UUSLO: Recent Episodes
Rev. Rod Richards
One of the things that a multi-generational community provides is the opportunity for renewal through interaction with people across many different ages.
I don't pretend to know exactly what poet, Walt Whitman meant when he wrote, "I contain multitudes," but I am sometimes struck by the multitude of memories that each of us hold in our minds and hearts.
A congregation brings together many different perspectives, preferences, and perceptions. This is a community which explicitly embraces pluralism...with all its gifts and challenges.
Busy intersections caused some amount of anxiety when I was a child, if not for me, certainly for my parents. They warned me to be careful. As we consider "intersectionality" in a wider context, that may still be good advice.
Earth Day ServiceThe 2nd century bishop, Iranaeus, said, "the glory of God is the human being fully alive." In this sermon, I will be looking at how, from a Christian perspective, the human being fully alive is the whole planet (cosmos?) fully alive.Reverend Caroline "Caro" Hall...has lived in Los Osos for over 30 years with her wife, Jill, whom she first met at Findhorn, a spiritual community in Scotland. She has been an Episcopal priest for 20 years, during which time she worked for full LGBTQ inclusion in the international church, locally helped to found and lead People of Faith for Justice, and has worked for environmental justice. Caro seeks to live lightly on the planet in harmony with all beings who are working for the highest good.
The familiar phrase is "guilt by association", but today we take a look at what it means to be part of the UU Association of congregations and how that relates to interdependence. (Worship participants will also share experiences from Camp de Benneville Pines.)
The familiar phrase is "guilt by association", but today we take a look at what it means to be part of the UU Association of congregations and how that relates to interdependence. (Worship participants will also share experiences from Camp de Benneville Pines.)
Transformation sounds like it involves changing into something new. It may be the process of revealing what is already true.
Members sharing transformation stories - Jamie Woolf, Steve Kadin, Dorothy Pitkin with Gina Whitaker as worship associate.
Members sharing transformation stories - Jamie Woolf, Steve Kadin, Dorothy Pitkin with Gina Whitaker as worship associate.
Miraculous stories surround the lives of great prophets, teachers, and figures of religious importance. What do these stories tell us about these people? And what do they tell us about ourselves?
We live in a society where (it is said) "Money talks." However, the transformative piece of this is that we have the power to tell it what to say.
Inform. Conform. Reform. Perform. Transform. All of our lives, we are forming and being formed by our experiences, our relationships, our realizations and reflections. With every breath, we are in formation.
What in the world does death have to do with justice and equity? And how might fully acknowledging our own mortality empower us to work for those things?
Both science and religion have played pivotal roles in the work toward justice and equity...and both have been used in ways that thwart that work. How can we be sensitive to this history and challenge those tendencies in the present time?
The Pagan holiday, Imbolc, falls exactly halfway between Yule (Winter Solstice) and Ostara (Spring Equinox). It strikes me as important that we develop ways to celebrate "partway" points, especially in relationship to our ongoing struggles for justice and equity.
We recognize that there are many kinds of beautiful lives if we step outside the self and walk beside it with humble nonjudgmental curiosity about the many other selves on their own paths.
Freedom has traditionally been identified (along with reason and tolerance) as central characteristics of Unitarianism. But...does that sufficiently capture our most deeply-held values? Is freedom the same as liberation? And how does it relate to love? The lyrics to the song Rev. Rod refers to at the beginning are here.
Though freedom is generally understood to be something that people embrace, psychologist, Erich Fromm pointed out that there is also a basic human urge to "escape from freedom."
Each Sunday we welcome you in and...about an hour later, send you forth. Which mirrors the way we welcome new members. Enter, rejoice, and come in! we say. Make yourself at home...Now, come and go with me to that land where we're bound!
"Bless you," can often be heard post-sneeze. In some parts of the country, they "bless your heart." Rebecca Parker encourages us to choose to bless the world. What is a blessing and how do we bless one another?
How do the very words we use display generosity? What does it mean to learn a vocabulary of kindness and inclusion?
No, I mean it…all of us. I’m not talking right now about our congregation or a particular activity or a community organization, I’m talking about us—all of us.
Remembering those we love who have died. Recommitting ourselves to engaging the truly awesome power of love within ourselves, our community, and our world.
