UUs of Catawba

Members of UUCCV posed questions to Rev. Melissa, many of them concerning her feelings about our current deliberations about a Call to Ministry. In the July 26, 2020 service, she answered them! This is the audio of those questions and her answers.

Melissa's song written especially for our April 4th stewardship event -- which ended up being held on Zoom instead of in our building. Like everything else. Sunday's here, it's eleven o'clock -- but we're still in pajamas and fuzzy socks but that's fine -- we're seekin' the divine online. A bulldog barks through the silent meditating -- A young couple "multi-tasks" (starts procreating) -- sublime!  They're seekin' the divine online. Here is the church without the steeple -- "church" is in the bonds of this community of people. Amazing grace ain't in the hymnals, y'see-- grace is in the love we share (and AT&T). Minister reads our sermons in her office filled with plants. Nobody knows she's not wearing pants! It's no crime when you're seekin' the divine online Minister's screen freezes -- she says "Oh, s***!" The people crack up because she didn't mute it. She whines: "I hate seeking the diving online!" Here is the church without the steeple -- "church" is in the bonds of this community of people. Amazing grace ain't in the hymnals, y'see-- it's letting go of "perfect," showing up authentically ... One day we'll be together again, the introverts cringing that we're back to holding hands, But it's not time  so we're seekin' the divine online ... and that's just fine! Yeah, we're seeking  the divine online!   -- Rev. Melissa Mummert, 2020

What do UUs have in common with the ancient faiths of the world? More than you might think, and Professor Lola Williamson is just the person to tell us all about it. Before her talk, Greg Williamson leads the congregation in a responsive reading of Sophia Lyon Fahs’ “It Matters What We Believe.”

Rev. Melissa Mummert leads us through a dark place and into the light.

Are the result of our genetics or our environment? Rev. Melissa Mummert says the answer is "yes."

Melissa's just seen the documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor" and what did she see in it? Our first UU principle.

Many UUs believe in miracles and many do not. So how do we come to a day celebrating a story about a miracle?

Lola Williamson reads an excerpt from "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown, and Lee Shackleford tells a story about the struggle to get out of a Comfort Zone. Paul van Breemen leads the congregation in singing "Lean on Me."

Tipping points throughout history have often come done to small groups or even individuals. Melissa encourages us to resolve this year to embrace that possibility!

Sometimes failing is the best thing we can possibly do.

There are as many ways to be saved as there are to be lost...

Dr. Katherine Farris reflects on being the reed that bends rather then the mighty oak that gets uprooted.

Our own Dr. Lola Williamson, an Emeritus Associate Professor of Religious Studies, explains the preeminent American philosopher William James' idea of "belief as pragmatic," and encourages understanding and exploration.

Rev. Melissa Mummert shares insights and reflections on the virtue of "not-knowing" ... of being open to discoveries and perspectives our rational minds may reject!