What if our human evolutionary success (7,942,645,086 and counting) is rooted in generosity and collaboration rather than competition and aggression? I will share the hopeful realism of Rutger Bergman, bestselling author of HUMANKIND: A Hopeful History, who argues “cynicism is another word for laziness.” (He also tells us, “Friends make us smarter.”)… more
Suzanne Yuskiw, a transplant from the D.C. area, moved to Aiken 3 yrs ago. Even before buying her home, she “auditioned” AUUC and liked what she heard. Now ensconced in the choir, she feels sufficiently at home to share her personal story about growing up in the Boston area. Her inspiring message will present a different slant on the concept of “Independence” that we celebrate this week.… more
As we come to the end of another church year we generally slow down and park for the summer. How can we use this time of idling to enhance our readiness to rev-up again in Fall? This will be a traditional sending out service. Don’t know what that means—I will tell you at the service.… more
June is a month of celebration for the LGBTQ community and its allies, but Pride is more than just festivities and parades. Join us as we explore the meaning of Pride, its historical relevance, and its significance today and in the future.… more
Join us for worship as the Committee on Shared Ministry explores the many facets of Right Relations.… more
There is an issue that pops up frequently in churches. It pops up when we finally realize we need to change something. Upon realizing this, people begin to think of relatively easy things that can be done to “fix it”. Make a rule or a policy, write a welcoming statement, change the bathrooms to unisex. What if all these things don’t work and we are still having the same issue. What then?… more
This day before Memorial Day, we will honor those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. military. It will be a service rich in story and in ritual. I invite everyone to bring a picture or a me- mento of their family members who have served in the military. We will hold space to share stories of our family members as well.… more
On this High-Holy day of Unitarian Universalism, as in previous years, I present stories and examples in UU history that emphasize the beauty and the downfall of Congregational Polity. As Winston Churchill said of democracy “it is the worst way of governing a nation (a church) except for all the rest.”… more
Inspired by a story in Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmer, I will explore the customs and tendencies of human beings around the idea of economies based on sharing versus profit. How might our ingrained Western capitalism have spoiled us to the beauty of bounty.… more
How did news media on left and right cause us to believe so many things that are not true? Including the idea of a stolen election? Why do they do this? And most important of all, what is the difference between moral posing and genuine moral courage?… more
