Here are all our previous service posts; some are the full text of the service.
Sunday, May 15, 2022: Annual Meeting - This Sunday is our Annual Meeting. We will gather as usual at for coffee, check-ins and informal discussion, and the Annual Meeting will begin at 11:00. Everyone is invited to participate in the discussion; decisions are by consensus of members. If you’d like, bring a snack to share. Annual Business Meeting. The annual business meeting … Continue reading Sunday, May 15, 2022: Annual MeetingSunday, May 1, 2022: Valley Falls State Park - We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s first outing, we will gather for a celebration of spring, flowers, and the challenges of labor history on Sunday, May 1, at Valley Falls State Park — picnic and hiking on the banks of the Tygart Valley River. … Continue reading Sunday, May 1, 2022: Valley Falls State Park
Sunday April 17, 2022: Flower Ceremony - Please bring flowers to share. Whatever is blooming, or a twig in bud, is fine. We have resumed meeting in person. Everyone is invited to lunch at Robert and Lisa’s after the service; ham, potato salad, and rolls will be provided. Other dishes to share are welcome. We will have our Flower Ceremony, which was … Continue reading Sunday April 17, 2022: Flower Ceremony
Sunday, April 10, 2022 - “What does it mean to be in covenant? How do we handle the mutual accountability of living in love? What do we need from our shared agreements now and in the future?” Join us for worship and a potluck lunch. We will be discussing the Article II Study Commission and our values as they apply to our … Continue reading Sunday, April 10, 2022 Sunday, April 3, 2022 - “What does it mean to be in covenant? How do we handle the mutual accountability of living in love? What do we need from our shared agreements now and in the future?” Join us for worship and a potluck lunch. We will be discussing the Article II Study Commission and our values as they apply … Continue reading Sunday, April 3, 2022
Sunday, March 27, 2022 - “9 Then the Lord said to me, “Speak to the wind for me. Son of man, speak to the wind for me. Tell the wind that this is what the Lord God says: ‘Wind, come from every direction and breathe air into these dead bodies! Breathe into them and they will come to life again!’” … Continue reading Sunday, March 27, 2022 Sunday, March 20, 2022 - “As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears.” – Rumi “My coming to faith did not start with a leap but rather a series of staggers from what seemed like one safe place to another. Like lily pads, round and green, these places summoned and then held me up while I … Continue reading Sunday, March 20, 2022 Sunday, March 13, 2022 - “They asked, ‘If a tree should fall in the woods and one is not there, does it make a sound?’And the answer came, ‘If a tree should fall and no one is there, listen for the cry of mourningbirds who grieve the loss of their nests. They know where the tree lies. They call you … Continue reading Sunday, March 13, 2022
Sunday, March 6, 2022: A Crisis in Faith - Cherish your doubts, for doubt is the handmaiden of truth. Doubt is the key to the door of knowledge; it is the servant of discovery.A belief which may not be questioned binds us to error, for there is incompleteness and imperfection in every belief. — Robert T. Weston Unitarian Universalism has no creed, no specified … Continue reading Sunday, March 6, 2022: A Crisis in Faith
Sunday, February 27, 2022: The Id in Identity - But what if we are not icebergs, but waves? In the historical dimension we talk in terms of life, death, being, nonbeing, high, low, coming, going, but in the ultimate dimension, all these notions are removed. If the wave is capable of touching the water within herself, if the wave can live the life of … Continue reading Sunday, February 27, 2022: The Id in Identity
Sunday, February 20, 2022: Solitude - Not all people are called to be hermits, but all people need enough silence and solitude in their lives to enable the deep inner voice of their own true self to be heard at least occasionally. — Thomas Merton (modified slightly) Each of us needs to make space for the “still small voice” of our … Continue reading Sunday, February 20, 2022: Solitude
Sunday, February 13, 2022 - “American history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it.” – James Baldwin The same could be said for Unitarian Universalist History. This Sunday join us as Cricket Hall explores UU History through the lens of Widening Our Circle. Please Join Us for Worship. We … Continue reading Sunday, February 13, 2022 Sunday, February 6, 2022 - “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” – Lilla Watson This Sunday John Hall will explore themes of collective liberation and what that means as we widen our circle. Please Join … Continue reading Sunday, February 6, 2022
Sunday, 30 January, 2022: Right Intention: Justice, Equity and Compassion - Three Pure Precepts I vow to refrain from all evil.I vow to make every effort to live in enlightenment.I vow to live and be lived for the benefit of all beings. – from the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts Buddhist psychology teaches that intention is what makes the pattern of our karma. Karma, the cause and results … Continue reading Sunday, 30 January, 2022: Right Intention: Justice, Equity and Compassion
Sunday, January 23, 2022 - “The Sabbath is to time what the tabernacle and temple are to space: a cathedral in time. On the seventh day, we experience in time what the temple and tabernacle represented in spaces, which is eternal life with God in a complete creation.” – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath This Sunday, Stacey Elza will give … Continue reading Sunday, January 23, 2022
Sunday, 16 January, 2022: Does Our Past Matter? - Our age is retrospective. It builds the sepulchres of the fathers. It writes biographies, histories, and criticism. The foregoing generations beheld God and nature face to face; we, through their eyes. Why should not we also enjoy an original relation to the universe? Why should not we have a poetry and philosophy of insight and … Continue reading Sunday, 16 January, 2022: Does Our Past Matter?
