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Month of SundaysAugust 1 In today's America, religion and faith seem most often to polarize and divide people. Using National Public Radio host Krista Tippett's book as a text, we will explore how we might speak about faith in another way - a way that is profoundly inclusive rather than exclusive. Ms. Megan Dalby-Jones, a frequent and popular speaker at RRUU, is a Ministerial Candidate, as recognized by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Megan served as the Ministerial Intern at First Unitarian Church of Dallas in 2006-07 and is currently filling the pulpit of a number of churches in the North Texas area as a UU “circuit rider”. She and her partner, Kristi, are the parents of a brand-new baby boy named Parker. August 10 From our earliest days, we were awe-struck by the world around us and by ourselves, and we built dreaming responses to these miracles. Yet as we aged we often forgot our childhood dreams. How can we yet again be instructed by the miraculous, and how can we open ourselves again to its experience? Dr. John Ockels is a member of RRUU and currently works as the Director of the Texas Illegal Dumping Resource Center. He provides criminal environmental law enforcement training to peace officers throughout Texas. Mr. Ockels holds degrees in several subjects, including a master’s degree in theological studies from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. John is a frequent and popular speaker in our pulpit, is RRUU’s Director of Adult Religious Education and is a member of the RRUU Board of Trustees. August 17 Emerson preached that, "It is not only when we audibly and in form, address our petitions to the Deity, that we pray. We pray without ceasing. Every secret wish is a prayer. Every house is a church, the corner of every street is a closet of devotion." What does prayer look like when we do not address petitions to a Deity but live as if we are praying without ceasing? Lora Anne Brandis is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. She received an award for the best student sermon of 2007-2008 and is currently serving as a student chaplain at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Lora has been a member of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas since 1999 where she has served as a worship assistant, led deepening groups and taught religious education classes. She is married to Frank Peña, and they have four daughters ranging in age from 16 to 25. August 24 IN-GATHERING AND WATER COMMUNION
SERVICE As is our tradition in this congregation, we will celebrate the beginning of a new church year with an In-Gathering Service. An important element of this tradition is Water Communion. Scottie McIntyre Johnson is a founding member of RRUU, a past president of the congregation and current coordinator of the RRUU Worship Arts Team. Having retired from a long career in Montessori education, in the fall, Scottie will begin her third year as a student at Perkins School of Theology (SMU), in preparation for the ordained UU ministry. Scottie has been a member of the Southwestern Unitarian Universalist Conference Board of Trustees and has served as the Dean of our District’s adult leadership school, the Dwight Brown Leadership Experience, for seven years. In 2004 she was awarded the Alfred von Stille Award for outstanding contributions by a lay leader toward promoting the growth of Unitarian Universalism in the Southwestern UU Conference. Last month, she led a workshop on “Praying in Color” at SWUUSI, the Southwestern Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute, and she will be presenting the same workshop for First Unitarian Church of Dallas this month. August 31 FIFTH SUNDAY FORUM Hugh Prather said, "Laughter can be chosen by anyone at anytime. It is truly a 'gift of the spirit.' Come join us for the first meeting of the RRUU Laughter Club. Laughter Club programs as developed by the World Laughter Tour and led by a Certified Laughter Leader provide light-to-moderate exercise for mental and physical flexibility, mood regulation, stress reduction and an attitude boost. No jokes are used - only the joy of laughing. "Think Globally, Laugh Locally." This service is for adults and children of all ages! Marla Loturco, an active member of RRUU who serves as our Historian and as co-chair of the Hospitality Committee, is a Certified Laughter Leader for the World Laughter Tour. She currently works for Loturco Enterprises, Inc. doing application and database support. Working alone in a technological arena, Marla came to realize how little laughter there was in her daily life. After hearing a radio show in 2001 about laughter clubs, she immediately signed up for a class and coincidently a life change. Her degree is a B.S. in Education from Central Michigan University. |
