Unitarian Universalists tend to romanticize their early American history, but the fact is that our 18th and 19th century churches could be very curious and difficult places. On this Sunday when we celebrate our stewardship campaign and our future, I want to tell a story about one aspect of our spiritual forebears that will give us pause, and help us to reflect on where we are headed as a congregation in the 21st Century.

Last year Rev. Bruce Marshall served as consulting minister to the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville where a gunman had entered the sanctuary during a children’s play and opened fire. In this sermon, Rev. Marshall will reflect upon his involvement in that extraordinary situation and consider what lessons Knoxville might have for us all. Bruce Marshall is interim minister at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs, Maryland. He also serves as chaplain to the Unitarian Universalists of Riderwood Village and is an affiliate minister at River Road. He is author of the recently released book, Unitarians of Universalists of Washington, DC, a photo-history published by Arcadia Press. Bruce will have copies available for sale and to sign.

Palm Sunday brings to mind visions of good therapy and discomforting theology. What do UU's do with it?

We all know how Spring works. After months of ice, cold and snow, the part of the earth we live on rotates towards the sun, and nature bursts forth again in fresh, green life. But how does resurrection work in the human heart after a hard or challenging season of living? Are the seasons of the soul as inevitable as that we experience in the natural world? Clif Hardin and the Choir will present special Easter Sunday music. We hope you'll be with us this Sunday when we celebrate the hope and promise of this wonderful season.