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. Mon-Thurs worship will be from 7-7:45 pm; Fri, worship will be from 8:30 to 9:15PM.
Monday - Jan Taddeo
Sacred Places
Pilgrimages are long journeys that take us to sacred places or places of religious significance. Are you on a pilgrimage? How far have you traveled on your journey, where are you going, what is your mode of transportation, who travels with you, what is your roadmap, and how will you know when you’ve arrived?
Jan Taddeo is a ministerial student at Meadville Lombard Theological School. A fifth generation UU, and long-time SUUSI participant, Jan held several lay-leadership roles at her home congregation in Fairfax, VA. She is currently living in Miramar, Florida with her husband, Russ, and attending the River of Grass UU Congregation. Before moving south, she served five years on the staff of the River Road UU Congregation as the Youth Ministry Coordinator, and two years for the Joseph Priestley District as the Coordinator of Youth Activities.
Tuesday - The Rev. Evan Keely
Our First Avowed Intent
How do we know whether our pilgrimages are worth it? After all, it isn’t easy being a pilgrim. It can be lonely, tiring, even frightening. But the pilgrimage worth making is a journey to greater freedom, greater wisdom, and greater love. We find the courage to bear the hardships by keeping our minds and hearts set on how we can be transformed by the journey.
Rev. Evan Keely currently serves as the interim minister at the UU Congregation of Monmouth County, in Lincroft, NJ. He is an Accredited Interim Minister in Training. Evan obtained his Masters in Divinity at Harvard Divinity School and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music History from Boston University. It was through music that he met his wife Sarah. Together with their sons Joseph and Benjamin, they look forward to their first time at SUUSI! (minister@uucmc.org)
Wednesday - The Rev. Michael Tino
Travelin’ Thru
Sometimes, our spiritual journeys take us to the most surprising places. Tonight, we will take a pilgrimage to the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee to a magical world in which spiritual insights sometimes come with sequins and a wig. Come learn why this city boy takes regular pilgrimages to Dollywood.
Rev. Dr. Michael Tino is the Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester in Mt. Kisco, New York. Michael is thrilled to return to SUUSI, the community in which he realized his call to the ministry. His original pilgrimage to Dollywood was taken with an old friend from SUUSI while making important Teen Program plans. In previous years, Michael has served on SUUSI Teen Staff and presented the SUUSI Thursday worship several times. He lives in Peekskill, New York with his partner Eric. (mjtino@yahoo.com)
Thursday - Amy Carol Webb
Pilgrimage: Purpose, Progress, Passage
Gather with us to mark milestones along this pilgrimage pathway we walk together. We will welcome new life with SUUSI baby dedications, celebrate our teens heading into young adulthood with a Bridging Ceremony and honor the memory of those who have passed from us. Please contact Amy directly (songweaver@amycarolwebb.com) if you’ll have a baby to dedicate, or an elder to honor.
Many of you have known Amy Carol Webb and her family in the SUUSI community since 1999. She first attended as a Concert Performer, then returned as a workshop leader, then joined TWOB staff, and then took a seat on the SUUSI Board. Still singing from Miami to Maine, she is now in seminary at Andover Newton Theological School in Boston as a future Unitarian Universalist Minister.
Friday - Laureen Blackmore with Ethel Marie Underhill & the Womanspirit Group of the New River Valley and the Blacksburg UU Congregations
Pagan Service
Our rituals embrace many spiritual paths and are drawn from a variety of Pagan sources including Wicca, Native American, and Goddess traditions found within other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. Each ritual is designed and led by our members and as such, they are all unique. We are looking forward to sharing a meaningful, spiritual ritual with the SUUSI community. All are welcome and encouraged to be ready to participate! Please bring your drums!
The Womenspirit Group of the NRV is an open, caring, laughing sisterhood of women who explore and honor Nature and Goddess spiritual traditions. We meet on the New and Full Moons of each month to create sacred space for learning, fellowship, and ritual. We honor the cycle and seasons of Mother Earth and often gather to celebrate the Sabbats, Full Moons and New Moons. We are affiliated with the UU Congregation of Blacksburg, Virginia.