By Ann Kuffner
Unitarian Universalism has positioned itself against rigid dogmas, creeds, and fundamentalism of all kinds. Yet, fundamentalism is less about a system of beliefs than an attitude of heart which, in turn, leads to those beliefs. No religion is immune to fundamentalism, including liberal and progressive faiths. This sermon will explore the movements of heart and spirit which contribute to the creation of “the new fundamentalists.”
Reverend Kathleen Rolenz has been a Unitarian Universalist minister for 30 years. For 16 of those years, she served as co-minister with her husband, the Reverend Wayne Arnason, at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. After leaving West Shore, Rolenz became an Accredited Interim Minister. She has served primarily large (550 or more) congregations in Appleton, Wisconsin; Annapolis, Maryland; Washington, DC; and most recently as the Interim Senior Minister at Unity Church-Unitarian in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
In addition, Rolenz is the published author, co-author, and editor of several books by Skinner House Publications, publishing house of the Unitarian Universalist Association: “Christian Voices in Unitarian Universalism” (co-editor); “Sources of Our Faith” (editor); “Restored to Sanity” (co-editor); “Worship That Works” (co-author with Arnason); and “The Bible Renegotiated” (co-author in review, Skinner House). She has also received numerous preaching awards, most notably the Richard C. Borden, Beacon Press, and UU Men’s Network Awards for Excellence in the Preaching Arts. She has mentored students and taught the liturgical arts to candidates for ministry and lay teams.
When not thinking about the power liturgy has to transform lives, Rolenz is dreaming about her next travel adventure, watching old films on the Turner Classic Movie Channel, singing random songs while making black coffee, and enjoying the antics of her twin granddaughters.
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal faith inviting its community to gather around a set of harmonizing values and principles for living. Our UU Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Belief in a divinity is not the central issue around which we gather for worship and generous action. Rather, we come together with a belief in community, love, compassion, social justice, reverence for nature, and the spirituality of music, all within the interconnected web of existence.
UUFSMA donates generously 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.
To participate in our online Sunday Service, visit www.uufsma.org and click on the Zoom Service button on the home page. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign in from anywhere Sunday mornings between 10:15 and 10:25am. Enjoy previous services at https://www.youtube.com/UUFSMA.
In addition to continuing live Zoom services, UUFSMA has returned to in-person Sunday services. Reservations are no longer necessary. UUFSMA meets at the hotel Posada de la Aldea on Ancha San Antonio 15 (opposite Hecho en México).
* Ann Kuffner is the UUFSMA Member
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Sunday Service
The New Fundamentalists
Speaker: Reverend Kathleen Rolenz
Sun., Feb. 19, 10:30am
Hotel Posada de la Aldea
Ancha de San Antonio 15
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/414604040
Password: 294513
