Author: Robert

Sunday, December 30, 2018: When the World Outlawed War

Robert
Swords to Plowshares

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 an end to war, and yet war continues unabated, dragging destruction and suffering in its train. This Sunday Robert Helfer will reflect on the war-related anniversaries of the year just ending and approach the questions: What can be done? What are we doing?

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, behind the Courthouse. There are classes for children and adults 10 to 10:45 am, and a coffee gathering before the service. More about us.

Classes and worship are replaced by Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer, with brief worship, a potluck picnic, and outdoor activities. The schedule is in the sidebar.

Children are welcome. There is childcare and an activity for young children during the service.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom.

Map

The schedule for the current adult religious education class is here.

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information

or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Jesus’ Financial Text of Terror

Robert

Here’s a small Biblical light on “Economic Justice” from a Mennonite perspective. In her sermon, “Jesus’ Financial Text of Terror“, Amy Yoder McGloughlin, pastor at Frazer Mennonite Church, Frazer, Pennsylvania, interprets Mark 10:17-31 as a lesson on Capitalism for us all.

— Robert

Here’s what is so problematic about this whole story, and probably why this text is not taken more seriously in Christian circles — In capitalism, redistributive justice is heresy. The justice that cares that all are fed, that all have what they need to live goes against the over-simplistic “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” philosophy of capitalism. But for Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, redestributive justice is the kingdom of God. So those of us who are rich have reason to be concerned by this text. If we take it seriously it has an important challenge for us.

www.storiesfromtheredtent.com/2018/10/17/jesus-financial-text-of-terror/

Autumn Crocus

Sunday, October 7, 2018: Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, Bridgeport

Robert
Little Blue Heron at Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park
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 7, at Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park in Bridgeport at 11 a.m. for a short service, followed by a potluck picnic, conversation, and walking.

We would love to have you come worship with us.

For a map, please click on this link: goo.gl/maps/v33mWw5k3Wm

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information or to carpool, or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Sunday, September 9, 2018: Hearing Nature’s Call

Robert
The Scream, Edvard Munch

I WaS WaLKING ALONG THE ROAD
WITH TWO FRIENDS WHEN
THE SUN WENT DOWN. THE SKY
SUdDENLY TURNED
TO BLOOD AND I FELT
A GREAT SCREAM IN
NATuRE

 – Edvard Munch, from his portfolio “The Tree of Knowledge” (translated by Francesca M. Nichols, https://www.emunch.no/TRANS_HYBRIDMM_T2547.xhtml)

Is nature calling to us? What should we do about that? Robert Helfer will share some thoughts on our conflicted relationship with nature.

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, behind the Courthouse. There are classes for children and adults 10 to 10:45 am, and a coffee gathering before the service. More about us.

Classes and worship are replaced by Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer, with brief worship, a potluck picnic, and outdoor activities. The schedule is in the sidebar.

Children are welcome. There is childcare and an activity for young children during the service.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom.

Map

The schedule for the current adult religious education class is here.

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information

or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Sunday, September 2, 2018: West Virginia Wildlife Center, French Creek

Robert
Elk at French Creek

Elk at 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 2, 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 to have you come worship with us.

For a map, please use this link: https://goo.gl/maps/2DgtJDkMYHN2

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information or to carpool, or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Sunday, August 5, 2018: Audra State Park

Robert
Swimming at Audra
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 on Sunday, August 5, at Audra State Park at 11 a.m. for a short service, followed by a potluck picnic, conversation, and walking or swimming in the Middle Fork River.

We would love to have you come worship with us.

For a map, please use this link: https://goo.gl/maps/dQZFRS2idTJ2

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information or to carpool, or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Sunday, July 22, 2018: Affluence and Environment

Robert
"Figural vessels", 500 BCE-400 CE

“Researchers have found that concern for the environment rises with wealth, but so does one’s ecological footprint. This leads to a truth that some environmentalists might find inconvenient …: The greater your concern for the environment, the more likely you are to be destroying it.”
— Tom Culman, “Are environmentalists hypocrites?”

We would love to have you come worship with us.

The “Seventh Principle” of Unitarian Universalism, “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part“, can be seen as a call to protect the environment. This Sunday we’ll discuss how our thoughts on ecological issues might be affected by our relative affluence.

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 the service. More about us.

Classes and worship are replaced by Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer, with brief worship, a potluck picnic, and outdoor activities. The schedule is in the sidebar.

Children are welcome. There is childcare and an activity for young children during the service.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom.

Map

The schedule for the current adult religious education class is here.

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information

or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Sunday, July 1, 2018: Ferguson Memorial Park, Shinnston

Robert
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 second outing, we will gather for a celebration of summer on Sunday, July 1, at Ferguson Memorial Park in Shinnston

We will meet at 11 a.m. in the picnic area for a short service, followed by a potluck picnic, conversation, walking, and possibly swimming. [Note that there is a fee for using the pool.]

We would love to have you come worship with us.

For a map, please use this link: goo.gl/maps/enAartS4VNE2

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information or to carpool, or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Sunday, June 3, 2018: Valley Falls State Park

Robert
Tygart Valley River

Tygart Valley River at Valley Falls

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 3, at Valley Falls State Park — picnic and hiking on the banks of the Tygart Valley River.

We will meet at 11 a.m. in the picnic area for a short service, followed by a potluck picnic, conversation, and walking.

We would love to have you come worship with us.

For a map, please use this link: https://goo.gl/maps/CiiqyDAXiw42

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information or to carpool, or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302