SALVATION: What 'saves' you?

Salvation (noun) 1) The act of saving somebody or something from harm, destruction, difficulty, or failure. 2) means of saving somebody or something 3) in Christianity, deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ's death on the cross 4) that which brings us to wholeness, integrity, unified with the whole.

For our Christian friends, April is a month where suffering, salvation and resurrection are at the core of their religious practices and belief. Christmas, not so many months ago, was about the birth of a savior. Some Christians say that Jesus died to save us from our sins - or punishment for our sins. In Rebecca Parker and Rita Nakashima Brock's book, Proverbs of Ashes, they write about the true costs of violence and suffering. Our Easter service on April 4 will delve into their insights. They also describe our search for what saves us.

And that will be the focus of our April reflections on "salvation."   What is it that brings us to wholeness, integrity and unifies us with the whole?  In the resource packet, there is a section based on the children's book on manners, What Do You Say, Dear?, guiding you on what you, as a Unitarian Universalist, might say if asked, "Are you saved?" or "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?"

Check out the resources on Salvation on our website and available in print on our Garden Door shelf. Reflect on salvation in your small groups and at worship. Don't miss Popcorn theology and Nancy Baker's "Light Left On" program. The UU&You session this month will cover the Sources and sacred texts of Unitarian Universalism - wisdom that saves us again and again.

I wish you much joy in noticing and naming what saves you.   Not the least of which will be vanishing snow banks and spring flowers blooming!

Love and blessings to you,

Barbara

Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord

Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
After a gloriously goofy Easter Bonnet Parade and a story for all ages, we'll get down to serious business.  Many of us are troubled by a central idea of the Christian Easter celebration that "Jesus died to save us from our sins."  Well, it turns out that some Christians are, too. John Dominic Crossan calls it "the most unfortunately successful idea in the history of Christian thought."  How might  our Unitarian Universalist theology deal with this idea?

Don't forget to wear your Easter bonnet. To express the joy of spring renewal, we'll have an Easter bonnet procession during our opening hymn. Create something new or wear what you have. It's a time to be elegant or silly or both! Guys, gals, old, young - all are invited to participate!    

Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
Salvation is often linked with sin and shame.  It's been said that you can't be saved if  you haven't sinned.  We will examine some nuances to this idea that may help you grow in creativity and whole-heartedness.  Maybe recognition of your own vulnerability and shame leads to salvation.

Cyn Fennelly, DLRE, Religious Education Committee & Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
In learning to care for and respect ourselves, others, and our planet, we begin to imagine the world we wish to live in. Creating that world is truly in our hands.

Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
How the practice of secular dharma (the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama) is relevant to our lives. We'll reflect on new scholarship about the man named Buddha, the context of his life, the place from which his teachings arose and the dharma itself.   This may change your ideas about Buddhism, as we share the thought of Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism without Beliefs and Confession of a Buddhist Atheist.      

• April - play Laser Tag
• May - perhaps Rope Climbing
• June - an afternoon of Games and a Barbeque
• July/August - Swim Party 

This year's 4th graders will be invited to come and join the fun at the June and July events.  Email will be sent to the youth/parents with more information. Contacts:  Beth Soederberg (bsoederberg@sunriselabs.com  or 472-3376) or Sandy Frades (sandyfrades@comcast.net or 673-2955).

The theme for April is Salvation. In the western tradition Jesus Christ is at the center of redemption and reconciliation as he acts as the savior of mankind. So, this program will be a tour of the iconography of Christ and a look at the different aspects of his role as savior. We explore the connection between suffering (Theodicy) and salvation. Following up on grace, we'll consider the role of human beings and the concept of free will in redemption. We'll also compare how other religions approach the subject of sin and salvation. As always, there will be lots of art. There is a sign-up sheet in Barnum.  All are welcome, but we'd like to know you are coming so we can plan food for a simple meal to share.  Questions: Contact Nancy Baker at ntbaker@att.net.  

Please join us as we remember Alice Kolb. The service will be led by Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord and Linda Goodman; music by Linda Goodman and Joe Pollock. If you would like to help with the luncheon after the service, please contact Alice Giarrusso (361-0169 or giarrussoa@aol.com).

It's Snowing - Are Church Services and/or Children's Programming Cancelled?
To find out whether church is closed:

• Call the Church office at 673-1870. If church is cancelled, the answering machine will tell you.
• Check the uucm.org home page. Look for the RED banner at the top of the page and/or the word "CANCELLED" on the calendar item in Events.
• Check http://www.wmur.com/weather/closingsor WMUR-TV (News 9). Look for "Unitarian Universalist  Congregation, Milford" under the letter U.

It is best to call ahead on any day to be sure someone will be in the office if you plan to stop by.  For meetings or activities, check with the group leader.