PAST ACTIVITIES
2012
February 5, "Harmony and Balance in Serving Others," presented by Karissa McLane and others from Room One
January 8, The Changing Role of Religion in American Society, Seattle University's Response to a Major Cultural Transition. Dr. Mark Markuly, Dean of Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry. 
2011
December 18, Christmas Program, Sing-Along with Lynette Westendorff
December 8, Jon Hawley presented his thoughts on "Balance and Harmony in Hinduism"
November 20, Bill Hotell, "Balance and Harmony in Art and Architecture"
November 6, "Discordant Harmonies--How Nature Works," with Dana Visalli
October 15, Peggy Hosford, Guest Speaker: "Finding a Balance in Healthcare, What we must Do to Transform U.S. Medical Care"
October 2, "Harmony through Listening" with Dr. Raleigh Bowden, Guest Speaker
Sept 18, "What is Harmony and Balance? You Decide..." Discussion led by Dr. Gerald Sparling
August 30, Potluck picnic at the Jardin's home.
June 12, 2011, Picnic potluck (complete with a magician) at Winthrop Park
May 22, 2011, "Making Peace with Your Possessions." Guest Speaker: Diane McKenzie from the Cascade Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, in Wenatchee
May 8, 2011, Carolyn Cilek and Ed Walsh conducted "A wrap-up: Revisiting a Year of Peace," in line with our theme this year.
April 17, 2011, MVUUF Annual Dinner at the Methow Valley Inn, Twisp. Music by Terry Hunt.
April 3, 2011, "What a Peaceful and Just Economy Might Look Like." Speakers: Valerie Sukovaty and Carolyn Cilek
March 20, 2011, Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling elaborated on the novel "Breakfast with Buddha."
March 6, 2011, "Witness for Peace," Florence Sawyer shared her experiences in Guatemala
February 20, 2011, Donald Dowie, "Building International Friendships, a Volunteer's Story from Chile"
January 16, 2011, "The Tree of Many Trees," with Blake Luvon
January 2, 2011, The Wisdom of "Hey Dude...?" discovering your true nature through the practice of "everyday" life, with Blake Luvon
2010
December 19, A Holiday Celebration: A "sing along" with Carolyn Cilek and Becky Harwood on keyboard
December 5, "Peace in the Midst of Adversity, " Jane Gilbertsen, Speaker
November 21, Sharon Cohen on 'Mindfulness"
November 7, "The Heart of Peace," with Jim Kistner
October 17, "Peace Through Reconciliation," Speaker, Glenn Schmekel
October 3, Mark Wenzel, Superintendent of Schools on Education and Peace: "Thinking About Peace at School"
September 19, Exploring Aspects of Peace, Dr. Gerald Sparling Moderating
September 12, Jamal Rahman, Interfaith Ministerin Seattle and Sufi Muslim, shared on the topic "Practicing Three Cups of Tea." Earlier in the weekend he lead a workshop and answered questions at the Merc Theatre on Islam.
May 5, Visiting Minister, the Rev. Alex Holt, UU Minister in Yakima, Zen Buddhist Student, and head of the UUA Addictions Program, spoke on "Buddhism and Western Religion in Dialogue"
April 21, Ed Welch continued a talk on "Healing Alternatives"
April 7, "Healing Alternatives, "Panel led by Ed Welch
March 17, Mike Ferris led a Chalice Circle Discussion, "Consciousness: Where Eastern and Western Religions Meet"
March 3, Mike Ferris spoke about his recent trip to an ashram in India.
February 3 and 17, Eric Burr spoke and led discussion: "Relating Global Warming to Conservation Biology."
January 20, 2010, David Ward led a Chalice Circle Discussion on "A Course in Miracles. "
January 6, 2010, David Ward Introduced the Book "A Course in Miracles, " while the children explored New Years celebrations throughout the world"
2009
December 16, 2009, Holiday Celebration with Music and Potluck. The Children Celebrated the Winter Solstice
December 2, 2009, "Experience How Compassionate Communication Can Help You Connect by Observing Role Play Exercise," led by Steve Cleaves.
