First Existentialist Congregation
An independent member of the Unitarian Universalist Association
Hunger and poverty are considered “wicked problems” by social scientists. How might we journey in our understanding of hunger and poverty and be moved to meaningful action?
Facilitator: TBD
Musician: Snake Oil Medicine Show Band with Craig Rafuse
“60% Water”
In honor of Earth Day we’ll take a deeper look at water and what it means to us: our bodies, our spirits, our communities, and our planet.
Facilitator: Charlene Ball
Musician: William Chelton
“Sacred Violence”
Paul and Terra will describe their journey of “Sacred Violence”—the direct production of basic needs in order to minimize participation in the violent economic systems that support our lives. For the last two decades, they have partially liberated themselves from these systems, and they will discuss the limits and implications of that liberation.
Facilitator: Cindy Lou Who
Musician: E-Band
“A Zen Interpretation of Science and Religion”
Keiji Nishitani was one of the most brilliant (and challenging) representatives of the “Kyoto School,” a Japanese philosophical lineage that sought a creative fusion of European philosophy (especially existentialism) with the Zen Buddhist philosophy of emptiness. Nishitani, who studied under both Martin Heidegger and Kyoto School founder Kitaro Nishida, recognized that the Modern West could not produce an adequate solution to the conflict between science and religion. What he offered in their place was, in a manner of speaking, a Zen transformation of both.
Facilitator: D. Patton White
Musician: Mick Kinney
“Divine strangers: warnings from antiquity about hospitality!”
Facilitator: Wade Marbaugh
Musician: Craig Rafuse
“Stories of Renewal and Rebirth”
Spring has sprung, and Eostre is upon us. “Ostara, Eástre seems therefore to have been the divinity of the radiant dawn, of upspringing light, a spectacle that brings joy and blessing, whose meaning could be easily adapted by the resurrection-day of the Christian’s God.” (Grimm) We will open the floor for anyone who cares to share a brief story, thought, poem, song, visual art, dance of rebirth or renewal. We will also have on hand materials to add to our Spring Tapestry hanging at the front of the sanctuary.
Facilitator: D. Patton White
Musician: Charlie Vogt
As a Christian minister for years, I have spoken many a Palm Sunday message – but not like this one that I will do.
Leon has wandered for 86 years. Good and bad things have happened to him in this journey. The best things have been a wonderful wife of 63 years, three great adult children, seven beautiful grandchildren, and some spiritual and philosophical growth along the way. Leon has had four careers: Christian missionary, pastor, computer programmer, and addictions counselor, but he says that a part-time job of teacher of English to immigrants was the most fun (8 years). He has gone from fundamentalist Christian to evangelical, to liberal Christian, to agnostic/atheist. His goal now is to learn to love more and better.
Facilitator: Libby Ware
Musician: Jean Heinrich
We accept others despite their characteristics, flaws, and limitations. Why is it so hard to accept these things in ourselves? Let’s talk about how we can let go of our self-criticism and shame, and learn to accept ourselves fully.
Rev. Kim Palmer is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister serving as an affiliated community minister with the Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North congregation. She is a board-certified chaplain and has served Emory University in the dual role of chaplain and spiritual health researcher until retiring with her wife Marty. She continues to train chaplains and support research projects at Emory and elsewhere as a contractor. When not working, she and her wife chip away at numerous house and yard projects and enjoy kayaking on local rivers and lakes.
Facilitator: Sara Drew
Musician: Craig Rafuse
Exploring the elements of self- compassion and the role it can play in building both individual and community resilience.
The Rev. Maureen Shelton serves as Director of Education and Director of Compassion-Centered Spiritual Health at Emory Spiritual Health. She is ACPE Chaplain Educator and Senior CBCT Teacher.
To celebrate the beginning of Women’s History Month, we look at the adventures of older women in American History – and the activist histories of elder women in our own midst. This at a time when being older and public-facing is under attack.
Rev. Marti Keller describes her Big Life Goal as beholding life and bearing prophetic witness to what she discovers. She has done this through her short verse poetry, her creative nonfiction essays and blogs, her critical and immersion journalism, her justice advocacy for women and girls, and her 25 years of parish and community Unitarian Universalist ministry.