UUShoals Programs

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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Shoals

-2013 -

Calendar of Events for June

June 2, 2013 – Ken Johnson will present, “I’m Right, You’re Biased”. Hypocrisy and other fun things we find in the mirror. Like Jesus and Buddha said, it is easy to spot a cheater when our eyes are looking outward, but hard when looking inward.

June 9, 2013 – Dr. Robert England, History Professor at NWSCC, will present, “Denominations in the American Revolution”.

June 16, 2013 – Ken Johnson will present, “Strongholds of the Mind”. Understanding how our core beliefs color and distort our worlds- and gaining some insight into how to name our “strongholds” and dismantle them.

June 23, 2013 – Ken Sizemore, singer/ musician known as “The Old Folkie” will present an acoustic program entitled, Standing on the Side of Love.

June 30, 2013 – Doug Traversa, recently ordained UU minister from Tullahoma TN, will present, “Wisdom from the Works of Kurt Vonnegut”.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Shoals

-2013 -

Calendar of Events for May

MAY 5, 2013 – James Robinson, Founder and Executive Director of GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services, Inc. will present, “The LGBT Community in Alabama” Physical, emotional, and spiritual needs we’ve recognized and our response. GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services, Inc. is dedicated to engaging in effective advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. They are committed to ensuring the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of youth and young adults struggling due to sexual orientation or gender identity issues. James Robinson has a BA in Political Science from Auburn University and MA Ed in Special Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He established GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services, Inc. after he began a personal search for deeper meaning in his life. After surviving years of drug abuse, he recognized that his struggle lay in the fact that he was living a partially closeted life as a gay man. Recognizing a greater purpose in his life he set out to provide support to people who are struggling with issues relayed to sexual orientation or gender identity. Robinson knows that many people face rejection by their families and loved ones. After finding community support, GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services, Inc., was formed in November of 2009.
Also, After service Potluck Lunch honoring Kai, our pianist and UU member Simon Mak. Both are graduating from UNA this May. Bring a dish to share if you can. We hope to see you there on Sunday.

MAY 12, 2013 - Ken Johnson with present, “Above Us Only Sky”. The idea that ethical living depended on the authority of a supernatural deity has pervaded human culture for millennia. We are now moving rapidly beyond that belief- but to what? How do we respond AFTER the death of mythical religion?

MAY 19, 2013 – Bill Parkhurst will lead a discussion on Hinduism ( Religious Literacy Project). Mr. Parkhurst states, “None of the world’s great wisdom traditions, in my opinion, covers the waterfront like Hinduism which lovingly embraces myriad manifestations of God in a richly woven tapestry of literature, art, ritual and devotion”. Let us spend a few minutes considering the breadth and depth of some of the central tenets and touchstones of this glorious and ancient faith.

MAY 26, 2013 – Ken Johnson will present, “Give me that old time religion! Really?” What characteristics must a viable religion for the 21st century include?

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Shoals

-2013 -

Calendar of Events for April

April 7, 2013 – Carl Gebhardt and Tom Osborne will present, “Christianity, Judaism, and Rome”. Carl is retired as minister of First Christian Church in Florence, but continues to preach at various places while teaching courses at UNA as an adjunct professor. Tom is retired as head of the History Department at UNA and serves as deacon at Grace Church in Sheffield. This is an abbreviated discussion of the class, by the same title, that will be taught this fall at UNA.

April 14, 2013 – Ken Johnson will present, “Cultivate Spiritual Intelligence: Develop Wisdom and Understand Life”. This is Practice 6 based on the book, Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh.

April 21, 2013 – Daphne Simpkins will present, “Wisdom’s Relationship To You”. Perspective is one stance. Wisdom is a different one. Does wisdom lead to peace and can it ever lead to fun? Or is peace a matter of perspective that is worn down over time and fun only a rumor that unwise people enjoy? In this dialogue, we will explore various ways to wisdom and attempt to find the one that best suits you and the UU perspective.

