First Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Second Life (FUUCSL)<\/p>\n
Thursday, November 13, 2014<\/p>\n
6:30PM SL Time (Pacific Standard Time)<\/p>\n
Leading the service: dav0 Turas
\n
\n——————————–<\/p>\n
Welcome.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Announcements **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Welcome to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Second Life.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n An Order of Service is available by saying “oos” in chat. For<\/p>\n visitors, a special welcome. If you are not familiar with Unitarian<\/p>\n Universalism (“UU”), a single service is not enough to experience the<\/p>\n diversity of ideas and styles of interaction that we offer, either<\/p>\n here in SL or in RL. Please come again.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n You might also wish to look at UUA.org. or consider joining the group<\/p>\n “Unitarian Universalists of SL” to receive regular announcements.<\/p>\n There are lots of events besides this weekly service to take part in.<\/p>\n Be sure to check out our web site: http:\/\/fuucsl.org, for more details<\/p>\n on these and other such events.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n We are always looking for members of our community who wish to get<\/p>\n more involved.<\/p>\n There is rental property available in UUtopia as well – contact Zyzzy<\/p>\n Zarf to learn more.<\/p>\n If you would like to try your hand at leading a service, please<\/p>\n contact a member of the Leadership Group – their names are available<\/p>\n in the notecard dispenser in the welcome area.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Feel free to hang around after the service for coffee and conversation –<\/p>\n a UU tradition!<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Are there any announcements?<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Lighting the Chalice **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n “We gather this hour as people of faith With joys and sorrows, gifts<\/p>\n and needs. We light this beacon of hope, Sign of our quest For truth<\/p>\n and meaning, In celebration of the life we share together”<\/p>\n – Christine Robinson<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Joys and Concerns **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Please feel free to share any joys and concerns…<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Opening Words **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The Meaning of God<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is it, Bill thought.<\/p>\n After his service on the Earthly sphere,<\/p>\n Bill knew that it was his time to go to Heaven.<\/p>\n It would have been nice to see the Super Bowl tomorrow, but\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n He peered longingly through the dark tunnel.<\/p>\n The light on the other side glittered brightly,<\/p>\n beckoning him onward like a moth to the flame.<\/p>\n With a face-swallowing grin that would put<\/p>\n Mr. Potato Head to shame,<\/p>\n Bill floated upward through the tunnel,<\/p>\n waiting peacefully for God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s embrace<\/p>\n to carry him through the void.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Bill had been a man of virtue for his entire life.<\/p>\n He loved his family, and they often loved him back.<\/p>\n Bill was a model citizen.<\/p>\n And it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all paid off.<\/p>\n Bill could hardly contain his excitement.<\/p>\n Soon, he would be in Heaven.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n It was real all along.<\/p>\n Even after all those people doubted.<\/p>\n Soon, he would be reunited<\/p>\n with his mother, father, and uncle.<\/p>\n Bill had led a good life, but now<\/p>\n it was his turn to enter the other side.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The tunnel entrance was upon him now,<\/p>\n the radiant light nearly blinding him.<\/p>\n Bill shut his eyes and felt the warmth,<\/p>\n the pure love. \u00c2\u00a0With a power not his own,<\/p>\n he floated downwards and felt himself<\/p>\n standing on a soft surface.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n (. . . some strange things transpired<\/p>\n upon Bill\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arrival in Heaven but<\/p>\n suffice it to say that Bill was shocked<\/p>\n to learn that Heaven was being run by<\/p>\n noneother than Saint Lucifer\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6)<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Bill opened\u00e2\u20ac\u201d with some difficulty\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n the heaviest door he had ever encountered<\/p>\n and strode into the largest room he had ever seen.<\/p>\n The floor was rough concrete and the walls<\/p>\n appeared to be corrugated sheet metal.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n At the far end of the wall was a small desk<\/p>\n and a man sitting at it,<\/p>\n though he was too far away to discern clearly.<\/p>\n Bill strode across the vaulted room,<\/p>\n taking in the high ceiling and small windows<\/p>\n that lined the upper walls.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n After several minutes of plodding,<\/p>\n Bill reached the other end to see a man intently<\/p>\n running his fingers along a number of scrolls<\/p>\n on his desk and murmuring under his breath.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You must be Lucifer,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d accused Bill.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The man looked up, startled.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How rude of me\u00e2\u20ac\u201d yes that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s me.<\/p>\n I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m dreadfully sorry, I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even hear you.<\/p>\n It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s these high ceilings you see, the acoustics\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you really need a warehouse for an office?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n challenged Bill, immediately on the offensive<\/p>\n in an attempt to prove his faith.<\/p>\n I shall not fail this test.<\/p>\n I have come too far.