Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Informal intimate worship service at 10:30 am across the street at Headwaters. If you can help with chair set-up, snacks or decor, please come at 9:45. (The Labyrinth will be in our Great Hall. Come directly to Headwaters)

Please return your filled "Guest at Your Table" boxes with coins or a check made out to UUSC, memo: Guest at your Table -- before the end of the year. Eileen Adee, our UUSC rep, will be collecting.

We enjoy a tapestry of readings, music, laughter and silence in this family Christmas celebration. A wonderful evening to share with family and friends.

Family Service. In the tradition of Dylan Thomas we present three recollections of childhood of Christmases by RVUUF members who did not live in the U.S.A. Choir music will include a Huron Indian carol and a Spanish lullaby.

Please return your filled Guest at Your Table Boxes with coin or check made out to UUSC, memo: “Guest at your table” before the end of the year. Eileen Adee, our UUSC rep, will be collecting.

10:15-10:30: Christmas carol sing-along. Come early and raise your voices.

Rev. Hanson.
According to tradition, three magi followed the light of a star, seeking a newborn king or sage, and found Jesus in Bethlehem. In contrast, those looking for the return of the sun gather and wait for winter solstice. Are you a waiter, or a seeker? And do you know what it is you hope to find?

Order of Service

RVUUF has received the following request for help from the Pacific Northwest District Office: “Many communities in the Pacific Northwest were impacted by the recent storms battering the Oregon and Washington coasts and further inland. We have heard from the Rev. Christine Riley that the UU Community Church of Washington County (Hillsboro, OR) has mounted an effort to replenish the food bank in Vernonia, OR which lost all its stores due to power outages and extensive flooding. Vernonia, one of the communities served by UUCCWC, is a small town in the coastal range dependent on the wood products industry. Checks to RVUUF, memo: Vernonia FB. Followup: Thank you letter & photos

Interfaith Winter Concert follows in the afternoon.

Guest speaker Dr. Arthur Kreisman was the founder of this fellowship in 1953. For many years he enjoyed teaching at SOU and served as Dean of Liberal Arts. His extensive understanding of comparative religions serves as background for the morning Exploration.

Order of Service

Many who heard Arthur Kreisman’s pulpit presentation on Dec. 9th were so taken with it that we are posting it here. Concerned that readers might incorrectly believe he wrote it for our service (even though he stated that he received it in 2003), he asked us to clarify that similar thoughts have been circulating for some years, usually identified as from an “author unknown.” The earliest version of which he is aware was written by a Bo Lozoff and published in 1989 in the newsletter of the Human Kindness Foundation. That reading and more on its early history may be found at http://www.humankindness.org/godletter.html

Important Congregational Meeting follows the service.

Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson
We worry about the infrastructure of our cities and highways, guesstimating and planning for future needs, wear and tear, and resistance to earthquakes. What about our “Spiritual Infrastructure” ? Our choir will sing, and we will have guest musicians.

Food collection for Ashland Emergency Food Bank.

Order of Service

Rev. Hanson
With no specific creed, and UU’s of so many views about religion, is there anything we all hold as a common belief? We’ll explore these and other intriguing ideas about our beliefs.

Order of Service

24th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration.
At Wesley Hall behind First United Methodist Church of Ashland (corner of Laurel and North Main St). Theme: “Creative Giving in Our Community.” A variety of traditions will be represented, including RVUUF. Bring your ideas and experiences to the Celebration on posters to be put up on the walls. Information: Robin, 535-1361

Thanksgiving potluck dinner at RVUUF

Rev. Hanson.
With Thanksgiving this week, what will it mean to you and the people you share it with? Were there Unitarians at Plymouth Rock? What’s the difference between a Pilgrim and a Puritan? Also we’ll learn about the UUSC Guests at our Table project. Our choir will sing, and we’ll have a recognition of new members.

