Sunday Service: To Forgive Ourselves, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
In this season of the Jewish High Holy Days, we reflect on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, a time to seek forgiveness for wrongs done. In many religious traditions, the divine asks for reflection and repentance and gives forgiveness. This model of forgiveness by the divine is a model for human actions. As we seek to forgive others, can we also remember to forgive ourselves?
After Service, there will be cake to celebrate Rev. Dr. Fenimore’s tenth anniversary of ministry at Shelter Rock.
Welcome Home Sunday, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore, Rev. David Carl Olson and Rev. Israel Buffardi
Sunday Worship Service: Welcome Home Sunday, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore, Rev. David Carl Olson and Rev. Israel Buffardi on September 17, 2023. In our annual ritual or Homecoming, we gather together after our summer adventures. We will reflect on what has been gained by taking a break from some of the routines of school and work. And we will also celebrate how good it feels to come home together again each fall to share our summer stories, renew our connections, and rejoice together.
Welcome Home Picnic follows.
How Unitarian Universalism Can Inspire Advocacy and Acceptance, led by Rev. Sheri Thomas
Guest Speaker Sheri Thomas explores how promoting the inherent worth and dignity of every person and justice, equity and compassion in human relations, can inspire us to embrace advocacy and acceptance and help remove the stigmas surrounding physical disabilities and mental health.
Soulful Sundown, led by Rev. David Carl Olson
Soulful Sundown offers spoken word from Rev. David Carl Olson and live music from The Cosmic Orchestra, onsite AND online. Special guest artist Jill Sobule at ONSITE ONLY coffee house concert afterward. All are welcome; never a charge!
The Year to Save the Earth, led by Guest Speaker Jim Scott
A mix of powerful songs and beautiful projected images takes us from celebration to grieving, protest, learning, and positive vision for the planet. Jim Scott’s lyrical melodies and outspoken poetry celebrate what’s beautiful, amazing, and fragile, nurturing a spirit of collective action for our planet.
Love at the Center, led by Rev. Daniel Lawlor
"One cannot live with sighted eyes and feeling hearts and not know or react to the miseries which afflict this world.”
- Lorraine Hansberry
Unitarian Universalism is growing spiritual habits to respond to the ongoing climate crisis. How can love be at the center of our religious responses and relationships during this time of extreme weather and rising xenophobia? Join us for grounding songs, special readings, a meditation for all ages, and an invitation to reflect on love as a spiritual practice- especially in hard times. See you Sunday!
What Have You Got To Lose? led by Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson, Guest Minister
We often find ourselves stuck in unhelpful patterns, afraid to take a chance on something new. This week, we ask, "What have we got to lose?"
How Then Shall We Live? led by Rev. Michael Crumpler
In light of the hate that is fueling our culture and targeting our people, how shall we live out our Unitarian Universalist values?
Soulful Sundown: "Heat & Light" led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore weaves spoken word with music from The Cosmic Orchestra, onsite and online. Coffee House follows onsite with Guest Musical Artist Deb Talan. Where music resides at the heart of religious experience. FREE and open to all.
There Will Be Joy, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
With the world full of tragedy–with floods and fires all around–it can be too easy to succumb to despair. But humanity can be uplifted by hope and joy and love. We can contribute to the well-being of each other. How might we embrace JOY as a spiritual practice of this community?
Being Creative, Finding Community, led by Rev. David Carl Olson
The Worship Service in the Veatch Ballroom includes group singing and sharing, with a brief and thoughtful message by Rev. David Carl Olson. Rev. Olson was formerly the Associate Director of the Institute for Theology and the Arts at Andover Newton Theological School. There, community was emphasized through collective creative acts by visual artists, dancers, and musicians. Theologians in residence helped the community see the long human story of spirituality, morality, and ethics.
Thinking Otherwise: Learning To Be More Than Human, led by Rev. Dr. Claire MacDonald, Guest Minister
There is growing conversation about what it means to be human. It isn’t just about ChatGPT but something more spiritual and creative; something that asks us to reconsider our human uniqueness and think about the intelligence present in the world around us – from trees to sea creatures. You are invited to think with me about what it might mean for all of us to open up to being "more than human."
