Vespers Service - UU Fast Day - Soup & Bread Potluck to follow
Thursday, April 16 2009, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
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UU Fast Day
Thursday April 16th, 2009
Vespers Service at 6:30
Potluck of Soup and Bread to Follow
A Short History -Fast Day was the complementary holiday to
Thanksgiving.In the early 17th-century,
the Puritan ancestors of the Unitarians and Universalists would observe days of
thanksgiving to God whenever a remarkably good thing happened.Whenever a remarkably bad thing happened, the
Puritans saw God as punishing them for their wickedness, and therefore called for
a day of fasting, prayer, and penitence.By the 18th century, Fast Day and Thanksgiving had emerged as regular,
state-sponsored religious holidays across New England. There always would be a
fast on a Thursday in April and a thanksgiving on a Thursday in November. These
dates corresponded with the local agricultural year. Farmers in effect were
asking God’s forgiveness and blessing before they planted and giving God thanks
after the harvest.People generally
behaved in a subdued manner on Fast Days and refrained from work, but their
fasting was not severe.They abstained
from food until evening, when they would eat a simple, usually cold, meal.During the day, they would attend one or more
religious services. Ministers would preach special Fast Day sermons of
admonition and reconciliation (in contrast to thecelebratory ones they preached on
Thanksgiving).Fast Day was the only
occasion when congregations expected their minister to speak on the sins of the
nation; some famous political sermons were preached on Fast Days.
This Fast Day – This is the second
annual Fast Day at UU Sterling.All are
invited to participate and use the day for reflection – to consider the state
of the nation and specifically the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or the strain
and suffering of individuals and families due to the present economic
crisis.The day is also a revival of an
ancient church practice and a time for spiritual renewal.
All are welcome – Adults, children,
families, UUSterling participants, and members of the wider community.As you are able, consider bringing a crock of
soup or bread to share.
Contact – Rev. Anya with
questions:
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