Sunday, January 2, 2022 - So yes, we have facts. And yes, we have information. But we also have experience to think about. We have to use ALL of it to find that truth and meaning. Being free and responsible doesn’t mean just looking at the numbers. Being free and responsible means looking at the entire picture, the bigger picture, talking about hearts and people. It is my goal in the new year, and I hope that it will be one of yours as well, to focus on being intentionally responsible. That it is not just “oh I am doing this responsibly,” but more “it is my duty to do this responsibly.” Because we cannot make change, we cannot live up to our principles without an intentional free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
Sunday, December 26, 2021: NO SERVICE - We are taking Sunday, December 26, off. There will be no ZOOM service and no in-person service, while we individually celebrate Saint Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day/The Second Day of Christmas/The First Day of Kwanzaa or perhaps to prepare for tomorrow’s International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. Please join us January 2, 2022, when we resume regular Sunday … Continue reading Sunday, December 26, 2021: NO SERVICE
Sunday, December 19, 2021: Joy to the World - No more let sins and sorrows grow,Nor thorns infest the groundLet righteousness its glories showAs far as love is foundFar as the love is found,Far as the love is found,Far as, far as, the love is found. In these dark times, there will be singing. In the darkest time of another dark year, we will … Continue reading Sunday, December 19, 2021: Joy to the World
Sunday, December 12, 2021 - “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie “This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!” – D.M. … Continue reading Sunday, December 12, 2021
Sunday, December 5, 2021 - “Joy is an act of resistance.” – Toi Derricotte “Feeling good is not frivolous, it is freedom.” – adrienne maree brown “Joy is the transformation of our suffering, not the escape of all we have to face.” – Mark Nepo This Sunday, John Hall will discussing “Finding a Unitarian Universalist Joy and How That Applies … Continue reading Sunday, December 5, 2021
Sunday, 28 November, 2021: Making Inroads - I see the Anthropocene as something that demands that we humans see ourselves in a different way, as a partial cause of those changes. But I also see the Anthropocene as an interpellation to challenge the human as the key subject of history. — Joanna Zylinska This Sunday Phoebe Durst will be using Joana Zylinska’s … Continue reading Sunday, 28 November, 2021: Making Inroads
Sunday, 21 November, 2021: On What Authority? - The authority of Jesus, as of all teachers, one would naturally think, must rest on the truth of his words, and not their truth on his authority. — Theodore Parker, The Transient and Permanent in Christianity On what authority have we Unitarian Universalists built our beliefs? And by what tests do we determine their Truth? … Continue reading Sunday, 21 November, 2021: On What Authority?Sunday, November 7, 2021: Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, Bridgeport - Little Blue Heron at Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer and into the winter. For this year’s seventh outing, we will return to Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park in Bridgeport for a celebration of nature, fellowship, and the beginning of the holiday … Continue reading Sunday, November 7, 2021: Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, Bridgeport
Sunday, 31 October, 2021: Cultivating Relationships - The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, “What? You too? I thought I was the only one.” — C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves This Sunday, Phoebe Durst will lead us in a service on cultivating relationships. Please Join Us for Worship. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting … Continue reading Sunday, 31 October, 2021: Cultivating Relationships
Sunday, 24 October, 2021: Joy in the Moment - Look to this day:For it is life, the very life of life.In its brief courseLie all the verities and realities of your existence.The bliss of growth,The glory of action,The splendor of beautyAre but experiences of time.For yesterday is but a dreamAnd tomorrow is only a vision;But today well-lived, makesYesterday a dream of happinessAnd every tomorrow … Continue reading Sunday, 24 October, 2021: Joy in the Moment
