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 2011 top
December 25, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "A Time for Peace and a New Beginning" — What truly does the holiday of Christmas mark and what can it mean for people – even those who do not share the theology of Christianity?
December 18, 2011:
"Groundhog Day" — Spiritual lessons come in all guises. Guest speaker, Reverend Karyn O'Beirne, an ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual minister, will look at the lessons Bill Murray needed to learn in the movie Groundhog Day. Life is a creative adventure and help is everywhere if we look.
December 11, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "The Idea of a Personal God" — In the western religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam – there is the notion of a "personal God" – a being that each person can relate to. Where does this idea come from and what are the realities of this in light of what we know in the modern world?
December 4, 2011:
"Gloria Golden: Crypto-Jews of the American Southwest" — Guest speaker, Gloria Golden, talks about her book, filled with interviews and photographs, about the Cryto-Jews of ther American Southwest. "Five hundred years after the Inquisition, Gloria Golden manages to turn the little-known subject of crypto-Jews into an inspiring tale of identity. The rich portraiture and captivating oral histories offer a poignant view of what it means to discover and embrace one's Judaism."
November 2011 top
November 27, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Honesty, Integrity, and Compassion (The Secrets to Real Power)"—We speak of military power, political power, the power of wealth — but the real power in a human being comes from their honesty, integrity and compassion.
November 20, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "The Wonder of Being Thankful"—These are tough times for the world today and for millions of people in particular. How can we have hope when tragedy is all around us? This service also included our annual Cornbread and Cider Service, a unique Unitarian Universalist Cornbread and Cider Communion as we give thanks and honor the fall harvest and the warmth of community. Guided by Laurie Filstrup with help from the entire congregation.
November 13, 2011:
"Reflections on Compassion" — If individualism is the spiritual disease of our society, compassion is necessary to provide the cure. A service given by our UUFB's GA reprsentative, Emilly Ahrend, on the lessons learned regarding compassion during the events and experiences at the 2011 UU General Assembly. (This service was originally schedule for Aug 28, but was canceled due to Hurricane Irene.)
November 6, 2011:
"Spiritual Dabbling, or Depth?" — Presented by guest speaker, Rev. Nancy Arnold. One of the great advantages of being a UU is that we can choose spiritual practices that are meaningful to us. It's easy for us to try a little of this and a little of that, and not experience the growth that can happen with a commitment to depth. Is there a benefit from the kind of openness we have to so many different spiritual experiences? How can we build on this as a strength that leads to growth?
October 2011 top
October 30, 2011:
"Dia de los Muertos"—Presented by UUFB member Marion Russo, UUFB's annual obervance of the Mexican holiday (November 1 and 2). The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. Members brought photo and momentos for the ofrenda, prayed for and remembered friends and family members who have died.
October 23, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "How to Have Hope in a World Filled with Tragedy"—These are tough times for the world today and for millions of people in particular. How can we have hope when tragedy is all around us?
October 16, 2011:
Sharing Circle: "After Death, What?"—Why are human beings fascinated with what happens to us after we die? Is it only our bodies that die, or do we have a souls that go on...and on? Does the belief in life after death impact and structure how we live our lives? If there is a life after death, why are we so reluctant to die? UUFB member, Carol Curtis, led this intriguing topic in a sharing circle. Please come prepared to share thoughts, readings, or experiences with the congregation. Sharing Circles are a way for us to build community and learn from and about each other.
October 9, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Change" — Change is an inevitable part of the universe and humans change continuously as well — although most of us resist it. Should we fear change or should we embrace it?
October 2, 2011:
Poetry Sunday — UUFB member, Aytac Aydogan Edwards, led this Sunday of poetic inspiration. Among other poetic recitations, members of the Fellowship will share poems written by them or their favorite poems written by other poets.
September 2011 top
September 25, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Lessons from Assisi" — This summer, Rev. McMahon and his wife had the pleasure of visiting Italy and during the journey, and travelled to Assisi — the home of St. Francis. What lessons can we draw in today's world from this humble man who lived 800 years ago?
September 18, 2011:
Childlike faith in a "world come of age" — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and political activist, wrote in the 1940s that the world had lost it's religious innocence and having come of age needed a new form of faith to satisfy its curiosity and capacity for reason. Using Bonhoeffer's ideas as a backdrop, guest speaker Eve Stevens (a student in the MDiv program at Union Theological Seminary in New York City on the ordination track) discussed what a childlike innocent faith might mean for UUs, and how a childlike faith can be both an obstacle and an inspiration for an open-eyed UU optimism.
