Here are all our previous service posts; some are the full text of the service.
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
Sunday, May 17, 2020: Annual Meeting - This Sunday is our Annual Meeting. We will gather as usual on Skype for check-ins and informal discussion at 10:30, and the Annual Meeting will begin at 11:00. Everyone is invited to participate in the discussion; decisions are by consensus of members. Annual Business Meeting. The annual business meeting shall be held each year on … Continue reading Sunday, May 17, 2020: Annual Meeting
Sunday, May 10, 2020 - “Motherhood changes everything.” – Adriana Trigiani This Sunday, John Hall will be doing a service celebrating Mother’s Day! We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic. We experimented with a Skype video call on March 15, which allowed use to share music, readings, and hymns, on our usual presentation slides, and share joys … Continue reading Sunday, May 10, 2020 Sunday, May 3, 2020 - Those who stand at the threshold of life always waiting for the right time to change are like the person who stands at the bank of a river waiting for the water to pass so they can cross on dry land. – Joseph B. Wirthlin This Sunday, Cricket is going to lead a UU History … Continue reading Sunday, May 3, 2020
Sunday, April 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. Let us use the prelude for centering. We are about to enter sacred time. We are about … Continue reading Sunday, April 19, 2020
Flower Ceremony: Sunday, 12 April 2020 - We will have our Flower Ceremony, which was created by Dr. Norbert Čapek for the Liberal Religious Fellowship he founded in Prague, then Czechoslavakia, in 1925, and which became the largest Unitarian Church in the world. He sought a ceremony that would celebrate love and community and the interdependent web of life and love among … Continue reading Flower Ceremony: Sunday, 12 April 2020
Sunday, 5 April 2020: Sublime Liberation - Phoebe Durst will lead the service and Lillie will provide live music. 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 at 10:30, … Continue reading Sunday, 5 April 2020: Sublime LiberationTime will tell - The sermon from Rev. Andrew Brown of the Unitarian fellowship in Cambridge, England this morning, parts of which were read in our service. Time will tell—‘It is impossible to think in advance of experience, and no experience is merely empirical’
Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today: Sunday, 29 March 2020 - Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today,and give us not to think so far awayas the uncertain harvest; keep us hereall simply in the springing of the year. A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost Living in the present is harder, but even more vital, in a time of fear and uncertainty about the … Continue reading Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today: Sunday, 29 March 2020
Sunday, March 15, 2020 - We are forgoing meeting in person during the coronavirus epidemic. Sunday, March 15, we will be experimenting with a virtual discussion while we determine how best to meet and worship virtually. If you would like to participate, please email westforkuu@gmail.com for details. If you are a regular attendee, we have added you to our Google … Continue reading Sunday, March 15, 2020
Sunday, March 15, 2020 - “I celebrate myself, and sing myself.” – Walt Whitman “The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” –Arthur C. Clarke Join us for Worship: This week John Hall will present a service titled, “The Power of Spiritual Mash-Ups: Innovate and Celebrate!” Our services are Sundays … Continue reading Sunday, March 15, 2020
Sunday, March 8, 2020 - “Music once admitted to the soul becomes a sort of spirit and never dies.” – Edward Bulwer Lytton Join us for Worship: This week our youth will present a service titled, “Music fuels spiritual practice” “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― … Continue reading Sunday, March 8, 2020
Sunday, March 1, 2020: Dissent, Heresy, and Toleration - Tolerance is a social rather than a religious virtue. A broad-minded view of the private belief of others undoubtedly makes for the happiness of society; but it is an attitude impossible for those whose personal religion is strong. For if we know that we have found the key and guiding principle of Life, we cannot … Continue reading Sunday, March 1, 2020: Dissent, Heresy, and Toleration
Sunday, February 16, 2020: The Kingdom of God - Some time ago, in a conversation with Wes Jackson in which we were laboring to define the causes of the modern ruination of farmland, we finally got around to the money economy. I said that an economy based on energy would be more benign because it would be more comprehensive. Wes would not agree. “An … Continue reading Sunday, February 16, 2020: The Kingdom of God
Sunday, February 9, 2020 - “Anyone can slay a dragon, he told me, but try waking up every morning and loving the world all over again.” – Brian Andreas Join us for Worship: This week Cricket Hall will present a service titled, “Sitting with Discomfort”. In 1944, Rev. Frederick W. Burnham said, “The business of the ministry is to comfort … Continue reading Sunday, February 9, 2020
Sunday, February 2, 2020 - “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Join us for Worship: This week Cricket Hall will present a … Continue reading Sunday, February 2, 2020