Order of Service

A Special Offering will benefit Safe Passage -- this organization empowers the poorest at-risk children of the community in Guatemala City Garbage Dump, by creating opportunities and fostering dignity though the power of education. Within a safe and caring environment, every child participates in an integrated program that fosters optimism, good health, educational achievement, self-esteem and confidence. Make checks to RVUUF, Memo: Safe Passage.

Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson.
I thought I was pretty unbiased. Then I stepped into the “cow pies” of unaware racism. And I continued to make unintended mistakes. How about you? What in the world can we do about it?

Join Selma McAlaster and other members of the congregation in celebrating the United Nations and our UU involvement. Our RE Elementary class will read the UN “Convention of the Rights of the Child.” LeRoy Owens will make a short presentation on Paul Robeson, Citizen of the World, then sing “Old Man River,” Robeson’s signature song. Our choir will also sing.

Food collection for Ashland Emergency Food Bank.

“New to RVUUF” orientation afterwards for newcomers and others.
(Don’t forget to change your clocks to PST at 2:00 AM .)

Guest Joanne Lescher will give us some insight into how and when to use tools of “Compassionate Communication” in promoting our UU Principles and working with one another.

RVUUF Nov Compassionate Communication workshop

Unusual things happen in the Van Gogh Café and you leave with a different perspective on the world. Guest speaker is the Rev. Keith Kron, the director of Identity-Based Ministries at the Unitarian Universalist Association. An engaging speaker, Rev. Kron was a school librarian before he entered UU ministry. Members: stay for lunch and our Ministerial Search-sponsored workshop Beyond Categorical Thinking. Our choir will sing.

We will take up a special offering for the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center. This organization provides support, events and counseling for the Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgender (GLBT) community. It also provides small amounts to SOU students, speakers for community corganizations, Black and White Ball, Pride Week, and Lambda awards to people who contribute to the GLBT community.

Rev. Hanson. This is the Auction Sermon won by David Baker. Our choir will sing.

Reflections from our own Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson

George Young will be performing -- with him will be our own Alan Berman on piano, and Jim Calhoun on bass. George Young has dedicated his life and career to playing the saxophone, performing virtually all types of music ranging from classical to jazz. He was the lead sax player for five years on NBC's "Saturday Night Live", and spent years in New York recording studios playing behind such great artists as Frank Sinatra, Lena Horn, Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Barry Manilow, Steely Dan, John Lennon, Louis Bellson's Big Band, Benny Goodman, and hundreds of others. He is also a prolific composer and has several of his own albums to his credit.

George has received numerous awards including the "Most Valuable Player Award" for five consecutive years (1982-1986) on his instruments: sopranino, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet, flute, alto flute, piccolo and ethnic flutes, from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. And, in 1987, he was the recipient of the prestigious "Virtuoso Award".

Food collection for Ashland Emergency Food Bank

Rev Hanson and RVUUF members will share different ideas and experiences about religion and religious community. This will be one of a series of “Quilt” services this year. Our children will be on a field trip.

Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson will begin a series on four spiritualities, nodding at Ganesh (Hindu god of success) as well as a few other idols and idolatries, including our own. Choir will sing.

Rev. Hanson will look with the Ministerial Search Committee and the Long Range Planning Committee at the Search Survey results. Children will meet their religious education leaders.

Heather Lynn Hanson.
Intergenerational service. Children will participate with their parents. We come together to celebrate our UU fellowship and the growing spirit that animates our community. Bring water to share during our Gathering of the Waters ceremony -- an ounce or less will be enough -- and think of eight (8) words that describe where your water came from or the summer highlight it represents. The service will include a short skit with our intergenerational RVUUF cast, as we search for the Wizard of UUs. [right, that's UUs not OOZ]. Our choir will sing.

Tom Owens. We tend to judge our lives in terms of how much progress we are making toward our goals, forgetting to value the present moment, and cherish the journey itself. Come and explore how we can increase our mindfulness and remind ourselves to dwell in the Now.

