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Worship Services: 2010

  • Service. It’s About Time
    Sun, 01/03/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    RVUUF Choir, Tami Marston, Director; Jane Manning, Accompanist

    A new year. Anew decade. A perfect time to think about Time. It isn’t just the neat squares on the calendar, already filling up with meetings and appointments. Time is more fluid. It has depth. Come explore Time’s limits and its treasures.

    Order of Service

    Bring back Guest At Your Table Boxes Today.

    Welcome to RVUUF Noon to 1, in the Library with Rev. Colbert and other church leaders.

    This will be Rev. Colbert's last service with us until Feb 14, 2010. We’re “loaning” her to First Unitarian Church in Portland for five weeks. During her absence, we’ll be gifted with five of this area's best preachers (details)

  • Service. Using Privilege Well
    Sun, 01/10/2010 - 10:30am

    Dick Adams, Ph.D., Guest Speaker
    Tami Marston, Director of Music; Jane Manning, Pianist

    Dr. Adams will be sharing lessons learned in dealing, as a person of all sorts of privilege, with rural Zimbabweans, mostly women, who live close to the edge. He’s the Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Artists Project and he’ll be bringing the work of many of the artists to our gallery walls.

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  • Service. Martin Luther King Sunday: Creating an Other
    Sun, 01/17/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Cecilia Kingman, Guest Preacher
    RVUUF Choir, Tami Marston, Director

    If we are to truly bring in the “Beloved Community” of which King spoke, we will need to reflect on how the differences between us have been exploited. How do we come together in loving purpose with those whom we have been taught to see as “others,” and create the society we long for?

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    Special Collection: Kiva and Ashland Emergency Winter Shelter Program

  • Service. In the Beginning
    Sun, 01/24/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Nayer Taheri, Guest Preacher

    Rev. Nayer, who was born and raised in Iran, will present and connect an array of readings to the most central mystery of human life -- the story of creation. She’ll examine how these myths relate to our daily life and how we could use sacred scriptures to make deeper meaning in our daily life ordeals.

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  • Service. The Big Picture
    Sun, 01/31/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Keith Kron, Guest Preacher
    Director of the Unitarian Universalist Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns

    How do you see the world? How do others see you seeing the world? Each of us has a choice about how we view the world, which affects how we are seen. And how does our faith affect the view? We’ll explore the issues of perspectives, our action, and our faith.

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  • Service. To God or Not to God
    Sun, 02/07/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Stephen Ames. Guest Preacher

    As a congregation in search for a minister, it may be an especially helpful time to explore theological language, particularly God language in Unitarian Universalism. Rev. Ames will preach on how and why he uses the word, and its meanings in Unitarian Universalism today. All theologies welcome!

    Emergency Food Bank Offering

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  • Service. Heart Lag
    Sun, 02/14/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    Tamara Marston, Music Director

    When our hearts become overloaded, we tend to board them up and withdraw from the world’s constant call for our help. On the day traditionally set aside to celebrate love, we’ll look at how to revive what some have called Compassion Fatigue. Perhaps, with a little love, you might find your natural compassion flowing again.

    After the service join in celebration of Margot Howe’s 90th birthday.
    Also come make Valentines with our kids in the Window Room. Materials will be provided.

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  • Service. The Year of The Tiger, Chinese New Year's Celebration
    Sun, 02/21/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    With guest choir conductor, Brian Kerns & the RVUUF Choir

    Brian, former RVUUF Music Director will join us for our annual celebration gifting us with his latest composition, number 11(!), of the twelve astrological signs in Chinese tradition. Carolyn will share a brief homily, then during our social time after the service find out who shares your Chinese Zodiac sign.

    Special Collection for Migrant Seasonal Head Start at Briscoe School. This comprehensive program for the most underserved members of our community blends early childhood care and education with family and social services, health and nutrition, mental health and disabilities, and transportation services. Liese Behringer, Community Outreach Director and a member of our congregation, will present. For more information please contact Deloris Nims, Daniel Guy, or Carola Lacy.

