Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of McMinnville Oregon (UUFM)

Two stories from storyteller Will Hornyak: To be human is to sometimes forget the very nature of who we are and what we love. The demands of the world can separate us from the needs of our deepest selves. Storyteller Will Hornyak shares myths and poems honoring the soul’s desire for authenticity, beauty and connection.

Join in the 97th anniversary of a ritual with flowers that binds us together. Czechoslovakian Unitarian Norbert Capek turned to the native beauty of the countryside for elements of a communion for those in his church who had been persecuted by other Christian faiths. Please bring a flower of your choice, wildflower from the field or from your garden, to the Zoom service. They will become the symbols that unit our church fellowship. Speaker Bio Rev. Margo Rinehart earned her Masters of Divinity from Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry in 2018. Since that time, she has served as a semi-permanent guest minister at the Olympic UU Fellowship in Carlsborg, WA, where she leads one service each month. She has been preaching a couple of times a month since January. She has also served as Chaplain at Camp Eliot in Seabeck, WA

Interfaith Muslim minister Jamal Rahman returns to UUFM to share time honored stories from different traditions, to help us restrain our ego and open our heart so that we can be of authentic service to others. Speaker Bio Jamal Rahman is a Muslim Sufi interfaith minister, originally from Bangladesh. He is a co-minister at the Interfaith Community Church in Seattle. He has been featured in the New York Times, CBS news, the BBC and various NPR programs. His website is: jamalrahman.com

How trees speak to us from Yggdrasil, the Norse tree of life, to the Unitarian Universalist Seventh Principle of the interconnected web. Hear voices throughout the ages calling us to service of the mystery of the trees. Native American scholar and activist, Vine Deloria, Jr. tell us “The lands of the planet call to humankind for redemption. But it is a redemption of sanity, not a supernatural reclamation project at the end of history…The lands wait for those who can discern their rhythms” Let us be the discerning force. And don’t forget, Earth Day is coming up April 22. Speaker Bio Rev. Margo Rinehart earned her Masters of Divinity from Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry in 2018. Since that time, she has served as a semi-permanent guest minister at the Olympic UU Fellowship in Carlsborg, WA, where she leads one service each month. She has been preaching a couple of times a month since January. She has also served as Chaplain at Camp Eliot in Seabeck, WA

Easter is a time of spring and for remembering promises. For Christians this is the covenant between them and God, that they are saved through grace. Unitarian Universalists hold covenants to one another. Come and hear our stories of pledges we make to one another from 2000 years ago until today. Speaker Bio Rev. Margo Rinehart earned her Masters of Divinity from Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry in 2018. Since that time, she has served as a semi-permanent guest minister at the Olympic UU Fellowship in Carlsborg, WA, where she leads one service each month. She has been preaching a couple of times a month since January. She has also served as Chaplain at Camp Eliot in Seabeck, WA.

The spring equinox is a time for finding balance in our lives as we emerge from the longest emotional winter. How can we embrace optimism, commitment and joy? Speaker Bio Rev. Margo Rinehart earned her Masters of Divinity from Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry in 2018. Since that time, she has served as a semi-permanent guest minister at the Olympic UU Fellowship in Carlsborg, WA, where she lead one service each month. She has been preaching a couple of times a month since January. She has also served as Chaplain at Camp Eliot in Seabeck, WA.

Join Rev. Margo as she discusses spiritual maturity, moving from debate and intellectualism to discernment, deep listening and a change in our everyday practices.

Jamal Rahman brings us a message of beauty, wisdom and meaning making. He also describes abiding faith in the power of heart-to-heart connections to encompass differences and dissolve prejudices. Speaker Bio Jamal Rahman is a Muslim Sufi interfaith minister, originally from Bangladesh. He is a co-minister at the Interfaith Community Church in Seattle. He has been featured in the New York Times, CBS news, the BBC and various NPR programs. His website is: jamalrahman.com

“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 Come join us and discover how to find and maintain your personal power as you act against everything that stands against love. Speaker Bio Rev. Margo Rinehart earned her Masters of Divinity from Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry in 2018. Since that time, she has served as a semi-permanent guest minister at the Olympic UU Fellowship in Carlsborg, WA, where she leads one service each month. She has been preaching a couple of times a month since January. She has also served as Chaplain at Camp Eliot in Seabeck, WA.

How are we as congregations and individuals living into our seven principles? Rather than a quiet creed, as Unitarian Universalists, we have committed to uphold our values and act in these specific ways with one another. An 8th principle could guide us to be accountable within all our principles as well as spotlight the dismantling of racism. Speaker Bio Jennifer Springsteen is a seminary student at Starr King School for the Ministry in California. She is the co-founder of PDX Writers and her writing has won several awards including Regional Arts and Culture Council grants, an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship, and two Pushcart Prize nominations. She is represented by Joanna MacKenzie of Nelson Literary Agency. She writes, teaches, and edits in Portland.

Edie Jessup, new to UUFM, will help us consider homelessness, and what we might learn as we face this era of pandemic, and how our UU Principles might guide a response from us as a community. Edie has worked with the homeless in Maine at York County Shelter Programs; in Fresno, CA through Fresno Metro Ministry and as an advocate; and in Humboldt, CA with Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives. Speaker Bio Edie grew up in Porterville, Tulare County, California. Edie has worked eclectically over her career, primarily in advocacy and direct service work with neighbors who happen to be poor, and thereby hungry, homeless, and without health access. Her focus is on creating an arena where people can, in their own voice, advocate for themselves. Through her experiences in listening to people she is convinced that there is a story about basic needs and rights and how systems impact the poor, and, people want to hear about this. If people can hear, they will want to change themselves and the system. Edie is committed to restoring the food system and food justice, and ending homelessness.

