Awakening love & justice in our lives & in the world.
Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation
Sunday, July 26, 11am, in person and on Zoom
Carol Orme-Johnson
Unitarian Universalism’s 7th principle invites us to respect the interdependent web of which we are a part. While we may long for more connection and mutual support in our lives, living interdependently can be hard in today’s society. What makes interdependence challenging? And how can we work towards more interdependent living within our communities?*Title drawn from Gwendolyn Brooks’s 1970 poem Paul Robeson
Worship Leader Bio: Carol Orme-Johnson is a member of the working group coordinating our congregation study-action on Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation. Her passion for replacement of our broken criminal-penal system has developed over many years from monthly visits to an incarcerated woman, participation in the First U Decarceration Team, and volunteering with the West Philly Participatory Defense Hub (supporting people going through the criminal legal system). She moved to Philadelphia 7 years ago to live with her daughter Dolly Ferver and her family, joined First U within a few months, and has never regretted either decision.
Till Death Do Us Part
Sunday, August 2, 11am, in person and on Zoom
Chuck Black
Mark Twain once said “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time”. This service will explore the diverse beliefs Unitarian Universalists have on death and the afterlife while challenging us to live fully in the now. We will also hold space for those who we love who have passed away.
Worship Leader Bio: Chuck Black is an organizer and storyteller, and has been a member of First Unitarian since 2021 (minus a 9 month stint in DC at All Souls). He is the founding Storyteller Organizer of Philly Queer Storytellers, and has found his passion in bringing stories alive. Chuck is deeply interested in different beliefs around death, and has been called to lead this service as he honors his Gramma’s eighth anniversary of her passing.
We Are Each Other’s Business
Unitarian Universalism’s 7th principle invites us to respect the interdependent web of which we are a part. While we may long for more connection and mutual support in our lives, living interdependently can be hard in today’s society. What makes interdependence challenging? And how can we work towards more interdependent living within our communities?
*Title drawn from Gwendolyn Brooks’s 1970 poem Paul Robeson
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Eager to work for social justice in our time? Learn more about how our congregation supports efforts to end mass incarceration, advocate for immigrants and refugees, and more