Let’s ALL Take a Break! No New Worship Services in July!

Jul 26, 2021 | Sermons

There are no “new” UUCA Sunday worship services until August 1, when our annual Poetry Sunday will be a LIVE Zoom service at 11am.
But that doesn’t mean you have to miss worship.  On Sunday, June 27, join an entire flock of UUs at the Sunday morning worship service of our General Assembly at noon.Go out on Google and find other UU (or be bold–other denominations) worship services to check out on Sunday mornings.

Here is a 20-minute sermon? presentation? lecture? by the UU Hysterical Society called “Hysterical Women,” offered by Liz James and Rev. Anne Barker.

And finally, here are links to some of Rev. Mark’s favorite past recorded UUCA services.  (Two things to note here.  We weren’t keeping live Zoom services for most the year, and all of Rev. Claudia’s worship services were live.)

July 19 – Living in Storyland, a collaboration of David Novak and me
November 1 – Rising From Our Grief, anticipating the election
January 24 – Where Art Meets Science, reflections on poets writing about science
March 21 – House for Hope – The Roof, reflection on how we cope with evil
April 4 – i thank you god, Easter service centered on ee cummings poem
April 11 – House for Hope – The Foundations, reflections on God
May 23 – RE Celebration Sunday
June 13 – Refulgent Still, Rev. Mark’s final service as UUCA Lead Minister

Best Retirement Party EVER!

Jul 11, 2021 | Scoop

Over 200 congregants had a splendid afternoon bidding farewell to Rev. Mark Ward, our lead minister who retired after 17 years of service to UUCA.

Here’s Mark’s remarks to you, as well as the prayer he wrote for us:

Thank you, thank you to everyone who was in any way a part of the retirement party that you gave me on Saturday. It was such a beautiful event, so well put together, so generous, and flooded with good feelings. Thank you especially to Planning Committee members Cecil Bennett, Beverly Cutter, Judy Galloway, Ann McLellan and Phil Roudebush. It all was more than I could have hoped. Your words were so kind, your gifts were so generous. I am grateful to all those who came. You threw a great party. In my remarks on Saturday I closed with a prayer offered to the community. Here it is, with blessings on you all!

JULY 10 PRAYER

At the center of every gathered community

there is a common hope, a common joy

that is larger than any one person yet encompasses them all.

We experience it as warm heart that centers us,

a tough and tender presence

that directs us to our own seat of compassion

and challenges us to rise above our narrowness and fears,

that offers us a sense of the holy.

I speak to that warm heart today.

 

Dear heart,

There is a welcome energy in our gathering again

after so much time away.

It is reassuring to see familiar faces

and exciting to see new ones,

reminding us that as with all life we are evolving and growing.

 

We stand at a pivot point in this community,

the turning over of leadership,

like the turning over of soil in a garden

that both disrupts and opens up new possibility.

Confessing my own sadness at separating myself from you

so you may best take advantage of this moment,

I still cheer you on as you take on the challenges

of building and sustaining a vibrant liberal faith

that holds before it the vision of beloved community.

 

May you find in this moment the courage and hope

to make of this community not a haven but a crucible

where you might strengthen your spirits and widen your compassion,

where you might deepen your understanding

and feel the spur to the call of justice-making.

 

It is my prayer that the deep joy within you

will join the great hope among you

and inspire you to live into this community of memory and hope,

such that you might bless the world.

 

Rev. Mark Ward, July 10, 2021

As noted, the planning committee did an amazing job!!!! as we had two giant tents, 200 chairs, a stage, pulpit and microphone, and lots of food.  The weather was perfect.  The Sandburgers added their fabulous entertainment.  The selected speakers could not have been more eloquent.  They were Mary Alm, Kay Aler-Maida, John Bates, Owen Reidesel, Joe Hoffman (retired minister from First UCC in Asheville) and Rev. Lisa Bovee-Kemper.  Will Jernigan was a terrific MC.  Tears flowed, presents were given, hugs were shared.  It was a great day!
And a big thank you from Planning Committee member, Ann McLellan:
Labor of Love UUCA Caterers turn Green!Not green with envy, but green with money saved, and certainly green with earth-friendly choices.  Thanks are due to our UUCA “caterers” who provided refreshments Saturday at the Retirement Party for Rev. Mark Ward.  These accomplished foodies made or arranged for all the goodies including gluten free and vegan items.  They also facilitated clean up after the party by using all compostable plates, clear cups and forks made entirely of plant materials.
Thanks UUCA Caterers!  What a team!

Caterers                                Servers & Cleanup
Wilma Oman                         Jo Angelina
Judith Kaufman                     Carol Buffum
Sherry Wothke                      Susan Andrew
Myrtle Staples                       Olivia Steinke
Candy Hickman                    Audrey Kipp
Ann McLellan                       Judy Mattox
Judy Galloway                      Ken Brame
Reed Olszack

Worship at the General Assembly

Jul 7, 2021 | Sermons

June 23-27, 2021
Other free events during General Assembly this week (no registration required).  Use the same link as the worship service.

  • General Sessions
    June 23-27, 2021
    Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Co-Moderators Meg Riley and Charles Du Mond preside over the general sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.​ General Session IV will include a collection to benefit Side with Love.
  • Candidates Forum and Information Session
    Thursday, June 24, 2021
    5:00 – 6:30 p.m. EDT / 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. PDT
  • Service of the Living Tradition
    Thursday, June 24, 2021
    7:00 – 8:15 p.m. EDT / 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. PDT
    Led by the Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group, this service honors fellowshipped and credentialed religious leaders; remembering those who have died, recognizing those who have completed active service (like Rev. Mark  Ward for instance), and welcoming those who have received fellowship or credentialed status in the past year. The service includes a collection to benefit the Living Tradition Fund.
  • Synergy Bridging Worship
    Friday, June 25, 2021
    7:00 – 8:15 p.m. EDT / 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. PDT
    This is a transformative multigenerational worship. Come be inspired and illuminated at a celebration of treasured worship elements, rites of passage and brilliant contemporary musical performances. The service includes a collection to benefit the Katie Tyson Fund for Youth and Young Adult Ministries.
  • Sunday Morning Worship
    Sunday, June 27, 2021
    12:00 – 1:15 p.m. EDT / 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. PDT
    Join us for the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. The service includes a collection to benefit MICAH: Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope.

Looking for YOUR Recipes!

Jul 1, 2021 | Featured

We have a mighty trio of volunteers who are working to produce a cookbook by and for UUCAers.  No one needs to be a creative chef here.  Just send in recipes that you either use a lot, that get rave reviews from friends, or are just fun!  Omnivores, vegetarians and vegans welcome!  We want ’em all.

Sally, Sherry and Fredda will be coordinating the creation of this fabulous hardcover cookbook as a fundraiser for our congregation in conjunction with the November Auction.  We invite you to send us as many favorite recipes as you’d like.  Time is of the essence, so start choosing your recipes now!  These cookbooks (which also make great gifts ) will be available to purchase at the auction in November for $15 each. To make this even more fun, there will also be  a raffle for everyone who submits recipes, so the more recipes you send in, the better your chances are in the raffle!  Send those recipes to one of us so you can be a part of our UUCA cookbook!

Questions? Email anyone on the cookbook committee!  Sherry Lundquist, Fredda Mangel, and Sally Witkamp.  We look forward to hearing from you.