Reverend Dennis McCarty will speak about “The Uplifting Movies of Oscar Micheaux.” In the unrepentantly racist 1920’s and 1930’s, when some movie houses did not even allow Black citizens to enter, so-called “race movies” were made by and for Blacks. The first—and arguably the greatest—Black film director in the United States was Oscar Micheaux. A … Continue reading “The Uplifting Movies of Oscar Micheaux”
Reverend Dennis McCarty will present the first of four analyses, from a liberal religious viewpoint, of classic motion pictures. We begin with legendary director D.W. Griffith’s silent Civil War epic, The Birth of a Nation. Though more than a century old, this movie—and Griffith’s defensive reaction when it was criticized—can still enlighten us about White … Continue reading “The Birth of a Nation”
Meditation exploded into American consciousness during the 1960s. At first, it seemed like an Eastern novelty that was only embraced by the counterculture. But people tried it and benefited from it. Soon, researchers began studying it and found that it had profound effects on physical health and psychological well-being. Today, we are going to explore how … Continue reading “The Power of Meditation”
KRISTOFER GEDDIE A North Carolina native, Kris came to Venice Theatre via New York to play “Coalhouse Walker” in Ragtime and never left. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Mars Hill College, and has performed with various theatres and cruise ships worldwide. As well as serving as General Manager and Director of Diversity, … Continue reading TBA
Katie Green has loved stories ever since she could talk. She believes that storytelling brings people together and can change with world. Her fascination with Egyptian mythology began more than fifty years ago when she lived in Cleveland, Ohio, where she often visited the Egyptian wing with her small son on rainy days. Katie traveled … Continue reading “Thoughts on Egyptian Myths”
A story of love and understanding Pam’s love of the ancient oral art of storytelling was started at a local performance of tellers on a rainy afternoon on Long Island with her four new preadolescent step children. It was love at first hear. Over the next years she became a devoted listener, teller, then performer. … Continue reading “Cut from the Same Cloth”
Continuing to explore Unitarian Universalism’s sources, this service will consider the second source: “words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love.” https://youtu.be/eCjDhHDFpnI
In our congregations, we emphasize Unitarian Universalism’s Principles, but rarely talk about the six sources that inform and inspire our faith. As your speaker this Sunday and next, I will share some of what inspires me in the first two sources. This week, source 1: “direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in … Continue reading “Mystery and Wonder: 1st Source”
In Buddha’s teachings, he addresses life as a continuum process. He describes this phenomenon as “samsara.” Samsara means there is a cyclical nature to our lives. Birth, existence, and death are just different progressions of the same continuum of life. Mindful observation of this phenomenon provides a deep understanding to stay away from a dualistic … Continue reading “The Cycle of Life in Buddhist Wisdom”
Irwin is a folksy heir to the humor of Mark Twain with some updated personalities that flavor his performances. That includes the adventures he relates about his 85-year-old-widowed-newly-minted physician-aunt, Marguerite Van Camp. She’s a woman who avoids curmudgeonship and keeps her finger on the pulse of the changing world around her in the “new” South. … Continue reading “Squeaky on the Roof”