September 11, 2011:
A unique 9/11 Ingathering: "Where have we been and where are we going": Reflections on the end of summer, UUFB in transition and the ten years since "9/11." — Following a long standing UU Tradition, we returned from summer and gathered together again. Members we haven't seen in a while joined our service as we reflected on the past and looked to the future. Led by UUFB member, Christopher Capobianco.
September 4, 2011:
Labor Day: A Celebration of Workers' Rights — UUFB member, Marian Russo, led a service focused on Unitarian Universalist principles most directly relevant to issues of worker justice.
August 2011 top
August 28, 2011:
This Service was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. We hope to reschedule.
Reflections on Compassion — If individualism is the spiritual disease of our society, compassion is necessary to provide the cure. A sermon given by UUFB member, Emily Ahrend, on the lessons learned regarding compassion during the events and experiences at the 2011 UU General Assembly.
August 21, 2011:
Sharing Circle: Humanism, atheism, and agnosticism — Guest speaker, Norm Roscoe lead a Sharing Circle discussing the differences between humanism, atheism, and agnosticism.
August 14, 2011:
"On Gratitude and Acceptance" — UUFB member Bryan Drumm presented a service on gratitude and acceptance. Drawing from his own experience, he showed how far our lives can get from gratitude if we are not constantly aware. All life springs from gratitude and we have so many gifts that we end up ignoring in the moment.
August 7, 2011:
"The Effect of War on the Returning Warriors" — Mac Bica served in Vietnam as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps. On his return to civilian life he worked tirelessly and against medical odds to create programs for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. At this time he is a professor of philosophy at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, and Chairman of Veterans for Peace Long Island.
July 2011 top
July 31, 2011:
"The Last Lecture: Inspiration to Live our Lives with Purpose and Joy" — UUFB member, John Mengel, presented a service that celebrates and passes on some of the lessons of Prof. Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture," a talk given by many professors who are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance?
Relative information:
website: The "Last Lecture" website
July 24, 2011:
Sharing Circle: "The UU Principle: Respect for the Interdependent Web of all Existence of which We are a Part" — Often we characterize this web as nature at its most peaceful such as we experience when we walk on the beach or in the woods. But does this web include people? Does it include the built environment? Our cars and appliances? Does this web include evil? Does this web assume that interdependence is basically benign, basically humane?
July 17, 2011:
Sharing Circle: "Got God?" — UUFB member Carol Curtis led us in a Sharing Circle about the Spring 2011 issue UU Word article "Got God?" by Myriam Renaud.
Relative information:
website: "Got God?" Article at uuworld.org
July 10, 2011:
Sharing Circle: "The UU Principle: A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning" — What is the role of trust in our search? To what extent to we have to rely on evidence provided by others? For example, scientists we'll never meet; or news media which have to sell advertising; or books which are the result of someone else's search for truth and meaning.
July 3, 2011:
Sharing Circle: "America the Beautiful" — As we celebrate Independence day, a Sharing Circle on the elements that make America great — freedom, diversity, and natural beauty. Led by UUFB member, Emily Ahrend, we also hd a sing along with traditional songs that celebrate America.
June 2011 top
June 26, 2011:
"The Coming of Democracy to Turkey" — Aytac Aydogan Edwards, UUFB member and native of Turkey, talked about this dramatic time, remembering historical facts and her personal memories.
June 19, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Monotheism" — Western society and the "God" religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic – which a belief in one God. There are, of course, many other religions that have beliefs in many gods. How did monotheism arise and how has it changed the world?
June 12, 2011:
"The World of Our Senses" — Based on the writings of Diane Ackerman, UUFB members Chris and Laurie Filstrup explored the place of the senses in a spiritual life.
June 5, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "What is Love?" — Love is a dominant theme in our world. Is there really such a thing as love? Where does it come from? Why are there seemingly so many different kinds of love?
May 2011 top
May 29, 2011:
"Are You an Angel in Disguise?" — Led by guest speaker Rev. Mark Lyons, the founding minister of Silver Broom Ministries located in Sayville, NY., who will talk about the Guardian Angel as the Higher Self, which is very empowering. We've all heard about Guardian Angels, seen them portrayed on TV shows and in movies. There are also a growing number of Angelic Intervention stories permeating our culture. Find out the truth about Guardian Angels, why everybody has one and how you can learn to not only access this infinite channel of Love, Power and Wisdom, but also begin to integrate the Angelic forces into your everyday life. Mark has been sharing this Angelic information for over 20 years to the delight and rapid transformation of those who listen and leap into their true Angelic Selves.