Sunday, January 26, 2020 - “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” – Vernā Myers Join us for Worship: This Sunday John Hall will present a service titled, “5th Principle – Voting, Inclusion, and Participation” Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown … Continue reading Sunday, January 26, 2020
Sunday, January 19, 2020: Food Rules - Most often the people in Berlevaag during the course of a good meal would come to feel a little heavy. Tonight it was not so. The convives grew lighter in weight and lighter of heart the more they ate and drank. They no longer needed to remind themselves of their vow. It was, they realized, … Continue reading Sunday, January 19, 2020: Food Rules
Sunday, January 12, 2020: Enlightment Now - Part of working for equity and justice is to try and make more of life’s goodnesses available to everyone. Over time, if we squelch and reject those goods, not only is life miserable for us, we make it really difficult for us to participate in society, be friends or coworkers, love anyone, or keep up … Continue reading Sunday, January 12, 2020: Enlightment Now
Sunday, January 5, 2020 - “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul…” —Gilbert K. Chesterton Join us for Worship: This Sunday we will celebrate New Years with a small service at 10:30 am and a potluck breakfast at 11am. Hope to see you … Continue reading Sunday, January 5, 2020
Sunday, December 29, 2019 - “The meaning of resolution is “a firm decision to do or not to do something.” The key words are “firm decision”. If you make a firm decision about something then you must also take action and set a deadline, in other words, set a goal!” – Catherine Pulsifer Join us for Worship: This Sunday John … Continue reading Sunday, December 29, 2019
Sunday, December 22, 2019 - “Yule, is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, much celebration was to be had as the ancestors awaited … Continue reading Sunday, December 22, 2019
Sunday, December 15, 2019: Redemptive Art - Niggle was a painter. … He had a number of pictures on hand; most of them were too large and ambitious for his skill. He was the sort of painter who can paint leaves better than trees. He used to spend a long time on a single leaf, trying to catch its shape, and its … Continue reading Sunday, December 15, 2019: Redemptive Art
Sunday, December 8, 2019: Quillen Shinn’s Travels - October’s theme was “Belonging.” Sometimes, when most people around us seem to believe differently, we feel we don’t belong. Unitarian Universalist seems like a new and different belief here, now – but for a century and more, Universalism was alive and well in our area, rising from the beliefs of some of our earliest settlers. … Continue reading Sunday, December 8, 2019: Quillen Shinn’s Travels
Sunday, December 1, 2019 - “One of the tragic ironies of history is that such original and creative geniuses as Buddha and Jesus have been extolled as perfect patterns for all to emulate. In the very struggle to be like someone else rather than to be one’s own true self, or to do one’s own best in one’s own environment, … Continue reading Sunday, December 1, 2019
Sunday, November 17, 2019 - Circles, like the soul, are neverending and turn round and round without a stop. – Ralph Waldo Emerson Join us for Worship: This Sunday, John Hall will present a service called “Counting on Circles.” Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind … Continue reading Sunday, November 17, 2019
Sunday, November 2, 2019 - “If your love for me requires that I hide parts of who I am, then you don’t love me. Love is never a request for silence.” By DeRay Mckesson Join us for Worship: This Sunday, Cricket Hall will discuss the tension of Welcoming and the first principle. Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the … Continue reading Sunday, November 2, 2019 Sunday, October 27, 2019: Quillen Shinn’s Travels - This month’s theme is “Belonging.” Sometimes, when most people around us seem to believe differently, we feel we don’t belong. Unitarian Universalist seems like a new and different belief here, now – but for a century and more, Universalism was alive and well in our area, rising from the beliefs of some of our earliest … Continue reading Sunday, October 27, 2019: Quillen Shinn’s Travels
Sunday, October 20, 2019: To Every Purpose - To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: — Ecclesiastes, 3:1 This Sunday we will talk about those times of transition when one season becomes another. Robert Helfer will lead the service. Join us for Worship: Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s … Continue reading Sunday, October 20, 2019: To Every PurposeSunday, October 13, 2019: 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 and final outing, we will gather on Sunday, October 13, at Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park in Bridgeport at 11 a.m. for a short service, followed by a … Continue reading Sunday, October 13, 2019: Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, Bridgeport
Sunday, October 6, 2019 - “Today, the idea of idealism is not enough. Casual optimism rings hollow, and triumphal, self-assured liturgies leave our broken hearts still yearning for the chance to sing together in a minor key. The people we serve yearn for that too, for an honest word and an opportunity to hold our shared grief and deep personal … Continue reading Sunday, October 6, 2019