November 18, 2009, Dow Gordon, our guest, spoke
"Compassionate Communication -- Would you enjoy being more connected to the people you love most?"
Spiritual Education for the Children: "Giving Thanks, Creating a Thanksgiving Tree."
November 4, 2009, Mike Ferris presented a talk entitled "Why Is It So Difficult to Discuss Our Different Religious Views?"
Spiritual Education for the Children: "Developing Core Strength: practicing tools for inner strength."
October 21, Evening of singing, poetry, stories.
October 7, Chalice Circle Discussion, "Health Care for All: Ultimately a Moral Decision"
September 16, at the Community School, Winthrop: panel members spoke on "Health Care for All: Ultimately a Moral Decision"
August 24, potluck picnic at Pearrygin Lake
June 7, A picnic to start the summer was held on
at River Run Inn
May 17, "The Van Gogh Cafe," Sermon by Visiting UU Minister, Keith Kron (Director, Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns for the Unitarian Universalist Association)
May 3, Mike Ferris: "Is it Time for a New Religion?"
April 19, Dana Visalli led a Chalice Circle discussion on "How to Thrive in Difficult Economic Times: Investing in the Community of Life."
April 3, "Big Mind, Big Heart," talk by Sidney Musai Roshi, Prajna Zendo, New Mexico (followed by day-long workshop on April 4th)
March 15, Fellowship "Economic Stimulus Dinner"
March 1, Rev. Roger Bruggink
"Practicing Christianity in a Muslim Country"
February 15, , "Speak a Few Kind Words for Institutions," facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling
February 1, , "The Unitarian Movement, Then and Now," Facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling
Januray 18,, discussion of "Science and Spirituality," facilitated by Nancy St. Clair
January 4, 2009, Gregg Studen spoke on
"Science and Spirituality: Reactions to the Global Ecological Crisis;" Children's Program: "Finding the Animal Within" (Children's Yoga Program)
Sermon: "The Power of Metaphor," Dr. Sharon Whitehill, Oct. 2008
Sermon: "Life, Death, Love, Medicine and Miracles by Miriam Bishop
Unitarian Universalist Principles
Bylaws (in Microsoft Word format)
Bylaws (html format)
Jamal Rahman
2008
December 21, Confluence Gallery, Twisp.
"Life Transitions in this Solstice Season," . Holiday Party.
December 7, "Home/Family Directed Funerals:
A Final Act of Love, "a program presented by Suzie Kowalski
November 16, "Opportunities for Community Service in the Methow Valley"
November 2, "Community Service, a Spiritual Practice" with a Panel of Local Speakers: Eunice Marchbank, Adrianne Moore, and Glenn Schmekel.
October 18, Symposium with Methow Just Peace, addressing why things seem to be coming apart at the seams and what can be done about it.Title: ‘Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream’
October 19, Discussion about the sermon by Dr. Sharon Whitehill on October 5:" The Power of Metaphor.
October 5, Dr. Sharon Whitehill:" The Power of Metaphor, "Presenting images that are used in political rhetoric, and how they shape our thinking.
September 21, "What Keeps You Coming Back," Chalice Circle Discussion.
September 7, "Diversity and Change," talk by Mike Ferris, D.Min.
May 4 and May 18, Dr. Dick Gode spoke on "Morality, Going or Coming?" and led a lively discussion on the topic.
April 20, Alexandra Kovats at the Merc, "Belonging to the Universe: Exploring an Ecological Spirituality"
April 6, Zen Buddhism, questions and answers in an informal setting, with Sharon Cohen and Nancy St. Clair
March 16, All-fellowship potluck dinner, with the Finance Committee cooking
March 2, Don Johnson spoke on the Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling's research on "What Does Easter Mean to Me. "
February 17, Corbett Gordon introduced and led a discussion with members of the local chapter of Veterans for peace.