Relative information:
website: Silver Broom Ministries
May 22, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Honesty and Truth" — Our fourth principle calls for a "responsible search for truth and meaning" — but whatreally is truth?
May 15, 2011:
"Climate Change: What it is and what we need to do address it, both locally and globally." — UUFB member Dr. Robert Garisto. If we fail to act, climate change has the potential to cause great harm to our civilization and the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.
May 8, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "The Presence of Evil" — Some people attribute evil in the world to devils and demons. Why is this so? Is there in fact evil in the world?
May 1, 2011:
"Flower Communion" — UUFB member Karen Mengel will lead our annual Flower Communion Service. This ritual has it's beginnings in Prague, Czechoslovakia and was first celebrated in the US over 60 years ago. It is a clear reflection of our diversities and our common bonds.
April 2011 top
April 24, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Resurrection and Remembrance" — What is the meaning of Easter?
April 17, 2011:
Sharing Circle: "Sacred Space" Led by UUFB member Carol Curtis, A sharing circle service on creating a sacred space for UUFB, wherever we are.
April 10, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Thou Shall Not Kill — The Way of Pacifism" The Bible's commandment seems to be ignored in so many situations? What is the meaning of this command?
April 3, 2011:
"Critical Thinking" — The Social Action Committee's David Jarmula led a service in "Critical Thinking" to combat media's use of marketing strategies to sway opinions. We learned how to identify these subtle maneuvers to influence you unfairly.
March 2011 top
March 27, 2011:
"Wrestling With Faith" Presented by by guest speaker, Eve Stevens, a UU who is now in her second semester of a three year MDiv program at Union Theological Seminary in New York City on the ordination track. Eve also heads the Students for Reproductive Justice Caucus and spends her free time working for an interfaith publication
March 20, 2011:
"Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" Presented by guest speaker Rev. Dr. Jane Ann Groom who serves Sayville Congregational UCC as Interim Pastor from January 2008 until this June. She holds a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary as well as a Doctorate of Ministry in pastoral counseling from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Currently she is in training at Outreach Training Institute to earn CASAC credentialing from the state of NY in support of her plan to work in the field of addictions counseling after leaving her current pastoral position.
March 13, 2011:
"New Directions for the School of Americas: Seeking Justice During Obama's Time" Presented by guest speaker, Bill McNulty, a board member of the School of Americas Watch, a progressive news commentator at WUSB, and a prisoner of conscience, serving 6 months in a federal prison for crossing the line at Fort Bennin.
March 6, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "The Circle Dance of Spring"As we approach the end of winter – we sense the coming of spring and a time of renewal; the sacred time when life bursts forth again.
February 2011 top
February 27, 2011:
"The Spiritual Journey of Water Skiing Versus Scuba Diving" Presented by guest speaker, Reverend Dwight Lee Wolter, Pastor of the Congregational Church of Patchogue.
February 20, 2011:
"Heartsease; A Sense of Place" Presented by guest speaker, Tom Williams, a former director of the Cornell Extension Service on LI.
Relative information:
website: The Cornell Cooperative Extension
website: Town of Brookhaven, Environmental Protection
February 13, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Civility and Compassion" We are hearing a lot these days about the breakdown of civility. Frankly, civility is a hallmark of compassion and spirituality.
February 6, 2011:
"On Waltham's Watch"Details of the events and experiences of the UU History and Heritage Convocation and Collegium last October, presented by UUFB member, Emily Ahrend.
January 2011 top
January 30, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "The Search (The Spiritual Dimension of Seeking Truth and Meaning)" Why are human beings fixated on always searching for answers to questions, posing more questions and searching again? What is the spiritual dimension of this?
January 23, 2011:
"10,000 Eyes" Presented by guest speaker, Reverend Alison Cornish, the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork in Bridgehampton. When we venture into the natural world, we are as much seen by nature as we visit the wild —in fact, 10,000 eyes are upon us. What do they see?
January 16, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Life After Life" Why does half (or more) of the world’s population believe in reincarnation.
January 9, 2011:
Post-Christmas Celebration. Readings and Music in the post-holiday celebration, presented by Chris and Laurie Filstrup.
January 2, 2011:
Rev. Christopher McMahon: "Antarctica: A Spiritual Journey" Ten years ago I visited Antarctica, a hauntingly beautiful and mysterious place—but also a place of spiritual magnificence.