Past Services and Podcasts
February 21, 2021
- Earth Heart, Earth Justice
- Members of the Earth Justice Team with Rev. Cayer
- Music: Kate Lewis, Jewelsong, Chalice Singers
In this service, we'll use poetry, music, and inspiring videos to acknowledge the pain and frustration we feel about the state of our beautiful Earth. And we'll offer ways to move into commitment and action from a place of love and connection. Readings from the work of Amanda Gorman, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Green Faith. Music by Jewelsong, Chalice Singers, and Kate Lewis. Learn more about ERUUF's Earth Justice Team here.
February 14, 2021
- Side with Love
What if to "side with love" meant making bold, faith-full choices? What if it were even a little bit scary? This worship service brings together worship leaders and musicians from across the country to offer hopeful, moving, challenging reminders about what we, as Unitarian Universalists, are called to do, and BE, in the world. This service comes to us this morning as a gift from our Unitarian Universalist Association and will be led by UU leaders from across our association. Rev. Cayer will host a breakout room during ERUUF's Coffee Hour for people who would like to talk about themes in the service.
February 7, 2021
- The Value of Our Faith
- Rev. Cheryl M. Walker, guest preacher
We often speak as Unitarian Universalists of UU Values. Can we name specifically what they are and where they are articulated? This morning we will explore our shared values and what makes Unitarian Universalism unique on the religious landscape.
The Reverend Cheryl M. Walker has served as the Pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wilmington since 2009. Prior to coming to Wilmington, they served four years as the Assistant Minister at the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York City.
Rev. Cheryl currently co-chairs the Article II Study Commission for the Unitarian Universalist Association and is the immediate past President of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association. They have published essays in several Unitarian Universalist collections including, Turning Point – Essays on a New Unitarian Universalism (2016), Centering – Navigating Race, Authenticity and Power in Ministry (2017 ), and the Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide (2019).
Rev. Cheryl holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Springfield College and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. They live with their wife, Elizabeth, and two cats, Ntohzake and Octavia.
January 31, 2021
- Dream a World
- Revs. Jacqueline Brett and Deborah Cayer
- Music: Kate Lewis and Pam DiLavore
January 24, 2021
- Morning in America
- Revs. Cayer and Brett
- Music: Kate Lewis
It's a new day in America, and there is promise. At the same time the mess that our democracy is in now, the mess it has always been for some of us, has been exposed for all to see.
When U.S. Rep. Andy Kim saw the debris and wreckage left in the Capitol building on January 6, he simply asked for a trash bag and began cleaning up. We, too, need to join in that effort. This morning we'll consider how we got here, and then some of the inner qualities we each need in order to begin to move from the flawed and dangerous place our country is now, to a truly more fair and inclusive America that we know we can become together.
January 17, 2021
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service: Meeting the Demands of Power
- Revs. Cayer and Brett
Representative John Lewis said that when Dr. King was killed it felt as though part of himself died with him. And yet he still worked with other people to fight for racial justice and the common good for the next fifty. What does this mean for us today? Ms. Atinuke Diver, Executive Director, Durham CAN, Guest Speaker.
About our Guest Speaker
Atinuke "Tinu" Akintola Diver is the Lead Organizer and Executive Director of Durham CAN (Congregations, Associations and Neighborhoods), a broad-based, community organization building power for a better Durham. Tinu was born in Boston, Massachusetts, raised in Prince George's County Maryland, attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and finds joy in bringing her background as a lawyer and artist (writing and documentary) into her work as a community organizer.
January 10, 2021
- This I Believe
- Gerda Presson, Lisa Jones, Eric Hodges, Rev. Deborah Cayer
- Music: Helen Wolfson, Eric Thomas, and Kate Lewis
Like other religious liberals, Unitarian Universalists tend to think of life, including spiritual life, as a journey that begins with their lived experience and leads to ongoing learning and growth. In this service, three ERUUF members will share their credos. A credo is a statement of faith, the meaning that one makes of their experience at a particular point in their unfolding spiritual journey.
(Note: due to Youtube's technical difficulties on January 3, many ERUUF members haven't yet been able to view that Sunday service, which includes original music by Helen and Eric, our guest musicians. With gratitude for their generosity, we'll share much of the music from last week in this week's service.)
January 3, 2021
- Turtles All the Way Down
- Rev. Deborah Cayer
- Music: Helen Wolfson, Eric Thomas, Kate Lewis
How can we know what’s true? How might this be informed by our spiritual beliefs?
December 27, 2020
- Kwanzaa Service
- Rev. Jacqueline Brett
- Music: Lea Morris and ERUUF Kwanzaa Ensemble
Join us for our annual Kwanzaa celebration, this year focused on Kujichagulia, the principle of self-determination. All members and friends are invited to attend this beautiful online celebration of Black lives and the human spirit. We'll pour libations, honor the Ancestors, light candles, and share reflections. Worship presenters: Steve Franklin, Chris Macon, Venia Lekavich, Joan Tilghman, Jaye Vaughn, and Ann Verdine-Jones.
December 24, 2020
- Christmas Eve Service
Join us to hear traditional stories, sing familiar carols, and listen to a Christmas choir of adults and children, directed by Jocelyn Neal. We’ll join together in the darkness to pass the light as we sing Silent Night from home this year. Ministers and staff, including Kate Lewis, will lead this service.
December 20, 2020
- Jazz for the Holidays
- Rev. Jacqueline Brett
- Music: NCCU Jazz Studies
ERUUF has developed a partnership with professional musicians from the Jazz Studies Department at North Carolina Central University. This year they’ve carefully planned a safe way to bring us a service filled with music and meaning. Rev. Jacqueline Brett, worship leader, Chris Macon and Lisa Jones, Worship Associates.
December 13, 2020
- Holiday Music Service
- Rev. Deborah Cayer
- Music: River Folk, Chalice Singers, Eno River Singers, and Trilight
This service will feature members from ERUUF’s River Folk, Chalice Singers, Eno River Singers, and Trilight; our Worship Associates will share seasonal readings. Rev. Cayer, worship leader. In RE this morning we’re having a Sock Hop and families will wrap socks at home for the guests at Urban Ministries.