Rev Dr Claire MacDonald is a UK based Unitarian minister and arts practitioner whose work takes place around collaboration, community and conversation. She is also a Fellow of Harris Manchester College Oxford, where she is the Chaplain and currently developing a centre for Unitarian studies.
Policing, Power and Poetic Justice, led by Rev. Petra Thombs, Guest Minister
Monday, July 17 is the ninth anniversary of the death of Eric Garner. Using poetry to punctuate the views of marginalized voices, we’ll address the issue of policing Black bodies and mental health. What is the origin tale of policing in the US and what have been the global implications in its development?
Soulful Sundown: "(R)evolution" led by Rev. David Carl Olson
Rev. David Carl Olson weaves spoken word with music from The Cosmic Orchestra onsite and online. Coffee House follows onsite with Guest Musical Artist Kemp Harris. Where music resides at the heart of religious experience.
Introduction to Prophecy, led by Erol Delos Santos, Student Minister
Prophecy is a heavy word. It is often anchored in religious ideology, traditions, mythology, and skepticism. One way to understand prophecy is to look back at the prophetic voices in Unitarian Universalist history. How did they understand the world? How did their hope for the future impact the way forward? How can we recognize modern-day prophets? Join Erol Delos Santos to explore ways to understand prophecy and how to cultivate our own prophetic voices.
The Villain's Journey, led by Erol Delos Santos, Student Minister
The dichotomy of the hero and the villain is present in almost all aspects of our culture. How do we transcend these binary ways of thinking and open ourselves to compassion and building relationships between these lines? Join Erol Delos Santos to wonder what could be possible when our hearts open to how we view our adversaries.
Creating a Sustainable Campus, led by UUCSR Green Sanctuary Committee, Introduction by Rev. David Carl Olson
Becoming a Green Sanctuary congregation means more than passing a resolution. Our connections to the earth and our commitment to sustainable living on our campus involves education, action and fun. Our service includes reflections by members of the Green Sanctuary Committee, a meditation by Rev. David Carl Olson, and thoughts for the future including electric changing stations and sustainable lawn care. Special music will be presented by the Any Given Sunday Band.
Father's Day, led by Student Minister Erol Delos Santos and the UUCSR Men's Group
Join UUCSR to honor and celebrate fathering in all of its joys and complexities.
Pride Sunday "Stonewall Means Liberation," led by Rev. David Carl Olson
We celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride each June, and hope to find in a number of distinct identities some basis for shared action. Can “Pride” cross the barriers of genders and sexualities, and even geographies like Nassau County and Queens? Let’s think about what it will take to liberate us all.
Soulful Sundown, led by Erol Delos Santos, Student Minister
Erol Delos Santos, Student Minister, weaves spoken word with music from the Cosmic Orchestra onsite and online. Masks encouraged. Coffee House follows onsite with Guest Musical Artist Mike DelGuidice.
Beginning Again, led by Rev. Jaye Brooks
Every ending is a beginning. As the four-year developmental ministry draws to a close, we bid farewell to Rev. Jaye Brooks even as we open our hearts to the adventures ahead. In the life of every human being, endings are beginnings. As we let go of what we cannot hold, we turn our faces toward the newness that, eventually, we will welcome, cherish, and one day bid farewell.
Tenting Tonight, led by Rev. Jaye Brooks
On this Memorial Day weekend, our thoughts are drawn to the many lives lost in war. In the words of the old song from America’s Civil War, “Many are the hearts that are weary tonight, wishing for the war to cease.” As we honor the service and sacrifice of those who have died to protect the freedoms we cherish today, may we also offer our hands and hearts to the actions that build a just and lasting peace. In this service, soloists Sarah Moulton Faux, Leah Wool, and Brace Negron each shares a song that is especially meaningful to them as we near Memorial Day.
RE Bridging Service, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
Our annual Bridging Worship Service celebrates transitions of the young people in the UUCSR Religious Education Program.
For a Full Archive of Worship Services
Visit the UUCSR YouTube Channel