February 3, Nancy Farr and Nancy St. Clair:
"Personal Glimpses of Zen Experience"January 20, The Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling led a discussion: "Where Have all the Leaders Gone?"
January 6, Jane Gilbertsen spoke on "The Fear Factor: Choosing the Road Ahead"
2007
December 16, Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling led a Chalice Circle Discussion: "A Recycled Christmas -- Culture on Sale."
December 2, Don Johnson and Dana Visalli spoke on"Values across the Spectrum--A Cost-Benefit Analysis"
November 18, Dr. Mike Ferris facilitated the Chalice Circle Discussion "Reflections on Islam."
November 4, Community event at the Merc Playhouse. Jamal Rahman, co-minister of the Interfaith Community Church, Seattle, "Understanding Islam."
October 28, Tandi Koerger, guest speaker from the Pacific Northwest District, UUA, on Religious Education -- it isn't what you think.
October 14, The Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling led a discussion on "Sacred Texts: What do we really know about them?"
September 23, Chalice Circle "Why Do we Share Sunday Afternoons," facilitated by Mike Ferris, Don Johnson, and Nancy St. Clair
September 16, Memorial Service for Miriam Bishop, at the Community Center in Twisp
September 9, An In-Gathering service with a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling
We enjoyed two summer potluck picnics. In August, Dr. Cleve Abbe spoke on "The Compassionate Smile" and lead a discussion comparing Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
June 24, "On Beyond Zebra," A short service led by Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling. Dr. Seuss is considered one of the great theologians of the 20th century. His works, although they are especially for children, are for children from 80 to 80. The Annual Meeting and Board Elections followed.
June 10, Jerry Sparling led us in examining "What are the Problems with Revelatory Religions?"
May 27, Suzanne Follis facilitated a lively Chalice Circle discussion on the topic, "Living an Ethical Life."
May 13, Mother's Day Peace March. Participants walked with others from Oroville to the Canadian Border.
April 22, Discussion on the topic, "We Are Women -- Do We Roar? Should We?" facilitated by Corbett Gordon
April 8, "The Miracle of Easter, One UU's Perspective," Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling.
March 25, Chalice Circle: Don Johnson and Vickie Welch, "Should we speak to, provide for, and/or sanction our 'enemies'?"
March 11, Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling,"Why Your Answers Matter." What are our core American Values? How do we act to defend them? That is the debate taking place all across America--- but, has truth been lost along the way?
February 25, Anaka Mines and MacLeod Pappidas: Cuban Organic Gardening and a Report on Guantanamo
February 11, The Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling-- Does the Everyday Violence We Live With Cause Us to Rethink the Nature of God, and the Inherence of Human Worth and Dignity?
January 28, Nancy St. Clair, "Are Unitarians Christian?"
January 14, Miriam Bishop "Life, Death, Love, Medicine, and Miracles."
2006
December 10, "Christmas Friar Works, Little known poems about Christmas written by Robert Fulghum. Poems You've Probably Never Heard, " Rev. Dr. Virginia Sparling
November 26, Guest talk by John Hanron, "Freedom of Speech."
November 12, "Public Service - Why?" Discussion facilitated by retiring PUD Commissioner Don Johnson
October 22, "Common Good, "The two Danas (Stromberger and Visalli). Chalice Circle discussion, followed by a potluck.
October 8, "Spirituality in the Methow Valley," Mike Ferris
September 24, Chalice Circle Discussion, "Religions and Lunar Cycles," facilitated by Vicki Welch and others.
*[Note: we were meeting all during 2006 and perhaps half of 2005, but records are incomplete at this time.]
March 26, Chalice Circle Discussion, facilitated by Jim Kistner, "The Experience of Evil,"
March 12, Rev. Virginia Sparling spoke on the topic "Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil."
For Information:
(509) 996-8050
e-mail: info@methowunitarians.org
copyright 2006-2012
MVUUF
P.O. Box 644
Twisp, WA 98856
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