“If asked when and where Unitarianism was first organized the average person would be likely to answer that it was in America, or perhaps in England, about the beginning of the 19th century,” writes Unitarian historian Earl Morse Wilbur. I think he’s wrong. If asked when and where Unitarianism was first organized, the average person would not have a clue.
It has been pointed out by countless coaches that "there is no 'i' in 'team.'" Alas, there is an 'i' in 'community' (and in 'congregation,' for that matter). Which leads me to wonder about how we balance the individual and the community.
It is something of a leap to think of myself as an "ancestor," but we will all fall into that category at some point in the future. What do we wish to be our legacy?
The Water Ceremony reminds us of our connection to--and complete dependence upon--this most precious of earthly resources: water.
We pledge to replace barriers with ever-widening circles of solidarity and mutual respect. We strive to truly welcome all persons and commit to structuring congregational and associational life in ways that empower and enhance everyone’s participation.-- Words from the Article II Proposal
“Let’s be the welcomewe crave—enriching,understanding.Let us embodythe communitywe crave…”— Rev Dr. David Breeden
On this Labor Day weekend, we will take a look at ways we approach the work of the congregation.
Most of us, consciously or subconsciously, avoid thinking of our mortality, but are we missing out on a fuller life when we do that? Can embracing our mortality lead to a richer, Less anxious experience of life at any age?
What can we trust in recreating a future that serves us all? Can we trust that a future with love and creativity at the center is even possible? Individuals and institutions are guiding the way, including Unitarian Universalism.
Winston S. Churchill is said to have said, “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” If his words are true, the success of my spiritual venturing is guaranteed. Let’s explore what pluses can be taken away from our minuses and miscues.
Loyalty is generally considered a virtue. Does it depend on the subject of one’s loyalty? The manner in which one displays loyalty? Can one ever be loyal to a fault?
Many are saying that “we are more divided” in this country than we have ever been. Is that true? What are the implications of this statement? And what is to be done?
Though it may sound, at first, like an easy question to answer, we will take a little time to explore what it means to ‘be with’.
“Pledge” has a specific meaning in the congregational context, but what is it that inspires pledges? And, as July 4 approaches, it’s worth asking what it means to “pledge allegiance.”
“Every night and every morn, some to misery are born. Every morn and every night, some are born to sweet delight.” Familiar lines of poetry from William Blake…Is it true?
What is it that causes me to sometimes hide my delight? What are the accepted ways to show delight? And who taught us those?
What is it about music that speaks to us in such a unique and profound manner? What can we learn about ourselves as we learn about our responses to the artistry of composers and musicians?
In shaping our own lives, we look back on those who helped to shape us, especially those who gave of themselves with generosity and compassion.
Creativity, we may think, is about producing a work of art–composing a piece of music; painting a landscape; writing a story. But there’s a story being told with every moment and we all participate in its creation.
“Resistance is futile,” says the Borg in Star Trek. Taken out of its science fictional context, the phrase sometimes seems disturbingly relevant to our times. But what if we viewed resistance through a different lens?
Rev. Rod Richards gives a talk about the meaning of the upcoming bridging ceremony for three youths at the Pacific SW Service Area Assembly.
To resist is to tense up, harden our resolve, strain against the forces we reject. How do we maintain that over time? How do we avoid exhaustion? Can resistance also provide a soft place for our spirits to land? Can it provide restoration?
From Beloved by Toni Morrison:Then she did the magic: lifted Sethe’s feet and legs and massaged them until she cried salt tears. “It’s gonna hurt now,” said Amy.“Anything dead coming back to life hurts.”A truth for all times, thought Denver
It’s a little hard to welcome our monthly theme–The Path of Resistance–when many of us are used to searching out the path of least resistance.
Humility is not mentioned explicitly in the eight principles of Unitarian Universalism. Yet, humility is central to many faith traditions in which we are grounded, as well as the faith traditions some of us continue to practice in addition to Unitarian Universalism. Cultural humility, in particular, is essential to our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive community. But it asks us to be vulnerable, and to apologize often and sincerely. So, how can practicing cultural humility also be powerful? Lata addresses this question, drawing from her own experiences as a Hindu-Unitarian Universalist.
As we have come together this weekend to dream, plan, and engage with our vision(s) for the current and future vitality of our congregation, there is an understandable urge to “get it right.” What does that mean? How does it relate to engaging our mission?
