Belonging at CUF
New CUF President and retired SIU law professor Gene Basanta will share his thoughts on what it means to belong at the Fellowship. Music by Candy Davis. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)
Topic: Belonging
To feel a belonging to a place or people is a universal human desire which exists in tension with our American extreme individualism. We deeply value diversity in our congregation and the very fact that we participate in the rituals and actions of the Fellowship demonstrates our need to feel we belong. This month, we invite you to reflect on the theme as an individual who seeks/finds a sense of belonging, and as a member of the congregation that seeks to provide that feeling to all who enter our space, whether virtual or physical. When have you felt you belonged somewhere/to some people? When
have you felt that at CUF? What can you do to help others feel that they belong? What can we, the congregation do to foster belonging?
Belonging to the Web
Quaker teacher Douglas Steer reminds us “The ancient question, “Who am I?” inevitably leads to a deeper one: “Whose am I?” – because there is not identity outside of relationship. You cannot be a person by yourself.” Rev. Sarah leads this service about our relationships of belonging, not only to other humans, but also to the land and planet we live on. Music by Beth Davis. (Services are in-person and on Zoom.)
Ingathering
Our annual service marking the beginning of a new church year is all about belonging – how we all belong to each other, and how our congregation belongs in the world. Our water communion ritual will be adapted to include folks joining online. Each person/family is invited to bring a little water/have water ready at home to participate. Music by Curt Wilson. After the service, on the patio, we’ll share coffee and refreshments.
September Matin: a Service of Music, Meditation, and Blessing
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 on Belonging, our theme for September, and music by TeeKae Kelly and Bob Swenson. (Services are in person and on Zoom.)