Sunday, September 29, 2019: Serpents and Doves - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. — Matthew 10:16 Welcome before prelude Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Robert Helfer and I am blessed to serve this congregation as a lay leader. I’m glad to … Continue reading Sunday, September 29, 2019: Serpents and Doves
Sunday, September 22, 2019: Drifting as a Spiritual Practice - Welcome before prelude Good morning and welcome to West Fork Unitarian Universalists. I’m Lisa deGruyter 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. … Continue reading Sunday, September 22, 2019: Drifting as a Spiritual Practice
Sunday, September 15, 2019 - “We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been—a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open … Continue reading Sunday, September 15, 2019
Sunday, September 8, 2019 - “We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. ” – UUA website Join us for Worship: Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse. There are classes for … Continue reading Sunday, September 8, 2019Sunday, September 1, 2019: 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 Sunday, September 1, at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center at French Creek at 11 a.m. for a short service, followed by a potluck picnic, conversation, and visiting the animals. We would love … Continue reading Sunday, September 1, 2019: West Virginia Wildlife Center, French Creek
Sunday, August 25, 2019: Wealth and Philanthropy - This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of Wealth: … — the man of wealth thus becoming the mere agent and trustee for his poorer brethren, bringing to their service his superior wisdom, experience and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves. — … Continue reading Sunday, August 25, 2019: Wealth and Philanthropy Sunday, August 18, 2019: Drifting as a Spiritual Practice - There can be only one permanent revolution — a moral one; the regeneration of the inner man….. How is this revolution to take place? Nobody knows how it will take place in humanity, but every man feels it clearly in himself. And yet in our world everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of … Continue reading Sunday, August 18, 2019: Drifting as a Spiritual PracticeSunday, August 11, 2019: Audra State Park - Swimming at Audra We have Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. Note that for this year’s third outing, we have moved the event to the second Sunday in August. We will gather on Sunday, August 11, at Audra State Park at 11 a.m. for a short service, followed by … Continue reading Sunday, August 11, 2019: Audra State Park
Sunday, August 4, 2012 - “The only way we’ll get freedom for ourselves is to identify ourselves with every oppressed people in the world. We are blood brothers to the people of Brazil, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba — yes Cuba too.” ― Malcolm X “People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.” ― Alan Moore, V for Vendetta … Continue reading Sunday, August 4, 2012
Sunday, July 28, 2019: Practice for What? - Some among us say that they have “spiritual practices”. Why do they “practice”? Are they preparing for a competition, or for a concert? This Sunday, Robert Helfer will talk about what we might be practicing. Join us for Worship: Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington … Continue reading Sunday, July 28, 2019: Practice for What?
Sunday, July 21, 2019: Our Universalist Roots - Prelude: All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir Welcome The early Universalist Hosea Ballou said “Man, being not only a religious, but also a social being, requires for the promotion of his rational happiness religious institutions, which, while they give a proper direction to devotion, at the same time make a wise, and … Continue reading Sunday, July 21, 2019: Our Universalist Roots
Sunday, July 14, 2019 - “Water, when it hits the ground, instantly becomes a puddle or rivulet or flood.” – Alice Oswald This Sunday, John Hall will present a lesson titled, “Smiles and Waves: The Hidden Strength of Water.” Join us for Worship: Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. … Continue reading Sunday, July 14, 2019Sunday, July 7, 2019: Valley Falls 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 on Sunday, July 7, at Valley Falls State Park — picnic and hiking on the banks of the Tygart Valley River. We will meet at 11 a.m. in … Continue reading Sunday, July 7, 2019: Valley Falls State Park
Sunday, June 30, 2019: Reason as a Spiritual Practice - Reasoning together about what we love, and about all the social implications and complexities of love, in continuous consultation, has been a built-in part from the very beginning of the free church tradition from which we Unitarian Universalists have come. – Alice Blair Wesley, The Lay and Liberal Doctrine of the Church: The Spirit and … Continue reading Sunday, June 30, 2019: Reason as a Spiritual Practice
Sunday, June 23, 2019: The Song Remains the Same - Unitarian Universalists have from time to time found themselves at the center of political and social issues. Robert Helfer will share some thoughts on a piece of this history and how it affects our present. Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Uptown Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown … Continue reading Sunday, June 23, 2019: The Song Remains the Same