Reverend Rick (or “Rick”) of the nearby UU Congregation of Salem, a longtime friend of our fellowship will join us. Every year in his own pulpit, he has a Sunday when he answers people’s written questions from the pulpit. Questions may pertain to Unitarian Universalism, religion, spirituality, politics, Beethoven, the ministry, congregational life, social justice, or any other question that would enrich the communal discourse. So be thinking of the question you’d like to ask. Speaker Bio Rev. Rick Davis has served as minister of the UU Congregation in Salem for the past 26 years and has often spoken here at UUFM and always looks forward to being with us.

The things we own tell us a lot about ourselves. What does our stuff say about us? What can we learn from what we keep or discard? What spiritual and moral issues are connected to the boxes in our closets? Our UU principles can guide us as we collect, downsize, move, and manage our possessions. Speaker Bio Kathleen LaFlamme has been a Unitarian Universalist since 2014. Her lifelong Wiccan spiritual practice draws from many of the same sources as Unitarian Universalism, including mythology, Jungian archetypes, ancient and modern philosophy, and respect for the interdependent web of life. At the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Washington County in Hillsboro, she volunteers on the Worship Team and helps to lead their UU Pagans group. When she’s not contemplating life’s mysteries, she works as a technical writer and moonlights as a costume designer and seamstress. In her spare time, she reads voraciously and swims as often as she can.

Love is often portrayed in romantic and idealized contexts that overlook the sacrifices, struggles and pain that is often a part of love. From God’s love to human love, love is a battlefield. Speaker Bio Dr. Miles K. Davis is the 20th president of Linfield College. Davis has a Ph.D. in human and organizational sciences from The George Washington University, an M.A. in human resource development from Bowie State University and a B.A. in communications from Duquesne University. He was the inaugural chair of the management science department at the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business at Shenandoah University and became the founding director of its Institute for Entrepreneurship. Dr. Davis went on to become the dean of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of business. organizations manage cultural and structural changes, strategic planning, leadership development and strategic growth initiatives.

Traumatic and stressful life events are a part of our existence. Through embracing what’s outside of our own control we unleash an inner peace during moments of extreme hardship. This spoken word poetry infused presentation is focused on finding the purpose in the pain and lessons in the madness. Speaker Bio Noah Schultz is a social innovator, public speaker and justice reform activist who is passionate about bringing services to underprivileged youth. He has a personal connection and motivation to help drive change in the current affairs of juvenile justice through coalition building, reform talks and mentorship of incarcerated youth leaders.

One of the central questions that haunts the human mind and heart is, “What sort of being are we?” It’s kind of obvious we’re mammals and part of the natural order. Yet it is also obvious we are distinctive in a way that seems profound. Today we reflect upon humanity’s evolutionary emergence from ‘just another primate’ to whatever it is we are now. Speaker Bio The Reverend Mark Gallagher served for twenty-one years as pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver (Washington), having previously served several other west coast congregations briefly. He still lives in Vancouver and has a private practice ministry of preaching, teaching, and leading workshops. He has spoken at UUFM several times over the years.

A short life story of my evolving religious and cultural identity from New York Jew to Unitarian with a few decades of liberal Catholicism in a world where being Jewish is dangerous. Speaker Bio Ronni Lacroute been producing and sponsoring music, theatre, and dance programs focused on themes of social and environmental justice for several decades in the Portland area and in Yamhill County.

The burning bowl ceremony makes space for new beginnings and in setting new intentions for the new year. It’s time to clear out unwanted conditions from our lives, this ceremony offers a sacred and powerful way to release negativity and welcome in the new year of possibilities. Speaker Bio Shanta Frisbee is an interfaith minister and intuitive spiritual counselor, who follows a Braided way Sangha, drawing on earth religions that have shaped her spiritual journey. Shanta continues to lead ceremonies and rituals, guiding others to find the Divine within themselves.

Ever wondered if there was a recipe somewhere for being the most effective social justice activist possible? Amazingly enough, the 3000 year old Hebrew Scriptures offers a profound and yet totally implementable path to becoming a master world healer. Together we will journey through the story of Yaacov/Jacob, seeing his life and choices as a blueprint for our own spiritual development as justice seekers. Speaker Bio Rabbi Debra Kolodny has been bringing her spiritual activist passion to worker rights, racial and economic justice, women’s, environmental, peace and LGBTQ causes since 1980. She has taught and spoken in hundreds of venues, organized retreats for as many as 750 and produced ground-breaking conferences. She is the founding rabbi of Portland’s UnShul, a Jewish community that shows up for racial, economic and immigrant justice, a leader in PUAH, Portland United Against Hate and the convener of the Portland Spirit Led Justice Alliance. She is multiply published and has interviewed on radio and television.

Unity is most commonly defined as the state of being united or joined as a whole. However, this simple definition is challenged by the inherent diversity of human beings. Even the seven (7) principles of UU can be challenged by deeply held beliefs that run counter to amalgamated beliefs and interactions. I look forward to exploring these challenges and offering a perspective I hope you find unifying. Speaker Bio Dr. Miles K. Davis is the 20th president of Linfield College. Davis has a Ph.D. in human and organizational sciences from The George Washington University, an M.A. in human resource development from Bowie State University and a B.A. in communications from Duquesne University. He was the inaugural chair of the management science department at the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business at Shenandoah University and became the founding director of its Institute for Entrepreneurship. Dr. Davis went on to become the dean of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of business. organizations manage cultural and structural changes, strategic planning, leadership development and strategic growth initiatives.