Message of Hope

The January talk by David Saetre will focus on the theme of “hope.” This is the third and last in his series on spiritual virtues. You may have heard the popular saying, “hope is not a plan,” and the dismissive tone of that phrase sums up a cynical side to modern society. Indeed, hope is often synonymous with magical thinking or unrealistic expectations that avoid personal responsibility and the hard work of building a better world. Yet, while hope is not a plan, no one can plan without it. Because the future always includes ambiguity and surprise – things rarely turn out exactly how we plan them – all plans require some level of risk. Hope is the way in which we launch our dreams and visions into actions. All good plans have their roots in hope. But, hope in what? That’s what we will explore at our gathering on the second Sunday in January. The topic seems right as we begin a new year, filled with our own resolutions, dreams and expectations for our families and community. And, the topic of hope carries particular importance in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shootings, and our national sense of vulnerability and sorrow.
Join David and the faculty, staff and students of Northland as we begin a new year of worship, thoughtful reflection and building community together around the theme of “Hope!” 

Listen thru iTunes or download at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16150915/uu/2013W/1-13-13m.mp3

The Virtue of Hospitality: Becoming and Being a Welcoming Community

The Virtue of Hospitality:  Becoming and Being a Welcoming Community By David Saetre

Sin and Redemption

David Saetre--Is it possible to talk about our existential experience of brokenness and alienation, without falling into the abyss of judgmental moralism. Is that what sin really signifies? Is it possible to imagine life's surprising capacity for renewal and hope, redemption, without appealing to supernatural causes? The words sin and redemption lead us down into those depths of our human experience as few other words can.

Standing on One Foot: 3,000 years in 20 minutes

David Seigler presents, "Standing on One Foot: 3,000 years in 20 minutes." What can be said in twenty minutes about the world's oldest monotheistic religion? Plenty, and in using twenty minutes to do so David Siegler will take at least nineteen minutes more than one of Judaism's greatest rabbi's thought necessary.

The Great and the Small

In our society, bigger is usually seen as better. We've got big business, big boxes and big portions. I'm reflecting on the role of the small congregation in the life of the church. What does it mean to be a small group working for social justice? How can we nurture this still, small voice?

A.J. Galazen is a queer, nonsectarian, vegetarian, Aquarian, Buddhist, Taoist, Humanist, Unitarian Universalist theologian. He has spoken for over twenty years on issues of social equality and religious freedom, and is currently pursuing the Unitarian Universalist ministry at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.

What About God?

As part of the year-long series on "Reconstructing Religious Thought," it's time to take on the big topic, "What About God?" In the January talk I will explore recent developments in popular culture and the philosophy of religion around the question of God. The writings of Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion), and the recently deceased Christopher Hitchens created something of a movement, called the "new atheism." But, this was really part of a longer process of reexamining what the Western religious tradition means when it refers to "God." 

Holiday Special: Baboushka

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. 

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. 

Vocation

Today’s service is about Vocation by David Saetre. Service lead by Rick Dowd

Retrospective Religion and Terror Ten Years Later by David Saetre

Retrospective Religion and Terror Ten Years Later by David Saetre.

CUUF 3/13/11

CUUF 2/27/11

CUUF 2/13/11

Sorry, this post is from service on Febuary 14th. Computer problems have been limiting my internet ablities.

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.

Christmas Stories

I forgot to grab the program sheet so I don’t know the actual name but this service has David Saetre sharing some childhood stories.

The Poet and The Monk: Spirituality and Art of Japanese Poetry

Today’s message is “The Poet and The Monk: Spirituality and Art of Japanese Poetry” by David Saetre

Search for Meaning

Today’s message is about a Search for Meaning by Howard Paap, a northren WI native working with the Ojibwa.

2010 Winter Service

Its the end of the year and the shortest day is two days away. It is time for our Winter Service. This years the UU kids preform a play “The Friendly Beasts”
Sorry about the editing…GarageBand was not working for me.

Video of “The Friendly Beasts” will be going up in a few days on Youtube.

Mosque Madness

Chequamegon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Service

David Saetre, Pastor at Northland College, gives a message titled “Mosque Madness: Religious Pluralism and American Identity”