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  • Service. How to Create Beloved Community, Part I
    Sun, 02/28/2010 - 10:30am

    First of a Series of Three Services
    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    Tamara Marston, Director of Music

    What does it mean to create what 19th century philosopher Josiah Royce called "The Beloved Community"? I can’t imagine a more appropriate theme for us to look at together as we move toward the exciting transition of calling a Settled Minister and deepening RVUUF’s roots and unfurling it’s wings to greet a new era. This morning we’ll explore a few of the images that shape community: Holding to the Difficult, Staying Vigilant, and Blooming Where You’re Planted.

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  • Service. How to Create Beloved Community, Part II
    Sun, 03/07/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    Tamara Marston & The Choir; Jane Manning, pianist.
    Deborah Rothschild, Stewardship Moment

    We continue the exploration of the practices that Create the Beloved Community (Part I). This morning we’ll look at three essentials to community building; Respect, Openness, and Balancing Justice and Joy. Or, put another way, how do we treat ourselves, the people we live with, and the communities we live in? How does an authentic community braid justice with joy?

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  • Service. How to Create Beloved Community, Part III
    Sun, 03/14/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    The Music Team, Tami Marston & Jane Manning
    Mary Rexford, Stewardship Moment
    New Member Welcome & Recognition

    As we welcome & include our newest members, we’ll consider how a beloved community Welcomes & Supports its Members, Fights Fairly, and last but very far from least, Grounds Itself in Love. (Part I)

    Special Daylight Saving Time breakfast at 9:45! (Set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to sleep.)
    Bring Your Favorite Breakfast Goodies Plated and Ready to Share:
    Quick Breads, Frittata, Fruits, Muffins, Cheese
    We'll Provide the Coffee And Tea and Tables for Your Goodies.
    Set Up & Clean Up Help Gratefully Received

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  • Service. Celebration Sunday! Roots Hold Us Close, Wings Set Us Free
    Sun, 03/21/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert
    The RVUUF Choir, and You!

    wings set us free, roots hold us closeEveryone is invited to share in the excitement and celebration of the 20th year of being in our very own building, the start of Spring, and our chance to participate in the good feelings of being part of the generosity and joy that supports our Beloved Community. Come, come whoever you are! Come pledge your support for the historic and exciting future of RVUUF. Come enjoy the catered lunch!

    May our Roots Hold us Close! And our Wings Set us Free! Stewardship Letter

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  • Service. Who Stole Jesus?
    Sun, 03/28/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister

    Nowadays when people hear the word “Christian” they often picture only a small corner of a vast religious spectrum. I’ve been feeling that Jesus, as the embodiment of love and justice, may have been stolen. We may have lost an important part of our liberal heritage. You might call yourself a pagan, a humanist, an atheist or simply a seeker, but don’t let yourself be fooled by those who would separate you from a much more inclusive understanding of Jesus. Consider this a Palm Sunday sermon.

    A Special Offering will be taken to benefit Omega House which provides spiritual and philosophical adult education throughout the Valley. Rich Lang, the director will speak.

    Order of Service

  • Service. Easter Sunday: Lo the Day of Days is Here
    Sun, 04/04/2010 - 10:30am

    Julie Excell, Worship Leader; Louise Pare, Director of Religious Exploration
    The Choir, Tamara Marston Director, and Jane Manning, pianist

    For the circle, the spiral, the web,
    the egg, the orbit, the center, the seed,
    the flower, the fruit, the opening, the death,
    the release, the seed. Alleluia!

    We gather to celebrate the ancient festival of returning life and new hope. There’ll be a special Story for all Ages before our youngsters go to their Easter Program, and the choir will delight us with a variety of Alleluias.

    Easter hat-making will precede the service in the Window Room. Come make an Easter bonnet.
    After the service there’ll be an egg hunt for the kids in the side yard.

    Collection for Ashland Emergency Food Bank: Bring food staples, canned food, particularly proteins, and your financial offerings.

