Bob, Doug, Keith and Kirk

Led by Kirk Smith, pulpit guest and Roy King, Jr.

Our relationships with our fathers can evolve throughout our lives. Hear how a chance discovery of old letters changed the view of a father. Come reflect on your father and bring a picture of him, or other man important in your life, to display.

Listen to the sermon June 16 by Kirk Smith.

MULTIGENERATIONAL
“How do I answer that?” the parents cry out. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson reminds us, “There are times, at least for now, when we must be content to love the questions themselves.” Today we’ll thank our teachers, those who give themselves to working with our youngest folk.

What is the test we require for membership in this society? With no creed, no written rule, how do we decide what it means to belong? Today we’ll welcome, with joy, our newest members, and find the part of our nature upon which religion is founded.

Listen to the sermon on June 2 by Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris.

I know it is often difficult to define what being a Unitarian Universalist means. The gift of working with younger children is that they MAKE you figure it out really quickly.  You have to be able to communicate in concrete and specific ways what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist.  And the most concrete way I can communicate what UUism means is this: difference is good. And truly embracing and welcoming diversity and difference is also hard, hard work.  That is why there are so few communities, religious or otherwise, that one can truly call multicultural. Our different stories, the pain and joy we carry with us– well, that can make it difficult to understand one another.

Our children started out this church year making multiple name tags for themselves, because within each of us is a lot of difference. Sometimes we are happy, sad, angry, confused, or bored. And in our church community, we welcome all these parts of us.  Not only do we welcome all the different feelings, but we also welcome all of our different experiences and stories.  We welcome all kinds of families in all kinds of configurations and work to make sure we are not unintentionally excluding some people.  Most of our lesson plans expose and normalize our differences and try to help our children lessen anxiety about differences. Of course, children are generally way better at this than we adults are– they are still so flexible and open.  Wow, the RE director has a wife?  That surprised some of our children but not for very long.  Yes we are different, but come on, what really matters is who is going to be “it” in a game of tag; who gets stuck with the ‘hot potato’ when the song ends; and how much does it tickle when ants crawl over your hand.

It has been a full and rich church year, full of difference, joy, sadness, and fun.   My ten month contract with the church comes to a close on June 15^th.  I will miss you all over the summer and look forward to rejoining you when I resume my family ministry work with the church on August 15^th.

Blessings on your summer,

Darcy

Benediction, by Kent Haruf

Set in a farming town in Colorado, this novel’s characters are looking for a benediction: a good word of connection, a closure, forgiveness or security.

My Beloved World, by Sonia Sotomayor

The story of how a little girl from the projects in the Bronx grew up to be one of the most influential people in the country.
Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed by Glennon Doyle Melton

A “mommy blogger” whose reflections go a little deeper than might be expected.

Mohammad: The Story of a Prophet and Reformer by Sarah Conover with a forward by Eboo Patel

Mark your calendar for July 14th, our annual “book communion” worship, followed by a book sale in Fellowship Hall. Let’s talk about books and what we’ve been reading! -Katie

The responsibility for our tradition is to create a personal understanding of the world and our place in it. Those sharing today have initiated the task, and will share some of their wisdom.

Listen to the sermon by Roy King Jr, Lavon Hodges, James Green and Suzanne Quijano.

Today we celebrate all the time and talent given to Starr King Church, the gifts and glories of leadership, and those smallest contributions that make up a congregation that endows our world with goodness and justice. Come celebrate!

Listen to the sermon by Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris on May 19th.