Part of my resistance to becoming part of a group, gathering, or community is that it can make me feel…yes, vulnerable. Join with us in celebrating the people who have become members of this community in the past two years as we welcome them into our mission of deepening connections.
There is a surprisingly powerful metaphor in Herman Melville’s whale of a novel, Moby Dick, which has something to say about vulnerability, interdependence, and community.
The Golden Rule – love thy neighbor as thyself – appears in some form in just about every religion. Jesus took it a step farther and said we should love our enemies, which our culture particularly struggles with in these fractious times. So maybe our best bet is to start with our neighbors.
Ok, it’s the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birthday, but what does the theory of evolution have to do with love?
A song that lends itself toward joining together in friendship and peace has become little more than a joke in our current times. Does that say something about this song? Or about these times?
“At the root of it all…” “At the heart of this matter…” Such phrases seem to suggest that if we trace something to its source or its center that we will find a singular clarity. Is that true?
This is the age of “multi-tasking.” Can’t we just add enlightenment, awareness, spiritual growth to the task list?
in preparation for the January 8 service: read this brief, fascinating piece “About Article II: The Principles and Purposes of the UUA.”In 1919, poet William Butler Yeats wrote:Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world…Surely some revelation is at handWe, Unitarian Universalists, have often wondered what holds us together, with no creed, no single sacred scripture, no central governing authority. What is at our center? We (all UUs) are presently looking at possible revisions to a piece of Unitarian Universalist Association bylaws that attempts to answer this question.
What makes something “new”? Come celebrate the first day of 2023 in community and welcome in the “new” year!
In the Christian calendar, we are in the season of Advent. In a more general context, advent refers to an arrival, a beginning, a new thing entering our lives. What do you see on your personal advent calendar?
Awesome! The word is ubiquitous in today’s culture. It is used to respond to everything from the mysterious qualities of a black hole to the sensory rewards of a black coffee. Which makes me wonder: what qualities make something truly awesome?
Today is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, mourning those who have died in acts of violence this past year and celebrating the strength of the transgender community. What changes are we called to make to put an end to the violence and help realize a beloved community of inclusion?
One of the most popular political promises on the campaign trail is “change!” (even if it is sometimes expressed as changing what has changed so that we can go back to a time that we presumably enjoyed before everything changed!) The truth is: change happens. The question is: how do we direct change toward those things that speak to our highest aspirations and our deepest values.
As we celebrate the memories of loved ones who have died, we also celebrate that which allows us to continue living and experiencing joy, even amid the losses.
Wendy Lucas, vice-president of the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region describes how her life has been shaped by Divine Guidance, Paying Attention, and Hope - the gift of her tribal roots and the ancestors' voices.
Saying hello and goodbye are such fundamental practices for humans that you might think we would be a little better at it than we are. This Sunday, we get to practice by giving an enthusiastic welcome to our new Music Director, John Knutson, and saying a deeply grateful goodbye to our previous Music Director, Alba Franco Cancel.
It's Father's Day and Juneteenth. What is an appropriate response to being responsible not just to and for our own family but to and for others who are not "in our group" YET?
"Your gifts--whatever you discover them to be--can be used to bless or curse the world...You must answer the question: what will you do with your gifts?" - Rev. Dr. Rebecca Ann Parker
"What to do with beauty? or joy, for that matter — in the midst of tragedy, of violence, of cruelty?" Rev. Karen G. Johnston
Anais Nin wrote, "We don't see things as they are. We see them as we are." What does that mean for how we define, recognize, and nurture beauty?
Many famous stories, songs, poems through the ages have paired physical attractiveness with inner beauty. How does that show up in our culture?
One of the earliest Easter messages to the women who came to Jesus's tomb was simply this: he is not here.
As I understand it, there is some debate among the many Buddhist paths about just how awakening happens. Is there a flash of enlightenment or does it occur over time?
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
Some have suggested that we should understand faith, not as a noun, but as a verb. How would that change our understanding?
My mother was passionate about rummage/garage sales and visiting thrift shops and secondhand stores. I began to wonder if there may be a message about renewal for me in (the name, I remember, of one of her favorite stores) the "nearly new."
