When UU congregations gather, we often begin by lighting a chalice. What might this mean for us together? What can it symbolize for you? The unpredictable dance of the spirit supported upon a base of reason? The light of individual freedom held up for the world by a solid caring community?

 Do you have a vision for your life? Where do we look for our vision? Carl Jung wrote, "Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." Let’s look inside our own hearts, and into the heart of our congregation today as FVUUF celebrates the installation of The Rev. Dottie Mathews as Associate Minister, and the vision she brings to our shared life. The Rev. Suzelle Lynch has served as minister to Unitarian Universalist Church West in Brookfield, Wisconsin since 2003. She previously served as minister to the Kitsap UU Fellowship in Washington State, and is a lifelong UU.

 So, how does one begin to dive into the philosophies and practices of Buddhism in this life? Well, here's a riddle that I'm sure will clear it all up for you: What does a person have to do to become a Buddhist? Answer: absolutely nothing.

 Bill Maher's movie Religulous and recent books by Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins have taken aim at the idea of God and religion in general. I will attempt to defend the possibility of God and the possibility of religion's goodness against these withering attacks.

 Last year I focused some attention on theology—and especially on liberation theology and process theology. In this sermon I will share my own understanding of God.

 Alison Hurwitz, a 1997 graduate of Lawrence University, discovered UU in her college years. She helped to organize a campus outreach program, inviting members of the FVUUF to campus for monthly discussions. She volunteered (with her now husband, Charlie Holst) as a coming of age mentor twice, and was the youngest mentor then on record. The impact of her immersion in the UU community empowered her and helped shape her choices as she entered her post-college years. As she began a career as a professional dancer and teacher in San Francisco, she incorporated her UU experiences into her life's work, organizing dance shows to support homeless shelters, local charities, and outreach programs. She believes strongly in the healing power of dance, and the bonds it can create between diverse individuals. Married in 2000 to her LU sweetheart, Charlie Holst, they are now expecting their first child. She is thrilled to be able to share her experiences as present LU students work with FVUUF member to create two new UU campus ministry programs.

 A summer of inflation, rising gas prices, apparently quickening global warming impact, food shortages and riots, a war between Russia and Georgia and the return of some of the old Cold War angst, and a gunman opening fire in a UU service. Is the world going to hell? How can we make sense out of all of this?

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Writers and sages have long told us that "you can never go home again" but we know that there are times when life pulls us into unexpected routes that sure can FEEL like a homecoming. Join with our new Assistant Minister, Dottie Mathews, as she explores what it means to return to this faith community - to be together again for the very first time.

Rev. Dottie Mathews

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The familiar sweater and sneakers, the simple lyrics and tunes, the methodical and intentional language - all these were props to convey enormous wisdom and authentic compassion and they allowed Mr. Rogers to reach the hearts and lives of millions. Dottie Mathews will share some of this icon's life and work and invite us to look at how he was able to defy conventional wisdom in gaining the rapt attention of children.

Rev. Dottie Mathews