UUFSMA: “The Gospel of Love – Universalism at 250”

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Online Service

“The Gospel of Love – Universalism at 250”

Speaker: Reverend Tom Rosiello

Sunday, February 21, 2021

10:30 am

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

Password: 294513

By Joseph Plummer

UUF Secretary

Unitarianism and Universalism, two faith traditions with long and rich histories, merged in 1961 to form Unitarian Universalism. Both have ancient theological roots. However, as a formally recognized denomination, Universalism is much younger—and it just passed its 250th anniversary!

Like Unitarianism, Universalism too has attracted many famous people to its pews, such as Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, Olympia Brown, the first woman ordained by a major denomination, and Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. B. T. Barnum of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus fame and, in more recent times, Ted Sorenson, President John F. Kennedy’s speech writer, were also Universalists.

From simple roots in farming communities, Universalism was the sixth largest denomination in the United States by1900. In its early days, at a time when fire and damnation were being preached by other denominations, Universalists were often called “No Hellers” as they believed that a loving God damned no one.

Through countless shifts in the thinking of theologians during the past 250 years, Universalism has held to its guiding message that “Love is God and God is Love.”  This Sunday UUFSMA Minister, The Reverend Tom Rosiello, will explore that message and what it means today.

The online service will also celebrate UUFSMA Membership Recognition Sunday. New members will participate in a welcoming ceremony that acknowledges the Fellowship’s continued attraction of progressive believers to our pandemic-responsive online community. Growing steadily across more than three decades, UUFSMA now numbers approximately 225 members, as well as numerous guest attendees of our services.

UUFSMA welcomes all people regardless of age, race, ethnicity, cultural identity, national origin, gender identification, sexual orientation, theological belief, or financial means, provided that the person seeking membership agrees with the mission of the UUFSMA, supports its covenant, and respects its principles and values.

For more information about joining please visit www.uufsma.org. At the same site, participate in our online Sunday Service by clicking on the Zoom Service button displayed on the home page. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign-in from anywhere Sunday mornings between 10:15-10:25 am CST.

Through grants and awards, UUFSMA donates at least fifty percent of its budget 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. Now more than ever, your support is essential.

Due to the coronavirus, UUFSMA has suspended in-person Sunday services and other gatherings. A growing collection of previous online services can be found on the UUFSMA’s YouTube channel. Go to https://www.youtube.com/ and enter UUFSMA in the search box.