Do you ever see that message for a book you've checked out from the library? More importantly, do you ever feel that way when we're talking about physical, emotional, spiritual renewal?
How has the congregation used this time to deepen connections and widen our circle of concern?
It is all well and good to widen the circle, but a circle is still--geometrically speaking--closed. How do we go about opening it so that people may enter?
When we set goals, the future is always the focus. Is it the same or different with our intentions?
What lessons has a virus taught us about creating beloved community? Presented at the UU Community of Cambria
Does life have meaning? Does my life have a purpose? These are the questions that often draw people into religious community...and what do we find?
Parker Palmer defines the tragic gap as "the gap between the hard realities around us and what we know is possible — not because we wish it were so, but because we’ve seen it with our own eyes."
More and more, we are becoming aware that there can be a distance between intention and impact. How do we bring those closer together, as we move into this new year with the best intentions?
There is a saying: “After ecstasy, the laundry.” After those peak experiences, those moments of joy…then what? How do we carry enlightenment into the everyday?
For some, this is the season of 3G: the glad, the good, and the great. What do these phrases mean? And what form might they take in our individual and communal lives?
It’s right there in our mission statement: we will deepen connections by (among other things) inspiring joy. So how, exactly, do we do that?
Happiness, I have heard, is a choice. If we assume that is so, does that apply also to joy? And, if not, what is the difference?
We are living through a time that history--whatever forms it may take in the future--will record. What will you remember about this time? What stories and reflections will we pass along to future generations?
It's the phrase--the practice--many of us learned as children. As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, this is an opportunity to look at the first word in that phrase: please.
George Santayana is purported to have said something like: "Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it." But is the problem that we don't remember? Or is it how we remember?
The poet Seamus Heaney once wrote: “History says / Don’t hope on this side of the grave / But then, once in a lifetime / The longed-for tidal wave / Of justice can rise up / And hope and history rhyme.”
Halloween is all about scary. But today, we will hear a variety of ways to finish this thought: "You know what's really scary?....
It is a program sponsored by the UU Service Committee each year for as long as I can remember. More than that, it is a practice of cultivating relationships. More than that, it is a practice of unleashing the power of kindness and compassion.
Good friendship, in Buddhism, means considerably more than associating with people that one finds amenable and who share one's interests.
"...find out what it means to me." We all may think we know what respect means. But it may serve us to be more curious. What are the expectations about respect across generations, across racial/gender/sexual identities and cultures, among the disabled community...A big piece of respect means finding out what it means to the person or people with whom we are in relationship.
We are used to hearing "No justice, no peace!" at the many demonstrations that have taken place over the years. What would it mean to also turn that around (as Martin Luther King, Jr. did) to say, "No peace, no justice!"
To say something is possible necessarily implies that something else is possible. Right? Possible and possibly not, How do we best lay the groundwork for our most hoped-for possibilities to flourish?
No, that's not what the Little Engine says, but that's often what we hear when we demand an end to economic inequality, racism, and destruction of the environment. In an age of possibility, we often run into fatalism. And a new book has just come out that is a companion to the Little Engine That Could...
Mary Raskin is a member of Kol Shalom, Community for Humanistic Judaism in Portland, Oregon and serves on their Ritual Committee. Mary also serves as national president for the Society for Humanistic Judaism. She is certified Madrikha/Ritual Leader and is currently close to completing her studies to become a Humanistic Rabbi. Mary will share in this service about Tashlikh, a holiday that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
We are leaning toward the future, ready to reclaim our lives...with more than a little hesitation.
“This is my home,” I say, along with the words in our hymnal: “The country where my heart is.” How can I not love it? How can I not feel patriotic when I look at what it has offered me? And yet, what do I do with the recognition that what has been offered me is not available to everyone. That “liberty and justice for all” is not a reality, no matter how many times we say the words. How do I use what privilege I have to make that a reality, and how much am I willing to challenge my own comfort in the process?
Memory is a powerful tool, one that can lend itself to healing or harming. How do we choose to use it? And what are those things we forget to remember?
...but words matter. On the road to being an ever-more inclusive community, we need to also embrace a new vocabulary.
Storytelling is wonderful, right? And, yet, "telling stories" can be a euphemism for...well...lying.
We welcome you here, saying that you are accepted just as you are...and then we encourage your (and our own) "transformation." So which is it?
