Thanks to Athene     With Reverend Ernie Mills

10:30AM Whimsical World Gallery, Landrum, SC

Athene, the ancient Greek goddess of reason, was born out of the brain of Zeus. This is a mythical image of the birth of reason and the beginning of what we now know as science. The ancient Greek philosophers came to believe there were
natural and rational explanations for everything. Science has come a long way since Athene.

This brings us to our Fifth Source, “Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science…” We will explore this source and its impact on our lives in the here and now.

10:30AM

Whimsical World Art Gallery, Landrum, SC

Sunday’s service will be a gathering of the community, familiar and new, to share our current and recent Joys and Sorrows, and some music. Our minister, Ernie, is unavailable at this time, so there will be no official “message.”

All are welcome to attend and share in fellowship at this trying time.

Why are You a UU?

Led by Rev. Ernie Mills.  10:30AM

Our “Fifth Sunday Service” will feature two familiar faces from the Fellowship
who will share why they are Unitarian Universalists and the spiritual journey that
led them to this denomination. As we all know, UUs are encouraged to pursue
their own understanding of the divine, and those who grew up in our tradition are
free to embrace other religions. Yet most who grew up in the church stay UUs.
On September 29, we will hear from one who did just that.

“Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.”

Rev. Ernie Mills   10:30AM

We are hearing a lot about loving our neighbors as ourselves these days and especially from those who are running for political office. It is a good reminder and a much needed call
to wake us up—or re-awaken us—to a core value of what it means not just to be an American but what it means to be human. This source is also a good reminder that we are not
bigots when it comes to Christianity or Judaism.

“Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life”

Rev. Ernie Mills    10:30AM

“We are intelligent but not wise.” I don’t recall who said this but I recently heard it and I’m convinced of its truth. Yet what is the difference between wisdom and intelligence? We will spend some time exploring this question, after which we will examine some of the readings from our Hymnal that are listed under the title of this source. We will further explore the source of wisdom and Job’s question “where can wisdom be found? ‘

A UU Source that Challenges Us      Rev Ernie Mills

10:30am

The UU Second Source: “Words and deeds of prophetic women and men, which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love.”  This is the second source listed in our Living Tradition. It is a source that we not only draw from but it also presents us with a challenge. As I reflect on this source my mind goes immediately to Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet there are many women and men throughout history who fit this category. Between now and August 4, take some time to reflect on those who have challenged you.

Transcending Mystery and Wonder  Rev. Ernie Mills

10:30AM Whimsical World Gallery, Landrum, SC

Our theme for the next six services will be our UU Sources. They are listed in the front of our Hymnal under the title, “The Living Traditions We Share Draw From Many Sources.” We will explore each source and hopefully identify those that resonate with our own faith journey. We may even want to add a source. The first source is: “Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and openness to the forces that create and uphold life.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Unitarian Rebellion.  Derek Harrison

10:30AM Whimsical World Gallery, Landrum SC

Member Derek Harrison is not only the banjo player in “The Whimsical Trio,” but a retired college professor who has taught
writing, literature, and philosophy. Derek is also the author of several books and has traveled to over 60 countries, mostly to do volunteer work. He takes the podium on July 7 to discuss Emerson’s role in the development of the Unitarian religion and the ways his personal philosophy affected his later connection to it.

Why are You a Unitarian Universalist?   With several UUFCF members

10:30AM

June’s Fifth Sunday Service will feature members of our fellowship, whom Ernie has invited to share their personal spiritual journeys and how they landed in our liberal faith tradition. Some are predicable; some will surprise you. Such stories explain why we have such a rich and varied denomination, one that doesn’t rely on strict adherence to religious dogma or allegiance to a supreme leader. Of course, on June 30 we’ll be back in the WWGallery.
See you there!

My Numinous Encounter with a Timber Rattlesnake  Rev. Ernie Mills

Service will be at the screened shelter near the Harmon Field cabin and children’s play area at 10:30AM.  Pot luck lunch and annual meeting will follow.

10:30AM

 

Serpents, especially snakes, and specifically of the venomous kind, were worshiped by our ancestors. Snakes evoked what Rudolf Otto called the ―numinous (mysterious) or what we today refer to as the ―holy or ―sacred.
The word, sacred in its original meaning, referred to both the ―awesome‖ and the ―awful and had nothing to do with morality or ethics. Venomous serpents had the power to give life and deal death. One example is the bronze serpent. In Numbers 21, a serpent made of bronze was mounted on a cross as a healing symbol.
My encounter with a rattlesnake was both awesome and awful, but the experience was truly holy.