Rev. Carmen Emerson presents
“Six Needs of Mourning #5:
The Search for Meaning”
Jennifer Bacmeister, Worship Leader
Eileen Morrison, Accompanist
Bill Moran, Guest Musician
The Six Needs of Mourning – a sermon series offered by our affiliated community minister, Rev. Carmen Emerson
An encouraging and uplifting exploration of the needs and meaning of mourning, moving beyond the myth of linear, staged grieving and the cultural platitudes we learn early in life to deflect grief. The series concludes with an opportunity to consider advanced care planning as a gift of love to your families. This Sunday’s service covers the search for meaning: finding new purpose and understanding in life after the loss, which can involve spiritual or philosophical exploration.
About Our Speaker
Rev. Carmen Emerson, MDiv, is the Affiliated Community Minister for BBUUC. She earned a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School and a graduate certificate in conflict resolution from Lipscomb University’s Institute for Conflict Management. Rev. Carmen is in good standing with the UU Ministers Association and in full fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. She is a Board-Certified Chaplain and the Spiritual Support Services Coordinator for Baptist Health System in NE Florida. Rev. Emerson’s experience as a parish minister includes ten years of full-time service to our UU congregations in Albuquerque, NM (contract); Meadville, PA (called); and Nashville, TN (called).
About our Guest Musician
Bill Moran returns to our congregation this morning with songs of peace and positivity. He and his wife, Diane, are UUs from western NY who enjoy attending various UU services while traveling. Growing up in the Washington D.C. area during the 1960s American Folk and protest music revival, Bill embraced the era’s music and message. Bill was deeply engaged in music in his community from a young age. He played in folk groups and rock bands during high school in Chautauqua County and even joined a glee club during his military service in Germany. His performances, inspired by 60s and 70s peace and anti-war music, aim to unite listeners and inspire social and environmental change. More recently, he’s been drawing more from mid-20th-century American folk music. He is always looking to spread a peaceful, unifying message to future generations. Bill hopes his music leaves you reminiscing on old memories and walking away with a song stuck in your head—or in your heart!