Sunday, October 17, 2021 - “Herbie Hancock – Jazz musician and Buddhist – describes jazz as “a music of the moment”. Improvisation allows him to capture the essence of the present and express it; to provide for listeners an unmediated glimpse of the realm of the infinite.” This Sunday, John Hall will lead a service on different types of meditation. … Continue reading Sunday, October 17, 2021
Sunday, October 10, 2021 - Welcome: Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Cricket and I feel blessed to serve this congregation as a lay leader. I’m glad to see all of you here today. Thank you for joining us. [If guests] I’d like to welcome our guests. Thank you for taking a chance and taking the … Continue reading Sunday, October 10, 2021Sunday, October 3, 2021: West Virginia State Wildlife Center, French Creek - We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s sixth outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer, nature, and fellowship on Sunday, October 3, at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center at French Creek. Please note that unlike most of the parks we visit, the … Continue reading Sunday, October 3, 2021: West Virginia State Wildlife Center, French Creek
Sunday, 26 September, 2021: The Possibility of Forgiveness - … not to shirk responsibility, but in honest expectation of the possibility of forgiveness. This Sunday, Phoebe Durst will lead us in a service on the possibility of forgiveness, a meditation on part of our Sunday morning welcoming words. Please Join Us for Worship. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting … Continue reading Sunday, 26 September, 2021: The Possibility of Forgiveness
Sunday, 19 September 2021: Bread and Roses - As we go marching, marching, unnumbered women deadGo crying through our singing their ancient call for bread.Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.Yes, it is bread we fight for, but we fight for roses too. “Bread and Roses” – James Oppenheim, inspired by Helen Todd “Bread and Roses” came from the labor … Continue reading Sunday, 19 September 2021: Bread and RosesSunday September 12th, 2021 Service – Spiritual Practices - This Sunday’s service is present by John Hall which is about how important it is to refocus our spiritual perceptions. Join us for Worship: After a year of virtual services, West Fork Unitarian Universalists were excited to resume in-person services the end May. In light of the current surge in Covid-19 infections we resumed Zoom … Continue reading Sunday September 12th, 2021 Service – Spiritual Practices
Sunday, September 5, 2021: Valley Falls State Park - We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s fifth outing, we will gather for a celebration of the end of Summer and the beginning of Autumn on Sunday, September 5, at Valley Falls State Park — picnic and hiking on the banks of the Tygart Valley … Continue reading Sunday, September 5, 2021: Valley Falls State Park
Sunday, 29 August 2021: … and Repeat - Wet hair thoroughly Massage shampoo into your scalp Lather, leaving on your hair and scalp for several minutes Rinse and repeat — Directions on a bottle of shampoo The thing about spiritual practice that I get wrong most often is that, well, it’s a practice. Spiritual practice, like practicing a musical instrument, requires repetition. Robert … Continue reading Sunday, 29 August 2021: … and Repeat Sunday, 22 August 2021: … and Repeat - Wet hair thoroughly Massage shampoo into your scalp Lather, leaving on your hair and scalp for several minutes Rinse and repeat — Directions on a bottle of shampoo The thing about spiritual practice that I get wrong most often is that, well, it’s a practice. Spiritual practice, like practicing a musical instrument, requires repetition. Robert … Continue reading Sunday, 22 August 2021: … and RepeatSunday August 15th, 2021 Service – Comfort & Inspiration - “Today is a good day to die! Follow me!” – Ogala-Lakota Chief, Low Dog. This Sunday’s service is present by John Hall and about how we can live our lives with greater passion and authenticity by embracing non-attachment and impermanence. Join us for Worship: Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s … Continue reading Sunday August 15th, 2021 Service – Comfort & Inspiration
Sunday, August 8, 2021 - Welcome: Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Cricket Hall and I feel blessed to serve this congregation as a lay leader. I’m glad to see all of you here today. Thank you for joining us. Let us use the prelude for centering. We are about to enter sacred time. We are … Continue reading Sunday, August 8, 2021Sunday, August 1, 2021: Audra State Park - Swimming at Audra We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s fifth outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer and fellowship on Sunday, August 1, at Audra State Park. We will meet at 11 a.m. in the picnic area for a short service followed … Continue reading Sunday, August 1, 2021: Audra State Park
