The Existential Buzz

“Rest as Resistance: what do a Word of the Year, the December holidays and International Human Rights Day have to do with the liberating power of rest?”

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.

• Facilitator: Cindy Lou Who
• Musician: Mick Kinney

“Cross Culturally Affirming Our Kinship With Heretics: The Non-Dogma of Jainism”

Like Unitarian-Universalism, Jainism began as a kind of heretical movement. In this talk, I will focus on some distinctive aspects of Jain thought that I see to be particularly compatible with UU principles. I will specifically discuss aspects of Jainism that have helped me better appreciate the UU faith.

Sanjay Lal is senior lecturer of philosophy at Clayton State University. Sanjay’s research focus is on non-Western philosophy and Peace Studies (he is current president of Concerned Philosophers for Peace). He along with his wife Bhawna and their son Shrey have been regulars at 1st E since 2011.

• Facilitator: Kathy McGuire
• Musician: William Chelton

“Keeping Your Peace in Contentious Times.”

Whatever the results from the election from this week, we are likely to have navigated a week of political divide, conflicts, and anxiety about the future. Lets focus our intentions on cultivating our own inner peace and strength to continue our work for justice.

Rev. Kimble is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. They are a graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University and Berry College. Kimble serves bivocationally- working with Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion Based Ethics as well as in their Contemplative Ministry that intentionally reaches outside the church walls. Their ministry focuses on using spirituality and contemplative practices to equip us with the peace and resolve to be justice makers in the world. Kimble has experience in a variety of ministry settings. They have worked in LGBTQ advocacy for many years including as staff for Reconciling Ministries Network and the Atlanta Pride Committee, and organizing with Atlanta’s Trans and Queer community. They have also served in local congregations and as a hospital chaplain, community chaplain, and house chaplain for Candler’s formation communities.

• Facilitator: D. Patton White
• Musician: Mick Kinney

“History By Word Of Mouth”

Clint talks about his experiences and thoughts on the importance of oral history, from his hearing family stories as a child to his current work with StoryCorps Atlanta.

Clint McGuire is a man of many talents. He has been a professional actor, an award-winning photographer, and is a burgeoning podcaster. Born in Louisville, GA, Clint grew up in the mountains of North Carolina before attending college at the University of South Carolina at Aiken, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. His passions are the arts, history, alternative music, and the intricacies of professional wrestling. He lives on a farm just outside of Conyers GA with his wife, son, and a menagerie of animals.

• Facilitator: Jan Lister
• Musician: Kathy McGuire

“Celebrating Life Through Those We
Have Loved and Lost”

Our Fellowship Minister, Rev. Marsha Mitchiner, has served the Congregation for over two decades, since ordination by us, following her study with Lanier Clance. She counsels, connects, and contacts members and friends, and for those who need it, performs the laying-on of hands in her role as a massage therapist. Many of us can vouch for the quality of her work, and appreciate the wisdom, restraint, and compassion she brings to the job of caring for our Congregation. Marsha speaks once each quarter, and helps smooth the functioning of the Congregation innumerable times in between.

• Facilitator:  Jan Lister
• Musician: Jean Heinrich

‘The Courage to Be Now?’

I will be talking about how we continue to find joy in daily struggles while dealing with loss, illness, and pain, using an existentialist and feminist perspective to explore choices and habits. I will be incorporating some Buddhist thought into the talk as well.

• Facilitator:  Wade Marbaugh
• Musicians: Scott Hooker and Janna Nelson

“13 Decades Deep”

In these times of public manipulations and denials of well-documented historical research, the Early Edgewood-Candler Park BiRacial History Project responds to our local Candler Park Centennial in 2022. We are compelled into community action, informed by our archives’ 16 years of materials and our special relationship with the Antioch East Baptist Church.

We feel a deep responsibility to the descendant Black Church and families who co-created this neighborhood and handbuilt this Sanctuary 100 years ago. The physical dimensions of history still vibrate today, in their presence and in their absence. If we can open to their meanings, perhaps we can move together toward healing and repair.

• Facilitator: M. Charlene Ball
• Musician: William Chelton

“Nothing is Real”

The lyrics of a bunch of Beatles songs derive from Being and Time, Heidegger’s primer on how to become one’s “authentic self ”. Hence, you can learn how to be you in time. I will demonstrate how Heidegger’s notions appear in the songs.

Craig Rafuse has been a musician for 60 years and a carpenter for 45+ years. He loves and lives with Kathy and Bebop the cat in a beloved community. He has been involved with the First Existentialist congregation for about 40 years.

• Facilitator: Marsha Mitchiner
• Musician: Craig Rafuse