Stony the Road We Trod

From Bondage to Freedom in James City

During the Civil War, more than 10,000 refugees from slavery came to Union occupied New Bern seeking freedom. Thousands of these Freedom Seekers settled across the river in what was called the Trent Settlement. What happened to the Freedom Seekers and how the Trent Settlement became James City will be the topic of this presentation.

Presenter: Rosanne Wilson

Service Leader: Margaret Tau

On February 16, we continue our Another Plaque on the Wall Series by exploring the Taoism Yin/Yang Symbol. For this year, January 29th began the 16 day festival marking the Chinese Lunar New Year. Culminating with the Chinese Lantern Festival on February 12. 2025 begins the year of the Rat. What can we learn from these ancient traditions that will enrich our lives as Unitarian Universalists?

Taoism Plaque Artist: Kerwub Schaefer
Service Leader: Kehli Saucier (she/her)
Presentation: Rev. Mary Martin(she/her)

Fred Pittinger will present: “Imagine: How John Lennon shows us the

possibility of living for today.” We have created a subjective world for ourselves, and

how do we make sense of it all?

Service Leader is Zev Martin (they/them)

Carole McCracken and Cindy Baran will present: “Let Me Tell You a Story: The Power Of Imagination To Create a Better World.” Carole and Cindy will share a couple of stories that illustrate how we connect with others through the miracle of Imagination.

On January 26, 2025, we continue our Another Plaque on the Wall Series. We will learn of Lailat al Miraj, an Islamic holiday the honors the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his later ascension. How do these traditions enrich our lives as Unitarian Universalists? What does a pilgrimage even mean when home isn’t a safe place to be?

Service Title: The Journey Home
Islamic Crescent & Star Plaque Artist: Fred Zink
Service Leader: Dave McCracken (he/him)
Presentation: Rev Mary Martin (she/her)

Richard Friend will present: “Nine Lives”

Richard shares a journey through the transplant experience from start to . . . . and why you should have that (heart) on your ID or Driver’s License.

Service Leader: Molly Knazek (She/Her)
Presenter: Richard Friend (He/Him)

"Looking for Love in all the Right Places"  Bob Fisher will give an experiential presentation on practical ways to calibrate ourselves in a loving direction during challenging times. 

Service Leader: Nicolette Powell (she/her)

Presenter: Bob Fisher (he/him)

Together, we will honor Chanukkah and celebrate with fire communion.

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Nicolette Powell (she/her)

Special Music provided by Joanne Friedman (she/her)

We continue our study of Article 2 with a focus on our value of Pluralism. We will explore where our traditions of Christmas come from and how to honor their history and our own. Appropriation or celebration? - Maybe we can decide together.

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Margaret Tau (she/her)

Join Zev Martin as they recruit some friends to share the stories we know (and maybe a few we don’t) about the carols and hymns of the holiday season. The choir will lead us and all are welcome to join in!

Service Leader: Zev Martin (they/them)

Music by: Bethanne Jacobson, Jim Beise, and UUFNB Choir

 Join us as we celebrate Bodhi Day and continue our Another Plaque on the Wall Series with the Dharma Wheel.  

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin, she/her

Service Leader: Stan Allen, he/him

Dharma Wheel Artist: Steve Greer

Tom Shoup will give an update on the Social Action Committee’s past activities on Climate Change and the upcoming roll out of the Green Sanctuary program next spring.

We welcome Joey Crutchfield, a Monacan Indian man, who will guide us to a thoughtful look at our connections.

Service Leader: Ruth Cooper

Join us for the next installment of the Another Plaque on the Wall series as we learn about the Sokar Festival and our Labyrinth Plaque. Together, we will learn about this ancient festival and how the practice of journeying together can help us to live into our values as UUs.

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Kehli Saucier (she/her)

Labyrinth Plaque Creator: Marty Chandler

“Lose your mind and come to your senses”

Presenter: Molly Knazek

Together we will explore the practice of repair within ourselves, in relationships, and in our community. We will explore how these practices can help us live into the transformation petal of our Values Flower.

