Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sheridan

This Month

The Theme for May is Awakening Curiosity

One important difference between Unitarian Universalism and some more traditional faith traditions is that we don’t have a settled belief system or doctrine. Rather than holding on to an answer to such questions as, “where did the universe come from?” or what is the ultimate source of meaning for life?” or “what happens when I die?” We are seekers. We don’t claim to know the answers to the big questions such as these. That sense of doubt and openness leads us to a natural curiosity, which is the theme for worship in May. UUs explore religious and spiritual claims using our faculties of reason. As UU minister Tom Owen-Tolle put it, “We use our reason to explore, but not capture, life’s inescapable mysteries.” We are, as he referred to us, “free-thinkers, unfettered pilgrims in search of truth.” This approach to a spiritual life is both challenging and rewarding. The challenge comes from being willing to change your mind. Thom Hartmann said, “The quiet courage of changing your mind lies in its humility. It requires acknowledging that your understanding was partial, that your perspective was limited, and/or that the world is more complex than the story you once told yourself. This isn’t self-rejection: it’s self-respect.” If you too are curious, courageous, and open to questioning doctrines and dogma please join us this month to celebrate “Awakening Curiosity.”

-Victor Ashear, Worship Chair

Prayer for the Living*
Rev Tess Baumberger
This prayer imagines what a dying person might pray for their loved ones.
Permission Secured by Soul Matters

As my body begins to loose its hold
On this life, this earth, this entirety,
May I lay my past to rest
And face the unknowable
With courage and curiosity.

May those to whom I am connected gather.
May they recall me as I am and have been.
May they forgive any forgivable harm
I may have caused, every instance of neglect.
May they release their own regrets as well.

May they remember moments of laughter,
Times of affection and memory.
May they laugh and cry as they tell stories
Of my words and actions, my character.
May they know I am saying farewell, too.

May they sit quietly, or listen to music.
May they care for themselves and one other
As I would have in my best moments.
May kind people arrive to support them
And to assist me on this starlit path.

And when I move into that final mystery
May they comfort one another.
May they each find a way to embody
Whatever they have learned from me.
May they rise, stretch, heal, and live.

The inner tilt of the head.…*
Rev. Michelle Collins
Source of Love and Deep Questioning,
you move in the restless parts of us that ask, “What else is true?”
Thank you for the spark that keeps us from going numb,
for the inner tilt of the head and the heart that reminds us to look again.

Awaken in us a curiosity that is kind, not cruel,
that seeks understanding rather than judgment,
that can say “I don’t know” without shame.

When habit narrows our vision, widen it.
When cynicism hardens our hearts, open them with wonder.
Let our days be filled with small discoveries,
And our lives shaped by learning that never ends.
Amen and blessed be.

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious”.
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing”.
“Never lose a holy curiosity”.
“It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education”.
“Curiosity is more important than knowledge”. – Albert Einstein

Man is a marvelous curiosity. When he is at his very very best he is a sort of low grade nickel-plated angel; at is worst he is unspeakable, unimaginable; and first and last and all the time he is a sarcasm. Yet he blandly and in all sincerity calls himself the “noblest work of God. – Mark Twain

“Justice is at the core of our faith.” We have added a Social Justice page to our site menu. See our latest ideas, actions, and projects for justice. Ideas to make the world a better place for all.

All are Welcome

We meet every Sunday at 10:00 am at 1950 East Brundage Lane.

You are invited to Sunday Morning Service to see if you belong with us.

More information see below

Key Events

Voter Registration Event, Bring your friends and family. May 6, 5-7 pm, Whitney Commons
Connection Before Crisis: Supporting Our Youth. Presentation, panel discussion and Q&A. May 5,
6-7:30 pm, Library Inner Circle. Pizza provided for children.
Walk for Peace on World Labyrinth Day, May 2, 1 pm, Whitney Commons
NAMI Walk: Saturday May 9, Whitney Commons. To register or to donate go to NAMIWalks.org/Sheridan and click on the “UU’s for NAMI” tab.
The Story of Luke Bell: PBS video screening. May 7, 6 pm. WYO theatre. Refreshments and music.

Events in May

Click on the Bold titles below for more information

Local Events

Chicago’s Little Italy Pop-Up. 4-Course Italian Dinner. May 2. Bakehouse. Reservations Required, $50.
Resilience: New Exhibit at Ucross Art Gallery. Features recipients of Fellowship of Native American Artists. Now through May 15.
Farmer’s Market: Landon’s Greenhouse. Feb. 21 and ongoing Saturdays

Interfaith

Beltane (Pagan/Wiccan) – May 1 (more here)
Vesak – Celebration of Buddha’s Birthday (Buddhist) – May 1, 2026 (more here, here, & here)
Pentecost (Christian) – May 24, 2026 (more here)
Shavuot (Jewish) – May 21 – May 23, 2026 (more here and here)
Eid ul-Adha (Muslim) – begins May 26-27, 2026 (more here and here)