February’s theme is Trust 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, March 2nd Four-Way Stop Rev. Tony Lorenzen
Rev. Tony reflects on the power of culture to shape us and how culture shapes attitudes. He asks us to reflect on what parts of culture we’re willing to exchange for putting our faith in the power transformation and growth. This is part five of our Transgender Inclusion in the Congregation series.
Our Share-the-Plate offering will go to Triangle Community Center (TCC). Their mission
aims to support, advocate for, and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community in Fairfield County and beyond through programming focused on wellbeing, community, and learning. TCC provides programming, resources, and education to nurture growth and connection within and for the LGBTQ+ community and has free support, recovery, and social groups that cater to our diverse community of LGBTQ+ folks, their families, friends, and allies.
Sunday, March 9th We Need Each Other Jeremy Klein Farrell
Guest Speaker Jeremy Klein Farrell will talk with us about how we tend to close ourselves off in dark and frightening times. Our instincts are to turn inward, but we forget how much we need the support of those around us, and how much they need us. Nobody can do this alone, we need each other.
Jeremy Klein Farrell is a queer, autistic, Jewish activist. He is an Autism Advocate and public speaker professionally. He is an admin for Not Just Us, which holds rallies around the state. Jeremy is also coordinator for Justice Southbury, holding rallies for 235 consecutive weeks, where he has learned the true power of love, presence, and persistence. He has also pushed back on LGBTQ+ focused book bans.
Sunday, March 16th Trusting Ourselves and Each Other Rev. Michael Tino
Rev. Michael Tino reflects on when bearing witness becomes a radical theological act? We are called to bear witness to those whom our society wants to remain hidden and also to create a space where we need not hide ourselves. We will bear witness together and in doing so honor humanity, worth, dignity, and love.
Rev. Dr. Michael Tino is a Unitarian Universalist minister on the lead team of the Church of the Larger Fellowship, our faith’s online and direct mail ministry. He previously served on the UUA Board of Directors and currently serves on the Ministerial Fellowship Committee. Before entering the ministry he worked in cell biology, a field in which he holds a Ph.D. Originally from New York City, Rev. Michael now lives in Peekskill, NY, with their husband and daughter.
Sunday, March 23rd Having Faith Rev. Tony Lorenzen
Rev. Tony leads a multi-gen service on how to build trust.
Sunday, March 30th Finding the Courage to Act Deborah Tickell
Guest speaker Deborah Tickell reflects on living into her baptismal vows to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself; strive for justice and peace among all people; and respect the dignity of every human being” in our current world.
A cradle Episcopalian, Deb Tickell has extensive experience in youth ministry and congregational development and has held secular employment in public relations and event planning in both the for profit and not-for-profit arenas. Deb grew up in Connecticut. In 2005, she and her then-young family relocated to the Phoenix Valley in Arizona. While in Arizona, she served as Youth Director at St. Peter’s, Litchfield Park. Together with her now wife (an Episcopal priest), she co-founded the Emmaus Episcopal Church community in Surprise, AZ. When Emilie was called to another parish, Deb continued to lead the Emmaus community for over five years as (solo) Lay Missioner/Vicar, responsible for liturgy planning, officiating and preaching weekly worship services in person and online, pastoral care, Christian formation, and community and ministry development. She also served the Diocese of Arizona as a Facilitator of Anti-Racism Training and as a catalyst for the establishment of a Committee for LGBTQIA+ Inclusion and Ministry. She returned to Connecticut in 2023. She is wife, mother of two amazing young adults, and human companion to a beloved (and overly possessive) cat and an adoring black lab.