Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. at UUFA.
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The UUFA monthly theme for September is Courage. The Fellowship offers many opportunities and invitations to explore and practice the theme. We will be exploring the theme throughout the month in worship and Religious Exploration.
October 4: “Courage in the Clear Blue” with Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker
Where do we get courage? Some say it comes from a place inside, a choice we make about fear. What if more courage awaits beyond the self?
October 11: “Women of Courage” with the members of the Goddess Group
By car and by train, Jeanette Rankin carved a path for women’s right to vote and right to participate in Congress as she left a trail of courage for many more women to follow. As we look back at the UUFA members who were part of founding the Jeanette Rankin Foundation as well as current members, may we find inspiration for what’s next. How can members of UUFA continue to blaze a trail for justice?
October 18: “Buddhist Spirituality in Music and Meditation” with Jasey Jones
Join Jasey Jones, a member of the Mindful Breath sangha, as he leads us through Buddhist songs and a walking meditation. All ages are welcome in this service, and we will provide assistance for anyone who wants to join the meditation but has difficulty walking.
Jasey Jones is a member of the Mindful Breath Sangha, a local group of practitioners of Zen Buddhism in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn. The Sangha was founded 15 years ago by David and Becky Lockman and meets weekly in Athens. Each week is facilitated by a group member, and usually when Jasey leads, he presents what has come to be called “Therapy Band.” The Plum Village Tradition makes good use of music and singing to communicate the teaching, and the “therapy band” focuses on the community practice of the songs of Plum Village.
October 25: “Monster Service” with Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker
Reflection Ideas and Questions
Are you seeking more ways to explore the theme of courage?
Consider reflecting on these quotes:
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. – Ambrose Redmoon
When I dare to use my strength in the service of my vision, it becomes less and less and important whether I am afraid. – Audre Lorde
Softness is not weakness. It takes courage to stay delicate in a world so cruel. – Beau Taplin
You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot have both. – Brené Brown
I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid… to loosen my heart until it becomes a win. – Dawna Markova
Some questions you may use as a prompt for conversation or for a journal entry follow:
- What is the greatest act of courage that you directly witnessed? And how did it change you?
- What do you know now about courage that you didn’t know when you were younger?
- What will it take to finally have that conversation that scares you so much?
- Is it time to tell someone how scared you really are?
- Is comfort luring you away from courage?
