Sermons & Newsletter – UU Church of Rutland

Rev. Barnaby serves the Champlain Valley UU Society, in Middlebury. He will bring some life to our Universalist heritage that culminates in some insight about religious passion from Rev. Emma Bailey, a largely forgotten Universalist minister from Wilmington, Vt., who was active in rural Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York in the late 19th and early 20th century.

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In November of 2020 Gaye led a service for the Mt. Mansfield UU Fellowship reflecting on political and social upheavals of the past four years and trying to come to terms with where UU principles offer guidance for navigating a path to seeing over the walls of division that are so prevalent in our world today. She’s updated those thoughts based on events since the election, but cautions that folks should not come to the service expecting clear answers or advice about the future. She looks forward to sharing her reflections and learning from the experiences and outlook of the Rutland congregation.

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After the past year, what have we learned, and what are we still struggling with, when it comes to reconciling science and belief? This will be delve more into the book Why Trust Science? by Naomi Oreskes.

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The truth is that all of life involves change, whether we’re prepared for it or not. But we anticipate an easing of Covid and embrace the possibility of more “normal” church for next year (fingers crossed!), so it’s a good time to examine what we’ve all learned about change. How can these last many months inform us going forward?

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What happens when practical jokes and religion mix? How easily can we be fooled about not only trivia but also about important things? Is there a hunger for hoaxes?

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Many people now describe their religious attitude as spiritual but not religious. I find that, after a life spent connected to churches and congregations, religious but not spiritual probably fits me better.

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As we commit ourselves to “Side With Love”, join Matthew Pargater-Villarreal for a reflection on what it means for those of us in the LGBTQIA+ community to make the decision to come out and be ourselves -often in the midst of insurmountable odds- and how we can love, support, and celebrate all of those in the LGBTQIA+ community who are important members of our church family.

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Where do UUs find hope – where do humans in general find it? What’s the difference between hope and blind optimism, or naiveté, or being a Pollyanna? Emily Dickinson says “hope is a thing with feathers” which makes it sound rather fleeting: is there a source of hope that endures?

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Meditations on Love and Critical Thinking Since there has been language, people have tried to explain love. Sometimes they have gotten it right… and sometimes not.

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Topic:  A Taoist Way from an Educator and Artist, Dustin Kemp (from Mt. Mansfield UU Fellowship)
How Taoist concepts drive the way I educate, do art, and approach life.

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