Archives: Services

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.)

May I Be Filled With Loving Kindness

Part One of “The Gift of Compassion” Sunday Service trilogy focuses on having compassion for oneself. Drawing from Lisa Olivera’s blogpost “How Do I Keep Going?” and other resources, Rev. Sarah invites us to practice inward loving kindness. Music by Maki Ito Pardieck. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)

Ensuring Justice Through the Gift of Freedom

Please join members of the Reproductive Justice Group as they reflect on this past year as the Social Justice Action for CUF. A few members will share personal stories, as well as a look back at our UUA grant, comfort bag assemblies, and the books and films that have been shared this past year. Music by Terri Sullivan. (Services are in person and on Zoom.)