Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church

We will explore how creative imagination transforms us as people and as a community. Embracing change, exploring possibility is restorative and life-affirming.

We talk of justice as a core value, but whose justice are we addressing? Modern liberatory theologies challenge many of the traditional theologies we are comfortable with. The recording opens with the Northlake choir performing “There is More Love Somewhere” and ends with “Freedom is Coming.”

This year begins an election year, with a real threat to democracy. Rev. Nancy will talk about the role the church has in defending democracy from the pulpit and within the congregation.

The Unitarian Universalist Association is evaluating Article 2 of their bylaws. The Commission developed a statement saying “The purpose of the Unitarian Universalist Association is to actively engage its members in the transformation of the world through liberating Love… Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values.” Let us talk about the theology of love and then the practice of love.

This episode features several of the elements you might find at a Northlake multi-generational service. It begins with a story from Rev. Nancy, titled “Oriented x3.” Then Dave leads us as we sing Hymn 1003, “Where Do We Come From?” Then Nancy tells us about the UUA Action Center. Hymn 1014 “Answering the Call of Love.” Margaret tells the story of Martha Sharp. We engage in a spiritual practice of blowing bubbles. Musical Response: “Healing Is Possible.” Reading: ”Side With Love” by Lisa Friedman – read by Nancy, Margaret, and Mariana. Hymn 1056, “Be Ours A Religion” Benediction: “To Serve, To Grow and to Love” by Kent McKusick

The Northlake vision is that we light a beacon for love & justice. We will explore how the UUA faith is a beacon, and what we might do at Northlake to shine our light in the world.

In the busy-ness of our lives we get focused on completing tasks and meeting obligations. This may distract us from those things that are deeply important to our lives. We will explore how we can reorient ourselves toward what deepens our hearts and spirits.

Excerpts from our Music Sunday Service. Pieces include: Hymn #123 “Spirit of Life” arr. Mark Freundt; Choir – “Welcome Table” arr. Mark Hayes; Choir – “I’ve Been in the Storm So Long” by Jeffrey Ames; alto soloist – Sarah Grant; Poem – “I am in Need of Music” by Elizabeth Bishop; Offertory Music – Klavierstück D. 946 no 1 in E flat minor by Schubert played by Maria Khavin; Choir – “Agnus Dei” From Mass for String Orch. & Piano by Steve Dobrogosz; Choir – “I Know I’ve Been Changed” arr. D. Dandridge; alto soloist – Sarah Grant; Benediction – “As We Listen to the Blessing of Music” by Maureen Killoran; Youth Orchestra – “Ashokan Farewell” Jay Ungar, with additional words by Melissa Ahern; alto soloist – Cyndy Jones

This recording opens with a reading of “Yes, I Want To Live In A Welfare State” by Paul Stephan Dodenhoff. Then a sermon by Rev. Nancy Reid-McKee: There is growing awareness of a housing shortage. There are increasing number of people without a home, and people unable to afford what housing is coming available. Is there a way we can use the resources we have as a congregation to address this?

One of the core values of our faith is democracy, and the right for us to have a say in how we are governed and led. But how well is the traditional democratic process working? And are there other ways for us to participate in decision making. We will explore this further. A sermon from Rev. Nancy Reid-McKee