Sunday, 25 July, 2021: Punishment and Universal Salvation - (Image: the old two-cell strap-iron jail in Kelso, California) If I don’t believe God would punish people after death and send them to hell, because God is so loving and because punishment is not salvific, then why would I think punishment would be salvific on earth? That makes no sense. It’s just theologically inappropriate. — … Continue reading Sunday, 25 July, 2021: Punishment and Universal SalvationSunday, July 11, 2021: Ferguson Memorial Park, Shinnston - Ferguson Memorial Park, Shinnston We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s third outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer on Sunday, July 11, at Ferguson Memorial Park in Shinnston We will meet at 11 a.m. in the picnic area for a short service … Continue reading Sunday, July 11, 2021: Ferguson Memorial Park, Shinnston
Sunday, July 4, 2021: SERVICE CANCELED - Because of scheduling conflicts during the holiday weekend, there will be no in-person or ZOOM service at WFUU on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Have a safe and festive Independence Day weekend. Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302
Sunday, June 27, 2021 - “From the Greek word selig (which means blessed) comes the English word silly. I like to think that there is something sacred about the ability to be silly – to play – to laugh and be child-like.” – June Mack Maffin Join us for Worship: This Sunday, Cricket Hall will present a service about Play … Continue reading Sunday, June 27, 2021
Sunday, 20 June, 2021: Thinking Too Freely? - Freethinkers were fine people, but they shouldn’t go around thinking just anything. — Terry Pratchett, The Last Continent In the turmoil of early 19th Century religious thought in the United States, the Universalist minister Abner Kneeland set a high standard for controversy. A supporter of radical social reform, women’s rights, birth control, and interracial marriage, … Continue reading Sunday, 20 June, 2021: Thinking Too Freely?Sunday, June 6, 2021: Watters Smith Memorial State Park - We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s second outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer and fellowship on Sunday, June 6, at Watters Smith Memorial State Park. We will meet at 11 a.m. in the Pioneer shelter in the picnic area near the … Continue reading Sunday, June 6, 2021: Watters Smith Memorial State Park
Sunday, May 30, 2021 - “Writers imagine that they cull stories from the world. I’m beginning to believe that vanity makes them think so. That it’s actually the other way around. Stories cull writers from the world. Stories reveal themselves to us. The public narrative, the private narrative – they colonize us. They commission us. They insist on being told. … Continue reading Sunday, May 30, 2021
Sunday, 23 May, 2021: Love is the Doctrine - Our covenant, which is more than a hundred years old in one form or another, may be the only thread that runs through the last century of Unitarianism and Universalism essentially unchanged. Love is the doctrine of this church,The quest of truth is our sacrament,and service is our prayer.To dwell together in peace,To seek knowledge … Continue reading Sunday, 23 May, 2021: Love is the Doctrine Sunday, 16 May, 2021: Love is the Doctrine - Our covenant, which is more than a hundred years old in one form or another, may be the only thread that runs through the last century of Unitarianism and Universalism essentially unchanged. Love is the doctrine of this church,The quest of truth is our sacrament,and service is our prayer.To dwell together in peace,To seek knowledge … Continue reading Sunday, 16 May, 2021: Love is the DoctrineSunday Service, May 9, 2021 - “The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.” —James E. Faust This Sunday, John Hall will give a lesson on the spiritual benefits of Mother’s Day. Please Join Us for Worship. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting on Zoom. We share music, readings, and hymns … Continue reading Sunday Service, May 9, 2021
Sunday, May 2, 2021: Prickett’s Fort State Park and Flower Ceremony - We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s first outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer on Sunday, May 2, at Prickett’s Fort State Park. We will have our Flower Ceremony, which was created by Dr. Norbert Čapek for the Liberal Religious Fellowship he … Continue reading Sunday, May 2, 2021: Prickett’s Fort State Park and Flower Ceremony
