First Unitarian Universalist Church of Girard

This Sunday and all the Sundays in May we will be considering the many ways Mary appears and gives meaning to her own special place in religion. Since this week is Orthodox Easter, we will be considering the concept as Mary Theotokos, or Mary the Mother of God. Not exactly a UU Concept, but considering we are vastly outnumbered by Orthodox Christians, a concept we ought to understand. Join us for a lively discussion. Conversation starts at 10:30 with the Service at 11. For information to join our Zoom service, contact [email protected]. We'll see you on Sunday. This image is an icon in the Haiga Sophia, an orthodox church built in Istanbul well before 1000 AD later converted into a Mosque, then to a museum and now a Mosque again.

Zoom recording of today's service April 25, 2021. https://us02web.zoom.us//WzBU91kWvkAbIcNnsEQhmca__Lc6TOyvA

Easter Sunday has many connotations for all of us. Perhaps the one we enjoy most, especially this year is the new life which springs up every day. Join us on Sunday at 10:30 for conversation and/or 11:00 for our service. We'll accentuate the positive, the hopefulness of attitude that is encouraged by the return of longer days and more sunshine. And you'll be able to participate with us. For Zoom connection information, contact [email protected]. We hope to see you on Sunday. And in case you want to see the scene below, it was shot on West 38th Street at the Erie Zoo using a fisheye lens.

This week we mark Palm Sunday, the day the Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey and began the week in which he was killed and some say rose again. But the question for today is how to understand this Entry. Our minister suggests it promotes radical religion and will endeavor to show you what he means. We will miss the palm branches this year, but we hope we put relevance back into the life of the churches and ourselves. Join us on Zoom Sunday at 10:30 for conversation and at 11:00 for the service. Zoom info is available from [email protected]

It's good to help the Earth be a little cleaner. The Girard UUs were out on this beautiful spring Sunday heeling to restore the Earth #erieearthday21

The First UU Church of Girard conducted their first Earth Day beach clean up at the mouth of beautiful Elk Creek, Erie Bluffs State Park.

We will continue our emphasis on the combination of Jazz and R&B music to religion and at some point during this month, we will be considering Duke Ellington, who brought his incomparable style and musicianship to the stage and the Church. We will even consider his use of tap dancing in a concert of sacred music. Come and find out more. Join our discussion. Sunday at 10:30 for conversation. Service begins at 11. Contact [email protected] for Zoom instructions and join us from home. Photo is from the Smithsonian Institution.

Zoom recording of Sunday 18 April, 2021. Hindu life after death. https://us02web.zoom.us//o4mDuRVBAypPysJ5VfPmIY4tBkDf3qS5X

We will be considering an odd assortment of means of expression this month at Girard UU. Variously through the month we will consider religion, bluegrass, tap dance and jazz. In that spirit there will be a different image each week related to the overall monthly topic - not necessarily to the topic for the coming Sunday. So join us for our service at 10:30 on Sunday morning with conversation and at 11 we will begin the service. You'll be able to join our conversation on these things by contacting [email protected] for the Zoom connection info. The poster below was for a local Bluegrass Festival in 2018. Although one was scheduled for 2020, it did not occur due to the pandemic. Perhaps they will be able to hold it this summer.

This is not your mother's bulletin cover. But then your mother is not likely to be in the Zoom Congregation this week as we conclude Black History month with a discussion of the contributions of Muhammad Ali to the expansion of civil rights. Come and join us on Zoom on Sunday at 10:30 for conversation and at 11:00 for the service. Remember, on Zoom there is an opportunity for you to respond, so join the discussion (and bring your mother). You both might develop a deeper appreciation for this topic and this fighter. For Zoom details contact [email protected] [Photo of Muhammad Ali from the National Portrait Gallery of the United Kingdom.]