Past Services from 2008
December 21, 2008: Winter Celebration of Light
Most of the world's religions recognize that this is the darkest time of the year, and they use this time to celebrate light -- the light of hope, the light of love, and the light of truth. During this service, we will participate in and discuss some light traditions from Judiasm, Christianity, and UUism, followed by a candle lighting ceremony. We encourage you to think about your hopes for 2009 -- for yourself, our congregation, and the world at large -- and share them with us during the service.December 7, 2008: The Clearing at the End of The Path - Owen Rhodes
We are all on a journey along the path of our lives. Eventually, we all come to the end of that journey and step into the final clearing. None of us can say for certain what awaits us there, but nearly every religion and philosophical system of thought tries to teach us something about what to expect. They also offer teachings on how those of us not yet at the end might cope with the heartbreak of losing those who enter the clearing before us.This service included special musical performances featuring vocals by Niki Schrock (Wayfaring Stranger) and Katie McCroskey (Making Pies and Good Riddance) accompanied by a host of talented UU musicians.
November 16, 2008: What's Behind A.A. Milne's "Ivory Door"? - Homer Wilkins
This much-neglected adult drama by the author of the Pooh books will be used as the basis for a discussion of:(1) The power of beliefs (even superstitions) over our lives
(2) The issue as to role (necessity?) of mythology as a "glue" for holding a society together
(3) The idea that our own lives can be viewed as a series of turning points or "Ivory Doors" we go through, after which we are, in important ways, different people.
The speaker will be Homer Wilkins, a member of TVUUC who calls himself an "Itinerant UU Minister--Self Appointed," having spoken in over 60 UU churches nationwide.
Reverend Thomas
November 2, 2008: When God and Caesar Both Come Calling: On Being an Ethical Citizen - Reverend Oliver "Buzz" Thomas
Reflecting on Bible text, Rev. Thomas will briefly examine Peter's, Paul's, Jesus' and John's portrayals of the state. He will then touch on the Niebuhrs before trying to come up with his own sense of what it means to be an ethical citizen. Rev. Thomas says that he is looking forward to "the incredible love and affirmation I always feel when I worship with you and your community."October 19, 2008: Charter Sunday! - Rev. Chris Buice and Rev. Jake Morrill
On Charter Sunday any person, age 16 years old or older, who supports the purpose and mission of Foothills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is invited to join by signing the Charter Member Document as well as the Membership Book. All present members of TVUUC who sign the two documents prior to December 7, 2008 will automatically have their membership transferred to the Foothills congregation.October 5, 2008: Have You Heard the One About? - Mark Hall
My Life: a Journey Through Puns, Spike Jones, and Mad MagazineWhy on an average week do we feel the need to have 113 hours of broadcast television dedicated to this human activity? Why are millions of dollars spent by Hollywood pursuing it? Why do we find reference to it in Hebrew scripture and why are people who can master it successful and often extremely well paid? We will explore the serious side of HUMOR.
Forum: Canoe Odyssey Down the Cumberland
Kim Trevathan, a writer of fiction and nonfiction and Instructor of Writing and Communication at Maryville College, will talk a bit about a trip he took down the length of the Cumberland River in 2003 and show slides and a short film (seven minutes) from the trip. He has written about the trip in his book Coldhearted River: A Canoe Odyssey Down the Cumberland. He will talk about the adventures he and his photographer Randy Russell had, the people they met, the obstacles to getting down the river, and what they learned from the trip. They'll also talk a bit about some of the threats to the river and show some of the less than attractive sides of heavy use and industry on rivers.