Sunday, May 2, 2021: Prickett’s Fort State Park - We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s first outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer on Sunday, May 2, at Prickett’s Fort State Park. During this time of continuing covid-19 pandemic we are practicing appropriate social distancing; please wear a mask. We will … Continue reading Sunday, May 2, 2021: Prickett’s Fort State Park
Sunday, April 25, 2021 - “In the end, reconciliation is a spiritual process, which requires more than just a legal framework. It has to happen in the hearts and minds of people.” – Nelson Mandela This Sunday, Phoebe Durst will give a lesson on Becoming Reconciliation. Please Join Us for Worship. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus … Continue reading Sunday, April 25, 2021
Sunday, 18 April, 2021: How Did I Get That So Wrong? - I’ve spent most of my life being wrong. Not about everything. Just about most things. — Chuck Klosterman, But What If We’re Wrong? Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past Robert Helfer will lead the service. Please Join Us for Worship. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting … Continue reading Sunday, 18 April, 2021: How Did I Get That So Wrong?
Sunday, April 11, 2021 - “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of it’s members.” – Coretta Scott King This Sunday, Phoebe Durst will give a lesson on Intentional Community. Please Join Us for Worship. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting on Zoom. We share music, readings, and hymns … Continue reading Sunday, April 11, 2021
Sunday, April 4, 2021 - “The path of awakening is not about becoming who you are. Rather it is about unbecoming who you are not.” – Albert Schweitzer This Sunday, Cricket Hall will give a lesson called “Easter, Resurrection, and Becoming New” Please Join Us for Worship. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting on Zoom. … Continue reading Sunday, April 4, 2021
Sunday, March 28, 2021 - We have been invited to join as special zoom church service and concert. Details below will also be emailed out to our google group. If you need help getting the zoom invite please contact us. 10:30 AM: “Music as Activism: Finding Your Voice.” Two activist musicians will be featured on the UUs of Greater Pittsburgh … Continue reading Sunday, March 28, 2021
Sunday, 21 March, 2021: Committed to What? - Today, conventional wisdom too often teaches that people who disagree with us are obstacles; we must coerce others to follow our wishes; happiness is supposed to come from getting exactly what we want. In contrast, the Dalai Lama asks us to treat others gently as sisters and brothers, even if they disagree with us; to … Continue reading Sunday, 21 March, 2021: Committed to What?
Sunday, March 14, 2021 - “When the train stops, the woman said, you must get on it. But how will I know, the child asked, it is the right train? It will be the right train, said the woman, because it is the right time. A train approached the station; clouds of grayish smoke streamed from the chimney. How terrified … Continue reading Sunday, March 14, 2021 Sunday, March 7, 2021 - “Anything less than a conscious commitment to the important is an unconscious commitment to the unimportant.” – Stephen Covey Our MissionBe a beacon and a refuge for allWorship joyfullyGrow in spiritTouch our community This Sunday we will consider our history with covenant and commitment. John Hall will lead the service. Please Join us for Worship. … Continue reading Sunday, March 7, 2021
Sunday, February 21, 2021: With Feathers - “Hope” is the thing with feathers –++That perches in the soul –++And sings the tune without the words –++And never stops – at all – — Emily Dickinson, “‘Hope’ Is The Thing With Feathers” This Sunday we will consider “hope” and “things with feathers” in anticipation of the coming reawakening we call Spring, though still … Continue reading Sunday, February 21, 2021: With Feathers Sunday, February 14, 2021: With Feathers - “Hope” is the thing with feathers –++That perches in the soul –++And sings the tune without the words –++And never stops – at all – — Emily Dickinson, “‘Hope’ Is The Thing With Feathers” This Sunday we will consider “hope” and “things with feathers” in anticipation of the coming reawakening we call Spring, though still … Continue reading Sunday, February 14, 2021: With Feathers
