Forgiveness: What Does It Mean, and How the Ancients Did It

Rabbi Rob Abramowitz, “Forgiveness: What Does It Mean, and How the Ancients Did It” – Why does forgiveness seem so hard, sometimes? How do we overcome the feeling of being wronged, and why forgive if we are in “the right.” Both the Hebrew Scriptures and the … read more.

This month’s theme is “Beauty & the Common Good”

    Beauty, whether in art, nature, or human behavior, has the potential to contribute to the common good. Without beauty, we live in shades of gray; mundane, monotonous, and numbing. Beauty adds color, depth, breadth, and energy as we witness a stunning landscape, listen to beautiful music, taste a delicious meal, or encounter beauty in other ways. Beauty can prompt introspection and personal growth, leading to a more profound sense of empathy and compassion. Beauty’s emotional up-lift can affect individuals and groups through enhanced well-being. As beauty’s universal language connects people across cultures and backgrounds, it can inspire them to contribute to the common good, which creates more beauty.

    Events

    Seeing White

    Seeing White” is a ten-session online program designed to help participants learn more about the concept of whiteness and the impact that this concept has had both on our society and on us as individuals. Participants will listen to podcasts, read articles, watch videos, and then gather on Zoom every other week to discuss what they are learning. Twelve members of the congregation took part in this program last year and found it to be a profound experience. The program will begin on Monday evening, October 2 and continue every other week from 7:00 – 8:30 PM on Zoom. Please contact Elaine Castles at [email protected] for more information or to sign up.

    In-Person Worship – What to Expect

    MCUUF is currently offering services in a variety of formats. Usually, the first Sunday of the month is virtual only, on Zoom. The second and fourth Sundays are multiplatform, offered both at our meeting space in the Rockford Grange and online. And the third Sunday is in person only at the Grange; no Zoom is available for this service. Any changes to this schedule will be announced well in advance. On these “hybrid” Sundays, screens allow those attending in person and those on Zoom to see and interact with one another. We ask that in-person attendees be up to date on their COViD vaccinations and stay home if they are feeling ill. Our meeting space is well ventilated, we offer plenty of space between seats, and we have hand sanitizer available. Masks are optional but recommended during periods of higher transmission Children are warmly welcomed in the service, and we also have a child care attendant who can entertain the younger set in our adjoining “wiggle room.” For more information contact the office at [email protected]  or leave us a message at 541.241.6771. And we look forward to having you join us on Sunday morning.