Mission Statement (where we are now, at our best)

At the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos,
Our minds, hearts and doors are open.
Enter a community of compassion and inquiry.
Venture out to shape a just, sustainable world.

---

Vision Statement (where we want to be in five years)

We celebrate diversity of belief and seek unity in action.
We are an inclusive, caring community that nourishes and challenges the heart and mind.
People of all ages find a haven for spiritual and intellectual exploration and artistic expression.
Living our Seven Principles, we bring justice and compassion to our congregation, the community, and the world.
We are a beacon of hope.

End Goals (directions we will take to fulfill our vision):

We will expand our activities to support a diversity of congregational interests and needs, inviting broad participation of congregation and community members.

We will recruit volunteers and lay leaders throughout the congregation, promoting a culture to support and nurture them in their work.

We will offer support for a wide variety of needs in worship programs, continuing to support a varied and vibrant music and other cultural programs.

We will inspire personal growth by expanding our RE program to provide offerings for all ages.

We will bring more visibility to the congregation's vision of unity in action through connections with individual and group social justice efforts.

We will continue to work towards solutions to our facilities issues in ways that support and promote the above goals.

There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations Affirm and Promote:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within congregations and society at large
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

September 5th (10:00 AM): "Books, Bagels, & Bach" by Evan Rose

This 10 a.m. service will feature an opportunity to socialize over beverages and bagels in the Hearth Room. During the service in Robinson Hall, members will present mini book reviews from their summer reading, punctuated by Bach musical pieces played by Alicia Solomon. Be sure to attend this community-building event.

---

September 12th: "Ingathering & Water Communion" by Rev. John Cullinan & Benette Sherman, DRE

Welcome back!! For our annual water communion service, we explore the ways in which we share the burdens of one another's journeys as part of a faithful community. Our two service schedule & children's religious education resume for today's all ages service

---

September 19th: "Many Paths, One Journey" by Rev. John Cullinan

Our new vision statement proclaims our diversity of belief and unity in action, but what does this mean for us? How can people with such differing world views and religious outlooks possibly stand to sit together in the same room every Sunday? This morning, we begin the first of a two part exploration of translating our vision into reality.

Music: Youth Choir debuts the year with ?Reflection from Mulan, and the Copeland arrangement of favorite ?Simple Gifts?

---

September 26th: "A Beacon of Hope" by Rev. John Cullinan

In part two of our "Vision" exploration, we take a look at the idea of "hope." It's a word that's become politicized of late, but that hasn't diminished the importance of the idea. We all need hope. So, just how do we become a beacon in this community?

Music: Children's Choir performs

---

October 3rd: "A Work In Progress" by Rev. John Cullinan

If our mission in life is to become more fully human, more fully ourselves, how do we know when we've reached completion? Do we ever reach completion? Are we brave enough to be changed by the human journey?

Sunday Forum takes place each Sunday during the church year (August-May) in Robinson Hall, following the first service. The forum starts at 10:10 a.m. and finishes at 10:50 a.m. with a 25-minute presentation and a 15-minute discussion period. Questions by audience members are limited to two minutes per person. Forum concentrates on church activities, community issues, denominational topics, books of note, and topics of interest to the Los Alamos Unitarian Church community.

---

September 12th: "Report From General Assembly 2010" by Evan Rose

The annual GA meeting for 2010 was held in Minneapolis. Nine members attended from our church: Dean Carstens, Jess and John Cullinan, KokHeong and Mike McNaughton, Felicia Orth, Alexander and Leo Orth Rose, and Evan Rose. Hear about GA 2010 and share their experiences.

---

September 19th: "Book Review: Last Call by Daniel Okrent" by Evan Rose

Last Call, by Daniel Okrent (2010) tells the story of the 18th Amendment--the Prohibition of Alcohol that was passed in 1919. Repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933, it took Alan Cranston (D-CA) to make homebrewing legal starting in 1979. This book?s for you.

---

September 26th: "Music and My Bavarian Childhood" by Maria Petersen

Maria Petersen, Mark's mother, grew up in Bavaria after World War II. Those were hard years filled with work, personal sacrifice, and few possessions. Despite this, Maria recalls, "My parents raised us with kind, gentle, and loving guidance, prayer, and a strong faith in God. I never felt that my life lacked anything. I happily recall that warm feeling of being loved and nurtured by Mama and Papa in our home." Papa was a carpenter but money was tight. He was also a skilled musician and taught Maria to play the Bavarian zither at age eight. One year later the family performed nightly at hotels and restaurants to earn their income. Please join us to hear Maria play the beautiful Bavarian zither, and share stories from her childhood.