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Lucifer cast his eyes down,<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dreadful.<\/p>\n But with elections coming up,<\/p>\n my marketing team insists it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s more impressive.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n . . .<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll believe that when I see it. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d sooner trust<\/p>\n Father Time than a man with horns,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n countered Bill, his patience thinning.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have horns\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n said Lucifer as he felt the top of his head nervously.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nonsense, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a shapeshifter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d asserted Bill.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I should hope not,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Lucifer with horror,<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was born how I am, the same as you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n defended Lucifer.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Impossible. Only humans were crafted<\/p>\n in the image of God!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n Bill bellowed overly loud<\/p>\n in hopes that God would hear<\/p>\n Bill\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s noble defense.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Human s made in God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s image?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n Lucifer laughed,<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dogs.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you mean that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dogs?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n demanded Bill uncertainly.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t actually think\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re serious?<\/p>\n Well, yes , dogs were crafted in God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s image.<\/p>\n Isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it obvious? Dog is just God backwards.<\/p>\n God loves dogs so much, he even<\/p>\n created an entire planet dedicated to them,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n explained Lucifer.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Bill gaped, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no way\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s true . God created humans to serve them.<\/p>\n God only cares about dogs,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n David Kutai Weiss – excerpts from his book: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Transcripts from the Other Side\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n (bells)<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Offering **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Please be generous and donate to the offering plate so that we can help sustain UUtopia.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Musical Interlude **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The Song of UUtopia<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Have you heard the beauty?<\/p>\n Have you seen the sound?<\/p>\n When we’re all together<\/p>\n There’s nothing more profound<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Are you superstitious?<\/p>\n Well look what you have found<\/p>\n If ever there was mystery<\/p>\n It’s right here on the ground.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n U… U… topia…<\/p>\n A place we all belong<\/p>\n Despite all of our differences<\/p>\n We seem to get along<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n One by one we find our way<\/p>\n The wounded and the brave<\/p>\n Our restless hearts are thriving here<\/p>\n To life we are no slave<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ~Principles and Beliefs~<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Unitarian Universalists hold the Seven Principles as strong values and<\/p>\n moral teachings.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n These Principles are listed here:<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;<\/p>\n 2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;<\/p>\n 3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;<\/p>\n 4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;<\/p>\n 5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;<\/p>\n 6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;<\/p>\n 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n As a leadership goal, we are challenged to explore at least one of<\/p>\n these principles each week.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n This week, I would like to explore the 1st Principle:<\/p>\n The inherent worth and dignity of every person<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one thing to believe it, but how can we<\/p>\n recognize the inherent worth and dignity<\/p>\n of every person? \u00c2\u00a0That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a tall order!<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n One way to do this would be to honor each other<\/p>\n with awards and certificates for this and that<\/p>\n with the hope of recognizing people<\/p>\n for some level of worth and dignity.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n But how to reward everyone equally?<\/p>\n Sitting through an award ceremony<\/p>\n like that would probably feel like<\/p>\n a waste of time!<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n But what if everyone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s inherent<\/p>\n worth and dignity was recognized<\/p>\n at the same time through self<\/p>\n discovery? \u00c2\u00a0Who know\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the<\/p>\n worth and dignity which is inherent<\/p>\n within you better than you?<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Call it meditation, prayer, or introspection.<\/p>\n We can value the inherent worth and dignity<\/p>\n of every person by valuing these qualities<\/p>\n in our own selves first, then together in<\/p>\n a shared experience of the moment.