Past Services
Here at the UUFB, we are truly a diverse group. We love to explore all sorts of avenues to spirituality and the human condition. To demonstrate this wide-range curiosity, here is a list of services we have had in the past year.
December 2010 top
December 26, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Christmas: The Jesus Event" Sometimes in the busy season of gift giving, we forget what this day was all about. Who was Jesus of Nazareth?
After Service, the Adult RE program "The Historical Jesus" was presented by Rev. Chris.
December 19, 2010:
"A People So Bold" A People So Bold is a collection of essays from 22 prominent UU ministers discussing the role of UU in social justice. Presented by the Social Action Committee. The committee launched the Pennies for Peace Project and everyone was asked to bring their loose change to this service.
December 12, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "The Future of Religion" Why is religion so important? Will humanity always have religion?
December 5, 2010:
"Hinduism and Peace" presented by guest speaker, Narindar Kapoor.
November 2010 top
November 28, 2010:
Cornbread and Cider Service. A unique Unitarian Universalist Cornbread and Cider Communion as we gave thanks and honored the fall harvest and the warmth of community. Guided by UUFB member Laurie Filstrup with help from the entire congregation.
November 21, 2010:
*Special Service* Sayville Congregational Native American Service. We had accepted the Sayville UUC invitation to join them for their Native American service.
November 14, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: “Being One (The Universe, the World and Humanity Are One)” Human beings forget the oneness of creation and how much we humans are part of each other and this grand universe.
November 7, 2010:
Lecture on Yoga. Presented by guest speaker Carol Burns, a certified Yoga instructor in the tradition of B.K.S. Iyengar. Carol helped establish the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York.
October 2010 top
October 31, 2010:
"Dia de los Muertos" Presented by Marion Russo, UUFB Member. Attendees brought in a photo for the ofrenda, and prayed for and remembered friends and family members who have died.
October 24, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon:
"Faith: Gift or Curse?". Faith is a powerful factor in many people’s lives. Is this a blessing or a curse? Does it bring truth or does it cloud reality?
October 17, 2010:
Sharing Circle: "Poverty and UUs"
October 10, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon:
"And the Leaves that are Green Turn to Brown". Perhaps fall is also a metaphor for life.
October 3, 2010:
"Absolute Faith" Presented by Jim Edwards, UUFB Member. Why something? Why not nothing? Some thoughts on Stephen Hawkin’s and Paul Tillich’s answers to these questions.
September 2010 top
September 26, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon:
"Blessed Are the Poor? (A Haiti Experience)" Our part-time minister returned from the summer season for his first Service since June. We was warmly welcomed back.
September 19, 2010:
"World Peace and the Baha'i Faith" Presented by guest speaker Marie McNair.
September 12, 2010:
"Islam and Peace" Presented by guest speaker Khalid Lateef, a writer, lecturer and consultant, who has practiced Christianity and Islam and has studied many other religions. In 1980, he founded the American Muslim Mission Center, now named As-Siraatal-Mustaqeen Islamic Center of Wyandanch.
September 5, 2010:
"Ramadan – the meaning and traditions of the Islamic month of fasting" Presented by Aytac Aydogan Edwards, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bellpor. Aytac talked about the meaning and the traditions of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. She also spoke about her memories of this month.
August 2010 top
August 29, 2010:
"Why I'm a Peter Mayer Fan." Presented by Jennifer Greene. Peter writes beautiful songs for a small planet — songs about interconnectedness and the human journey and this amazing universe. UUFB member Jennifer Greene told us more about this UU singer-songwriter — he was featured at the UUA's 2010 General Assembly this past June — and she played some of her favorite Peter Mayer songs, sharing how they reflect her own feelings of awe at nature and life itself.
August 22, 2010:
"Forgiveness that Heals" Led by The Rev. Mark Lyons from Silver Broom Ministries. Rev. Mark Lyons is the founding minister of Silver Broom Ministries located in Sayville, NY. He holds a legal clergy degree, has spent the past 12 years as High Priest of The Solitaires of the Silver Broom, and currently occupies the position of Elder. At this time, Rev. Lyons also instructs many of the classes offered at Silver Broom as well as conducts their Sunday morning spiritual services.
Relative information:
book: The Disappearance of the Universe by Gary Renard
book: A Course in Miracles by The Foundation for Inner Peace
August 15, 2010:
"The Jewish Faith and Peace” presented by guest speaker Werner Reich.
August 8, 2010:
A Musical Celebration led by David Jarmula. Instruments were handed out to the Congregation. Music and singing were provided by Mike Bonti on guitar, Emily Ahrend on guitar, and Charlie Setlow on piano and viola.
August 1, 2010:
"Change is Inevitable -- Growth is Optional" presented by guest speaker Rev. Nancy Arnold.
According to the I Ching, "changes are the imperceptible tendencies to divergence that, when they have reached a certain point, become visible and bring about transformations." Change is a certainty in life. How we choose to respond to — or resist — change determines what transformations take place in our lives.
Rev. Nancy Arnold has more than twenty years experience working with individuals and families at times of crisis and change in congregation, hospital and hospice settings. She has developed programs to help others identify their areas of strength and need for spiritual growth and renewal.
July 2010 top
July 25, 2010:
Sharing Circle: “What motivates us, what inspires us” Led by Emily Ahrend. Service included a discussion about how we are personally motivated and inspired in daily life.