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  • Service. Going Down the Same Tunnel When There’s No Cheese
    Sun, 04/11/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    Tami Marston song leader; Jane Manning, piano

    This morning we examine an important theological issue; how is it that we find ourselves repeating the same mistakes? How come we keep finding ourselves, over and over again, stuck in familiar ruts? Probably not you, of course. But maybe you know a friend that keeps bumping up against the same old unrewarding places? Bring them.

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    Visitors: Welcome to RVUUF lunch&discussion after the service.

  • Service. The Earth is Like a Child That Knows Poems
    Sun, 04/18/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    The Choir, Tamara Marston, Music Director; Jane Manning, piano

    Earth Day, 2010. Join in a rich morning honoring (and worrying about) our Mother Earth. She is beautiful. She is wounded. Remember when you first fell in love with the Earth? Was it camping as a child? Was it a special tree you could climb to watch the sky change? What insect caught your eye as it scurried into the grass? Did you gasp when you saw your first whale spouting? These are the miracles that sustain our souls, that reconnect us with the life around us. And, reconnecting, allow us to feel our sadness as we realize how much has been lost. It's time to reconnect.

    We’ll plant wildflower seeds after the service in the side yard under the big pine tree.

    Order of Service

  • Service. Working Down Ancient Fissures
    Sun, 04/25/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    Tami Marston, Music Director; Jane Manning, Pianist

    You are about to begin a new relationship as you enter a week of getting acquainted with your candidate for Settled Minister of RVUUF, Rev. Leslie Becknell Marx.

    She will join you May 1st through May 9th. This is the beginning of what both you and Leslie have yearned for, planned for, and hoped for. Like the beginning of any new relationship, it is a bit scary and very exciting. Both parties bring their histories, their very human life journeys and their experiences from other relationships. Here's a good definition of the word Fissure: "A division or groove between adjoining parts of like substance".

    Your Search Committee invites you to an after service conversation. Come with your questions and your hopes.

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  • Service. Getting to Know You
    Sun, 05/02/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Leslie Becknell Marx, Ministerial Candidate

    In this first worship service of Candidating Week, we are eager to get to know one another. In this service, I will share some stories from my life, reflecting on how our challenges and disappointments shape who we become and to what we are committed. My hope is that each of us can consider who we have been and who we are becoming.

    Order of Service

    Special Offering: Ashland Emergency Food Bank (canned goods; money)

  • Service. Walking Together
    Sun, 05/09/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Leslie Becknell Marx, Ministerial Candidate

    Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal religion rather than a creedal religion. This means we are united by promises we make to each other rather than by pledges to a common set of beliefs. A classic part of our New England forebears’ covenants is the promise to “walk together.” In this service, we will explore what it means to walk together as members of this Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

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    Congregational Meeting immediately after the Service

  • Service. The Truth About Love
    Sun, 05/16/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    Tami Marston, Song Leader; Jane Manning, piano

    Love is complex, bewitching, bewildering, and essential. But not easy -- even with the people we like. And most of what we know about love we already knew by the time we sent and received our first valentine cards.

    Special Offering for CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocate for Jackson County Abused Children

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  • Service. Religious Explorers Celebration
    Sun, 05/23/2010 - 10:30am

    Louise Paré, Director of Religious Explorations
    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister

    We celebrate our graduating seniors, Jane Excell & Sabine Lefkowitz, as they bridge into Young Adults and we honor our teachers & celebrate our Adult Religious Education Programs.

    Congregational Meeting to elect new Board members and approve the 2010-2011 budget after the Service.

    Order of Service

  • Service. Lest We Forget: A Memorial Day Service
    Sun, 05/30/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert

    Memorial Day may be one of the most personal of our American holy days. It is born out of the human need to make sense of life and death. To make meaning out of what we have been given and what we will do with it. How we will pass it on to the next generation, and how we are linked — the so- called winners and the so-called losers — by our shared memory of loss.

    Our Religious Education Program is in recess, but there is childcare for nursery and preschoolers.