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n As a step in this direction,<\/p>\n please pause for a moment of reflection<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Meditation Moment **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Close your eyes if you can…<\/p>\n Let the ambient sounds<\/p>\n and distractions of life fade away…<\/p>\n All you hear is the sound of your breathing…<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n You begin to float away…<\/p>\n Drifting off in a boat on calm waters\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n The sun is warm on your skin and<\/p>\n a warm breeze is filling your sail…<\/p>\n The water laps quietly<\/p>\n at the side of the boat…<\/p>\n The boat sails away,<\/p>\n across the water…<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The boat rocks you gently…<\/p>\n Each wave pulsing\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n Rocking\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n The sound of water trickling<\/p>\n as you sail along…<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n You begin to hear the sound<\/p>\n of a rolling surf\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n Softly at first in the distance\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n Then more clearly\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n Seagulls cackle in the distance…<\/p>\n The sound of waves gently breaking\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n You hear a soft slipping noise<\/p>\n As the boat slides into the sand…<\/p>\n You have arrived.<\/p>\n You open your eyes.<\/p>\n You stand up and stretch.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations!<\/p>\n Celebrate your worth and dignity.<\/p>\n You have discovered it within yourself.<\/p>\n Turn to those next to you and smile –<\/p>\n You have all earned some happiness.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n *** Awaken ***<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is the meaning of life?<\/p>\n What is our purpose on earth?<\/p>\n These are some of the great,<\/p>\n false questions of religion.<\/p>\n We need not answer them,<\/p>\n for they are badly posed,<\/p>\n but we can live our answers all the same.<\/p>\n At a minimum, we can create the conditions<\/p>\n for human flourishing in this life\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n the only life of which any of us can be certain.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n That means we should not terrify our children<\/p>\n with thoughts of hell or<\/p>\n poison them with hatred for infidels.<\/p>\n We should not teach our sons to consider women<\/p>\n their future property or convince our daughters<\/p>\n that they are property even now.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n And we must decline to tell our children<\/p>\n that human history began with bloody magic<\/p>\n and will end with bloody magic<\/p>\n in a glorious war between<\/p>\n the righteous and the rest.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n As for the rest\u00e2\u20ac\u201d charity, community, ritual,<\/p>\n and the contemplative life\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n we need not take anything on faith<\/p>\n to embrace those goods.<\/p>\n It is one of the most damaging lies of religion\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n whether liberal, moderate, or extreme\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n to insist that we must.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Consciousness is simply the light by which<\/p>\n the contours of mind and body are known.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n It is within our capacity to recognize<\/p>\n the nature of thoughts,<\/p>\n to awaken from the dream<\/p>\n of being merely ourselves and,<\/p>\n in this way, to become better able<\/p>\n to contribute to the well-being of others.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Each of us is identical to the very principle<\/p>\n that brings value to the universe.<\/p>\n Experiencing this directly\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n not merely thinking about it\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n is the true beginning of spiritual life.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The human mind is the most complex<\/p>\n and subtle expression of reality<\/p>\n we have thus far encountered.<\/p>\n This should grant profundity<\/p>\n to the humble project of noticing<\/p>\n what it is like to be you in the present.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n However numerous your faults,<\/p>\n something in you at this moment is pristine\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n and only you can recognize it.<\/p>\n Open your eyes and see.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n –Sam Harris<\/p>\n from his book entitled: Waking Up<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Discussion **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Please discuss…<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Closing words and Extinguishing the Chalice **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n “We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth, The warmth of<\/p>\n community, Or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts<\/p>\n until We are together again.” – Elizabeth Selle Jones<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Dance **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Coffee Hour **<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" First Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Second Life (FUUCSL) Thursday, November 13, 2014 6:30PM SL Time (Pacific Standard Time) Leading the service: dav0 Turas<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fuucsl.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fuucsl.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fuucsl.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fuucsl.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fuucsl.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fuucsl.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fuucsl.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fuucsl.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fuucsl.org\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}