Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sunday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m. – OUR GLOBAL MOVEMENT – Unitarianism is not a major religious tradition, although it is a global one. We will look at our thinly-spread and diverse tradition as it is manifested around the world—its commonalities and its differences. Rev. Stefan Jonasson will preach.

Easter Sunday 2010

Sunday, April 4 at 11:00 a.m. – PILGRIMS ON THE EMMAUS ROAD – There will be a special Easter service on the first Sunday of April, after which we will return to our new pattern of meeting on the third Sunday of each month. Drawing from the writing of James Freeman Clarke (who was born 200 years ago on this day!) and Paul Trudinger, we will look at the story of Jesus’s encounter with his disciples along the Emmaus Road on the day he is reported to have been resurrected, looking for new meanings for modern times. Rev. Stefan Jonasson will preach.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sunday, March 21 at 11:00 a.m. - METRE-MAKING ARGUMENTS – In his essay, “The Poet,” Ralph Waldo Emerson declared that “it is not metres, but a metre-making argument, that makes a poem,—a thought so passionate and alive, that, like the spirit of a plant or an animal, it has an architecture of its own, and adorns nature with a new thing.” On World Poetry Day, we will reflect upon the nature and value of the poetic spirit, from the ancient psalmist to the modern lyricist. Rev. Stefan Jonasson will preach.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Sunday, February 21 at 11:00 a.m. - THE COURAGE TO LOSE - When I look despairingly at some leaders—whether in politics or business, labour or other public institutions—I am heartened to remember that the behaviours and attitudes that most trouble me have been around since the beginning of history. More than a century ago, Brooke Herford pointed out that the greatest shortcoming among political leaders was that they “seldom have the courage to be defeated.” Herford believed that in the “courage for present failure and defeat lies the surest pledge of ultimate victory!” Maybe, maybe not—but how we win or lose is more important than success itself. Rev. Stefan Jonasson will preach.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Sunday, January 17 at 11:00 a.m. – DISPOSED TO BE HAPPY – Benjamin Franklin observed that there are two sorts of people—those who are "disposed to be happy" and, well, all the rest! Those who go through life with an unhappy air tend to be "discontented themselves, and by their remarks, sour the pleasure of society, offend personally many people, and make themselves everywhere disagreeable." In contrast, I choose to be disposed towards happiness. Rev. Stefan M. Jonasson will preach.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sunday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m. – CHRISTMAS SERVICE – Our annual family Christmas service is a time of homecoming, caroling and reflection. As is our custom, we invite those joining us for this service to bring gifts for The Mitten Tree—clothing, nonperishable food items, toys and gifts—to be passed on to the Arborg Cheer Board. Rev. Stefan M. Jonasson will preach and the Arborg Unitarian Chorus will sing.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Sunday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. – ON SAINT NICHOLAS – "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (better known as "The Night Before Christmas"), first published anonymously in 1823, is largely responsible for the modern conception of Santa Claus, including his physical appearance, the night of his visit, his mode of transportation,the number and names of his reindeer, and the tradition that he brings toys to children. Prior to the poem, American ideas about Saint Nicholas and other Christmas visitors varied considerably. On the anniversary of the death of Nicholas of Myra in 346, we will explore the life of this historic ‘saint’ and how he became Santa Claus. Sylvia Sigurdson will preach.