Evening Worship
Every evening we have the opportunity to gather to worship together in a family friendly environment as only the SUUSI community can! Each service will touch on our theme, while providing a chance for participation, renewal and reflection on our day. Worship will be from 7-7:45 pm. Friday's outdoor service location will be announced as details are finalized.
Monday
Rev. Meg Barnhouse and Kiya Heartwood: Gaia Psalms
The trees, the fish and the rocks speak. Our deep love for all our relations will carry us beyond tomorrow. "Gaia Psalms" is a participatory worship service celebrating our connection to one another and to the planet. “Gaia” (Guy-ah) or “Gaea” most commonly refers to Gaia (of Greek mythology), the primal Greek goddess of the earth. Psalms are songs of praise and engaged lamentation. This work comes out of NASA scientist James Lovelock's "Gaia Hypothesis" which states that the Earth can be thought of as a self preserving, living organism. The work also strives to remove the duality between science and spirituality. Kiya Heartwood has composed eight pieces of music and Meg Barnhouse has written the litany.
Meg Barnhouse is a minister, troubadour, writer, humorist, pastoral counselor and long-time SUUSI attendee. After spending twenty-eight years in Spartanbug, South Carolina, she now serves as the Interim Minister for the UU Congregation of Princeton, New Jersey. Meg is the author of numerous collections of essays, meditations and insights.
Kiya Heartwood is a singer/songwriter known to many at SUUSI as half of the folk-and-roll duo Wishing Chair. Kiya's larger works are performed in many diverse areas. They include song cycles for women's choruses and operettas for young people. She is currently a graduate student in music composition at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, where she is specializing in Unitarian Universalist sacred music.
Tuesday
Rev. Hope Johnson: Great Expectations
Having great expectations of others is important. Having great expectations of ourselves is critical. Having great expectations of Unitarian Universalism can lead to the transformation that the world needs for the days beyond tomorrow. Are we ready? We'd better be! Let's begin...
Hope Johnson is the minister of the UU Congregation of Central Nassau in Garden City, New York. She has served as chairperson of the UUA Nominating Committee and a member of the UU Ministers Association Executive Committee among many other things. Along with her sister Janice, she was the co-recipient of the 2006 UUA President’s Award for Volunteer Service to the UUA.
Wednesday
Revs. Anya and Scott Sammler-Michael : Heretics, Rebels and Outsiders
For a long time Unitarian Universalists have considered themselves living on the fringes. The truth is we lie in the mainstream of American culture. Anya and Scott explore how Unitarian Universalism can move beyond tomorrow to craft a "faith for our time," a faith rooted in our history, yes, but aware that we appeal to a growing number of Americans. Using story, poetry, history and moving music, Scott and Anya will challenge us to live into our faith's promise, claim our ground and truly open our communities to those who need it most.
Anya Sammler-Michael is the minister for the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling in Northern Virginia She is a life-long Unitarian Universalist who first felt the call to the ministry in YRUU. Before answering the call she worked as a fine art photographer and chef. Anya lives her devotion to interfaith engagement by serving as Secretary of the Loudoun Interfaith Bridges, based in Leesburg, Va.
A native of Bel Air, Maryland, Scott Sammler-Michael serves as minister of the Accotink UU Church in Burke, Virginia. In 2007 Scott founded TUUL-Belt Ministries, a practical ministry training people with construction experience to respond to natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Scott and Anya cherish these opportunities to worship together (as they normally spend Sundays apart).
Thursday
Rev. Dr. Michael Tino and Friends: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Once again, we come together to celebrate important moments in our lives—the birth of new children into our SUUSI community, the death of loved ones with us still in spirit, and the transition from youth to young adulthood of our 17 year-olds. In this lively, song-filled service, SUUSI folks of all ages will have a chance to mark these transitions in our sacred community.
Michael Tino is the Worship Coordinator for SUUSI 2010. He lives in Peekskill, New York with his partner Eric. Michael serves as the Minister of the UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester in nearby Mount Kisco, New York.
Friday
Rev. Margie Allen: U R Here (Earth-Centered Worship)
U R here. Earth is a place in space. Wherever you may be on the planet, you can be found at the point where two lines converge. Your spirit's home is a place outside of time and space. Gather outdoors for this orienteering session for earthlings journeying home. Where R U?
Margie Allen is a Unitarian Universalist minister currently living in Wilton, Connecticut. Margie grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, and is thrilled to be returning to her home area to lead worship for SUUSI.