February’s theme is Trans Inclusion and all services will relate to that idea in some way. Some services may differ slightly from these descriptions as details of the main presentation aren’t finalized until a day or two before each service.
Sunday, February 2nd Radical Welcome Zr. Alex Kapitan
In today’s world, being a Welcoming Congregation requires more than simply opening our doors. We are at a crucial turning point—will we live into our commitment to be a home for all those who need Unitarian Universalism? In a political moment that is downright life-threatening for trans people, will we provide sanctuary and show up for trans justice? Doing so will require a welcome that transforms our hearts, our congregation, and ultimately our world. In this service Zr. Alex Kapitan, a queer and trans UU leader, will preach on what it will take to embody this sort of welcome—a radical welcome that can ultimately transform us all.
Zr. Alex Kapitan is a lay community minister, educator, editor, consultant, and activist. A trans and queer lifelong Unitarian Universalist, Alex does interfaith LGBTQ work and supports congregations in becoming places of radical welcome for all. Ze is the co-founder of the Transforming Hearts Collective, the co-leader of the program Trans Inclusion in Congregations (which our congregation is currently engaging in), and the founder of Radical Copyeditor, an anti-oppressive language project.
Our Share-the-Plate offering will go to Hillside Food Outreach. Their mission is To deliver high-quality, nutritious food that will enable low-income, chronically ill, disabled and those who are otherwise unable to access a traditional food pantry, to achieve a better quality of life. To positively impact the health and wellness of the individual and strengthen the overall community through access, education and caring hearts.
Sunday, February 9th Inclusion and Everything Ben Lowry
Yale Divnity School Seminarian Ben Lowry returns to reflect on Inclusion.
Benjamin Lowry is a first-year MDiv student at Yale Divinity School. After growing up in Boston, he studied geology in Minnesota, taught high school in Wisconsin, and directs a summer camp in New Hampshire. At YDS, he is studying how religious communities provide social support and stability and hospital chaplaincy.
Sunday, February 16th Some Goose Chases are Wilder than Others Rev. Tony Lorenzen
Rev. Tony Lorenzen reflects on the deep intimacy of personal spirituality, the deep community of healthy religion, and recovering from the trauma of spiritual abuse and bad religion.
Sunday, February 23rd P is for Pluralism
People of all ages are invited to join Jerry Phelps and Revs. Tony and Sierra-Marie for a multigenerational music and ritual-centered celebration of pluralism.