Empathy on the Battlefield
Rev. Julia Hamilton

Robert Wright recently said, ”The world's biggest single problem is the failure of people or groups to look at things from the point of view of other people or groups--i.e. to put themselves in the shoes of "the other." On this Memorial Day, we will consider the challenge of cultivating empathy as part of our national identity while asking soldiers to fight and die in global conflicts.

Breaking Away
Rev. Aaron McEmrys

Every now and then we invite you to attend BOTH services—this is one of those mornings. Each service will be unique, rich and inspiring. Please consider staying not only to celebrate our young people—but because we can all benefit from the life, light and wisdom they have to share!

Coming of Age: This is one of the most joyous Sundays of our church year! At the 9:15 service we will celebrate with our 8th grade Coming of Age-ers as they symbolically leave childhood behind and begin their path toward adulthood. For the last year they have argued, bonded, laughed (a lot) together and supported one another as they reflect on two of life’s biggest questions: what do I love, and how then, shall I live? On this vibrant Sunday, each young person will present their unique, personal, “Credo” to the congregation. Come, be inspired! Bridging:

Then, at our 11:00 service, we will hold a very special “Bridging” service for the amazing young adults among us who are graduating high school and beginning important new chapters in their lives. These wonderful youth have grown up among us. They have blessed our lives in many ways, and now we have a chance to bless them back. In addition to a very special (not to mention, mysterious) ritual, Rev. McEmrys will preach a special homily for the youthful adventurer that dwells inside all of us. He calls it “Breaking Away.” Music by the Ensemble/Garage Band.

If you’re like me, you like to think things through, to puzzle and consider and formulate – especially before saying or doing anything important.  Or maybe (also like me) you sometimes slip into feeling like your thinking about something is roughly equivelant to doing something.  As great a gift as reason is, it can also be a double-edged sword.  How can we strike a better balance between thinking and doing?  How can we keep from getting stuck in knee-jerk action on the one hand and paralysis by analysis on the other?  Questions like these are critical – because life is going to keep on happening whether we’re ready or not!

In Praise of Sacred Crows
Rev. Aaron McEmrys

“The Holy” often conjures the ethereal, the transcendent, the
angelic and pure. This isn’t a sermon about that. This morning
we will reflect on all the little-‘h’-holiness in the world; the
small, the improbable, the goofy, the holy and wholly surprising
– and yes, cows. I will literally talk about sacred cows! Truly,
the Holy is everywhere we look, if only we have eyes to see it.
The Chancel Choir will sing