WEST PARIS — February may seem bleak and cold, but one can find warmth and comfort at First Universalist Church of West Paris Sunday worship services, which are presented with a combination of guest speakers and Worship Service Committee members. All are welcome to attend; services are at 9 a.m. every Sunday, followed by refreshments.
Feb. 2: “Stealing Jesus” led by The Rev. Fayre Stephenson. Several years ago author Bruce Bawer wrote a book called “Stealing Jesus” about how the Jesus of moderate and liberal Christians had been overshadowed by the Jesus of conservative Christians. This service will explore UU Christian history and how UU Christians are faring in religious movement.
Feb. 9: “A Stretch of Hard Road” led by guest speaker Marilyn Hammond, who is a long-time leader at the South Paris Universalist Church and graduate of The Renaissance Program, a UUA program that offers training for professional religious educators, seminarians and lay leaders on topics such as UU history and identity, administration, philosophy and worship. She is a retired teacher and is active in many community efforts.
Feb. 16: “God’s Secretaries” led by The Rev. Fayre Stephenson. How did a group of near-anonymous, muddled, drunk, self-serving, ambitious, ruthless, obsequious, pedantic and flawed scholars write the King James version of the Bible, the greatest work of English prose ever written? Using Adam Nicolson’s book, “God’s Secretaries,” as one guide, the sermon will consider the historical and continuing contemporary influence of the King James Bible.
Feb. 23: “What Kind of Love” led by The Rev. Gail Scott, who is new to the church. Originally from northwest Connecticut, Scott has lived in New Mexico, Washington State, Massachusetts and now retired in Maine. “I have worked in engineering technology and related scientific fields. Music has always been an important part of my life and a refuge,” she said. While in New Mexico, Scott was involved in youth outreach and was ordained by the Christian Church as a missionary.
For more information about the church and services, call Marta Clements at 674-2143 or visit www.uua.org to learn more about Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
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