The Netherlands Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Next at NUUF – Sunday 5 May 2024 –Keizersgrachtkerk in Amsterdam –14:00
“(Not) Playing the Fool” – Led by the Worship Committee
Many of us have spent our lives being told to “grow up” or to “act your age,” but both the spiritual and scientific realms point to the numerous benefits of keeping your mind young. We will look at the connection between Shoshen, the Buddhist idea of the beginner’s mind, and recent psychological research about “the power of yet” and consider how this concept can reframe frustrating experiences. We will look at the other side of playing the fool -- how being playful in our approaches can put us in line with new experiences that grow us as people and help us to make meaningful connections with others.
Our conversation will consider what we gain when we say yes to curiosity and let go of judgment and need to be in control. And how play can act as a dry-run for real life and give us a laboratory to learn ways to resolve conflict.
Recent NUUF services
“Small steps towards paradise” with Husky – 3 April 2024
Husky writes and sings songs about love and social justice. He is involved with Extinction Rebellion and Christian Climate Action where he does disruptive actions, training and legal support.
"It doesn't matter if you read the bible or the Iliad. In the beginning there is chaos. And what God does not do is close his eyes and move away. Quite the opposite. God turns on the Light. And guess what, still chaos. Apparently even more chaos, because there is now a light on it.
And what God does not do then is wave a magic wand and create paradise. No, he does one thing. And that is good. And the next day he does another thing, and that is good.
This is how I see activism. Being confronted with chaos, (the climate crisis, war and so on) and just be aware of it first. And, like God, just do one little thing so that today may be better than yesterday. And tomorrow may be better than today. And then suddenly you realise you are in paradise."
“Through the Black Box: Touching Mystery through Awe and Wonder.” Speaker: Eva Kortekaas, MA Religion Studies – March 2024
With so much of our time taken up by the minor worries and squabbles of daily life, it is easy to forget that behind, beneath and beyond all these daily minutia lies Mystery. It's just visible out of the corner of your eyes, just audible below the hum of car engines… and yet it can reach out and touch us at the most unexpected moments.
But what if we need to reach out? Then it often slips through our fingers like grains of sand. But there are other paths. Join us as we explore two possible paths to touch Mystery, namely those of Awe and Wonder.
Church and Racism: The Doctrine of Discovery and Dualism in the History of Theology and “Race” with Thandi Soko-de Jong, PhD candidate – February 2024
This presentation explored the relationship between church and racism through some key historical moments in theology. it focused primarily on how the question addressed in the two Papal Bulls, which responded to whether the colonized and the enslaved possessed a soul, impacted later theological, philosophical, and pseudo-scientific assumptions about non-Europeans.
The presentation described how this impact paved the way for concepts like dualism, drawn from interpretations of St. Augustine’s worldview and René Descartes’ Meditations, to provide moral justification for the racial categorization of humans in a hierarchy of power.
“Unitarian Universalists are neither a chosen people nor a people whose choices are made for them by theological authorities - ancient or otherwise. We are a people who choose.” ― Forrest Church.
“Unitarian Universalists are neither a chosen people nor a people whose choices are made for them by theological authorities - ancient or otherwise. We are a people who choose.” ― Forrest Church.
Welcome to the Netherlands Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
We are an English-speaking, liberal religious community that meets once a month in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. We are part of the worldwide inclusive religion called Unitarian Universalism. Our faith is characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Unitarian Universalism does not offer a creed. Instead, members are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth.
We are dedicated to providing a safe space during our services and throughout interactions with each other and aim to maintain an environment free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, physical ability, gender, or sexual/affectional orientation. We are a LGBTQ+ friendly environment and pledge to conduct ourselves in a manner which conveys mutual respect and consideration.
We gather once a month on the ground level of the Keizersgrachtkerk in Amsterdam, usually on the first Sunday of the month, at 14:00.
Upcoming Events
You Are Welcome Here
You are welcome here no matter your age, your size, the color of your eyes, your hair, your skin.
You are welcome here no matter whom you love, how you speak, or whatever your abilities.
You are welcome here no matter how you arrived, with others or alone.
You are welcome here whether you come with laughter in your heart or tears.
If you come with an open mind, a loving heart, and willing hands, you are welcome here.