This Sunday, Nov. 3, beginning at 10:30 a.m., the Pagosa Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship will share the sermon entitled “The Woke and the Waking” by the Rev. Gretchen Haley, senior minister of Foothills Unitarian Church.
The homily is the final in the series “What the World Needs Now: Universalism in a Polarized Age,” which the fellowship has been offering since mid-September. This series theme has been timely as we hold space for what feels to many like tumultuous times.
This particular sermon is a response to another sermon delivered by the Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, “Love Beyond Beliefs.”
Lavanhar is the senior pastor of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Okla., which is listed as the largest UU congregation in the world.
“Unitarian Universalism is founded on the idea that all people are fundamentally equal and are inherently worthy. But ideas and beliefs are not all equal and are not all worthy. We allow free debate of ideas … and give people freedom to question and to be wrong,” stated Lavanhar.
He summarizes his fundamental question and challenge to the UU faith as: Is there room among the woke for the waking? This is a powerful question to wrestle with when we find ourselves at odds with our neighbors or the wider world.
We will hear from Haley in a streamed sermon as she explores this idea through personal stories with current events in mind.
During our Sunday morning program, it is our practice to leave time for reflection and sharing. Join us in a community of open minds and loving hearts.
Additional programs
We also offer once-a-month Sunday gatherings for deepening our own spiritual growth with the Going Deeper Small Group Sharing Circle. We invite you to this month’s circle, to be held Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All are welcome in this safe and supportive circle as we engage our hearts to reflect on the recent sermons and anything else on your heart. Light snacks and beverages will be available.
We are grateful to offer in-person meditation practice led by a certified meditation instructor on alternate Sundays — the second and fourth — from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Newcomers are welcome, and we invite you to email your interest to be put on an announcement list in the event of a change in the schedule. Please bring a blanket and water. Meditation cushions and chairs are provided.
Sessions will begin promptly, so allow a few extra minutes to settle in. A suggested donation of $10-$20 is greatly appreciated; however, no one will be turned away — meditation instruction itself is always free.
About the fellowship
Our website has more information about our local fellowship and a link to our current newsletter. Check out PagosaUU.org.
We meet the first and third Sundays in person at Unit B-15 of the Greenbriar Plaza 301 N. Pagosa Blvd. on the north side facing the Pagosa Peak.
You can also join us through our offered Zoom services using the following meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8991941305.
