July 4 - “Exile: How a New World Becomes One’s Home” – The Rev. Nayer Taheri, guest speaker.

Through sharing the story of her life transformation as a Middle Eastern Muslim woman who became a Persian American and a Unitarian Universalist minister, The Rev. Taheri explores and relates the notion of a Stranger and the search within with the notion of the New World and calling a new land home.  As we are a nation of immigrants founded on religious freedom, this talk may help us reflect on the meaning of Independence Day.  MUSIC:  “Lady of the Harbor” by WWU vocalist.  The Rev. Nayer Taheri is currently a pediatric hospice chaplain serving the Providence Hospice of Seattle. She immigrated to the United States in 1994 and finished her studies at the Starr King School for the Ministry.   Nayer was ordained by the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church in 2009; she has been a frequent speaker in different Northwest UU congregations since 2003. 

July 11 --  “Love, Risk and Safety”  --  Barbara Cornell, guest speaker.

Our efforts to live our covenant and love one another we often confront the difficulty of trying to maintain a balance between taking risks and feeling safe. Healthy risk taking is necessary for growth and learning. What are some ways we can create communities that encourage healthy risk taking? Feeling safe is based on our inner knowing. We either feel it or we don’t. What elements are present when you feel safe? This morning we’ll consider some of the challenges, as well as the many blessings and moments of grace we face when working toward creating safer congregations together.  Barbara Cornell is a district consultant for Safe Congregations. Barbara was Intern Minister for BUF in 2008-09. Before that, she worked as a religious educator for nearly 15 years at the Shoreline UU Church and received her Masters of Divinity from Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry in 2008. In fall 2010, she begins work as a Resident in Spiritual Care at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.

July 18 -- "Who on Earth was Jesus?*  The Jesus Seminar and a Commitment to Religious Literacy"   --  The Rev. Rod Mackenzie, guest speaker.

Both Unitarians and Universalists emerged from European Christian traditions. Historically, Unitarian beliefs stressed the importance of rational thinking, a direct relationship with God, and the humanity of Jesus. Universalism emerged as a Christian denomination with a central belief in universal salvation.  How do we approach Jesus today? Some UUs are involved with the Jesus Seminar, a society of  scholars who search for the authentic words and deeds of Jesus based on evidence from science, history, and unbiased Biblical translations.  Rev. Rod Mackenzie served as a UCC minister, coordinated Campus Ministry at WWU, and had a private practice as a Pastoral Counselor. He is an associate member of the Jesus Seminar, and  leads study groups at First Congregational Church.  (*title of a book by David Boulton).  TALK-BACK DISCUSSION.

July 25 – “Building Your Own Theology-- Voices in Our Midst”  -- Crystal Neva, DLL.
  Crystal Neva invites you to come hear the philosophies and theologies of the participants in last spring's Building Your Own Theology class.  BYOT is a popular Unitarian Universalist curriculum that provides participants with the opportunity to explore their history, their values, their views on human nature, their thoughts about God and ultimate reality and what gives life meaning.  The class culminates in the creation of credo statements that address all or many of these topics.  We want to share our conclusions with you!

Entire Summer Worship Schedule