Sunday Services and Sermons – Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville

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UU COMMUNITY WORSHIP

March’s Ministry Theme:
The Practice of Joy

11 a.m. Sunday, April 13 2025

“Joy in Times of Adversity“

Sunny DeVeaux, Grant Gastinger, Nora Little, Solomon Milligan,
Sylvie Semmelhack, and Afton Van Hooser

This service will be led by members of our congregation’s 11^th & 12^th grade senior high youth group, Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU).
Come and be inspired by special music and a story. Hear what our youth have to say to us about finding joy in times of adversity.

LINK TO ZOOM SERVICE

Sharing Joys and Sorrows
If you would like to have a joy or sorrow shared aloud during the worship service, please complete this form by 9AM Sunday morning.

Sharing Joys and Sorrows
If you would like to have a joy or sorrow shared aloud during the worship service,
please complete this form by 9AM Sunday morning.

LINK TO ZOOM SERVICE

Children & Youth

11:00 AM

Celebrating Me & My World (infant through 4 years-old)
Our lesson this week is “My World Has Trees”. The students will be spending some time outside getting to know the nearby trees, as well as discussing what trees give to us and how we can take care of them.

Spirit Play (4 years-old through Kindergarten)
Our story this Sunday is Hey Little Ant. The story is about a boy who is planning to step on an ant but the ant. The ant talks back and states a compelling case for its survival while the kid’s friends gather round to taunt the kid for hesitating. The final line of the book is a question–“What do you think that kid should do?” This gives participants the opportunity to discuss everything from bullying to the use of force to the interconnected web of life. We’ll light our chalice, share our snack or “feast” and enjoy our time together as we learn.Our story this Sunday is Hey Little Ant. The story is about a boy who is planning to step on an ant but the ant. The ant talks back and states a compelling case for its survival while the kid’s friends gather round to taunt the kid for hesitating. The final line of the book is a question–“What do you think that kid should do?” This gives participants the opportunity to discuss everything from bullying to the use of force to the interconnected web of life. We’ll light our chalice, share our snack or “feast” and enjoy our time together as we learn.
Moral Tales (1st-3rd grades)
This week’s lesson emphasizes the virtues of courage and perseverance. To act out of goodness and for justice often requires courage, determination, and the will to keep going despite many challenges. We will hear a Jakata story from the Buddhist tradition about a parrot that carries drops of water in its feathers back and forth from the river in order to save the animals of a burning forest. The Devas (the Gods) initially laugh at what they think is a fruitless effort, but later one Deva is moved by the love and courage of the little parrot. The Deva’s tears add to the parrot’s drops and the fire is extinguished. We too may act alone, and against all odds, but when we are compelled by conscience and love, our continued efforts can catch the attention of others and cause something greater to happen spiritually and in the world. Perseverance” will be added to the Moral Compass poster.

Lego ValUUes (4th & 5th grades)
This Sunday we’ll be exploring our UU Value of “Love at the Center.” To guide our explorations, we’ll hear the story Love by Matt de la Pena. This heartfelt celebration of love depicts the many ways we experience this universal bond, which carries us from the day we are born throughout the years of our childhood and beyond. As an act of love, we’ll make hospital meal packets to be distributed by the social workers at the UVA medical center to those in need.

Neighboring Faiths (6th & 7th grades)
This Sunday is our introduction to Judaism with guest Beth Jaeger-Landis. We’ll learn about the Passover seder and other aspects of this faith tradition.

12:15 PM

Coming of Age (8th-10th grades)
The Coming of Age class is attending worship at 11am this Sunday to support and learn from the YRUU youth. Coming of Age will be leading worship on May 25.

Young Religious Unitarian Universalists — YRUU (11th-12th grades)
YRUU is leading worship for the congregation this Sunday at 11am in the sanctuary!

Please register all children (infant through high school seniors) to participate in religious education for the 2024-2025 RE year.

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Community Worship: Sunday, April 13 at 11am

Posted on April 10, 2025

Joy in Times of Adversity Sunny DeVeaux, Grant Gastinger, Nora Little, Solomon Milligan, Sylvie Semmelhack, and Afton Van Hooser This service will be led by members of our congregation’s 11th & 12th grade senior high youth group, Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU). Come and be inspired by special music and a story. Hear what our […]

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