06 Jan January

Worship Services 

Sunday, January 5: Rev. Bill Zelazny

A Question Basket

Research has shown that by asking questions we improve our emotional intelligence, as well as our intellectual intelligence.  So, let’s perhaps improve both and have some fun with an open question basket service where you get to guide what we talk about during the sermon time.   Been itching to ask that questions about Unitarian Universalism, the UUA, human existence, Bill’s favorite soup? (Please no political questions).  This is the Sunday to ask and Bill will try to answer them and if he does not have the answer, he will try to research an answer.  Everyone will be given a card when they come in on which to write their question. They will  be collected right after the opening hymn. Bill will answer as many questions as he can within the allotted sermon time.

Sunday, January 12: Virginia Spaulding, PhD

Joy through Generosity

Path to Enlightened Stewardship

“Living is giving. We live life best as we give our strengths, gifts, and competencies … We are called to serve, not survive. Our giving makes a difference in our families, our community, and our faith.” –( from Kennon L. Callahan). Stewardship is more than just giving money.  This Sunday we will examine the broader meaning and implications of stewardship for our lives.

Ginny Spaulding is a member of the Channing Board of Trustees and has a private counseling practice in Newport.

Sunday, January 19: Rev. Bill Zelazny

In the Midst of it: Southern Unitarians and Universalists in the Civil Rights Era

Unitarians and Universalists in Southern cities were in the midst of the fight against segregation, often engaging in heroic efforts to confront this social evil, sometimes at the risk of attack to their person and their churches.  On this Martin Luther King Sunday Bill will recall for us some of the episodes of U and U churches doing what they could to combat segregationist attitudes and practices.

Sunday, January 26: Rodney Davis

Taking a Stand Does Not Mean Standing Still

What does it mean to take a stand? Why should I? What does it require for me to really do? These questions often run through our minds when we are approached to get involved with some issue or cause. Yet we are seeing more and more people standing on the sidelines and not engaged in the fight. Long-time community leader and activist, Rodney Davis will address this issue with the sermon: His talk will address some of the challenges that we face and how we can be courageous in these critical times.

Newport native, Rodney Davis, has worked with the educational reform organization, Big Picture Learning, the group that created the Met School and a network of 200 schools around the globe. In 2019, he was selected as a Diversity Leadership Scholar with College Unbound and is pursuing a degree in Organizational Leadership and Change.  He served as president of Rhode Island Pride for 20 years and president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights.  He continues to be actively involved in community advocacy and education.  He lives in Coventry RI with his partner Brian Mills.