Archives: Services

“Blessing of the Animals” with Jim Scott!

We have a very special human guest for this year’s fun, multi-generational service: UU musician Jim Scott. Jim’s music celebrates our interdependence with all living things, appropriate to this service of gratitude for the blessings received from animal companions. We welcome well-behaved, non-anxious pets** to be with the congregation, and photos of those pets who stay home. Zooming in? — show your pet or photo for a virtual blessing. Music by Jim Scott and CUF Choir, Michael Thompson, Director. **Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.

Turn the Other Ear: Listening to Our Enemies

With the election season cacophony of voices all around us, we may wish to avoid listening of any kind, let alone deep listening. Rev. Sarah draws from Quaker, Buddhist, and UU teachings in exploring the question: How can we center love, listening deeply to those we do not like?
Music by Laura Van Abbema & Colleen Springer-Lopez. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)

Invite a Friend Sunday

What drew you to this Unitarian Universalist congregation? What were your questions, your hopes and fears? Rev. Sarah talks about the oldest (covenant) and newest (values statement) hallmarks of UUism,
and CUF folks share their memories of coming or zooming in to CUF for the first time. A brief UU Q & A session follows during coffee hour. Music by Maki Ito Pardieck. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)

Invitation to a New Day

Come and help us explore the practice of life’s invitation to greet a new day. Join us as we embrace the power of inviting a new day with readings and music. Music by Stephanie Reece. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)

Until We are Perfect

Have you ever felt unable to take action for fear of failure, embarrassment, or making a bigger mess? Who hasn’t? Rev. Sarah leads this service to find the invitation to act within our flaws and failures as imperfect people in imperfect community. Music by Colleen Springer-Lopez and Laura Van Abbema. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)

Ingathering Sunday

The beginning of the church year is celebrated in joyous ritual and song. The Water Communion ceremony symbolizes the coming together of all congregation members into our UU faith community. Families and individuals are invited to bring a small amount of water from a meaningful source from the summer (for example: kitchen tap, backyard bird bath, vacation spot). There will be “stand-in” water provided so that all may share the spirit they bring to the Fellowship for the new church year. Music by the CUF Choir, Michael Thompson, Director. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)

Matin: The Practice of Invitation

Traditionally, a “matin” is a service of song and prayer. It has also been used to refer to the morning song of birds. Our version of a matin is a service of music, reflection, and blessings. Join us for meditations and music on “Invitation,” our theme for September. We’ll also reveal where our monthly themes come from, and how they are used throughout the Fellowship all year. Music by Candy Davis. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)

These Little Lights of Ours

What is your little light? And how do you let it shine? Join Laura Basanta and Bill Sasso as they explore the GRACE Model, a framework for organizing articulated by the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois. This model can help us organize and mobilize not only for justice work, but throughout the teams and activities of our Fellowship. Come ready for some sharing! Music by Curt Wilson. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)

May All Be Filled With Loving Kindness

The last service of the series challenges us to expand our compassion to all living beings, to all of the interdependent web of existence. Music by Kent and Dorothy McDaniel. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)

May You Be Filled With Loving Kindness

Building on last week’s service, Rev. Sarah invites us to practice compassion for those people, animals and plants around us. Music by Warren Bush. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)