July 18, 2010:
Sharing Circle: “What to take, what to leave behind, and what falls away” We joined together in a sharing circle about each of our personal life's journeys. Led by Dianne Eddings.
creators.July 11, 2010:
Sharing Circle: “Poetry Sunday” Attendees were asked to bring a favorite poem or two and a few thoughts on why they liked the poem or what it means to you. Ted Haiman led us in song.
July 4, 2010:
Sharing Circle: “The Declaration of Independence” A sharing circle conversation, along with interesting facts about our Country's most famous document.
June 2010 top
June 27, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon:
“The Fragility and Sacredness of Life"
We often take our life and our earth for granted but sometimes we need to consider just how fragile life is.
June 20, 2010:
Flower Communion
Please bring a flower to share. Service led by Arlene Guzman Capobianco.
Relative information:
Wikipedia entry: UU Flower Communion
June 13, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon:
“Co-Creating with the Sacred"
Is our life and everything we have just a gift or do we have responsibilities to join in the process of creation?
June 6, 2010:
"Beyond Belief”. Sharing Circle: Discussion, based on Peter Morales's Hand in Hand column in the Spring 2010 UU World. In his column, UU President Morales encourages us to ask one another what we love rather than what we believe. We had a conversation that went Beyond Belief and talked about "what we truly love, what we truly value, what we care about more than anything else in life."
May 2010 top
May 30, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon:
“Loving Others and Loving Yourself
– A Balance”
Some people fail to love others and the “golden rule” suggests. Others spend so much time caring for others they forget to care for themselves. (At the Bellport Community Center)
May 23, 2010:
“A Ring of Marvelous Worth”
The last Service held at 51 Browns Lane, Bellport.
Why does happiness seem so arbitrary and so fleeting? How can we statistically improve the odds that we will find joy at every stage of life? The ingredients for a blissful existence are more mundane — and accessible — than expected. Presented by Rev. Jennifer Pader, an Affiliate Minister for Pastoral Care at the Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York.
May 16, 2010:
“How Deadly are the Seven Deadly Sins?”
Presented by Rev. Ben Bortin, who has spoken at UUFB in the past, is the membership and volunteer coordinator at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, N.Y., and a former parish minister.
May 9, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon:
“Is Religion the Opiate of the People?”
Karl Marx is famous for saying so but does religion bring value to life or does it create more problems than it is worth?
May 2, 2010:
Restless Souls – The Transcendentalists
Presented by Carol Curtis.
April 2010 top
April 25, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon:
"Life is About Change"
As we leave our UUFB home of half a century – we embark on the hard road of change. Change is filled with challenges but also great possibilities.
April 18, 2010:
Pledge Sunday
Commit to supporting UUFB during the coming year.
April 11, 2010:
Leave Taking: A Celebration of our UUFB Home for over half a century
Homily: "Transitions" by Rev. Christopher McMahon
.
Relative information:
Special Order of Service: Leave-taking, Order of Service (9.5MB PDF) .
April 4, 2010:
Seder Service Presented by Sue Roscoe and Arlene Guzman Capobianco.
March 2010 top
March 28, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Touch the Earth (Native American Spirituality)" What was/is the thoughts and expressions of Native Americans on religion and spirituality?
March 21, 2010:
The Spring Equinox: Change and Rebirth, presented by Karen Mengel and Christopher Capobianco. We look forward to the change of seasons, but why are we so reluctant to change in our lives?
March 14, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: “After Twilight – The Death Event” What happens when you die? The world's religions hold many answers to this complex question.
Relative information:
book: The Wheel of Life by Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross M.D.
March 7, 2010:
Margaret Sanger, presented by Rich Morgan A presentation on Margaret Sanger, American woman (1879-1966), presented by Rich Morgan, in celebration of International Women's Day (March 8).
Relative information:
website: Margaret Sanger Wikipedi entry
February 2010 top
February 28, 2010:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: “Tragedy and Triumph (The Human Experience)” How in the midst of such unimaginable horror (such as that which has recently unfolded in Haiti) can human beings carry on? What is the force that empowers humanity to survive?
February 21, 2010:
The Great New Story. Norm Roscoe guided us through The Great New Story — how our UU seventh principle redefines the Genesis story of creation.
February 14, 2010:
"Love”. Sharing Circle: Diane Eddings lead a circle conversation on what the word love means to you.
February 7, 2010:
“Standing on the Side of Love” Presented by Karen Mengel and Laurie Filstrup. “Standing on the Side of Love” is a public advocacy campaign, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), promoting respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
Relative information:
website: www.standingonthesideoflove.org
January 2010 top
January 31
Rev. Christopher McMahon: “The Blessings of Imperfection”. If the World were a perfect place, we humans could not grow as individuals.
January 24
"Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution". Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last sermon. Doris Wilk and Eve Sokol with preach the sermon and Mike Bonti will provide the music! Come for a UU Gospel Service and celebrate Rev. King’s life and legacy.
January 17
Rev. Christopher McMahon: “Wealth and Poverty (The Material and the
Spiritual)”. Does the material world inhibit the development of spirituality?
Can there be a balance?
January 10
Rev. Christopher McMahon: “The End of Times”. Why do some religions fixate on the destruction of the world?
January 3
Secrets. Sharing Circle: New Year, Clean Slate given by Karen Mengel: A circle discussion about secrets, confessions, and their impact on our lives. Also included was a Burning Bowl Ceremony for those wishing to cleanse themselves from the burdens of the past year.
Relative information:
website: The Post Secret Blog
book: My Secret: A PostSecret Book