July 6——No Service because of the July 4th weekend.
July 13—–Ms. Martha O’Grady, a practicing Buddhist, will be sharing her message, “Walking and Awakening to the Natural World” at the fellowship. She will guide us on how to deepen our recognition of the land and the history of the land where we live our daily lives (or in this case, on the land where we worship at the fellowship). Martha will give us a brief introduction into forest therapy and how to connect to Mother Earth through all of our senses. Following the Sunday morning service, rather than participate in a circle discussion she invites anyone ages 18 and older to meet at Rector Park (behind Brenda’s Country Market) for a two-hour “bodiful” practice walk in the beautiful nature space of the Laurel Highlands. Martha will lead the group in an opening and closing ritual (including a tea ceremony) and will share invitations with walk participants to closely observe wildlife, stones, and water. This “bodiful” walk is not an activity for young children.
July 20—– Our guest in the pulpit will be Dr. David VonSchlichten. David is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Coordinator of the Gender and Women’s Studies Program and dean of the School of Humanities at Seton Hill University. On July 20th David will present the following message: “Great Stories of the Sea” From the Book of Jonah to Moby Dick to Life of Pi and beyond, how can stories of the sea and its creatures nurture our souls and empower us for social justice?
July 27—– Our guest in the pulpit will be Rev. Tasha Brownfield, who was recently ordained and installed as the minister for the UU congregation of Smithton, PA. Rev. Tasha Brownfield, M.Div., UUSCM, is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, spiritual care practitioner, educator, and sacred performance artist. A native of the Appalachian region, they currently serve as Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Smithton, PA, and as a staff chaplain at Johns Hopkins Hospital, specializing in outpatient oncology and multidisciplinary care. They also teach philosophy and religious studies at Seton Hill University. Endorsed by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Community Ministers, Rev. Tasha’s ministry extends beyond parishes, hospitals, and universities, to protest lines, queer bars, international talks and lectures, and drag performances.
Her message is,This Place Matters: Unitarian Universalism Beyond the Cities” –“What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist in a small town—or to lead a rural congregation rooted in justice and love? In this sermon, Rev. Tasha Brownfield reflects on the spiritual and political power of liberal faith communities outside of urban centers. Together, we’ll explore how rural UU congregations offer a vital alternative to the dominant narratives of classism, fundamentalism, and erasure—and why showing up in these spaces isn’t just meaningful, it’s necessary.”
