> For this, our traditional end-of-October service of remembrance to honor those who have died and to celebrate the continuity of life, we will together create an altar adorned with items that we think would be beautiful to our departed loved ones. All who attend are encouraged to bring photos, mementos, special items, etc. that can be placed on the altar early in the service (before the children are sung to their classes). Reflections will be shared about those from our church family who have died since last October—Jeanne Bowles, David Hurd, Phyllis Briley, Eileen Lundberg, Shirley Atkin, Des Bragg, and Carol Evans —and we will light candles acknowledging others we hold dear in our memory. A tender service of recognition, affirmation and celebration of this precious life we share.

Rev. Mark Stringer & Rev. Erin Gingrich

Rev. Mark Stringer
Celebrant: Garrett McGuire

Rev. Erin Gingrich

> Mark Morrison-Reed reminds us that the “central task of religion is to unveil the bonds that bind each to all.” The unveiling is, in and of itself, a healing—of disconnection, loneliness, alienation. We will explore the practice of unveiling these bonds in our shared life and our individual spiritual practice.
Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, Director of Stewardship and Development and Special Assistant to the President for the Unitarian Universalist Association. Previous to taking on this ministry two years ago, Mary Katherine served for 27 years in parish ministry, serving small, mid-size, and large congregations. She has been a mentor over the years to both of our ministers and is an excellent preacher.

Watch the Video of Celebrant Reflection (YouTube link)

> If Martin Buber, the 20th century Jewish existentialist philosopher, was correct in his assertion that human life finds meaningfulness in relationships (specifically in “I-Thou” rather than “I-It” encounters), how are we to find meaning right now when so many of us seem so divided and unwilling to encounter the “Thou” in those with whom we disagree. As we begin a month of considering what it means to be a community of healing, Mark will consider the possibilities.

Rev. Mark Stringer; Celebrant: Lyra Halsten.

> Rather than asking that you be bound to a set of specific beliefs, Unitarian Universalism invites you “to dare to love God without mediator or veil.”  Our community invites you into a way of being religious that centers on the covenantal question; what shall we promise each other and in what interest?
Our guest minister this morning, the Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs, is Co-Minister of Unity Church-Unitarian in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he and his wife and partner-in-ministry, Janne, have served for the past 16 years. He is a member of the UUA Board of Trustees, a former President of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association and a devoted advocate for the efficacy of congregational life. He and Janne are the parents of three grown children and of their grandson Lewis of whom they are inordinately proud.

Rev. Mark Stringer

> It has been suggested that the question “Who am I?” will inevitably lead to a deeper question: “Whose am I?”  To whom do you belong?  To whom are you accountable? To whom do you answer?  Powerful questions all. For this service we’ll consider our answers and what they reveal about our identities and highest commitments.

Rev. Mark Stringer

Rev. Mark Stringer