UUFSMA: “Lesson from the Wizard of Oz”

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sunday Service

“Lesson from the Wizard of Oz”

Speaker: Reverend Tom Rosiello

Sunday, October 23, 2022

10:30 am

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/414604040

Password: 294513

By Joseph Plummer

UUFSMA Board Secretary

Fred Baum’s wonderful novel “The Wizard of Oz” is much more than an engaging children’s story. Embedded in the journey of Dorothy and her three companions on the yellow brick road — the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion – there is a deeply spiritual message. Dorothy and her fellow travelers address questions which are profoundly religious in focusing on what they need and where they can find it on their journey. And they discover answers that ring true to the theology and values of Unitarian Universalism.

In this Sunday Service, the Reverend Tom Rosiello, UUFSMA Minister, will explore the spiritual journey that this classic story illustrates. According to the Reverend Rosiello, “Unitarian Universalists find their ‘scripture’ in not only traditional religious testaments but also many other sources. Here it is found in a much-loved children’s book. So, you may be surprised by striking similarities between the “Wizard of Oz” and the Christian Gospel of Luke.

No matter your age, bring your childlike spirit and dig deep into this universal story and what it can teach us. The service will also include wonderful music and clips from the movie most of us grew up watching over and over again.

Everyone is welcome to UUFSMA Sunday services. While conducted mostly in English, the Fellowship strives to make them more inclusive for our Spanish-speaking community. This Sunday Reverend Rosiello’s sermon will be available as a translation printed in Spanish, while our covenant will be recited in both English and Spanish, as will the singing of some hymns. Older children who love this classic movie and have been fully vaccinated are welcome to attend.

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal faith inviting its community to gather around a set of harmonizing values and principles for living. Our UU Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Belief in a divinity is not the central issue around which we gather for worship and generous action. Rather, we come together with a belief in community, love, compassion, social justice, and reverence for nature, all within the interconnected web of existence.

UUFSMA donates generously to support nonprofit organizations that provide health, educational, and environmental services for underserved communities in the San Miguel region. Please support this work by clicking on the website home page Donate button.

To participate in our online Sunday Service, visit www.uufsma.org and click on the Zoom Service button on the home page. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign-in from anywhere Sunday mornings between 10:15-10:25 am CST. Enjoy previous services at https://www.youtube.com/UUFSMA.

In addition to continuing live Zoom services, UUFSMA has returned to in-person Sunday services. Reservations are no longer necessary.