Sunday, February 7, 2021 - Welcome: Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Cricket and I feel blessed to serve this congregation as a lay leader. I’m glad to see all of you here today. Thank you for joining us. [If guests] I’d like to welcome our guests. Thank you for taking a chance and taking the … Continue reading Sunday, February 7, 2021
Sunday, January 31, 2021 - Welcome: Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Cricket and I feel blessed to serve this congregation as a lay leader. I’m glad to see all of you here today. Thank you for joining us. [If guests] I’d like to welcome our guests. Thank you for taking a chance and taking the … Continue reading Sunday, January 31, 2021
Sunday, January 24, 2021: In Other Capitals - I walked up to a counter in Antalya Airport to tell a disbelieving airline employee that our flight would shortly be canceled because the tanks being reported in the streets of Istanbul meant that a coup attempt was under way. It must be a military exercise, she shrugged. Some routine transport of troops, perhaps? If … Continue reading Sunday, January 24, 2021: In Other Capitals Sunday, January 17, 2021 - Welcome: Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m John and I feel blessed to serve this congregation as a lay leader. I’m glad to see all of you here today. Thank you for joining us. [If guests] I’d like to welcome our guests. Thank you for taking a chance and taking the … Continue reading Sunday, January 17, 2021
Sunday, January 10, 2021: Where Are We Going? - Unitarian and Universalist ideas have a 2,000-year history. Lisa deGruyter will review where we have been, what is meaningful to her from that history, and ways forward. Please Join us for Worship. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting on Zoom. We share music, readings, and hymns on our usual presentation … Continue reading Sunday, January 10, 2021: Where Are We Going? Sunday, January 3, 2021 - “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” – This Sunday, John Hall will give a lesson titled “Expect the unexpected.” J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting instead through the magic of ZOOM. We share music, readings, … Continue reading Sunday, January 3, 2021
Sunday, December 27, 2020 - “The Joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing each other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays.” – W. C. Jones This Sunday, Cricket Hall will give a lesson titled “Putting the Holy back in the holidays.” We are forgoing meeting in … Continue reading Sunday, December 27, 2020
Sunday, December 20, 2020: People Look East - People look east, the time is nearFor the crowning of the yearMake your house fair as you are ableStrike the harp and set the table In these dark times, there will be singing. In the darkest time of a dark year, we will gather to light a candle and look forward to the return of … Continue reading Sunday, December 20, 2020: People Look East
Sunday, December 13, 2020 - “The culture is telling us to go faster and faster, cram more and more into less and less time. One of the main benefits of slowing down is we start to get to know ourselves better; we find and forge the right path for us through life.” – Carl Honoré This Sunday, Cricket Hall will … Continue reading Sunday, December 13, 2020
Sunday, December 6, 2020: Creating Christmas - Can you in your Conscience think, that our Holy Saviour is honoured, by Mad Mirth, by long Eating, by hard Drinking, by lewd Gaming, by rude Revelling; by a Mass fit for none but a Saturn or a Bacchus, or the Night of a Mahometan Ramadam? You cannot possibly think so. — Cotton Mather, Grace … Continue reading Sunday, December 6, 2020: Creating Christmas
Sunday, November 29, 2020 - “When we become aware that we do not have to escape our pains, but that we can mobilize them into a common search for life, those very pains are transformed from expressions of despair into signs of hope.” – Henri J. M. Nouwen This Sunday, Cricket Hall will give a lesson titled “Letting Go of … Continue reading Sunday, November 29, 2020
Sunday, November 22, 2020 - “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” — Maya Angelou This Sunday, John Hall will give a lesson titled “Thanksgiving of Healing” We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting instead … Continue reading Sunday, November 22, 2020
Sunday, November 15, 2020: The Hardest Principle? - The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities. — Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove Welcome before prelude Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Robert Helfer and I feel blessed to serve this congregation … Continue reading Sunday, November 15, 2020: The Hardest Principle?
