Traditional Services begin at 10:30 am
Feb. 5, 10:30 am: "The Dream of the Diaspora"
Rev. Zoltán Kopándi-Benczédi with Rev. Chip Wright
The expression 'diaspora' describes people of a common ethnicity who moved
away from their home community, and are currently living among foreigners. In
the Unitarian Church of Transylvania, the Diaspora is used for ethnic Hungarians
of the Unitarian faith who are spread in areas where there is a vast Romanian
majority, and where in many cases it is difficult to build autonomous, selfsupporting
church communities. I am a Diaspora minister, living in the once
thriving, now remote Zsil Valley in Romania. In doing community building in the
Diaspora, we must adopt the visionary attitude of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
which starts with "I have a dream." The dream must be big, but also realistic,
speaking to the way the congregation imagines its own church in the future. It is
hard work, but it will be successful if done by people who believe their work is led
by God's Providence.
Bio: The Rev. Zoltán Kopándi-Benczédi is the 2011-2012 Balázs Scholar at Starr
King School for the Ministry, and is minister to congregations in Lupény-Vulkán,
Déva and Vajdahunyad, Transylvania. He hopes to return at the end of his
scholarship year with new insights into the connection between church life and
community development, particularly work done in multicultural environments.
February 12, 10:30 am: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
Dwayne Hunn with Worship Associate Joan Nelson
Basket Share: Community Institute for Psychotherapy (CIP)
Guest speaker Dwayne Hunn (Executive director, American World Service
Corps) says it took him awhile to learn that “Peace and Service was not the
churchy priestly stuff emanating from comfy parishes.”
He will explain how we can enlighten public policy, and involve millions of
Americans in addressing public needs.” (He invites us to join him in a talk-back
after the service.)
Feb. 19, 10:30 am: “Our Weeping Earth” -- Part One
Rev. Chip Wright with Worship Associate Rodney Gothelf
Part one of a two part look at our planet and its ongoing problems, and why
reverence for this unique home of ours is such an important thing to
cultivate. This series is presented as a lead into the two ‘Deep Green’ workshop
conversations I will be leading after Sunday services on the 19th and the 26th of
February.
Feb. 26, 10:30 am: "Our Weeping Earth" – Part Two
Rev. Chip Wright with Worship Associate Karen Auroy
Further insights on our struggling planet and human ingenuity and responses to
our mounting challenges.
Our Lay led Contemplative Service is from 9:00-10:00 am on Sundays in the Fireside Room (not available in summer). Readings introduce a silent period to reflect on a topic or idea, followed by an opportunity to share individual thoughts.
