On Sunday, December 18th at 6 pm in the Alvord Theater, Northland College, the CUUF will present our annual holiday service. Children, youth, and parents of the Religious Education program have prepared a holiday play of the Russian folk-story, "Baboushka." As the tale goes, Baboushka searches still for the Christ Child she learned of once long ago from the traveling sages. As she searches, she leaves gifts of toys and baubles in the homes of children the world over. Northland College Campus Minister David Saetre will reflect on the poignant tale of Baboushka - what might we learn from her journey?
In addition to the play and David's reflection, there will be congregational singing of traditional carols and special music by pianist Joni Chapman and soloist Amanda Shuga. The CUUF string ensemble will accompany our traditional walk through the spiral of greens. The service will close with a candlelight carol followed by fellowship and refreshments. We hope you will join us for this special service.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Incarnation-The Sacred is in the Profane by David Saetre
This talk is the third in the year-long series, “Reconstructing Religious Thought: Classical Themes Reconsidered.” This month we explore the idea of the divine or sacred taking on earthly form. The idea of incarnation is central to the Christian celebration of Christmas. A 19th century English hymn ends each verse with the line, “God in flesh made manifest.” That’s the idea behind the incarnation: that the sacred, the transcendent, have entered into the immanent world of flesh and blood.
The idea of incarnation is not unique to Christianity. The Hindu figure of Krishna is an incarnation of the deity Vishnu, for example. What might we discover for our lives today in considering this classical idea from the world’s great religions? How does the search for the transcendent find its way into our own lives today? These are some of the questions and ideas we will explore together as we gather for the first Sunday in December.
The idea of incarnation is not unique to Christianity. The Hindu figure of Krishna is an incarnation of the deity Vishnu, for example. What might we discover for our lives today in considering this classical idea from the world’s great religions? How does the search for the transcendent find its way into our own lives today? These are some of the questions and ideas we will explore together as we gather for the first Sunday in December.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Peeling Back the Layers
In 2008 and 2009 Alan and Stacy Craig moved into and renovated a turn-of-the-century Finnish settlers' cabin. In this presentation we will explore the origins of Scandinavian dove-tailed log construction, take a look at some of the remaining dove-tailed structures in the area, and explain why, amongst the others, there is a single red chair at our dinner table.
Perhaps more importantly we will discuss the way the process has affected our views on place, and our own relationship to it, and how, as we peeled back the layers of particle board, wall paper, and siding, we gained a new appreciation for craft, continuity, and the power of a dream.
Alan and Stacy Craig are both alumni of Northland College. Stacy is currently the Coordinator of Applied Learning at Northland College, a volunteer with the Mason Area Ambulance, and on the board of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Institute. Alan is the Curator at the WI Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner and serves as a board member for the Town of Kelly Planning Commission. With their birddog Hope, they reside in Mason.
Perhaps more importantly we will discuss the way the process has affected our views on place, and our own relationship to it, and how, as we peeled back the layers of particle board, wall paper, and siding, we gained a new appreciation for craft, continuity, and the power of a dream.
Alan and Stacy Craig are both alumni of Northland College. Stacy is currently the Coordinator of Applied Learning at Northland College, a volunteer with the Mason Area Ambulance, and on the board of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Institute. Alan is the Curator at the WI Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner and serves as a board member for the Town of Kelly Planning Commission. With their birddog Hope, they reside in Mason.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Grace and Mercy by David Saetre
David Saetre, Speaker: “Grace and Mercy”
Dear UU Friends: I plan to dedicate my talks with you this year to the classical themes and ideas that have animated the western spiritual traditions for centuries. These great themes include core ideas like “grace”, “redemption”, “atonement”, “charity”, even the meaning of a word like “faith”. These words have also become loaded with historical baggage of church dogma. It’s occurred to me that we risk losing the power of these ideas as we move away from the traditions associated with the terms. How might these classical themes inform a lively spirituality today? Can we rediscover or recover the power and meaning these words once conveyed?
In my talk on September 11, “The End(s) of Religion” I suggested that ideas like redemption and love were the proper and sometimes forgotten goals of religious imagination and spirituality.
