“As a UU theologian, I am always asking myself what it means to labor for our faith. From our liberation Christian roots, we inherit the idea that faith comes through good works, an idea that we have expanded and refined over time. In these days we come together in the work for justice, and we lend our efforts to the work of the church. Yet it takes more to be shaped in community to become our best selves. What is the everyday work of faithfulness that allows us to grow ourselves from seed?”

Our past includes painful things as well as beauty. When we consider the gifts of our heritage, what do we do with the painful stuff? How do we hold and process the breaks in relationship, the harm, the cruelty, the trauma? On this Sunday before Indigenous People’s Day, join us for this worship service where we explore how to learn and heal from the past to repair the present and build a better future.

In our Unitarian Universalist covenant, it says, “We draw from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, building on the foundation of love.” What have we inherited from our past? How do we weave the gifts of the past into the present, building on the foundation of love? Join us for this service that explores how we can bring the best of our past into the present to create a better future.

Rev. Tutu grew up in South Africa and has divided her adult life between the United States and South Africa. After years working as a development consultant, and race and gender activist, she finally accepted her call to ministry. Currently serving All Saint’s Episcopal church in Atlanta, Rev. Tutu writes about this service,

“Both Jonah and the workers who worked all day want God to judge based on their perception of what is fair. Luckily for all of us that is not who God is. Our God is one whose main characteristic is generosity. A God who gives us not simply a second chance, but 100th or even a 1000th chance.” Join us for this exciting worship service where we welcome Rev. Tutu, and explore the generosity of the Holy.

If Love is the currency of Unitarian Universalism, then welcome is one of the ways we exchange it. Giving welcome says, “your full self will be welcome here; you can be loved just as you are.” Receiving welcome says, “I am ready to be my full self here; I am ready to be seen and known.” Join us for this service that explores overcoming the obstacles to giving and receiving welcome, and remember to bring some water from home to participate in our water ritual—we’ll also have water waiting for those who forget!

2023/09/10 ● The Rev. Jennifer Nordstrom ● Welcome is Not a Mat by First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee

In times of grief and sadness, joy can feel out of reach, muted, or even inappropriate. Allowing laughter or joy can open us to unexpected opportunities for healing and a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us.

Throughout our lives we have many “last dances,” those times when we either choose or experience moments that are the last and final times we will have that experience. These monumental moments trace a roadmap of lives well lived. Today we will explore this idea with Jeff’s reflections at an age when there have been many “last dances” and how we can continue to live life to the fullest.

Annie will share what she’s learning as a recovering perfectionist and consider why allowing ourselves to arrive imperfectly cultivates courage, compassion, and connection. Life is too short to wait to show up until we have it all together. Join her on this exploration of the beautiful opportunities we have through our flaws.

Humans suffer from species loneliness, even though we are over 8 billion in number. How do we find our kin so we know we belong? How do we take care of one another, in kinship with earth and its creatures, to counteract endemic isolation? Michael V. McGinnis wrote, “Species loneliness in a wounded landscape moves us to want to restore our relationship with place and others; humanity yearns to reestablish and restore an ecology of shared identity.” Join us this Sunday when we explore finding our kin and kindred spirits by creating community.