Celebrants are encouraged to submit their messages for inclusion
here.
(Messages are also listed by speaker and by title.)
2010
April 25
Message. The G Word. [Patti Logan] Today we are looking at our common search for meaning. What do you call that which inspires and compels you? What connects you with life? Many of those words start with the letter G, so we are tongue in cheek calling the talk today The G Word. Let's see how many words we can come up with for the unnameable Sacred that start with the letter G.
Message. The Stories We Tell Ourselves. [Jim Fulton] We often explain what we do with stories, anecdotes, or parables that have a power over our lives far beyond their simple form. They are "true" for us even though they are not literally true. How do we deal with the challenge of merging our own stories with those of others?
Message: It Might Have Been Otherwise. Spiritual gratitude. [Arlene Anderson]
January 24
Message: Buttons, Buttons, Who Pushed My Buttons? Much of the dysfunctionality (the "Hell") we find in families, churches and work groups derives from “pushing buttons”, that is, doing or saying things that trigger defensive responses. But those complex responses are an essential part of the way we develop relationships. There be dragons here! [Jim Fulton]
Songs - Lyrics for Oh Shendandoah, They Call the Wind Maria, and Good Night Irene
Message: Spirits Behind Bars. This service reflects on the nature of souls in prison and what UUs have to offer. Rev. Dr. Emily Brault is a chaplain at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon's only state prison for women. She is affiliated as a community minister at Atkinson Memorial Church in Oregon City, OR. In her spare time she takes naps and chases her 2 year old son around the house.
January 10
Message: Martin Luther King, Advocate for All. [Carlene Cloud] This service will celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., and his impact on all of us.
January 3
Message: PhoenixCommunion. [Jim Fulton] We begin the year with a service of healing of the spirit. The Phoenix Communion rebuilds relationships within our community from the ashes of dysfunction, and enables us to face the new year with love and trust.
Message: 2009 Reflections. [Patti Logan] A look back of the accomplishments of the past year.
December 20
No services
December 13
A Unitarian Universalist Advent Calendar. [William Graves] Today (December 13) we start the "twelve days of Christmas", a familiar song and an advent tradition of anticipation. Let's take a look at the twelve gifts of Christmas corresponding to each of the days. We just might reclaim the spirit of the season in spite of all the commercialism and banality it has become infected with.
December 6
The Status of All Souls. [Jim Fulton] Can we, should we survive? This sermon opens a discussion of All Souls' financial situation, and begins a conversation among the membership of what we should do.
November 29
Message: We Respond To The Cry of the Poor. [Selena Kilmoyer] We the citizens of Thurston County who are invested in Responding to the Cry of the Poor, vision together what Thurston County will be like without homelessness. As people of faith, we can join together and lean into the enormous challenges in the pro-active effort to dare to end homelessness in Thurston County.
November 22
Message: Guest at Your Table. [Billie
Clark] This is our annual support for the UUA Guest at Your Table program.
November 15
Message: Morality and the Selfish Gene. [Jim Fulton] If evolution always favors the strongest, how is it that a concept of ethical or moral behavior could emerge? This service will examine some computer simulations, reported by Doug Hofstader, which shed some light on the question.
November 8
Message: Others Beyond Self. [Richelle Lanning] Join us as we pay homage to the Men and Women of the MIlitary forces in celebrating Veretan's Day. Having been in the military, plus continuing to work for the military as a civilian, Richelle Lanning , has first-hand knowledge of the sacrifices that are being made.
November 1
Message: The Religion of our DNA, [Rev. Jim Anderson] Out of our genetic structure comes behaviors and characteristic that defines us as primates, as Homo Sapiens, as human. The beliefs that evolve from these behaviors and characteristics lay the foundation for human religions, our daily decisions, and our very survival. This sermon will explore the core religion that emerges from our genes and the ways it affects how we love, fight, touch and sing every day.
October 25
Message: On Being Part of a Whole, [Jim Fulton] Panentheism
is the belief that God is the living universe, not some spirit outside
the universe. God is to the universe as you and I are to our bodies. Whether
you believe in such a theology, there seems to be something very spiritual
about the idea that we are each contributing parts of a meaningful whole.
Message: Roots. [Billie
Clark] With this service we begin an examination of the "roots" of Unitarian Universalism. Throughout the church year, we periodically have services that will show a better understanding of our Unitarian Universalism heritage. We will also be creating a new banner for our Sanctuary during this exploration that will illustrate our journey.
October 11
Message: This Thing Called Prayer. Jackie Huetter has assisted with coordination of Sound Care Kids through Providence Home Care & Hospice Program, Bereavement Assistance, and 30 years as hospice companion. We welcome Jackie to our All Souls pulpit.
Message: I Believe - A Universalist Catechism. [Jim Fulton] UU's
are often accused of not believing anything religious. The UU principles
seem to be political principles, not religious ones. I suggest that there
are some genuinely religious principles on which you and I, as universalists,
probably agree. Second of two parts on modern universalism.
September 20
Message: I Am ....[Jim Fulton] Is Universalism
just another religion among many? I suggest that our relationship to the
faiths of the world is complex, interesting and unique. I will explore
this idea with respect to the faiths depicted on the Phoenix Circle. First of two parts on modern universalism.
Message: Simple Words for Life? [Homer Wilkins] The
twentieth century was characterized by a kind of rebellion against explicit
expressors of idealism. Yet we all seem to crave simple formulae for success
or happiness. How do we deal with our need for simple answers in a complex
and cynical world?
September 6
Message: Water Communion. [Billie
Clark] Coming
together for a traditional Water Communion. Bring sample of water from
your travels or from some where special that has meaning to you. We will
join the waters to symbolize our coming back together for the next church
year full of hope and promise of deepening our spiritual journey as a community.
August 30
Message: Joy. [Cheryl D'Angelo-Gary]
Completion of our summer program and our examination of Virtues with
a focus on Joy. Learn to enjoy what you do; rather than do what you enjoy.
It is not always possible to do things that one enjoys. But if you learn
the art of joyful living, even seemingly boring chores can bring you joy.
"
Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must
have somebody to divide it with
"
Mark Twain.
August 23
Message: Honesty. [Annaliese
D’Angelo] The service
will focus on the importance of the virtue of Honesty.
"
If you tell the truth you don't have anything to remember.
"
Mark Twain.
August 16
Message: Courage. [Patti Logan] The brave person
is not one who is never afraid. People of courage are afraid....they just
move through their fear to the next step. So, who and what is a HERO? We
will explore COURAGE and how we can be BRAVE in the small trials of our
lives.
"
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed
is always to try just one more time.
"
Thomas Edison . This is a multi-generational service.
August 9
Message: Perserverence. [Carlene Cloud] Stick-to-it-ness
has a lot to do with getting the right answers
"
"
Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every
time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little
jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves.
"
~Dale Carnegie
August 2
Message: Work - A Virtue? [Jim Fulton] Come and join us for
tales and songs about work. Maybe we can learn something.
