Services and Forums in September

Forum: Death Café at 9:15 a.m. in the Ely Room
Together, we’ll eat cake and talk about death. Join us for this open-ended roundtable discussion hosted by Dawn Stephens and Robyn Miessler-Kubanek.

“Meeting the Waves” at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Led by Rev. Carin Bringelson — On this Water Communion Sunday, in-person participants are invited to bring a small amount of water from a place that is special. At-home participants are invited to prepare a glass of water and an empty vessel. Sometimes the waves of life bowl us over; other times, we can learn how to ride the waves. Today we’ll gather together for the start of our church year, remembering to meet the waves with one another.

Forum: Iowa Environmental Council at 9:45 a.m. in the Ely Room
“Belonging to the Moment and to One Another” at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Led by Rev. Carin Bringelson — In this age of an “Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” we humans long to be connected to our best selves, to one another, and to something larger. As Unitarian Universalists, we come with different perspectives and understandings about the current moment we are living in. Let’s intentionally and lovingly grapple with reality as we place Love at the center and practice belonging with and to one another.

Forum: Social Change Now at 9:45 a.m. in the Ely Room
Led by Interim Director of Faith Formation, Bridget Laflin — Are you feeling called to deepen your commitment to justice, but unsure where to begin — or how to sustain your spirit along the way? Join us for a discussion series on the Unitarian Universalist Association’s common read for 2025-2026, Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection, by activist and strategist Deepa Iyer. Designed for individuals and communities who long to build a more just and loving world, this powerful book offers a framework for understanding the many roles that people play in social justice movements. Using the “Social Justice Ecosystem” outlined in the book, we will learn to identify our unique roles, strengthen our relationships, and avoid burnout by embracing a shared, sustainable approach to social change. All are welcome — whether you are new to justice work or a longtime activist seeking fresh insight. Come explore how we, as UUs, can embody love and justice not just in the streets, but in our congregations, our relationships, and our daily lives.

“New Year, New Needs, New Opportunities” at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Led by Rev. Carin Bringelson — As we continue to build belonging and the Jewish New Year approaches, we’ll pause to reflect on where we’ve missed the mark in the last 12 months — and what might make the new year sweet. What will get us all free?

“Stay With Me” at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Led by Rev. Luke Stevens-Royer — In these precarious days, for our souls and our communities, part of our spiritual work is to find points of resilience and light in the swirl of chaos and fear. Who, or what, are you finding at the thresholds, from ancestors to everyday strangers, lighting lamps of hope? Rev. Luke is the minister of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester, MN.