Author: Robert

How to Make Worship Kid-Friendly

Robert

Not by making the worship service into a consciously “kid friendly” entertainment, or by shunting the kids off to “Sunday school” during the worship service, but by modeling your services so that families are totally included.

“‘Traditional’ shouldn’t imply ‘old.’ It should include both old and new elements in an expression of faith that is rooted in history, supported by the historic liturgical framework, but always looking forward.”

www.patheos.com/blogs/ponderanew/2016/01/18/making-worship-kid-friendly/

Cancellation: Faith Seeking Understanding

Robert

This event has been canceled because of this week’s anticipated major snow storm. It is expected to be rescheduled in April.

Faith Seeking Understanding: An Islamic-Christian Dialogue
A Public Forum, Sponsored by the Greater Fairmont Council of Churches

Saturday, January 23, 2016, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church, 901 Fairmont Ave., Fairmont, WV (across from McDonald’s)

The public is invited to attend this free event meant to create a foundation of mutual understanding and cooperation between these two historic religious traditions in a setting of genuine hospitality, a desire for learning and growth, and a context of peaceful cooperation.

Schedule:
From 10:00 a.m. to Noon a panel/public forum will discuss these items.
The panelists will include: Rev. Elise Neal (PCUSA/Reformed Tradition), Rev. Val Gittings (Baptist Tradition), Rev. Maria Wiblin (University Chaplain/Pastor), Dr. Michael Richards (United Methodist/Inter-Faith Traditions), and representatives from the Morgantown Islamic Center (Muslim). Mrs. Cathy Reed will be Forum Facilitator.

From noon to 1:00 p.m. lunch will be on a person’s own.

At 1:00 p.m. the 2014 PBS documentary “The Life of Muhammad” will be shown

For more information contact:
Dr. Michael Richards, President Greater Fairmont Council of Churches: 304-366-7288
Or Mrs. Cathy Reed, Outreach coordinator: Greater Fairmont Council of Churches: 304-363-5205

“Fides quaerens intellectum (Faith seeking understanding).” St. Anselm

Point-In-Time Homeless Count, Marion County, West Virginia

Robert

The 2016 Point-in-Time count of homelessness in West Virginia will take place on 26/27 January. The Marion County coordinators, Monongahela Valley Association of Health Centers, are calling for volunteers to participate in the count to:

  • Help gather information to end homelessness in Marion County
  • Conduct surveys with Street Outreach Teams and fellow volunteers
  • Identify and aid in connecting with individuals experiencing homelessness in Marion county

For more information on volunteering, see the flyer — wfuu.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/homeless-volunteer-flyer_withlogo.pdf.

For more information about the Point-in-Time counts, visit the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness pages at wvceh.org/

Sunday January 17, 2016: Our Deepest Roots

Robert

“Our Deepest Roots”, with John Hall (rescheduled from January 10, because of illness).

Please join us for coffee and conversation at 10:45 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association’s Uptown Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, West Virginia.  The worship service starts at 11:00.  Our ongoing Religious Education classes begin at 10:00.

For further information, email westforkuu@gmail.com or visit our website at https://westforkuu.org/

Map

Sunday January 10, 2016: Our Deepest Roots

Robert

“Our Deepest Roots”, with John Hall.

Please join us for coffee and conversation at 10:45 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association’s Uptown Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, West Virginia.  The worship service starts at 11:00.  Our ongoing Religious Education classes begin at 10:00.

For further information, email westforkuu@gmail.com or visit our website at https://westforkuu.org/

Map

Faith Seeking Understanding: An Islamic-Christian Dialogue

Robert

This event has been cancelled because of this week’s anticipated major snow storm. It is expected to be rescheduled in April.

Faith Seeking Understanding: An Islamic-Christian Dialogue
A Public Forum, Sponsored by the Greater Fairmont Council of Churches

Saturday, January 23, 2016, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church, 901 Fairmont Ave., Fairmont, WV (across from McDonald’s)

The public is invited to attend this free event meant to create a foundation of mutual understanding and cooperation between these two historic religious traditions in a setting of genuine hospitality, a desire for learning and growth, and a context of peaceful cooperation.

Schedule:
From 10:00 a.m. to Noon a panel/public forum will discuss these items.
The panelists will include: Rev. Elise Neal (PCUSA/Reformed Tradition), Rev. Val Gittings (Baptist Tradition), Rev. Maria Wiblin (University Chaplain/Pastor), Dr. Michael Richards (United Methodist/Inter-Faith Traditions), and representatives from the Morgantown Islamic Center (Muslim). Mrs. Cathy Reed will be Forum Facilitator.

From noon to 1:00 p.m. lunch will be on a person’s own.

At 1:00 p.m. the 2014 PBS documentary “The Life of Muhammad” will be shown

For more information contact:
Dr. Michael Richards, President Greater Fairmont Council of Churches: 304-366-7288
Or Mrs. Cathy Reed, Outreach coordinator: Greater Fairmont Council of Churches: 304-363-5205

“Fides quaerens intellectum (Faith seeking understanding).” St. Anselm

Sunday December 27, 2015: No Service

Robert

There will be no Sunday service or religious education classes on December 27, 2015. Our next service will be on Sunday, January 3, 2016.

On Thursday, December 24, some members of West Fork Unitarian Universalists will be attending First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta’s “All Ages Christmas Eve Candlelight Service”. Note that their service starts at 6:00 p.m. this year. See their site at http://fuusm.org/ for further information.

For further information about West Fork Unitarian Universalists, email westforkuu@gmail.com or visit our website at https://westforkuu.org/

Map

Sunday December 13, 2015: The Virtue of the Uncarved Block

Robert

“The Virtue of the Uncarved Block” with John Hall

Block of stone being carved by a chisle

Please join us for coffee and conversation at 10:45 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association’s Uptown Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, West Virginia.  The worship service starts at 11:00.  Our ongoing Religious Education classes begin at 10:00.

For further information, email westforkuu@gmail.com or visit our website at https://westforkuu.org/

Map

Sunday November 22, 2015: The ‘Miracle’ of Good Luck, New Jersey

Robert

Welcome: Welcome to this Place, by Cathy Rion Starr

Welcome to this place of peace;
May we find some moments of quiet contemplation.
Welcome to this place of celebration;
May our hearts soar with gratitude for the gift of life.

Welcome to this place of sacred love;
May we gently hold all that is broken here.

Welcome to this place of inquiry;
Here, may we be challenged to open our minds and hearts ever wider.

Come into this place of community;
May we, together, draw the circle of love and justice ever wider.

Welcome to this sacred place;
Come, let us worship, celebrate, grieve, and love together

Chalice Lighting: Legacy Chalice Lighting, by Paul Sprecher

We light this chalice to honor the memory of those who have come before us,
kindling flames of wisdom in dark times,
willing to challenge orthodoxy even at great personal risk,
giving us a legacy of freedom and a love of truth,
A legacy that warms our hearts and lights our paths.

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