Special Music Service Sunday, June 9, 2019 - Musician Andrew McKnight is coming to do a special worship service for us! It is titled “Gifts in our Genes”. We would love for you to attend. He is an Award-winning singer/songwriter, guitarist and poet from northern Virginia’s Blue Ridge McKnight writes, sings and speaks eloquently of the struggles and successes of rural America. Nationally-acclaimed … Continue reading Special Music Service Sunday, June 9, 2019Sunday, June 2, 2019: 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 2, at Ferguson Memorial Park in Shinnston We will meet at 11 a.m. in the picnic area for a short service, … Continue reading Sunday, June 2, 2019: Ferguson Memorial Park, Shinnston
Sunday, May 26, 2019: Church as Spiritual Practice - Over the centuries, our Protestant forebears, especially the Calvinists and Pietists from whom we descend, gradually eliminated most of the liturgy and ritual from services, and Unitarian and Universalists in the mid-20th century turned Sunday services into lectures. Worship has gradually returned to a more spiritual experience over the last 50 years. Lisa deGruyter will … Continue reading Sunday, May 26, 2019: Church as Spiritual Practice Sunday, May 19, 2019: Annual Meeting - Instead of our religious education hour and service this Sunday, we will have our annual meeting, starting at 10. Please bring a snack to share. Annual Business Meeting. The annual business meeting shall be held each year on the third Sunday of May, to hear reports of officers and staff, to appoint new officers and … Continue reading Sunday, May 19, 2019: Annual Meeting
Sunday, May 12, 2019 - “We are born of love; Love is our mother.” – Rumi This Sunday, our youth will talk about mothers and Mother’s Day. Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Uptown Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse. There are classes for children and adults 10 to 10:45 … Continue reading Sunday, May 12, 2019
Sunday, May 5, 2019 - Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come. – Dwayne Johnson Join us for Worship: This Sunday, Cricket will present a lesson titled “A New Definition of Success”. Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in … Continue reading Sunday, May 5, 2019
Sunday April 28, 2019: Seeking Truth and Meaning - The Fourth Principle of Unitarian Universalism calls on us to engage in a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” This Sunday we will consider what exactly that means. Robert Helfer will lead the service. Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Uptown Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in … Continue reading Sunday April 28, 2019: Seeking Truth and Meaning
Sunday April 21, 2019: Flower Ceremony - Please bring flowers to share. Whatever is blooming, or a twig in bud, is fine. We will have our Flower Ceremony, which was created by Dr. Norbert Čapek for the Liberal Religious Fellowship he founded in Prague, then Czechoslavakia, in 1925, and which became the largest Unitarian Church in the world. He sought a ceremony … Continue reading Sunday April 21, 2019: Flower Ceremony
Sunday, April 14, 2019 - “Seek by reading and you will find by meditating. Knock by praying and it will be opened to you in contemplation.” – St. John of the Cross Join us for Worship: This Sunday, Cricket Hall will do a service on the spiritual practice called Lectio Divina. Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the … Continue reading Sunday, April 14, 2019
Sunday, April 7, 2019 - “Voting is not only our right—it is our power.” – Loung Ung Join us for Worship: Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse. There are classes for children and adults 10 to 10:45 am, and a coffee gathering before … Continue reading Sunday, April 7, 2019
Sunday, March 31, 2019 - Prelude: Disappear From Dear Evan Hansen Welcome: All of us are welcome here; all of us are loved By Erika A. Hewitt Welcome Song: “Enter Rejoice and Come in” Chalice Lighting: Come we now out of the darkness By Annie Foerster The Principles: Kidciples Song The Story for All Ages: You Will be Found from … Continue reading Sunday, March 31, 2019
Sunday, March 24, 2019 - “People get used to anything. The less you think about your oppression, the more your tolerance for it grows. After a while, people just think oppression is the normal state of things. But to become free, you have to be acutely aware of being a slave.” ― Assata Shakur, Assata: An Autobiography This Sunday we will be … Continue reading Sunday, March 24, 2019
Sunday, March 17, 2019 - “True atonement isn’t the periodic shaving of karmic stubble via confessional; it requires deep, truthful change. It means doing the hardest thing of all: not making the same stupid mistake again.” – Ben Dolnick This Sunday Cricket will explore atonement as a spiritual practice. We would love to have you come worship with us. Our … Continue reading Sunday, March 17, 2019
Sunday, March 10, 2019: Saving Daylight - Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 10 2019, when 2:00 a.m. is magically revealed to be 3:00 a.m., leaving an hour-long hole in the night. Please remember to set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday evening so you will be on time for all your important appointments during the coming weeks. At 11:00 … Continue reading Sunday, March 10, 2019: Saving Daylight
Sunday, March 3, 2019: Revelation Is Not Sealed - Perhaps the greatest function of Unitarian Universalist congregations is the relief of the loneliness of the heretic. 
