On Sunday July 30th we will be watching a service which is being shared by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Petoskey Michigan. They have been offering a series of online services about the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism on those months that have five Sundays. This particular service will focus on the Fifth and Sixth Principles, Democracy and Justice. Can one exist without the other? And how can we strengthen them both?
This service will begin at 11:00 am on Sunday morning July 30th and will be available on Zoom using this link:
uuneedham.org/service-video which will redirect you to the UUCoP Zoom room.
but we will also be hosting a “watch party” in Parish Hall where we will show it onto the large screen TV there. Because of the later time window for the service it is suggested that you come early before the service for our social hour starting about 10:30. Iced tea, lemonade and cookies will be available. (Bring your own coffee.) If you are watching from home we will make the usual Zoom room of our own available for the early social hour at 10:30 but then you will need to leave and join the other room for the service.
Leading the service will be Rev. Alice Diebel who serves the UUCoP on a part-time basis from a distance as she lives in Dayton, Ohio. Originally from Michigan and a Unitarian Universalist for over 30 years Rev. Alice went to Meadville Lombard Theological School, received her MDiv there and was ordained in 2020. She pursued the ministry after receiving a “calling” from the voices of people deeply involved in criminal justice reform, voices such as Bryan Stevenson and Michelle Alexander. She knew she could no longer turn away from this ache in our society. This ministry is outside the walls of any congregation and is called community ministry. This ministry is working to reform our systems of mass incarceration (justice work) and reaching out with compassion to people who have been affected by incarceration (pastoral work). She is grateful to have two paths to serve – community ministry and parish ministry. She lives with her partner Bob, and the birds that frequent their backyard feeders in Dayton.
