutions. Then there’s communal resistance, in particular for … Continue reading Sermon: Jan 3 – “Confessions of the Ordinary Kind”
As part of our work on racial justice, we recognize that a disproportionate number of black men are incarcerated in this country, and when they are released, opportunities for employment are limited. The Certificate of Qualification for Employment makes it easier for such returning citizens to obtain employment. This clinic will help returning citizens complete … Continue reading CQE Clinic Saturday, Feb 27 from 10am-2pm
What are your deepest, darkest secrets, those you shared with no one? A “regret, fear, betrayal, desire, confession, or childhood humiliation” — these are the kinds of secrets sought by the amazing mail art project called postsecret. We’ll explore such secrets, and what might happen if we do share them. Worship Leader: Matt Alspaugh
Sometimes the things we receive are just as we expected, and sometimes they are a complete surprise. We explore how expected and unexpected gifts (of grace) play into our lives. We will follow this service with a variation on our tradition of a Boxing Day white elephant gift exchange. Please bring one or two wrapped … Continue reading Dec 27 – “Expected and Unexpected Gifts”
Dec. 27, 2015 Matt Alspaugh Introduction Tis the season! Of returns and exchanges, for some of us. For others, lamenting the gifts we expected but did not receive. For others still, it’s the time to be thinking about regifting possibilities. There’s lots of advice out there about regifting — advice that is undoubtedly hard earned. … Continue reading Sermon: Dec 27, 2015 – “Expected and Unexpected Gifts”
Homily – Calling Back the Light Dec. 20, 2015 Matt Alspaugh Eight years ago almost to this day, I hit a particularly difficult time in my life. Without going into the details, my whole future was suddenly in question. I sank into a pit of despair, unable to talk with anyone about the situation. But … Continue reading Sermon: Dec 20, 2015 – Solstice – “Calling Back the Light”
Winter solstice services focuses on ‘Calling Back the Light’ A little press about our Sunday Solstice service: “Calling Back the Light,” a winter solstice service planned at First Unitarian Universalist Church, rejoices in the “light and hope.” The Rev. Matt Alspaugh, pastor, said the church has conducted such services from time to time. Some were … Continue reading Vindicator Article: “Winter solstice services focuses on ‘Calling Back the Light’”
David Brooks, in his recent book, The Road to Character, claims that we spend much of our adult lives building “résumé virtues” at the expense of “eulogy virtues”. We concentrate on career skills at the expense of the “eulogy virtues” people talk about at our funeral—“whether [we] were kind, brave, honest or faithful. . . … Continue reading Dec 13 – “Making Our ‘Moral Bucket List’” – Karen O’Malia
Winter Solstice—Dec 20 We are delighted to announce that Burning Sage, who performed music last year for UUYO’s Winter Solstice service, will return this year for a full concert on the Winter Solstice, Dec 20. Doors open at 5pm. The show will start at 6pm. Tickets cost $17 in advance and include a dinner with … Continue reading Burning Sage Returns Dec 20
In Dickensian England, the phrase “having expectations” meant you expected to inherit wealth upon the death of a relative. Which seems both crass and morbid to us. But what do we mean by expectation? What happens when we expect too much? Or too little? In this dark time of the year, we explore authentic expectation. … Continue reading Dec 6 – “Great Expectations and Not-So-Great Expectations”
