UUFSMA: “Esperanza: Hope and Expectation”

Sunday, November 28, 10:30am 

“Esperanza: Hope and Expectation”

Speakers: Judith Jenya, Mark Johaningsmeir,
Rev. Tom Rosiello
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Zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/414604040 
Password: 294513

By Joseph Plummer
UUFSMA Board Secretary

This year Advent and Hanukah begin on the same day, November 28, and both observances reflect on expectation and hope in different traditions and through very different stories.

Hanukah occurs during the darkest time of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere) and, for eight days, invites families and communities around the world to celebrate light, hope, dedication, and miracles. In this UUFSMA Sunday Service, fellowship member Judith Jenya will reflect on hope illustrated in Jewish tradition by the Hanukah story.

Her spouse the Reverend Mark Johaningsmeir will speak about the season of Advent in the Christian tradition. “In many Christian churches, Advent has been celebrated with two very different goals,” Reverend Johaningsmeir, a retired Methodist minister, says. “On the one hand, it is a busy run-up to the Christmas holiday – with rehearsals for special musical performances and Christmas pageants with children, decorating Christmas trees and church worship areas, and organizing Christmas carolers to bring cheer to people confined to their homes.”

Another focus in many parts of the Christian world has been contemplative and introspective, he notes. In the northern hemisphere, Advent reflects the season when daylight is shortened, temperatures drop, and little in the natural world appears to be stirring with life.

Though people hope for Spring, our senses detect few signs that support such hope. Even so, hope is an inclination toward a better future. Sometimes it is specific. Sometimes it creates a general sense of a better world. These days hope is a rare commodity.

Judith Jenya is a member of the UU Fellowship and the Jewish community of San Miguel. Attorney, psychotherapist, and educator, she was International Humanist of the Year in 2002, nominated for the Nobel Peace prize for work as founder-director of Global Children’s Organization and children’s programs in the war-torn Balkans and Northern Ireland. She lives with her husband in San Miguel, writes poetry, paints, and is active in community work.

Reverend Johaningsmeir led congregations in Minnesota and Colorado. He has just celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary with Jenya and is full of gratitude for his life with her in San Miguel since 2011 and his participation in the UUFSMA.

Join us as we explore how hope might arise in your life in times like these. To participate online, visit www.uufsma.org and click on the Zoom Service button. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign-in Sunday from anywhere between 10:15-10:25 am CST.

UUFSMA donates at least fifty percent of its income to support nonprofit organizations that serve underserved communities in the SMA region. Support this work by clicking on our website home page Donate button. Now more than ever, your support is essential.

UUFSMA has returned to limited in-person Sunday services. Pre-registered members may attend in-person at the Hotel Aldea by contacting Diana Amaya for the important safety guidelines at info.uufsma@gmail.com . The UU Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. View previous services at https://www.youtube.com/. Enter UUFSMA in the search box.