Worship – UU Church in the Pines

Sunday Services

Our services are online each Sunday at 11:00 am. You can join us on Zoom or by telephone.

We send information on joining us Online to our email list each week. To sign up, complete the form HERE or send an email to UUChPines @gmail.com (remove space before @).

Each Sunday Service includes the affirmation written by our congregation:
Love is the spirit of this church
And service is its law.
Our religion is based
On our common humanity
Our common search for meaning.
We are respectful of what we share
And of our differences.
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Upcoming Services

January Theme – Living with Intention

January 23, 2022 – The Warmth of Community
Robert Keim, Chaplain will reflect on the 32nd Anniversary of our UUCiP community.

Photo: Wedding – Virginia and Murray, 1998 Irene Keim

January 16, 2022 – Don’t Sleep Through the Revolution
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s 93rd birthday, Ellen Paul will share some of the leader’s ‘words of wisdom.’

Photo: WSFA.com

January 9, 2022 – Keep On Keeping On! The story of Persistence
Liz Halvosa and Ellen Paul will share encouragement and inspiration as a continuation of our January Theme of Living with Intention.

Photo: Sisyphe ressenza.com

January 2, 2022 – Do New Year’s Resolutions Work? What Could Be Better?
Do New Year’s Resolutions work? Might there be alternatives that are better? Can a resolution or an alternative practice be “guaranteed” to work? To last? We’ll explore these questions, showing you how a resolution can work – guaranteed! – and also why many of them don’t work, often fading faster than the promises of a newly minted politician. We’ll also explore many alternatives to resolutions that can be easier to accomplish. And we’ll have fun doing it!

Photo: Zebra Longwing bdavidcathell.com

December Theme – The Value of Dark

December 26, 2021 – Scrooge
Edward L. Anderson will provide his observations about Scrooge and the message of A Christmas Carol.

Photo: Edmonton glowgardens.com

December 19, 2021 – Why Celebrate the Longest Night?
Why celebrate the Winter Solstice – the shortest day + longest night of the year? Irene Keim will explore the sources of Solstice celebrations and what what they may mean to modern Americans – besides days growing longer.

As is our custom, we are accepting donations for the UUA Disaster Relief Fund – this time for the tornado-stricken Midwest neighbors. This is the second week of collections for the fund.

Photo: gaia.com

December 12, 2021 – Discerning in Darkness
Andy LePage, Ph.D. will address the questions: How do we reflect and how do we use reflection to grow as a person? Why is the dark important and what does it mean in our life? And how can we use reflection, the dark, and discernment to become more alive?

Tune in Sunday Morning to get answers to these burning questions, to learn more about reflection, darkness, and hopefully, to become more alive! Also, you will be able to bask in the fragrance of the wonderful Garden, and get a dollop of Vitamin D.

December 5, 2021 – Honoring Pandemics: HIV and COVID
Robert Keim, Chaplain and John St. John discuss the similarities of the two pandemics. “History has a way of repeating itself unless we learn from it.”

Photo: World Aids Day, 2021 WHO.org

November Theme – Circles of Friendship

November 28, 2021 – ‘Alone’ Is A Word Without Meaning in the Forest.
Irene Keim, with much help from author Robin Wall Kimmerer, explores our widening circle of friendships and community. There are teachers all around us.

Photo: Spring Creek Cabin from Oregon State University

November 7, 2021 – What is Metaphysics?
Edward Anderson will share his thoughts about Metaphysics. One of the readings includes this illuminating quote, “When we take fire from our chalice, it does not become less. It becomes more.”

Photo: Welcome to the Light by Edward L. Anderson

October Theme – The Wisdom of our Sources

October 31, 2021 The Wisdom of Mexican Traditions of Remembrance for Those Who Came Before
Brenda Auch and Karin Clarke will share beautiful music, a parade and reflections on Mexican remembrance traditions.

Photo: Unknown

October 24, 2021 Mining Wisdom: Mystics, Prophets, Saints, Sinners, and Mother Earth
Andy LePage brings his wisdom to share how we learn from many sources in our life journey.

