by Rev. Roger Bertschausen

Where is our faith headed? Will it survive the increasing secularism of our culture (yes, even in the Fox Cities)? I’ll share reflections from my sabbatical experience in the highly secularized culture of England.

By Rev. Roger Bertschausen, 3/16/2014

Vulnerability is a popular value in Unitarian Universalism today. This is for good reason: it is a key to the spiritual life. But are there limits to vulnerability? Can it be unhelpful and even destructive?

3/2/2014
Greetings: Mr. Tim Hanna, Mayor of Appleton
Ms. Dori Davenport Thexton, Congregational Life Consultant with the Mid America Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association
Rev. Don Southworth, Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association

Sermon: “Home: Sanctuary or Basecamp?” by Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association

Offering for World Relief: Ms. Kathy Flores, Diversity Coordinator of the City of Appleton, and a member of the Fellowship

Act of Dedication: Led by Mr. Eric Riggers, President of the Fellowship’s Governing Board
President: With gratitude to all those who laid the solid foundations of Unitarian Universalism and the courageous band of free-thinkers who opened the doors of this Fellowship in 1955,
All: With gratitude to those who helped create this place by giving so generously of their time, energy, vision and treasure; and with gratitude to those whose labor turned our dreams into the reality of wood and stone, carpet and shingle,
President: And with gratitude to the Spirit of Life that fills us with possibility and abundance,
All: We dedicate this new spiritual home. May this be a place where we welcome everyone, embracing diversity as together we explore the mysteries of the universe and face a shared future.
President: May this be a place where we grow in mind and spirit as together we make meaning of life. May this be a place where we encounter the beauty of humanity and our world.
All: May this be a place where we lead in social justice by reaching out in service and solidarity. We dedicate ourselves to making our own hearts and our greater communities more just and compassionate.
President: May this be a place where generations come together as we minister to one another, sharing joys and sorrows and celebrating together the events and seasons of our lives.
All: May this be a place of memory and hope, where we revel in our past while opening to our present. We dedicate ourselves to making this home a spiritual legacy for future generations.

Song: “Let’s Make the Circle Bigger” written and performed by Be Alford with Erik Leveille

by Rev. Roger Bertschausen and Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg, 2/23/2014

“Love Is Big” written and performed by Doug Wheeler

The Fellowship in many ways is like a living organism. Like all life, it has evolved. We’ll use the lens of this month’s theme of evolution to look at the evolution of the Fellowship. How has the Fellowship evolved over the years? What has been the continuity? What might be next?

by Rev. Roger Bertschausen, 2/9/2014

I had the good fortune of visiting Down House, Charles Darwin’s home, while I was on my sabbatical. His home offers a lens into his life, his work and his personality. I’ll reflect on this, and then explore some of the spiritual implications of the famous theory he developed at Down House.