    Order of Service

  • Service. Briefer than a Kiss
    Sun, 06/06/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert, Interim Minister
    The RVUUF Choir, Tami Marston, Director; Jane Manning, Pianist

    Life is brief, and every goodbye is a gift wrapped in the paper of grief or confusion, relief or promise. Sometimes all of those at once. Every time we say goodbye, we have a chance to know ourselves a little better, a mini revelation, a chance to practice the many leavings in all our lives: Even the BIG goodbye which Elizabeth Kubler Ross calls “The Final Stage of Growth.”

    Today we’ll welcome & recognize our newest members.

    Monthly Offering for Ashland Emergency Food Bank

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  • Service. All Saints Sunday
    Sun, 06/13/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Carolyn Colbert & A Cast Of Thousands

    An Intergenerational Service of Celebration. As we end our program year and move into our Summer Services we pause to appreciate and applaud all we have accomplished. We’ll install the new Board, we’ll acknowledge each other and we’ll enjoy a “Last Sundae” together as we launch into summer.

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  • Service. Music Sunday
    Sun, 06/20/2010 - 10:30am

    Special Guest Musicians, Signe Lusk, piano and First Unitarian Portland's Nova Choir; Mark Turnbull, guitar

    Kicking off the Summer Services -- featuring songs from Singing the Journey, special musical guests, and Tami's colleagues, Signe Lusk & the Nova choir, and Mark Turnbull on his magical guitar. A morning of singing, listening, enjoying and being inspired.

    Order of Service

    Special Offering for WinterSpring Center

  • Service. Unexpected Gifts
    Sun, 06/27/2010 - 10:30am

    Mary Rexford, Worship leader

    Challenging and stressful times can often help us grow in unexpected ways, and bring us surprising gifts.

    Order of Service

  • Service. None
    Sun, 07/04/2010 - 10:30am

    No Service or Childcare on July 4th.
    Jul 11th Service: Standing on the Side of Love.

  • Service. Standing on the Side of Love
    Sun, 07/11/2010 - 10:30am

    Ann Hackett and Deborah Rothschild, Worship leaders

    Join us for a heartfelt special Sunday service dedicated to the LGBTQ community. Flyer

    Speakers:
    Gina DuQuenne - Southern Oregon Pride 2010
    John Meenan - RVUUF Member
    Lois Pettinger - RVUUF Member

    Standing on the Side of Love (standingonthesideoflove.org) is Unitarian Universalist public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love's power to stop oppression. UUs support full equality for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

    Order of Service

    Special Collection for the Ashland Emergency Food Bank

  • Service. Margaret Fuller, The Book They Couldn’t Shelve
    Sun, 07/18/2010 - 10:30am

    Julie Excell, Worship leader

    UU’s (and others) everywhere are celebrating the bicentennial of Margaret Fuller’s life this year. We’ll take a look at this amazing woman and at what we might learn from her example of being true to herself even when it meant she didn't fit into expected plans or pigeonholes. Can you relate?

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    Special Offering for Dunn House

  • Service. Humanism and the Value of Skepticism
    Sun, 07/25/2010 - 10:30am

    Roy Kindell, Les Jensen, Bev Barber will explore the meaning of "skepticism," its history, value, and relevance to Humanism and Unitarian Universalism as well as it's importance in politics and in fostering critical thinking in education. There will be ample time for questions after the presentation.

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  • Service. Conscious Relationship as a Spiritual Path
    Sun, 08/01/2010 - 10:30am

    John & Natalie Tyler, Worship Associates
    Music from June Holmes and Jackie Rosen
    Special Musical Guest: Mark Turnbull

    The need to connect deeply with one another, in all our significant relationships, grows out of our natural desire to become all of who we are. This service is about couple relationships, families, friendships, work relationships & committee teams. Natalie Tyler, Ph.D. and John Tyler, M.A. (Family Therapy), J.D. teach their PAIRS (Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills) course world wide & will be teaching at OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) this Fall. There will be a discussion circle after the service for those who want to learn more. Rev. Leslie Becknell Marx, our new settled minister, will be be among us for this service, so you will want to be there to welcome her.