Photo: pixabay.com

October 17, 2021 Living Your Principles
Jessie Pappas shares with us one way to ‘walk the walk and talk the talk.’

Photo: medium.com

October 10, 2021 Being One: Allegiance to Gratitude
Musicians, artist and authors remind is that ‘Morning has broken, Like the first morning. Black bird has spoken, Like the first bird.’ In honor of Indigeneous People’s Day (Oct. 11), Rosemarie Grubba and Chaplain Robert Keim will present a celebration of gratitude extracted from ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Photo: bartramsgarden.org

October 3, 2021 How We Talk About Religion
When we lose the meaning of religious language, we disconnect ourselves from one another. Chaplain Robert Keim will present a sermon by Rev. Dr. Nate Walker, Church of the Larger Fellowship and Rutgers University.

Photo: unknown

September Theme – Building the World

September 26, 2021 Why We Want AND Resist Diversity
Our world is diverse, our communities are often not: WHY? This is a video presentation by Rev. Keith Kron and Rev. Patrice Curtis, who both serve congregations as staff of the UUA.

Photo: Rafael Lopez

September 19, 2021 Celebrating Day of Peace
This 20th International Day of Peace encourages using peace to transform our world into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier. Ellen Paul will expand on this and our UU commitments to peace.

Photo: UN.org

September 12, 2021 Side With Love – From Salt Lake City to Florida
Robert Keim, Chaplain, observes that weather can create drama and then the work begins.

Photo: hotels4teams.com

September 5, 2021 The Wisdom of a Stormy Night
Wind + Light + Water foster musings about life for Chaplain Robert Keim.

Photo: William Shafer

August Theme – Telling Our Stories
Multiple Truths; Multiple Realities

August 29, 2021 Allow Love to Be At the Center
“Transactional relationships are toxic,” Desmond Meade, President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, shared with the UU audience at the 2021 UUA Ware Lecture.

Photo: Beacon Press

August 22, 2021 Give Voice to the Least, the Last, and the Lost
“As the prayerful, the powerful, and the protected, we must step up to serve.” Stacy Abrams issued this call during the 2021 UUA Ware Lecture.
Photo: Stacy Abrams, facebook

August 15, 2021 – Finding My People – Tulsa, A Case Study
When we view history, we have an opportunity to change our direction. Irene Keim will explore the Tulsa Massacre and the current UU response to the 100th anniversary.

Photo: Britannica.com

August 8, 2021 – Lessons from Indigenous Wisdom Keepers
Chaplain Robert Keim shares seven words chosen by Indigenous Wisdom Keepers as important for Living Communities.

Art: ‘Mentorship’ by Ricardo Levins Morales

August 1, 2021 – Why I Am An Agnostic Atheist
Jonathan Widger shares his life journey towards Agnostic Atheist. Bonus: Music written by Jonathan and produced by John St. John!

Photo: Companion Trees, Jonathan Widger

July Theme – Journey

July 25, 2021 – The Joy of Living Authentically
Zr. Alex Kapitan shares the journey and the joy of living visibly and unapologetically as your true self—not the cookie-cutter self that your family, or your church, or your school, or your wider culture tried to mold you into, but the unique, most alive, most glorious being you were meant to be.

Photo: RootsGrowTheTree.com

July 18, 20201 – What is Non-Duality?
Edward L. (Ed) Anderson shares his journey into ever deeper exploration of non-duality.

Artist: Edward L. Anderson

July 11, 2021 – Finding Home
Chaplain Robert Keim reflects on why we come together as a UU Congregation.

Photo: Young-Foreman wedding, 1998, Irene Keim

July 4, 2021 – Care of the Soul
Andy LePage shares “A Look at Thomas More and Humanism for Our Times.” Andy has also chosen some unusual music for this Sunday Service.