And, I suggested that religious communities like ours would do well to reconsider the worldhealing power contained in these classical ideas. So, my first talk in the series is simply titled, “Grace and Mercy.” What does the word “grace” mean; what is there in that core idea of the western tradition that might animate our sense of well-being in everyday experience? That seems like a good place to begin.
Future talks will include some of the other ideas mentioned above. I hope our explorations of these ideas will be meaningful contributions to deepening our spiritual lives as individuals and as a progressive, living and liberal spiritual community.
Dear UU Friends: I plan to dedicate my talks with you this year to the classical themes and ideas that have animated the western spiritual traditions for centuries. These great themes include core ideas like “grace”, “redemption”, “atonement”, “charity”, even the meaning of a word like “faith”. These words have also become loaded with historical baggage of church dogma. It’s occurred to me that we risk losing the power of these ideas as we move away from the traditions associated with the terms. How might these classical themes inform a lively spirituality today? Can we rediscover or recover the power and meaning these words once conveyed?
In my talk on September 11, “The End(s) of Religion” I suggested that ideas like redemption and love were the proper and sometimes forgotten goals of religious imagination and spirituality.
And, I suggested that religious communities like ours would do well to reconsider the worldhealing power contained in these classical ideas. So, my first talk in the series is simply titled, “Grace and Mercy.” What does the word “grace” mean; what is there in that core idea of the western tradition that might animate our sense of well-being in everyday experience? That seems like a good place to begin.
Future talks will include some of the other ideas mentioned above. I hope our explorations of these ideas will be meaningful contributions to deepening our spiritual lives as individuals and as a progressive, living and liberal spiritual community.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Kayak Lady Mary Shideler
Mary Shideler, Author of The Kayak Lady
Long on spirit, Mary Shideler did not let her short stature interfere with a quest to paddle all
1,007 lakes in northern Minnesota’s Itasca County. Sometimes with the help of friends, but often on her own, she carried her kayak through brush, trudged across bogs in tall boots, and put up with hordes of mosquitoes and legions of wood ticks. Along the way, she also learned to trust her own capacity to overcome obstacles, including her fear of being alone. Her book, The Kayak Lady, is a collection of stories and photos—a mix of adventure and fun—that documents Mary’s experiences over 15 years.
Mary will share with our fellowship the spiritual experience of this undertaking. A quote from
her book: “I am most open to reflection when I am alone on the water in my kayak. There I
become a willing captive. It is never too easy for me to be still, but the rhythmic activity of
paddling naturally lulls me into a meditative state. The gentle routine movement encourages thoughts to visit through subtle channels….the listening is not just with my ears; my way-downinside secret places pay close attention, too.
Long on spirit, Mary Shideler did not let her short stature interfere with a quest to paddle all
1,007 lakes in northern Minnesota’s Itasca County. Sometimes with the help of friends, but often on her own, she carried her kayak through brush, trudged across bogs in tall boots, and put up with hordes of mosquitoes and legions of wood ticks. Along the way, she also learned to trust her own capacity to overcome obstacles, including her fear of being alone. Her book, The Kayak Lady, is a collection of stories and photos—a mix of adventure and fun—that documents Mary’s experiences over 15 years.
Mary will share with our fellowship the spiritual experience of this undertaking. A quote from
her book: “I am most open to reflection when I am alone on the water in my kayak. There I
become a willing captive. It is never too easy for me to be still, but the rhythmic activity of
paddling naturally lulls me into a meditative state. The gentle routine movement encourages thoughts to visit through subtle channels….the listening is not just with my ears; my way-downinside secret places pay close attention, too.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Retrospective Religion and Terror Ten Years Later by David Saetre
Retrospective Religion and Terror Ten Years Later by David Saetre.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
CUUF 2/13/11
Sorry, this post is from service on Febuary 14th. Computer problems have been limiting my internet ablities.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Service for Jan 9, 2011
This is the Service for Jan 9, 2011.
I am no longer able to attend these services as my family has moved me back home so I cant give detailed infomation about it…sorry.
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