    Order of Service

    Special Offering for the Ashland Emergency Food Bank

  • Service. Half the Sky
    Sun, 08/08/2010 - 10:30am

    Louise Paré, Worship Leader

    In today's global community, women face greater challenges than ever before, which they are transforming into new opportunities which offer hope to us all.

    Order of Service

  • Service. What Do We Owe the 3rd Generation?
    Sun, 08/15/2010 - 10:30am

    Jeff Golden, Special Guest Speaker

    Jeff's book, As If We Were Grownups, is dedicated to the 3rd generation, because we're not able to plan for the 7th generation, as the Native Americans urged. Come and explore.

    Special Offering for Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center (KS Wild), an advocate for the forests, wildlife and waters of the Rogue and Klamath Basins. This organization works to protect and restore the extraordinary biological diversity of the Klamath-Siskiyou region of southwest Oregon and northwest California.

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  • Service. Partnership Spirituality: Beyond God as Trauma
    Sun, 08/22/2010 - 10:30am

    Special Guest Speaker Jean Houston

    In her usual high-minded if hilarious manner, Jean Houston will offer her thoughts on how you are not a dependent. “You are a partner with the Divine Purpose, the Universal Planner. You are, therefore, the lensing of God-stuff on Earth, the focalization of Eternity in time.”

    “What this means for thought and action is that we no longer fall into serial monotony, interrupted by episodes of trouble, panic and loss.”

    “The powers of Second Genesis lie within us, and we must agree to attune and orchestrate our thoughts and emotions toward higher purposes and creative ends. In this we have help, for Spirit assures that the lure of becoming is always calling, as is the incendiary vision of what we may be.”

    Order of Service

  • Service. Soul Work with Hard Hats & Life Preservers
    Sun, 08/29/2010 - 10:30am

    Diane Werich, Worship Associate

    Annie Dillard once said, “Church is a dangerous place.” We’ll be exploring what that could mean for all of us.

    Order of Service

  • Service. From Descartes to Spirituality in 20 Minutes
    Sun, 09/05/2010 - 10:30am

    Roger Howe
    Tamara Marston, Director of Music; Jane Manning, Pianist

    This will be a thought-provoking exploration of scientific theories that point toward a greater intelligence.
    Roger is a longtime UU, recently moved here from Little Rock, and is a new member of RVUUF.

    Order of Service

    Ashland Emergency Food Bank Collection

  • Service. Gathering of Waters: Our Homecoming Sunday
    Sun, 09/12/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Leslie Becknell Marx
    The RVUUF Choir, Tamara Marston, Director; Jane Manning, Pianist

    We will explore ideas of home as we begin a new “church year” with our new minister. Bring water that represents your summer experience to blend together in our gathering ritual. We will also acknowledge Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah. This is a lively service for all ages including children followed by a community hot dog lunch. (Nursery available.)

  • Service. Unitarian Universalists Stand on the Side of Love
    Sun, 09/19/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Leslie Becknell Marx
    Tamara Marston, Director of Music; Jane Manning, Pianist

    This summer our Unitarian Universalist sisters and brothers have been literally standing on the side of love in Arizona as a response to new legislation targeting immigrants. We will learn about the summer’s activities and imagine how we are called to stand together.

    (Families w/children begin in service, then are sung out to attend “Family Religious Exploration Kickoff Events”)

  • Service. What’s Right about Right Relations?
    Sun, 09/26/2010 - 10:30am

    Rev. Leslie Becknell Marx
    The RVUUF Choir, Tamara Marston, Director; Jane Manning, Pianist

    This congregation has a Covenant of Right Relations. What does it mean to live in “right relationship” with each other? What does this teach us about how to relate to others beyond the walls of our Fellowship?

    (Children on Field Trip to N. Mountain Nature Center)

  • Service. TBA
    Sun, 10/03/2010 - 10:30am