Photo: lovethispic.com

June Theme – Soul

June 27, 2021 – Until Love Wins – UUA General Assembly
Rev. Karen Hutt and Rev. Jen Crow, First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Recognizing the importance of shared ministry and the many innovative approaches to worship created by congregations during the pandemic, UUA President, Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick Gray, selected the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis to serve as worship leaders for this year’s GA Sunday Morning Service. Music will be offered through collaboration with 2021 GA Choir Director Susan Mashiyama, the GA virtual choir, and musicians from First Universalist.
First Universalist has been on the front lines in support of the Movement for Black Lives in Minneapolis, bringing spiritual care and moral leadership in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by police and the important uprisings for justice that followed. Children and families are a vital part of their ministry, and they have been using creative approaches to engage all ages in worship during the pandemic. Their leadership exemplifies some of the best practices for the creativity, spiritual depth, and moral leadership that is possible when we embrace the work of shared ministry rooted in love and justice.
Last year more than 10,000 screens tuned in to the watch the Sunday Morning Worship at GA! Please join us again this year on Sunday, June 27, 2021 for the largest annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists in worship.

Photo: UUA.org

May Theme – Stories

May 30, 2021 The Choice to Be A Military Chaplain
Robert Keim will present the story of Rev. David Pyle and his choice to become a military chaplain.

Photo: RevDavidPyle.com

May 23, 2021 The Mother Tree
Irene Keim will share the stories of the Mother Tree in the forest and her communities. This is a celebration of the UN International Day for Biodiversity. This is also the third celebration of the UU Ministry for Earth Spring for Change which includes World Water Day in March and Earth Day in April.
Photo: OneTreePlanted.org

May 16, 2021 Mr. Tayer
Chaplain Bob Keim will tell a story about Mr. Tayer that explains what caterpillars have in common with people – or at least the person to which Mr. Tayer is speaking.

Photo: almanac.com

May 9, 2021 Others Mothers
Ellen Paul and Daphene Chapman will share stories of caring for humans and their best friends.

Photo: mbfpreventioneducation.org

May 2, 2021 Everyday Miracles: Universalism
Robert Keim will share stories of our Universalist roots, theology, and the merger of Unitarians and Universalists.

Photo: PeacePeg.com Artist: Peg Greene, Bradenton

April Theme – Transformation

April 25, 2021 Offerings of Poetry
This Poetry Sunday will include readings from Yolanda Torres, Angela Tsoumaris, and Robert Keim. Janet Neff will be our Service Leader.

Photo: Designs on the Dances of Vaslav Nijinsky, 1913–1913
Artnet.com

April 18, 2021 Pathways to Healing & Regeneration
Rev. Yadenee Hailu and the UU Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) Virtual Choir
present the annual Earth Day service from UUMFE by video.

Photo: ShareAmerica.gov

April 11, 2021 A Change for the Better
Ellen Paul illustrates how Transformation takes many forms and paths in our lives.

April 4, 2021 Fuzzy Theology and A Conservation Ecology
Robert Keim, Chaplain will use humor to relate our theology to an ecological ethic.

Photo: Crested Caracara, artist unknown

March Theme – Celebrate

March 28, 2021 Where Stars Touch the Horizon
Robert Keim, Chaplain will celebrate our resilience in the face of life-changing challenges.

Photo: DansPhoto.com

March 21, 2021 Glass Ceilings
Karin Clarke will remind us about women who have broken that proverbial ceiling as well as several that will be new to us.

Photo: Fearless Girl- NY Stock Exchange, photo: @ajames08 Instagram

March 14, 2021 I Choose Happiness
Liz Halvosa will continue our March theme of Celebration with a discussion of Happiness.

Photo: ILoveBlueSkyCafe.com

March 7, 2021 My Stroke of Insight
Robert Keim, Chaplain recounts Jill Bolton’s experience of having a stroke and her reflections afterwards. Robert also explores the difficulties of recovery in our current culture.

Painting: Paper Gent by Rene Magritte
Photo: Pinterest.com

Past Services

Feb. 28, 2021 Accepting death is not an option anymore.
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II recounts the history of ‘accepting death’ in the United States and calls for an end to participating in such history.