From all the places we went or didn’t go during the summer, we gather again to recommit ourselves to nurturing the Beloved Community. Bread yeast is “woken up” when water is added–we too will use our water to find new ways to awaken and be leavened. Please bring some water from a special or mundane place. At … Continue reading Water Communion and Kitchen Blessing
Farmers and sunflowers, faith and psychology, science and community have a lot to offer, and when weather feels unpredictable and out of control plants seem to block, dim, or take away the light from others. Come glean the wisdom from varied fields. Worship Leaders this week are Rev. Erin Matteson, Todd Whiteley, and Haruko DeArth.
The fourth principle of Unitarian Universalism invites our search for truth and meaning rather than reliance on dogmatic teachings. What book do you have that may be helpful to another on their search? Please bring a book (or two) today to leave at the altar and plan to take home another to continue your search. Together, … Continue reading Book Communion: Search for Truth and Meaning
Do you have questions for me? They could be about the Fellowship, or theology, or current events, or Unitarian Universalism, or whatever is on your heart and mind. At the beginning of the service I’ll invite you to write questions on index cards; my spontaneous responses to these questions will be the sermon. Worship Leaders this … Continue reading Question Box Sermon
What is a mentor? What do they look like? Could you spot one on the street? Who have been yours? What do mentors offer us? Come remember, hear the stories of Michelle Obama and Marian Wright Edelman, recognize and claim your own place among them. Worship leaders this week are Dee Hawksworth, Rev. Erin Matteson, … Continue reading A Multitude of Mentors
There are moments when we are on the verge of moving into some new possibility or place in our lives. Sometimes it’s like we are standing at a doorway between what was and what can now be. Yet still, it’s ours to recognize these threshold moments, and ours to choose whether or how we will … Continue reading Threshold Moments
Adapting the words of 18th century American philosopher and revolutionary leader Thomas Paine for our time, “these are the times that try our souls.” Anxiety, anger, polarization, despair, and fear seem widespread and appropriate. In the context of such troubling times, we need authentic community and truth telling, plus the deep spiritual practices of faith, … Continue reading Countering Fear, Cultivating Hope and Joy
We welcome back former Modesto poet laureate Gillian Wegener who will offer an experience of beauty through her poetry. Poetry connects us to, and expands on, our own feelings, and is as Audre Lorde said, “a vital necessity of our existence.” Worship Leaders this week are Todd Whiteley and Gillian Wegener. Greeters at the door this week … Continue reading Poetry: A Vital Necessity
Most of us have heard the phrase, “beauty is only skin deep.” Yet beauty is about so much more than “looks” or creation. And what about what beauty does in us, and so for the world? Come explore the many dimensions of beauty through the writings and poetry of John O’Donohue, David Whyte, sacred texts … Continue reading The Many Dimensions of Beauty
Activist and community organizer adrienne maree brown writes that we should pace our efforts to the “speed of trust.” What can emerge when we stop expecting mechanistic efficiency and change our tempos to the speed of trust? Worship leaders this week are Rev. Darcy, Sharon Arpoika, and Haruko DeArth.
