Chequamegon UUF Podcast Travis and Ruth

listen in iTunes or download from https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16150915/uu/2013W/2013_03_24%20David%20Saetre%2C%20Life's%20Journeys.mp3

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The January talk by David Saetre will focus on the theme of “hope.” This is the third and last in his series on spiritual virtues. You may have heard the popular saying, “hope is not a plan,” and the dismissive tone of that phrase sums up a cynical side to modern society. Indeed, hope is often synonymous with magical thinking or unrealistic expectations that avoid personal responsibility and the hard work of building a better world. Yet, while hope is not a plan, no one can plan without it. Because the future always includes ambiguity and surprise – things rarely turn out exactly how we plan them – all plans require some level of risk. Hope is the way in which we launch our dreams and visions into actions. All good plans have their roots in hope. But, hope in what? That’s what we will explore at our gathering on the second Sunday in January. The topic seems right as we begin a new year, filled with our own resolutions, dreams and expectations for our families and community. And, the topic of hope carries particular importance in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shootings, and our national sense of vulnerability and sorrow. Join David and the faculty, staff and students of Northland as we begin a new year of worship, thoughtful reflection and building community together around the theme of “Hope!”  Listen thru iTunes or download at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16150915/uu/2013W/1-13-13m.mp3

On the evening of December 16 we will celebrate our annual holiday service. The Religious Education program has prepared a holiday play of the folk-story "The Wolf and the Good Woodsman." Campus Minister David Saetre will share reflections of the season. In addition, there will be congregational singing of traditional carols and special music by pianist Joni Chapman. The CUUF string ensemble will accompany our traditional walk through the spiral of greenery. The service will close with a candlelight carol followed by fellowship and refreshments. We hope you will join us for this special service.  Listen on iTunes or download from http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16150915/uu/2012F/12-16-12m.mp3

The next three talks will focus on the "theological virtues": faith, hope and charity. Western and Christian philosophy and theology posed the moral life as fulfilled in these three spiritual virtues. "The Meaning of Charity" is the theme for October. Charity, today, almost has a negative connotation. It is understood as a private virtue - privileged individuals giving monetary donations. But, a deeper look at the old idea of charity reveals a social meaning to the word. Charity is the necessary virtue for democracy, and should be understood as fundamentally social in character. It's about our commitment and generosity to one another - the way we care for one another in community. Charity is not about private giving of the privileged; it's the virtue that links our common lot together as one body. The presence or absence of "charity" defines the quality and character of any community more than it defines the character of an individual.