Lauren was born and raised in southern Wisconsin. Her mother’s favorite relative was her uncle (Lauren’s great uncle), the Rev. Mr. Lee Jones. No Unitarian churches were available in their area, so she attended local protestant Christian churches; but at home and when her mother was the Sunday school teacher (which she often was), she was taught Unitarian values.
In the early 60’s, after the merger of the two denominations (Unitarian & Universalist), she and her mother attended the new UU church in a nearby city. They felt proud when the minister was one of the clergy who marched in the second march (the successful one) from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama. After completing nursing school in Madison, WI, Lauren attended the famous Frank Lloyd Wright church in Madison for four years.
Compassion is considered the highest form of the 4 synonyms: pity, sympathy, empathy, and compassion. This was inspired in part by one of Lauren’s first lectures in nursing school, which discussed those 4 words. This sermon will discuss the meaning and importance of these words both sacred in the worlds main religions and secular when … Continue reading “Compassion”
This will be the fourth in a series of talks about famous UU’s. Today’s subject will be the famous actor, director, and activist Paul Newman. The subtitle an ornament and an Orphan will be explained later. One of his movies, Cool Hand Luke, will be shown following the service and coffee hour
Service video This is the second in an going series. Miss Potter is best known for her writing and illustrations of children’s books. However this talk will focus on the less well-known aspects of her life; as an amateur scientist, a scientific illustrator, an environmental activist, a philanthropist, and her views as a Unitarian and … Continue reading “Famous UUs II: Beatrix Potter,” by Lauren Young
Service video This will be the first in a series about famous Unitarians, Universalists, and UU’s. Reeve was best known as an actor and for his portrayal of Superman/Clark Kent in a 4-part movie series beginning in 1978. He was also an author, director, and producer. However, this talk will focus on his spiritual struggles … Continue reading “Famous UUs: Christopher Reeve,” by Lauren Young
Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) is a celebrated figure in American history. She was an abolitionist, social activist, and Union spy during the American Civil War. Living through the slavery era, Harriet Tubman faced three major challenges: She was black, she was a woman, and she had a disability. She also had three support systems: family, faith … Continue reading “The Life & Times of Harriet Tubman,” by Lauren Young
Lauren’s presentation will be part song, part dramatic reading, and part sermon, based around the story of “Aunt Rachel” by Mark Twain, as printed by The Atlantic Monthly in November of 1874. Lauren first heard this story in Ken Burns’ documentary about Twain on PBS. The subject is about the one of the tragedies that … Continue reading “Aunt Rachel’s Story: A True Story, Repeated Word for Word to Mark Twain,” by Lauren Young
Service Video Today, we will focus on Compassion — how it is learned, how it is taught, and how we are moved to acts of compassion. Since February is Black History month, our speaker, Lauren Young, has chosen to share some of the lessons she learned about compassion in her childhood and teens against the … Continue reading “Stirrings Of Compassion,” by Lauren Young