Food collection for Ashland Emergency Food Bank

Our favorite Hindu-oriented philosopher and teacher Robin Noll will offer her unique perspective and words of wisdom.

This service will feature the above-named dramatic reading written by UU Minister, the Rev. Dr. Robert Kaufmann. The reading, to be narrated by Jan Waitt, presents imagined - and not unlikely - statements by, and conversations among, the progenitor of Unitarianism in Transylvania, Francis Dahveed (read by Dave Johnson); Martin Luther (Don Dolan); John Calvin (Dave Baker); Dr. Giorgio Biandrata (Alan Berman), who had come from Italy to help establish Unitarianism in Poland; Queen Isabella Zapolya (Margaret St. Clair), power behind the thrown of her son, King John Sigismund; and King John Sigismund Zapolya (Ed Fremouw).

No regular service will be held at the Unitarian Center, as we will be on our all-fellowship retreat to Camp Latgawa. Please join us there for a service under the pines led by Louise Paré and Julie Excell.

Julie Excell. Come and explore how poetry can be considered an essential and renewing element in our religious lives and discourse as Unitarian Universalists.

Food collection for Ashland Emergency Food Bank

Unitarian Universalism issues no dogma and prescribes no creed. At RVUUF, we often open our Sunday services with a plea to “believe thoughtfully.” Doing so requires intellectual honesty and a taste for critical thinking. Our pulpit guest, Robert L. Semes, will explore these traits and practices. Bob is a retired professor of history, religion, and philosophy and a former Episcopal priest. He is the founder and currently Executive Director of The Jefferson Center, in Ashland.

The World Shift Game and How to Play It: Training for new leadership for the new world paradigm.

RVUUF is honored to have Dr. Jean Houston, internationally-recognized author, scholar, teacher and visionary in our pulpit. "The Universe is holding its breath... waiting for you to take your place."  ~ Jean Houston

Dr. Jean Houston is the author of more than twenty books including A Passion for the Possible, The Possible Human, Public Like a Frog, A Mythic Life: Learning to Live Our Greater Story, The Passion of Isis and Osiris, and Jump Time.  A world-renowned scholar, philosopher and researcher, she is regarded as one of the principal founders of the Human Potential Movement, and the first to incorporate the labyrinth as a tool for spiritual exploration in modern times.

Along with her husband Dr. Robert Masters, Dr. Houston founded The Foundation for Mind Research. She is also the founder and principal teacher of the Mystery School, a program of cross-cultural, mythic and spiritual studies, dedicated to teaching history, philosophy, the New Physics, psychology, anthropology, myth and the many dimensions of human potential. The Mystery School is in its 24th year and takes place on both the east and west coasts.

Where do ethics come from? Do people need the concept of God in order to have morals and ethics? The Humanists will explore the biological and cultural history of ethics and try to answer the question "What inspires people to do good things?" A short talk back discussion will follow.

Diane Werich will lead us in the consideration of some fascinating questions: How might your life have been different if God was the Goddess, the gnostics had won the battle for Christianity, or the patriarchy had been the matriarchy? We will try to imagine further what the balance of male/ female might look like. Come with your mind open to stretch into a new way.

Selma McAlaster will deliver this thought-provoking sermon by UU Minister Hannah Wells of Austin, Texas.

Food collection for Ashland Emergency Food Bank

Gene Burnett, a T'ai-Chi teacher and singer/songwriter, will lead this service, and include some original songs.

There will be a Question Box in the Foyer, or you may email a question to Heather Lynn any time until June 12. She will speak to your questions. (No guarantees on whether she knows the "right" answers.)

Paradox, ambiguity, and 21st century dilemmas—a dialogue between Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson  and Rev. Rich Lang of SOU and Omega House.  Many UUs gave up on "God" when they were young.  Others continue to find meaning in "Immortal Love" or "the Mystery beyond."  How have concepts about God changed in the last 20 years, and has that changed how "serious theists" relate to their deity?