Sunday, November 8, 2020: Chop Wood, Carry Water - The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for the rest of your life. And the most important thing is, it must be something you cannot possibly do. Henry Moore Much advice over the last four years, … Continue reading Sunday, November 8, 2020: Chop Wood, Carry WaterSunday, November 1, 2020: Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, Bridgeport - Little Blue Heron at Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer and into the winter. For this year’s sixth outing, we will return to Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park in Bridgeport for a celebration of nature, fellowship, and All Saints Day, the beginning … Continue reading Sunday, November 1, 2020: Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, Bridgeport
Sunday, October 25, 2020 - “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott This Sunday, Cricket Hall will give a lesson titled “Listening to yourself – the difference between maintenance and indulgence.” We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting instead through the magic of ZOOM. We … Continue reading Sunday, October 25, 2020
Sunday, October 18, 2020 - “Listening is an art that requires attention over talent, spirit over ego, others over self.” – Dean Jackson This Sunday, John Hall will give a service on the 5th principle titled “Listening to the least heard voices.” We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic, meeting instead through the magic of ZOOM. We … Continue reading Sunday, October 18, 2020
Sunday, October 11, 2020 - “Through consciousness, our minds have the power to change our planet and ourselves. It is time we heed the wisdom of the ancient indigenous people and channel our consciousness and spirit to tend the garden and not destroy it.” – Bruce Lipton This Sunday, Cricket Hall will give a lesson on the Spiritual practice of … Continue reading Sunday, October 11, 2020Sunday, October 4, 2020: Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, Bridgeport - Little Blue Heron at Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s fifth outing, we will gather for a celebration of nature, fellowship, and the end of Summer on Sunday, October 4, at Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park in Bridgeport. During … Continue reading Sunday, October 4, 2020: Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, Bridgeport
Sunday 27 September 2020: … but sometimes it’s difficult to see - “There is beauty everywhere,” said Big Panda, “but sometimes it’s difficult to see.” — James Norbury We live in a world of spectacular contrasts. At times the beauty we see overwhelms us, but other times the ugliness around us seems more than we can bear. Yet even in those times of ugliness we’re surrounded by … Continue reading Sunday 27 September 2020: … but sometimes it’s difficult to see
The Courage to Be Disliked: Sunday, 20 September 2020 - "In a world the human inhabitants of which are currently being polarised into either the fiery or the ice-bound there often seems no longer to be any point in adopting a more temperate approach. After all, at the moment, those of us who do try to make temperate points in the public space often quickly find their arguments (and nearly always themselves) simultaneously attacked by the fiery from one side and the ice-bound from the other. It can be — indeed, it often is — highly dispiriting. So, what on earth are those of us with a more temperate spirit to do?" - Andrew J. Brown
Sunday, September 13, 2020 - Welcome: Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Cricket and I feel blessed to serve this congregation as a lay leader. I’m glad to see all of you here today. Thank you for joining us. [If guests] I’d like to welcome our guests. Thank you for taking a chance and taking the … Continue reading Sunday, September 13, 2020Sunday, September 6, 2020: West Virginia Wildlife Center, French Creek - We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s fourth outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer, nature, and fellowship on Sunday, September 6, at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center at French Creek. Please note that unlike most of the parks we visit, the … Continue reading Sunday, September 6, 2020: West Virginia Wildlife Center, French Creek
Sunday August 30, 2020: The Great Showman - The noblest art is that of making others happy — P.T. Barnum Welcome before prelude Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Robert and I am blessed to serve this congregation as a lay leader. I’m glad to see all of you here today. Thank you for joining us. Let us use … Continue reading Sunday August 30, 2020: The Great Showman