April 28, 2013 – Ken Johnson will present, “Express Spirit in Action: Embrace Generosity and the Joy of Service”. This is Practice 7 based on the book, Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Shoals

-2013 -

Calendar of Events for March

March 3, 2013 – The Blue Navigators will perform a variety of music ranging from folk, rock, and country to blues and traditional. The Blue Navigators are a local band comprised of Tim Kelley, Ernie Fite and Toni and Kenneth Brooks. They have been playing together as a band for over ten years and have been friends for much longer than that. Come enjoy a fun filled service of music.

March 10, 2013 – Ken Johnson will present, “Concentrate and Calm Your Mind”. This is the fourth lesson based on the book Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh.

March 17, 2013 – Bill Parkhurst will present, “Intimations of God- A View from the Cheap Seats”. A brief overview of what some of the world’s greatest religions/philosophies tell us about the existence and nature of God. True believers, agnostics and atheists will all have something to cheer about since when all is said and done…much more will be said than done. This presentation is in honor of Kathryn Rice who enjoys a good question more than good answers. Come and let is talk. Casual clothing encouraged.

March 24, 2013 – Ken Johnson will present, “Awaken Your Spiritual Vision: See Clearly and Recognize the Sacred in All Things”. This is the fifth lesson based on the book Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh.

March 31, 2013 – Ruth Anne Mak will present, “The Value of Digging a Really Big Hole”.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Shoals

-2013 -

Calendar of Events for February

February 3, 2013 - Ken Johnson, will present, “Cultivate Emotional Wisdom: Heal Your Heart and Learn to Love”. This is the second in a series of lessons from the book, Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh.

February 10, 2013 – ken Johnson will present, “Live Ethically: Feel Good by Doing Good”. This is the third in a series of lessons from the book, Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh.

February 17, 2013 – Daphne Simpkins, will present, “An Extravagant Love”. Sometimes giving sacrificially of our lives and time feels like bliss—the culmination of a heart’s yearning. But what about those other knocks upon our doors for various gifts and donations of our money, time and feelings? How do you rightly discern the ways you are intended to give of your means and yourself without depleting your emotions and your budget? This presentation will focus on the discussion of stewardship and sacrifice and how far we want to go in investigating the bliss of experiencing an extravagant love.

February 24, 2013 – Ethel Morgan Smith, Associate Professor of English and Poetry at West Virginia University, will present, “ The Real Help”. Ms. Smith has a M.F.A. from Hollins College in VA. She was born in Louisville, Alabama. In addition to teaching at West Virginia University, she has also taught at the University of Tubingen, Randolph Macon Woman’s College, and Virginia Tech. She is the author of From Whence Cometh My Help: The African American Community at Hollins College” which addresses the relationships between white female students and their black servants before and after the Civil War. Foundation Award. Her work has been published in national and international journals, including Callaloo and African American Review. She is also the recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship in Bellagio, Italy, a Fulbright Fellowship to Germany, Visiting Artist – American Academy Rome, DuPont Fellowship, and Brandeis University- Women’s Research Center-Visiting Fellow. Her essay “Love Means Nothing” was the winner of the 2005 Mid-Atlantic Arts

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Shoals

-2013 -

Calendar of Events for January

January 6, 2013 - Ken Johnson will present, "What are "Spiritual Practices?" What do they do and how do they do it? Mr. Johnson will begin a series of talks on the seven practices from the book Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh.

January 13, 2013 - Chuck Morgret, member at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tullahoma, TN and Aerospace Engineer, will present, "The Neverending Story". The latest chapter in his ongoing spiritual journey, in which he explores some interesting parallels and overlaps between religious traditions, and further attempts to weave themes into some sort of universal truth. He will leave you with some new perspectives to ponder.

January 20, 2013 - Ken Johnson will present, "Transform Your Motivation: Reduce Your Craving and Find Your Soul's Desire". This lesson will be based on the book Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh.

January 27, 2013 - David Walton, singer/songwriter from Sheffield will present an acoustic program of original music on guitar and bamboo flute.