Presenter: Rev. Mary (she/her)

Service Leader: Tom Williams (he/him)

We continue to explore the changes to article 2 of the UUA by-laws and the new Shared Values Flower.

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leaders: Dave McCracken & Gary Todd

Sometimes we are forced to grapple with the trauma of sudden, unforeseen loss that can feel like a descent into hell. What can the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone teach us about suffering?

Presenter: Cindy Baran

Service Leader: Bonnie Burch

Dr Bob Fisher will draw on experiences both personal and professional to explore a variety of topics around whole person health, the illness experience and our shared impermanence through a spiritual lens.
Presenter: DR. Bob Fisher: husband, father, and physician specializing in palliative and integrative medicine, and currently dipping his toes in the study of integrative psychiatry. He currently serves at Carolina East Cancer Center, Craven County Hospice and Hospice of Pamlico. He's a lifetime spiritual explorer who is dedicated to discovering and celebrating the interconnectedness of all beings.

Service Leader: Annie Reiter

Another Plaque on the Wall part 3: We will continue the plaque on the wall series by exploring the Jewish High Holy Days of Awe and the Star of David plaque created by Paula Urban.

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Joanne Friedman

Part of the Another Plaque on the Wall series (part 2)
We will offer a blessing of the animals in the fellowship, and will also learn about the Catholic Cross plaque created by Maryellen Bartlett and St. Francis of Assisi.

Presentert: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Zev Martin (they/them

What books are being banned and why, and what’s different now?  Presented by Beth Conley, with various members sharing their experiences with banned titles.
Service Leader: Joanne Hill

Join us for our annual Water Communion and picnic at Lawson Park. Bring a sample of water that is meaningful to you to add to our past and present waters. Presenters will be Christina and Mike.

After a years long democratic process, the 2024 UUA General Assembly passed a new statement of beliefs and values. This began with a required review of Article II of the UUA bi-laws which must occur every 15 years. The values will sound a lot like the principles we already know; interdependence, equity, transformation, pluralism, generosity, and justice. At the center of the values, is love. Let’s learn more together on September 8th. 

Presenter: Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Zev Martin (they/them)

Wear or bring your favorite tee shirt that has a message, graphic, or logo, and you will have the opportunity to describe what it means to you or what message it relays to others.

Service Leader: Margaret Tau

We will talk about the celebration of the birthday of Krishna, the Hindu god of compassion, protection, and love; we will explore the stories of Krishna and what they might mean in our context as Unitarian Universalists.

Presenter: Rev. Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Tom Williams (he/him)

The Honorable Rajnish Kumar, the priest at the Hindu Temple of Eastern North Carolina will share fundamentals of Hinduism and how to apply its timeless wisdom in day-to-day life. He is initiated into the Ramanuja Ramanandiya sect, a prestigious spiritual order in India. He will be accompanied by his daughters Saanvi Kumar and Anya Kumar performing a devotional song and dance.

Service Leader: Sam Love

This year Muktad, the festival days that honor the ancestors, will be celebrated August 8-17 for Zoroastrians following the Shenshai calendar. This is the day that many believe the veil between the worlds is thin and offerings are made to those that have come before us. We explore what it truly means to honor the people we've lost in a present and intentional way. We relate it back to our principles and will light a candle for each person who has died from our fellowship over the last year.

Presenter: Mary Martin (she/her)

Service Leader: Dave McCracken (he/him)

Rev. Mary Martin (she/her) will be the primary service leader, but the entire service will include many voices from around the fellowship. This will be unlike a service we've experienced in the fellowship prior. In preparation for this service, you are invited to reflect on what you would like to start bringing to fruition in your own life. These could be tangible things, or things that are more emotional or abstract; like peace or reconciliation in relationships, etc. Whatever those things you want to bring to fruit in your life, reflect on them; maybe write them down and bring them with you. Don't worry you won't be asked to share them, but it will make the ceremony more meaningful if you've done this little bit of homework beforehand. Can't wait to see you there!