Mission Statement (where we are now, at our best)

At the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos,
Our minds, hearts and doors are open.
Enter a community of compassion and inquiry.
Venture out to shape a just, sustainable world.

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Vision Statement (where we want to be in five years)

We celebrate diversity of belief and seek unity in action.
We are an inclusive, caring community that nourishes and challenges the heart and mind.
People of all ages find a haven for spiritual and intellectual exploration and artistic expression.
Living our Seven Principles, we bring justice and compassion to our congregation, the community, and the world.
We are a beacon of hope.

End Goals (directions we will take to fulfill our vision):

We will expand our activities to support a diversity of congregational interests and needs, inviting broad participation of congregation and community members.

We will recruit volunteers and lay leaders throughout the congregation, promoting a culture to support and nurture them in their work.

We will offer support for a wide variety of needs in worship programs, continuing to support a varied and vibrant music and other cultural programs.

We will inspire personal growth by expanding our RE program to provide offerings for all ages.

We will bring more visibility to the congregation's vision of unity in action through connections with individual and group social justice efforts.

We will continue to work towards solutions to our facilities issues in ways that support and promote the above goals.

There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations Affirm and Promote:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within congregations and society at large
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

August 1st (10:00 AM): "Camino de Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage" by Dick and Judy Opsahl

The Camino to Santiago is a pilgrimage route with many variants, but all ending at Santiago de Compestella in NW Spain. The primary route funnels through Europe, crosses the Pyrenees into Spain, and from there goes 500 miles to Santiago. Dick and Judy Opsahl have walked and worked as volunteers in pilgrim refuges along this route on five separate occasions. On Sunday, August 1, they will give an illustrated talk about their experiences as pilgrims and hospitaleros (hosts in a refuge) and share information about how those interested can do the pilgrimage. See web site http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/

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August 8th (10:00 AM): "A Month in San Miguel" by Sherry Hardage

Sherry Hardage will present a short talk with a slide show about spending the month of February 2010 in San Miguel, Guanajuato, Mexico. The little house she rented was in a compound with a beautiful garden and lovely views of the Colonial city nestled in its valley. She attended a writer?s conference where Barbara Kingslover was the Keynote Speaker. In between nude drawing classes and dancing wildly in the streets to Mariachi bands, she practiced her pathetic Spanish. She also took lots of photos and wrote an article about the Dogs of San Miguel who range from ?free? street dogs to pampered porch poodles. Join her for an entertaining look at modern Mexico steeped in Old World Charm.

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August 15th (10:00 AM): "Poetry Readings" by Jon Wilkins
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August 22nd (10:00 AM): "TBA" by Rev. John Cullinan
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August 29th (10:00 AM): "Phoenix Reflections: One Month Later" by Rev. John Cullinan

A report on the Unitarian Univeralist gathering in Phoenix, AZ on July 29th of this year, and reflections on the difficult issue of immigration.

Sunday Forum takes place each Sunday during the church year (August-May) in Robinson Hall, following the first service. The forum starts at 10:10 a.m. and finishes at 10:50 a.m. with a 25-minute presentation and a 15-minute discussion period. Questions by audience members are limited to two minutes per person. Forum concentrates on church activities, community issues, denominational topics, books of note, and topics of interest to the Los Alamos Unitarian Church community.

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