Upcoming Worship Services

May 31  What I Learned on Sabbatical: Part Two (Perú!)
Rev. Dr. Craig Rubano

On March 22nd, I shared stories from what I learned in my sabbatical travels to England and Scotland in a search of my ancestral roots. In part two of this series, I share stories from sabbatical travel to Peru in a trip back to my childhood roots. It was during those adolescent years in Peru that I truly was set on the trajectory that makes me the “me” I am today.

Music: Michael Rosin, Music Director

June 7 **9:30am** “Where Do the Mermaids Stand?”: A Service of LGBTQ+ Pride
Rev. Dr. Craig Rubano

**Reminder: This service will begin at 9:30am**

Ten years ago, when I was an intern minister at UUCMC, I gave a sermon that changed the course of my life, leading to a decade of academic work examining how congregations can be places of flourishing for “gender creative”—transgender, non-binary, gender nonconforming—people. As we begin Pride month, and in light of the many recent steps backwards the U.S. has taken on affirmation of gender fluidity, I thought I’d go back and revisit the themes of that first sermon in order to access hope for today.

Music: Michael Rosin, Music Director; Rev. Craig

The 34th Annual Statewide LGBTQ+ Pride Parade begins at 12:00 noon. Meet at 11:30 AM near the Asbury Municipal building parking lot to march in the parade heading south on Main Street. Look for a UUCMC sign.

June 14  A Multigenerational Celebration of New Members and Flower Communion
Rev. Dr. Craig Rubano and CDFM Michelle McKenzie-Creech

Our annual multigenerational service celebrating new members, reminding us all, through the powerful legacy of the Flower Communion ritual developed by Unitarian minister Norbert Čapek over 100 years ago in Prague, that our beauty comes from our diversity. As we draw near the end of the 2025–26 fiscal year, let us remind one another that it takes all of us to be UUCMC. Please bring a flower to the service for the ritual.

Music: Michael Rosin, Music Director; UU Singers

The UUCMC Annual Business meeting will follow the service at 12:00 in the Community Room.

June 21  Meet the Moment, Together Everywhere: Live on a Solstice Father’s Day
Rev. Dr. Craig Rubano 

**Reminder: This service will held in the Community Room**

Each year’s General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations ends with a thrilling and relevant worship service that always makes me think, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if the whole congregation could be here to experience this together?!” Well, this year we can, through the magic of the livestream. On this summer solstice and Father’s Day, let’s join in worship with people across the globe as we eat together as a congregation. Plan to be at the meetinghouse until about 12:30 PM this Sunday. Please bring along food to eat.

June 28   The Wisdom of Dory
Rev. Dr. Mary Early-Zald

Sometimes, an animated Blue Tang fish in a Pixar movie can teach us surprising lessons. The Rev. Dr. Mary Early-Zald invites you to explore radical acceptance, interdependence, and generosity through the eyes of this delightful character, who just keeps swimming.

Music: Brian Gilmore, Guest Musician

The Rev. Dr. Mary Early-Zald is a UU Minister and Chaplain who serves as the Affiliated Community Minister at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit. Currently providing care with unhoused communities, she has also worked in Hospice, Hospital, and Movement Chaplaincy. Mary received her M.Div. at Vanderbilt Divinity School and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Minnesota.