6.29.14, The Totality of Existence: Slightly Abridged, Paul Teti

Paul plans to present theories from the string (Planck level) particle all the way up to the multiverse as well as some theories about time.

Paul C. Teti, a native Philadelphian, attended Temple University earning a BBA in Accounting.  He is an auditor with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Proud father of Chloe Raven, 4 and Duvessa Ciara, 1. Married to Eileen for seven years.  Paul has always had an interest in science and art.

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6.22.14, Real Heaven, Rev. Kent Matthies

I just saw a movie which blew me away: “Heaven is for Real”.  Many of you know the story, based on a  New York Times Bestselling book.  A four-year-old boy in Nebraska had a near death experience.  After he survives the boy talks in great detail about his experiences of spending time in heaven.  His father, although a Christian Minister, and the boy’s family and church all go through significant struggle and doubt about the veracity of the boys claims.  Here at USG the spiritual theme of the month is “Source Beyond Ourselves”.  This movie helped me more deeply embrace love, spirit, community and Heaven all as sacred sources beyond ourselves.  We don’t have to all believe in all of these concepts, words or realities. But we do benefit when we embrace sources beyond ourselves which comfort, console, enliven and beautify our lives.

 

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6.15.14, Religious Education Recognition Sunday! Daniel Gregoire

Join in our annual tradition of celebrating the life of our Children’s Religious Education (RE) program. This intergenerational service will be led by Daniel Gregoire, Director of Faith Development with the RE Committee and affirm the accomplishments of the elementary, middle and high school students. The service will feature the time honored tradition of the Coming of Age credo statements. We will celebrate our graduating high school youth and welcome them into greater participation in the life of USG.

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6.8.14, In Reverent Celebration, Joan Javier-Duval

Embracing sources of love, wisdom, and beauty beyond ourselves requires facing our individual limitations. This can be a humbling and, at times, frightening endeavor. Yet, doing so opens us up to experience wonder and joy. Let us celebrate our capacity to feel reverence in the midst of all that is holy and sacred.

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6.1.14, An Epiphany of Butterflies, Tom Ott

How butterflies and trout can lead us through the Enlightenment and safely out the other side via metaphor.

Tom Ott is professor of English at the Community College of Philadelphia and has, for the last two years, been President of the Board of Trustees at USG.

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5.25.14, Marriage Equality: Hooray PA! Rev. Kent Matthies

This week the State of Pennsylvania achieved a tremendous milestone for justice and love. Not only have we taken another critical step towards giving civil rights and full-citizenship to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender folks.  We have also taken another step towards claiming full humanity for all of us.

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5.18.14, Music of the Night, Music Director Mark Daugherty and the USG Choir

NOTE THIS WILL BE THE FIRST SUNDAY WITH THE SINGLE SERVICE AT 10:30am.
No, not from Phantom of the Opera, but rather the incredibly beautiful music of Morten Lauridsen. A few years ago the choir presented his Lux Aeterna and everyone loved it. This time we present three Nocturnes, or songs of the night. The pieces are
ravishingly romantic settings of poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke, Pablo Neruda, and James Agee. This is music of the senses – at once incredibly introspective and intimate and so lushly romantic.  It is not a morning to sleep in!

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5.11.14, Getting to Know Us! USG’s High School Youth Group at 11:15am

Join us for a vibrant Youth Led worship experience featuring the YRUU and their advisers. We will proclaim our unique spiritualities and our special gifts, while celebrating our experience of being Young Religious Unitarian Universalists and expressing love for our community!

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5.4.14, If there is to be peace, Consulting Minister Joan Javier

The beauty of our civic life comes from its diversity of people, opinions, and voices. This diversity can also lead to tension and strife. Yet, we all want to live with peace in our hearts and in the world. If we open ourselves up to really knowing others across our differences, then maybe our public life stands a chance.

 

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4.27.14, The Rites of May, Joan Javier-Duval with Earth Honoring Traditions & UUrban Mystics Band

Come rejoice in the coming of summer with our special Beltane celebration. May begins the season of light. It is a time of cleansing, of opening the windows and doors to the warmth of the sun and connecting with the sun’s energy. The ancient feast of Beltane celebrates this season of possibilities and energizes us to prosper in the summer sun. Weather permitting, we will dance around the Maypole during Fellowship Hour.

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