September 21, 2008: Pastafarian Primavera - Owen Rhodes
Everyone knows that the universe was created by Our Noodly Master, the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The evidence for this is overwhelming. But, for sinister reasons known only to them, some would have us believe that there was some other Intelligent Designer behind all of creation (whose personality happens to be most accurately described in the Bible). Others, even more sinister than the Creationists, would have us believe that life, the universe, and everything just sort of evolved out of nothing, which is a completely insane idea and/or theory which all know is one and the same thing anyway. We Pastafarians believe in fairness, open-mindedness, and taking every opportunity made available to us to make fun of the whole thing and so have arranged a debate between a representative of the Creationist point of view (Dr. Carl Gombert), a representative of the Evolutionist point of view (Dr. Dan Klingensmith), and a representative of the Pastafarian and only correct point of view no matter how many PhD's they throw at us (Mr. Owen Rhodes). In an effort to keep things "fair and balanced" the panel of questioners will include an angel, a caveman, and a pirate. Please make every effort to attend this exciting moment in history so that you can say you were there when the question of "how did we get here" was finally put to rest once and for all.September 7, 2008: Letters to the Editor - Jerry Sillman
For ten years I defended evolution, moral values, stem cell research, homosexual marriage and much more. I looked for some possibility of co-existence. Over the years I got to know my neighbors too well and realized that we live in quite separate worlds. I will range over four volumes of letters and responses so you can experience it as I did. I even got some compliments.August 17, 2008: All Church Retreat - Transition Team
Your Steering Committee and Transition Team would like to invite you to attend the Congregational Retreat at downtown Maryville's lovely Preservation Plaza, located at 200 E. Broadway, ground floor. Lunch will be provided and childcare will be available.August 3, 2008: Dark Waters - Owen Rhodes
It's suprisingly easy in this modern technological age so filled with so many amazing gadgets intended to connect us for someone to still become isolated and lost in the dark waters of fear, despair, and anger. We Unitarian Universalists have been tragically assaulted by one who is lost and now we find ourselves faced with the challenge of holding to our principles, remaining connected to our communities, and avoiding those very same dark waters of isolation, fear, despair, and anger.July 20, 2008: Let's Be Friends: A Quaker-style meeting
This meeting is intended to express aloud what is already present in the silence. Anyone may feel the call to speak--man, woman, child, member, or first time visitor. Join us as we raise our thoughts, questions, concerns, and hopes about our evolving community as we approach our own independence day!July 6, 2008: A Spiritual Home: God(s), Grace, and Unicorns - Crystal Colter
As our congregation works toward becoming an independent fellowship (?) in October, we reflect on what it means to be a part of a spiritual community. We laugh, cry, sing, play music, eat, and sometimes even salsa dance at Christmas services! Join us as we remember the past, imagine the future, and vision how our spiritual home in Blount County will continue to help us live out UU principles and values with friends and family.June 15, 2008: Believe It Or Not: Why We Believe What We Believe - Tom Walsh
As a professor, Dr. Tom Walsh focused much of his interest and work on how people learn and remember. Learning leads to the establishment of the belief system which influences how we see and interact with the world. Tom continues to seek to understand why people develop and maintain such differing beliefs. This is of particular interest as individuals appear to be more polarized than ever in their beliefs. He will share his current insights.June 1, 2008: Forgiveness Is A Great Power - Owen Rhodes
Forgiveness is an important teaching in every major religion of the world. Theists and atheists alike see forgiveness as an important attribute for achieving true happiness. It is also, as the Hindus teach, a great power for drawing goodness into the world. And yet, for most of us here in America, forgiveness is often an elusive and intangible spirit, incredibly difficult to give once we believe we've been wronged as individuals, as communities, or as a nation. But we must learn to forgive if we are ever to achieve what the Hindus call "the one supreme peace" as we walk together along the path of life.May 18, 2008: Myth: Stories to Live By - Dr. Peggy Cowan, Maryville College Professor of Religion
Peggy spoke on the role of myth in religion, and how myth provides a framework for understanding life.May 4, 2008: Follow Your Bliss - Owen Rhodes
One concept at the heart of the teachings of the late mystic and scholar Joseph Campbell is "follow your bliss," which is the idea that life should be lived in a balance between what is true to your nature and what is expected of you from the culture in which you live. Too often, doing, thinking, and believing what is expected of us occupies the lion's share of our lives and following our bliss -- living what is true to our nature -- is relegated to some other time down the road, in our golden years, which often never comes.April 20, 2008: Mother Earth, Mother God - Owen Rhodes
