During the first service of the fall season, new interim minister, Rev. Bruce Marshall, talks about how church can be like coming home and also like not-home. "Home/not-home. Comfort/challenge. The warmth and acceptance that enables us to relax into ourselves. The awareness of things that are wrong that spurs us back into the world, into action." This sermon was given at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs, Prince George's County, Maryland, where we come together in the spirit of mutual caring and respect to celebrate life, offer service, and work for a better world. Room for different beliefs. Yours. Visit us at www.dmuuc.org.

Perspectives on President Abraham Lincoln were offered with spirituals, readings and reflections from Van Caldwell and Chris Bell. Great blues music was provided by the Swamp Dog Blues Band http://www.myspace.com/anthonyclarkakaswampdog

Over 500,000 children and youth remain in foster care each year in America due to abuse and neglect, while over 50,000 youth annually sleep on our streets as homeless youth.  What does research tell us about the plight of these youth and what has been the national policy response?  What are the solutions offered to nurture foster youth and end youth homelessness?  Find out what the 'youth and child advocacy' circle within the beltway is doing to meet our moral and legal obligations to these vulnerable populations.
    
Richard Hooks Wayman, Davies church member, foster parent, and children's advocate, shares his insights from his own advocacy work for a part of our population that does not always have a voice. From a lay sermon/discussion he gave on Aug. 26, 2009.

The photo shows Rich with foster children who are now adults as minor foster children are not allowed to be pictured. His powerpoint presentation is available in PDF here: http://dmuuc.org/lay/vulnerableyouth_pp.pdf

June 28, 2009 - Sheri Verdonk, who has carried much and crossed many boundaries, says "We are not bound by the baggage we carry." The service supported Prince George's Child Resource Center which "helps create healthy and nurturing environments for children by supporting their families and educating their caregivers." This sermon was given at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs, Prince George's County, Maryland, where we come together in the spirit of mutual caring and respect to celebrate life, offer service, and work for a better world. Room for different beliefs. Yours. Visit us at www.dmuuc.org.

I was at Davies 7 years 8 months.  Today I ramble a bit about what the ministry needs to do to get pass some of its most pressing concerns, as well as what the congregations has meant to me and my spiritual development.