UUCCI

Many non-indigenous people know very little about the everyday life of Native Americans in this country. As we continue our three part series on Indigenous Wisdom, Peoples, and Traditions, Rev. Nic will welcome two friends into dialogue around present day realities of Native Americans and how we can foster awareness, solidarity, and justice with indigenous people and communities in our area.

During this service we will reflect on whiteness as related to the study and practice of Indigenous spiritual traditions. Should white people practice these traditions? If so, how do we do so in a respectful, non-colonial way? If not, how do we still support Indigenous people in their struggle for liberation? Given our collective history, is a cross-cultural exchange of spiritual practice even possible, or is it simply too problematic?

Each spring, Unitarian Universalists are asked to consider the meaning of Easter. Sometimes, the Sunday in question is turned into a reflection on spring and rebirth of nature, othertimes it can be a poetry-based service. But what do UUs believe about Easter, one might ask. This year, Rev. Nic will take a closer look at how Unitarian Universalists may come to relate to the message of Easter, while also remaining true to their individual beliefs and shared religious values. 

On the last weekend of March, we will be welcoming Rachel Maxwell (she/they) of Stewardship for Us to UUCCI to listen deeply to our congregation’s stories, hopes, worries, and vision for the community we are becoming. During this Sunday Service, Rev. Nic and Rachel will discuss the idea of congregational vitality and how generosity, abundance, and space, can help congregations as they seek to make a positive impact within and beyond the walls of their community.

Regardless of our relationship with Christianity we in the Western Hemisphere still often carry the psychospiritual wounding associated with the idea of original sin. Is a reframe of this belief possible? If so, how do we do it, and what happens to our lives when we do? 

We all long to belong somewhere in this life, in this universe. What does it feel like when we don't belong? What does it feel when we do? Rev. Nic will reflect on the essential human need for belonging and how UUCCI is one space that can be a home for diverse peoples who long for connection, care, meaning, and intentional living. 

We welcome longitme UUCCI friend and author Scott Russell Sanders to discuss the different ways humans can fix and mend things, and how in collaboration with nature we can continue this much needed work in the world. He will share an excerpt from his new book project, "In Praise of Mending" and will engage in conversation with Rev. Nic, followed by a receiving questions from the congregation, as well.

So what do we make of this dubious enterprise we call Valentine's Day? What's its origin? Does it hold any truth or is it just another Madison Avenue generated Hallmark holiday used to peddle sugar? What about love? In the dating app age of 'always connected but not connected at all' how do we do romance? 0:04 - Opening Words: "Quotes on Love" by Various Authors1:39 - Reflection by Sondra Bolte5:43 - Reading: "Self Regulation and Co-Regulation" by Rachel Weddle9:26 - "Life is Sweet: On Valentines Day and Other Annoying Holidays" by Judson Webb

Generationally, the metaphor of the "melting pot" of the United States has shifted to that of the "salad bowl". How can the difference between the two shape our understanding of pluralism, community building, and of our fragile democracy? Rev. Nic will discuss the delicious salad we can prepare together with all of our help.0:04 - Opening Words: “Come, Gather In” by Andrea Hawkins-Kamper1:05 - Wonder Box: "Emma Lazarus and That Which Never Dies" by Rev. Nic Cable7:39 - Reflection: "Signs of Diversity" by Jennifer Schall10:35 - Video: "Hot Gumbo Pot" by Meta-Four Houston" - https://youtu.be/z6L3ngLe1Zc?si=zOiEjjiJqD5R4NFl10:39 - Sermon: "Super Salad Bowl Sunday" by Rev. Nic Cable

The Beacon Interfaith Dialogues are special services devoted to dialogue between Rev. Nic and someone who represents a different religious, spiritual, or philosophical tradition. It is an opportunity to learn about our differences and to build bridges toward common understanding. This service will welcome the Rev. Dr. Kathryn House, who is a professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School (where both Rev. Nic and Judson are students). She is a lifelong Christian who has gone through a winding journey with Christianity and now finds herself shaping new ministers in our Unitarian Universalist tradition.

0:08 - Opening Words: Excerpt from "The Sound of the Genuine" by Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman1:41 - Why Dialogue?5:30 - High Five: How has Christianity influenced your particular worldview today?8:06 - “I have never known a world that wasn’t Christian” by Rev. Dr. Kathryn House10:24 - “I’ve only known Unitarian Universalism as my home faith” by Rev. Nic Cable12:32 - “The first time that I was challenged that not everybody liked Christianity” (Kathryn)15:12 - “There’s SOOO much to learn about these World’s Religions” (Nic)17:07 - “I learned about different types of Christians” (Kathryn)19:31 - “I chose to go to a Catholic university and a Christian seminary” (Nic)21:30 - “Ecumenical life became very important to me” (Kathryn)25:24 - “Perhaps my journey toward pluralism is through ecumenism” (Nic)27:22 - “My faith has always been outside of the walls of the church too” (Kathryn)29:59 - “Interfaith is not a way to get away from Christianity” (Nic)How does your faith help you better understand and live courageously in the midst of violence and other injustice that we face as a society today?37:04 - “I am a Christian who finds this state violence done in the name of white Christian supremacy abhorrent” (Kathryn)40:35 - “I am trying to hold different things, including the various emotions, as true all at once” (Nic)43:25 - “I’m thinking about people who have always lived with precocity who are teaching about solidarity right now” (Kathryn)45:04 - “For different people this period of time is experienced differently” (Nic)Questions and Comments48:09 - “Realizing as a child the KKK didn’t even like Catholics.”49:43 - “I wonder if we could have more opportunities to unpack some of the things we bring with us from Christianity” 52:22 - “I have to admit that there are many things about Christianity that still trigger me”56:51 - “Is there a group where people can come together to do social justice together?”58:15 - Benediction by Rev. Dr. Kathryn House