Due to a growing number of Covid cases in the congregation, today’s service will be pre-recorded and shared on our YouTube channel.

“Liberated In Faith”
Rev. Joan Javier-Duval – Minister

While many people living in the United States might think of Unitarian Universalism as a uniquely North American religion, it is in fact a living tradition that inspires people across the globe. The unique stories of how Unitarianism and Universalism each gained a foothold in the Philippines, a country with a long history of colonialism, speak to the power of faith as well as the human desire for freedom. Our guest minister, Rev. Joan Javier-Duval, traveled to the Philippines at the end of 2023 and will share stories from her time learning about the history and present day expressions of our liberal faith within the Philippines and reflections on what UUs in the United States can learn from our Filipino/a/x siblings in faith.

Rev. Joan Javier-Duval has served as Minister of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier since 2015. Born and raised in Chicago as the child of immigrants from the Philippines, she learned early on that family and community sustain human life and that ampalaya (Filipino bitter melon) can be grown even in the black soil of a backyard in the American Midwest. She lives in Montpelier near the North Branch River with her spouse, their 10 year-old child, and their much-loved black cat. Rev. Joan is happy to be back at FUUSB for this pulpit swap. Join us for worship at 10 a.m. in person in the Sanctuary, or online. Find the livestream link and order of service on the Live-Streamed Worship page, or go to our YouTube channel.