Sunday, August 23, 2020: Once More with Feeling: Repetition as Spiritual Practice - The little chores in our kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and outside surroundings become spiritual practices when they bring us back to ourselves. As Thorp puts it: “When you bring energy and attention to each of your activities, you are no longer engaged in maintenance. You’re involved in taking care of things.” – Frederic and Mary … Continue reading Sunday, August 23, 2020: Once More with Feeling: Repetition as Spiritual Practice Once More with Feeling: Repetition as Spiritual Practice - The little chores in our kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and outside surroundings become spiritual practices when they bring us back to ourselves. As Thorp puts it: “When you bring energy and attention to each of your activities, you are no longer engaged in maintenance. You’re involved in taking care of things.” – Frederic and Mary … Continue reading Once More with Feeling: Repetition as Spiritual Practice Once More with Feeling: Repetition as Spiritual Practice - The little chores in our kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and outside surroundings become spiritual practices when they bring us back to ourselves. As Thorp puts it: “When you bring energy and attention to each of your activities, you are no longer engaged in maintenance. You’re involved in taking care of things.” – Frederic and Mary … Continue reading Once More with Feeling: Repetition as Spiritual Practice Sunday August 9, 2020: The Great Showman - The noblest art is that of making others happy — P.T. Barnum Our forays into Unitarian and Universalist history normally focus on our heroes, the stars of social justice and liberal religion. But perhaps we need to be equally aware of our slightly less reputable past. This Sunday Robert Helfer will venture into the world … Continue reading Sunday August 9, 2020: The Great ShowmanSunday, August 2, 2020: Audra State Park - Swimming at Audra We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s third outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer and fellowship on Sunday, August 2, at Audra State Park. During this time of covid-19 pandemic we are practicing appropriate social distancing; please wear a … Continue reading Sunday, August 2, 2020: Audra State Park
Curbing the Need to Be Right: Using Acceptance as a Tool for Spiritual Growth - Logic, reason, and science are often at odds with the spritual and the divine. How do we honor the 3rd Principle to accept one another and encourage spiritual development in our faith communities? Sunday, July 26th, John Hall will attempt to thread this difficult needle in our principles and perhaps find some new tools for … Continue reading Curbing the Need to Be Right: Using Acceptance as a Tool for Spiritual Growth
Sunday, July 19, 2020 - Welcome: Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Cricket and I feel blessed to serve this congregation as a lay leader. I’m glad to see all of you here today. Thank you for joining us. [If guests] I’d like to welcome our guests. Thank you for taking a chance and taking the … Continue reading Sunday, July 19, 2020
Sunday, July 12, 2020 - We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic. But just because we are meeting online, doesn’t mean we can’t have guests. This Sunday we are joining the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Morgantown as we worship with special musical guest Andrew McKnight. The service he will present is called “Beyond These Walls, Beyond These … Continue reading Sunday, July 12, 2020Sunday, July 5, 2020: Watters Smith Memorial State Park - We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s second outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer and fellowship on Sunday, July 5, at Watters Smith Memorial State Park. During this time of covid-19 pandemic we are practicing appropriate social distancing; please wear a mask. … Continue reading Sunday, July 5, 2020: Watters Smith Memorial State Park
Sunday, June 21, 2020 - “Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future; live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh This Sunday, John Hall will give a lesson entitled, “Mindfulness: Being Aware of Ourselves” We are forgoing … Continue reading Sunday, June 21, 2020
Sunday, June 14, 2020 - “Wisdom, fundamentally, is knowing who you are, where you are, and what you’re trying to do or be.” – Gordon B McKeeman This Sunday, Cricket Hall will lead a service about the Humiliati. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic. We share music, readings, and hymns, on our usual presentation slides, have … Continue reading Sunday, June 14, 2020Sunday, June 7, 2020: Ferguson Memorial Park, Shinnston - Ferguson Memorial Park, Shinnston We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. For this year’s first outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer on Sunday, June 7, at Ferguson Memorial Park in Shinnston. During this time of covid-19 pandemic we are practicing appropriate social distancing; please wear … Continue reading Sunday, June 7, 2020: Ferguson Memorial Park, Shinnston
Sunday, May 31, 2020: Small Acts - Our topic this Sunday will be “Small Acts”. Phoebe Durst will lead the service. We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic. We share music, readings, and hymns, on our usual presentation slides, have a story and a talk, and share joys and sorrows, as well as a virtual “coffee hour” discussion, starting … Continue reading Sunday, May 31, 2020: Small Acts
Sunday, May 24, 2020: Things Worthy of Remembrance - And lest things worthy of remembrance should perish with time, and fall away from the memory of those who are to come after us, I, seeing these many evils, and the whole world lying as it were in the wicked one, among the dead, waiting for death til it come, as I have truly heard … Continue reading Sunday, May 24, 2020: Things Worthy of Remembrance
West Fork Unitarian Universalists 