August 3 - Blooming in the Wilderness
The Reverend Jacqueline Luck

You’ve heard the story about Adam’s first wife, Lilith, and how she fled the Garden of Eden? I’m preachin’ this sermon, and saying it ain’t necessarily so, BUT, it may have a message for us even today! Join us as we explore the possibilities using verse and painted image.

Reverends Jacqueline Luck and Catherine Harrington met as incoming students at Starr King School for the Ministry. Jacqueline had driven from Louisiana and Cathy from Alaska, but they've shared much on their journeys since. Perhaps you remember Cathy asking this congregation for support and prayers for Jacqueline's ministry in Mississippi, and for all who suffered when Katrina and Rita slammed into the Gulf Coast? Not only was much money contributed to the UUA/UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund as a result, but some of the congregation went to Mississippi to help with reconstruction. On that trip Cathy preached at the Jackson UU Church with Jacqueline promising to repay the favor. Well, now it's payback time! Jacqueline is on her way to visit with two out of four sons, a daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, Anna, all of Chicago. Last August Holston Valley UU Church in the northeast corner of Tennessee called Jacqueline to their ministry where she is happily settled in beautiful Appalachia. - Jacqueline Luck

jacqueline.luck@gmail.com

Inspired by Psalm 78 and Dr. Lou’s bible story for today, “Elijah and the Widow,” an inspiring story of courage, compassion, and hope. Some would say the bread of angels is manna from heaven; some say it is the body of Christ, and some say the bread of angels rises from the soul of a compassionate humanity. Flour, water, yeast, salt, and love. Without “love” bread is tasteless, stale, and without nutrients. Add the most important ingredient, love, and bread becomes nothing less than a miracle! Ah!

August 24 - Through the Valley of the Shadow
The Reverend Catherine Harrington & The Reverend Joe Elenbaas

Cathy and Joe will reflect on spiritual journeys that both began with a powerful call to ministry, complete with idealism and hope, only to free fall into cold unrelenting darkness and despair. The journey through the shadow is, thank goodness, "through" and not without end. On their respective journeys, Cathy and Joe have both discovered a message of hope sans the naive idealism but grounded instead in what is deeply true and enduring about life and death.

August 27- The Blessing and the Curse
Lev Raphael

Right now, in the yearly cycle of Torah reading, Jews in synagogue are working through Deuteronomy where Moses famously speaks to the Hebrews about "the blessing and the curse." Lev Raphael will relate this scriptural dichotomy to his own family life and the surprises he found doing research for his forthcoming memoir.

Bio: Lev Raphael has lived in Michigan half his life and this is where he became a successful author, publishing 18 books that have been translated into nearly a dozen languages.