In honor of Earth Day, we will explore the wisdom of the ancient pagan religions, the Native American religions, and the Hindu religion in their collective reverence for nature. We will also take a look at why the concept of a nature-centered female God rather than a rules-centered male one may be a better fit for what we likely will be facing from a ecological and environmental standpoint in the not too distant future.April 6, 2008: Two Years Old: What's Next? - Sara Jacobus
As the congregation reaches its second birthday, we need to celebrate our steering committee, examine our individual and group strengths, and actively begin the process of discerning the path we wish to take as a committed congregation. This process requires vision, optimism, thoughtfulness and high expectations that anything is possible when we all work together toward a shared goal.March 16, 2008: God, Gays, and Galileo - Reverend Oliver "Buzz" Thomas
Rev. Thomas will share his insights and reflections on the developing conflict between science and religion over the issue of sexual orientation. The sermon will draw from Rev. Thomas' book 10 Things Your Minister Wants to Tell You (But Can't, Because S/he Needs the Job). Rev. Thomas is a minister, attorney, teacher, community leader, USA Today columnist, and Executive Director of the Niswonger Foundation. He is also author of The Right to Religious Liberty (the ACLU handbook on the law of church and state) and co-author of Finding Common Ground, the First Amendment handbook endorsed by the Department of Education and used in many of the nation's public schools.March 2, 2008: How to Get Where You are Going - Jerry Sillman
The path to get anywhere is a problem, especially if you don't know where you are going and have a vague idea that you are seeking self-fulfillment, whatever that is. The goal is firm: self-fulfillment. Getting there is not so firm, but I'll try.Forum: Encountering the Divine in Everyday Hinduism - Amy L. Allocco
This Forum will introduce us to some of the gods and goddesses of contemporary South Indian Hinduism, as well as to a variety of rituals devotees perform for their chosen deities. It focuses very much on the ways in which Hindus regularly "meet" or "encounter" the divine in everyday life, how they interact with the deities, and how they construct dynamic relationships with particular divinities through religious practice. Amy's emphasis will be on devotional, living Hinduism, of the sort that unfolds in domestic worship spaces, at neighborhood temples, and in the context of vows undertaken by individual devotees. She will also focus on festival religion, because these more occasional rites can be understood as extensions of or culminating moments in an individual's reciprocal, daily relationship with their chosen deity. A slide show of Amy's images will provide a sense of the range of these encounters, interactions, and relationships with the divine as they are enacted in everyday Hinduism. Amy has recently returned from 14 months of fieldwork in South India, where she has lived, researched, and studied languages for four of the past twelve years.
February 17, 2008: Toward Peace Within - Jim Harb
How is it possible to experience peace in this ever increasily violent and turbulent world in which we live?Jim Harb, a native of Knoxville with a Palestinian heritage, has been active in efforts toward peace in the Middle East for 35 years. A 1968 graduate of UT Knoxville with a major in Finance, he has been to the Middle East on six different occasions, beginning in 1975. In the past, he has served as Executive Director of the Palestine Education Foundation, as well as US Development Director for the Ramallah Friends School, a 130 year old US Quaker school located near Jerusalem. In the 1980s he served as Administrative Assistant to Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, and in 1990s he worked as Assistant Director of Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He now works as a grant writer for non-profit organizations.
February 3, 2008: Carpe Diem - Dr. Sam Wallace
Carpe Diem is the theme of our February 3rd worship service as spoken by Dr. Sam Wallace and expressed musically by Shirley Gist. Readings include Saul Bellow's Seize The Day, Matthew Fox's Sins of the Spirit and Blessings of the Flesh, and Psalm 104. The sermon is based on "The New Cosmology" as developed by Thomas Berry, among others.Dr. Wallace is Emeritus Professor of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he continues to teach, research, and publish in sociology and ecology.
January 20, 2008: The Alhumdillah Factor - Valarie Budayr
Humdillah in Arabic means "Thank God". Please join Valarie Budayr for a walk through her journey into a practice of gratitude. From her Swedish Lutheran roots, to embracing Islam and raising a Muslim family, Valarie will share her reflections about Islam and her daily practice of being thankful.Valarie Budayr is originally from a Swedish family in Gresham, Oregon. While still at Portland State University she recieved a Fullbright Scholarship to study music in Austria. While living in the Alps, Valarie met her husband, Dr. Mahdi Budayr, and after many moves within the United States finally settled in Maryville, Tennessee in 1996. Since 9-11-2001, Valarie has spent countless hours sharing about Islam, creating an understanding about Muslim people here in our area and globally. She is a survivor of the 2006 invasion of Lebanon, which has led to her current introspection of life and living. Currently, Valarie is a classical composer, music teacher, avid gardener, writer, book enthusiast, and most importantly a MOM.
Rev. Chris Buice