Sunday, February 24, 2019: We’re All Mad Here - ‘What sort of people live about here?’ ‘In that direction,’ the Cat said, waving its right paw round, ‘lives a Hatter: and in that direction,’ waving the other paw, ‘lives a March Hare. Visit either you like: they’re both mad.’ ‘But I don’t want to go among mad people,’ Alice remarked. ‘Oh, you can’t help … Continue reading Sunday, February 24, 2019: We’re All Mad Here
Sunday, February 17, 2019: Our UU Presidents - Jefferson, though a sincere student of the teachings of Jesus and a Unitarian, was denounced as an atheist. We know the contumely, insult, and mob violence to which Priestley was subjected in England. Franklin, the Adamses, and Fillmore were all Unitarians, but they were looked at askance. Lincoln, one of the most deeply religious men, … Continue reading Sunday, February 17, 2019: Our UU Presidents
Sunday, February 10, 2019 - “We have to do this work because if we don’t our faith is a lie. We don’t mean the things we say as a faith and we don’t observe the principles and the theology that we claim unless we do this work.” – Elka Carrier-Ladd This Sunday, Cricket Hall will give us a closer look … Continue reading Sunday, February 10, 2019
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - “No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.” – English Proverb This Sunday, John Hall will present a lesson about Groundhog Day. We would love to have you come worship with us. Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, … Continue reading Sunday, February 3, 2019
Sunday, January 27, 2019: In Praise of Rot - All human things are subject to decay, And, when Fate summons, monarchs must obey. ― John Dryden, “Mac Flecknoe” This Sunday we will celebrate decomposition, that bit of magic that, by stages, transforms death into life. Robert Helfer will lead the service. Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Uptown … Continue reading Sunday, January 27, 2019: In Praise of Rot Sunday, January 20, 2018: Revelation Is Not Sealed - Perhaps the greatest function of Unitarian Universalist congregations is the relief of the loneliness of the heretic. 
Sunday, January 13, 2019 - “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” – Hans Hofman This Sunday, John Hall will talk about simplifying as a spiritual practice. We would love to have you come worship with us. Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 … Continue reading Sunday, January 13, 2019
Sunday, January 6, 2019 - Potluck Brunch! New Year’s/Epiphany Potluck Brunch! We want to start 2019 off right, by having a potluck brunch. Bring food to share, or just bring yourself! Come and join us at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, January 6, 2019, for good fellowship and food and a small devotion. Our services are Sundays (usually at 11 a.m.) at … Continue reading Sunday, January 6, 2019
Sunday, December 30, 2018: When the World Outlawed War - And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. — Micah 4:3 For generations the peoples of the world have called for … Continue reading Sunday, December 30, 2018: When the World Outlawed War
Sunday, December 23, 2018 - “Christmas is a risk for us to take. Shall we allow ourselves to be touched by sentiment? Awakened by song and story? Drawn into festivities, when our joy depends upon the goodwill of others? Dare we risk the disappointment of hopes raised high and excited expectations? May we have the courage to celebrate the season … Continue reading Sunday, December 23, 2018
Sunday, December 16 2018 - What would it be like if our UU worship service centered entirely around the voices and the experiences of black Unitarian Universalists? What truths might we hear, however difficult? What might we learn? How might these black UU leaders teach us to be better allies, better siblings in faith, and even better citizens in our … Continue reading Sunday, December 16 2018
Sunday, 2 December 2018: Love Is Too Strong a Word - In 1984, Kurt Vonnegut asked what makes us so bloodthirsty, in the Ware Lecture "Love Is Too Strong a Word" at the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly. Vonnegut was a third-generation Unitarian, and great-grandson of a founder of the Freethinker’s Society of Indianapolis. We will hear a tape of his lecture, which is startlingly topical today.