The SUUF Podcast

Love at the Border

August 22, 2021

Mary Ellen Robinson, Linda Riggers

When the call for help came, several Catholic Sisters responded. Among them were Sisters Linda Riggers and Mary Ellen Robinson, retired educators and members of the order, Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. They spent 3-plus weeks volunteering in a Texas mass shelter for unaccompanied minors and at a welcome center for vulnerable families, all asylum seekers who undertook a harrowing journey and stepped across the border to seek safety and escape desperate poverty.

Children of the Valley

August 15, 2021

Flora Lucatero

Flora Lucatero, Executive Director of Children of the Valley, is joining us today to share the story of this very important program. Their three cornerstones of care: academic assistance, enrichment activities, and social-emotional learning, allow underserved youth to flourish. After starting small, it has grown over the last two years to accommodate 100 children at two sites in the Skagit Valley. Come and hear how COV provides a place of nurturing for those who deserve it the most.

League of Women Voters

August 8, 2021

Wendy Sanderson
 
2020 celebrated one hundred years by what began as a grassroots organization called the League of Women Voters, thanks to the efforts by champions of the Women's Suffrage Movement in 1920. What began as a "mighty political experiment" designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters, it has grown into a leading nonpartisan force encouraging informed participation in government. They help us understand major public policy issues, and provide education and advocacy. Today we'll hear from Wende Sanderson, president of the local Skagit Valley league.

An Eighth Principle?

July 11, 2021

Kathy Roche-Zuiko

Kathy will introduce an idea that has some support within the UU community: adding an 8th Principle to the seven faith principles that are currently the backbone of our religion. Attracting sentiment both for and against, the main issue is adopting a statement about dismantling racism and oppression, and working to build a diverse multicultural community, both within our UU denomination and in our society as a whole. But how to do this, the wording, the practice, the acceptance... this is the difficult part. Let's talk about it and look at this proposal from many angles.

My Peace Corp Story

July 4, 2021

Donna Rieper

Donna starts us off with a presentation about her experience as a Peace Corp volunteer in Honduras. She will tell us about her work in small animal husbandry in Choluteca. Hasta entonces!

How to Speak Zenglish

Jonathan Prescott

June 13, 2021

Zen is filled with stories and sayings that don’t seem to make sense. Zen Masters shout, stomp, and strike; they blow out candles and leave students in the dark; they answer students with silence. What does it all mean? Join Jonathan Prescott for a behind-the-scenes guide to understanding the intimate, elegant, and entertaining language of Zenglish.

Blessing for Our Pets

May 30, 2021

Rev. Barbara Davenport

Pets are our friends, our family, and often our sources of comfort and acceptance. Today we have invited Rev. Barbara Davenport to return with a “Blessing” for our animal friends. After all, many of our pets have gone the extra mile during the past year of sorrow and isolation! After the blessing, grab your pet, put him/her/it/them in front of the camera for a “revue” so we can see your pals. Very briefly, tell us about your pet(s) and let them smile for the camera!

The Cinematic Portrayal of Faith

May 23, 2021

Mike Murdock

Mike will be speaking about faith and belief as portrayed and explained in the art of cinema. Grab your popcorn, recline your seat, and obey all theatre rules, because he has a blockbuster of a presentation for us today! Mike has examples from a number of movies and genres. We'll fly on a Rebel X-wing Fighter, sit in the U.S. Senate balcony, and ride on a magic train to the North Pole! So plan to take a stroll with him down that yellow-brick road for some of the influential and significant highlights about faith, gleaned from the archives of the cinema.

Principle Connections

May 16, 2021

Joseph Bednarik

During this intense period of multiple crises, numerous pressures have been testing the integrity of our social and spiritual connections. This sermon beams special focus on our Seventh Principle to consider our many connections, consider what needs mending, and how we can shine with primary radiance.

Where Forgiveness Fits

April 25, 2021

Ken Stern

Forgiveness is critical for personal peace. Often in religious practice, the focus is on forgiving someone who has wronged us, whether the transgressor takes responsibility or not. What about sins, or even evil, done on a large scale? Forgiveness yes, but reconciliation and justice are needed for society to heal, and those transgressing need to be held accountable, whether or not they acknowledge their role.