Fellowship member John Mallory Land presents this Sunday’s talk.

With cremation on the rise, fewer Americans have a grave. Some are even opting to forgo a memorial service or even an obituary.  What does the trend away from traditional funeral and burial practices say about us and our evolving society?  What really is the best way to say goodbye to our loved ones?

John Land has a personal interest in the subject. He moved to Columbus from Texas, but his family roots run deep in Columbus. His interests include history and especially the history kept in local graveyards. He earned a degree in design for the theater from Baylor University, and he’s on the  staff at the River Center in Columbus. John’s also an actor, a playwright and a director.

Members of our Fellowship don’t share a creed. We’re a diverse community of Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Wiccans, humanists  and others, including atheists and agnostics. (Yes atheists and agnostics can have rich spiritual lives.) Rather than demand adherence to a particular dogma, we support each other we support each other in our own unique quests for truth and meaning. That doesn’t mean we don’t believe in anything. We support and promote the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism, which emphasize respect for each other and for our planet.

Sound interesting? The best way to learn more is to attend the Sunday morning service. Visitors are always welcome. Here’s our Sunday schedule:

• 9:15 a.m. to noon. Free childcare is available.
• 9:15 a.m. Adult Religious Education. We explore all the world’s great religious and philosophical traditions in an informal setting. This week we look at animism.
• 9:15 a.m. Children’s Religious Education. Following a Unitarian Universalist curriculum, kids learn about many faiths and ethical traditions, emphasizing respect for one another. This morning’s session is titled “It’s All About the Timing.”
• 10:15 a.m. Coffee and conversation before the service.
• 10:45 a.m. The Sunday service. The centerpiece is a talk, like John’s, but services also include music, meditation and opportunities—always optional—to share your own thoughts or ask questions.