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SUNDAY SERVICES
September 9, 2007 through May 18, 2008, our services will be held Sundays at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Our minister, Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski leads most services September - May. About once a month, we have a guest minister, or a lay-led service with a speaker from our congregation or the broader community.
During the summer months our services are lay-led by folks in our congregation with occasional guest ministers or speakers. Each Sunday, musicians participate in our worship services. Nursery care and classes for children 6 months to 12 years are offered each week during summer.
Although each service is different in content, they share common elements. A typical order of service might look like the following:
- Prelude
- Welcome and Announcements
- Chalice Lighting
- Hymn or Music
- Embracing Meditation
- Reading
- Music
- Reading
- Offertory
- Sermon
- Hymn or Music
- Benediction and Extinguishing of Chalice Flame
- Postlude
Sermon topics cover a broad range of subjects. Past topics have included:
- "Ritual for Change and Growth"
- "Why Are We UU's?"
- "Mystics and Mysticism"
- "Can You be a Christian and a UU?"
- "Honoring the Blessings of Friendship"
Music has long been an important part of our services here and there is usually a lot of variety. One Sunday it may be a Celtic guitarist, the next a classical brass quartet, and the next a jazz band! Our own Walden Hills Vocal Ensemble also provide much of the music.
In the course of a year, each church has its special occasions and ours is no exception:
- September:
- The "Ingathering" service brings us together for a new church year.
- November
- During our "All Souls" service we remember those who have died.
The family "Thanksgiving" service lets us give thanks together.
- Spring
- We celebrate "Easter and Passover"
- May
- We always have a "Maypole" Sunday where we end the service by going outside and dancing around a maypole.
- June
- Our Annual meeting, signifying the end of the regular church year, is held in early June, often in conjunction with a "flower communion".
- Summer's end
- During the last service of the summer we have a "water ceremony" where we bring waters from all our summer's travels, pour them into a communal pool, and share our stories.
During the adult-oriented services, children attend religious education classes. Each class also attends a special children's service in our Children's Chapel, led by the Director of Religious Education. Throughout the year there are "family" services where adults and children worship together. Nursery care (infant-3yrs) is always available. Your child is always welcome to attend the service with you, or you can choose to listen to the service together in the Hearth Room (downstairs).
After each service there is coffee/tea/fruit drink available. The coffee hour is a time for socializing and discussing the service. On certain Sundays there are potluck brunches (at 10:00) or lunches (at 12:00). Other Sundays may have cake or other treats available (such as when we celebrate members who have recently joined our congregation). Typically there is plenty of food, so you are welcome to join in even if you haven't brought something to share. Next time, you can bring extra for someone else who may be new!
The church building is fully accessible - just drive to the top entrance for easy entry. Additionally, large print hymnals and programs, and hearing assistance are available during the service.
The members of our congregation attend church in a variety of styles of clothing. You are welcome to wear "business attire," shorts and sandals, or anything in between. Most people tend to wear outfits that are comfortable and not overly dressy.
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