Part II of Waltzing with Pandas, Chihuahuas and Bears. Rev. Hanson
What do ministers think their role is? And what do you expect? An opportunity to reflect on the different qualities and skills it takes to waltz with grace and safety and a sense of direction in this particular congregation.

“New to RVUUF” will be held after the service. This is an orientation to our faith and community, open to newcomers and those considering membership in RVUUF.

Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson.

Rev. Hanson. Some Thoughts about Ministers and Ministry. Also the RE Huzzah! in which we recognize the work of our RE teachers and volunteers. Choir will sing. Congregational meeting follows.

Flower communion is one of our few UU traditions, beautiful and inspiring. Everyone is encouraged to bring a flower or spray of blossoms to share during the service. During the service we will also appreciate those who have "mothered" us in ways that nurtured and strengthened us. Our choir will sing music by Bobby McFerrin.

Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson.  Special music by members of the Portland First UU Handbell choir.

RVUUF Environmental Action Group with Guest Speaker Molly Sullivan from Nature Conservancy. A special opportunity after the service to see ways to live more lightly on the earth.

Electric cars to visit Ashland
Little green Xebras roll into Ashland

An original script by the Rev. Annie Holmes, who is bringing the Umpqua Readers Theater team. We promise a stimulating service, with congregational response following.

Rev. Rick Davis, from Salem UU Church, will present a workshop following the service guiding us through the development of a mutual Covenant of Right Relationships.  We’re looking for 75 members and friends to remain for lunch and the workshop.

An intergenerational service of celebration, with wonderful music, thoughtful words, and activities for the children.

Rev. Hanson. We in the Rogue Valley live close to the wilderness, but most of us go into it for recreation. Not so the Hebrews fleeing bondage, nor the Separatist Pilgrims, nor the American slaves seeking freedom. Not so those who find themselves in a wilderness in their own minds.

Jeannie Gagné will speak

If you worked or lived overseas for a while, and would be willing to share a piece of insight from that time about efforts to bridge cultures and build justice, please drop me a note right away.

In honor of International Women's Month, the Junior Youth class will bring to life the power of the lives of outstanding UU women in this intergenerational service. Celebrating how they lived our Principles will inspire us to be outstanding women and men in these changing times.

Daylights Savings Begins.

Rev. Hanson. We’ll begin with a strange Sufi tale of a mystical djinn and a bureaucrat who left his secure job to respond to a call.

What is or has been your “vocation?”
Were you called to a cause, a task, a profession, or a work community? 
Have you followed more than one calling?
What did you learn that makes you wiser today?
Are you ready for a new call?

Rev. Hanson will delve into a topic on her mind. And... “Lions and Dragons and Drums, Oh My!” The children will help us celebrate the Chinese New Year, along with the choir and guest musician Brian Kerns.

Guest speaker Hideko Tamura-Snider, who is a Hiroshima survivor, will share a powerful presentation on creative and constructive ways to create community and peace.  She will be available afterward to sign her book, One Sunny Day.

Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson. What kinds of democracy “work” and when do they not? Consider the different “democratic” societies around the world, and in our own communities. And what about “consensus?” Does that violate our Fifth Principle? Choir will sing.

Bicycle with Rev. Hanson through the Fourth Principle of Unitarian Universalism.
Homework for extra gold stars: find and bring two definitions, descriptions or jokes about “truth” or “meaning” and note what tradition or philosophy they came from.

Rev. Hanson: No, not the play of similar title, but an exploration of our Third Principle: “Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.”  Choir will sing.

Milly Mularky: Title TBA, but probably not “Everything you wanted to know about Search Committees BWATA.” Milly Mularky is our district Ministerial Settlement Representative.  She has the whole scoop on how we can do an effective search for our next minister.

Rev. Hanson: Martin Luther King Jr. referred to himself as a Drum Major for Freedom and Justice. Choir will sing

Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson: (Hey, did anybody bring a map?)