It began as a misspoken phrase by a lawyer for then-President Donald Trump, but the phrase (quite apart from its original context) has stayed with me. How would we go about inciting resurrection?
What should we bring on the journey? Reflections on the story of liberation contained in Exodus as the Jewish celebration of Passover begins.
If we are truly committed to a more inclusive society, then we need to also be committed to making room.
It's an interesting word, right? Is it different than "loved"? Is it just more formal? And how does it connect with "Community"?
I've always been intrigued by this provocative title of a song by Joy Division. Lately, I've been wondering how this shows up in our world. Does love, in being a threat to current systems, appear threatening to some? Is love, in being a challenge to fear, also disruptive to perceived security?
It is difficult to open myself to opposing--or even alternative--viewpoints when I know that I'm right. And yet, I must support what I believe is right when confronting what is wrong...right? How do we balance compassionate listening with courageous conviction?
Most everyone knows what is meant by "The Dream Speech." Lesser known is this title of a short story by Delmore Schwartz that may help us grasp Martin Luther King's words in a new way.
It is said sometimes as an acknowledgment that I cannot fully understand your experience from the inside. And it is sometimes said as…well, what?
An epiphany is an experience of a sudden and striking realization; an awareness beyond what we had previously imagined.
“Fear not,” is a consistent, persistent message brought by angels in the Christmas stories. “Fear is the opposite of faith,” writes Jan Christian. “When we act out of fear, we are in danger of inadvertently creating what we most fear.” How do we let go of fear? Where do we find assurance?
When I was told this as a child, it usually meant, “STOP whatever it is you’re doing and be quiet.” Does it have a different meaning in sacred writings and teachings? How does it take shape in our lives?
The beautiful story of the prophet, Elijah—which gave us the phrase “a still, small voice”—also points out that the Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. In a theology that generally purports that “everything is holy now,” how do we understand the absence of a holy presence.
We are called, as a country, to confront the truth (and the lies) contained in the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. For instance: the narratives that surround a favorite holiday to many: Thanksgiving. During this Native American History month, let's find out what there is to be learned about these stories of "the founders."
It's a well-worn phrase, repeated often, I've noticed, by news correspondents, politicians, etc. It means that time, apparently, when priorities are properly ranked and we can see "the truth of the matter." One question: why do we have to wait until the end of the day?
In this service, filmmaker and activist Justice Whitaker uses his own journey to explore how redefining and in turn renewing his relationship with spiritual faith has sustained the emotional roller coaster of 2020. Examining his personal relationship with GOD as a youth in the UU church, and how spirituality has guided his growth as an artist and a Black man, Justice explores how many different faith derivatives have contributed to his renewing his relationship with God in 2020, The Year of Great Clarity.
"...and they lived happily ever after." Ummm, yeah, but what did that look like? What do you do after you have successfully found happiness?
What on earth am I here for? Pastor Rick Warren sought to answer that question with a book entitled "The Purpose-Driven Life." What does it mean to "have a purpose," and is that a question we can answer once and for all?
If asked to say "the opposite of happy," a response that naturally--almost automatically--comes to mind is, "sad." And yet, that doesn't quite fit.
Pursuing happiness may be a right, but it can sometimes feel like a hopeless endeavor. Is happiness a goal, or a byproduct of other pursuits?
When we hear the word "liberty," we are apt, first, to think of a certain statue. Next, we may remember this line from a speech by Patrick Henry in 1775: "Give me liberty or give me death."
Freedom, reason, and tolerance have been identified as central characteristics of Unitarianism. But...does that sufficiently capture our highest aspirations? How is freedom the same as liberation? And how does it differ?
Is there life after death? How do some of the world's religions and wisdom traditions speak to this question? How do beliefs about life after death affect how we live in this life? "Some beliefs are like walled gardens," writes Sophia Lyon Fahs. "They encourage exclusiveness, and the feeling of being especially privileged...Other beliefs are expansive and lead the way into wider and deeper sympathies."
Puritan John Winthrop told the early colonists that their community would be "as a city upon a hill," hearkening back to some words from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. That phrase has been used throughout American history...what does it mean?
Compassion is often about empathy; feeling with, understanding. But can compassion exist without the benefit of shared experience? What about those things that are beyond our capacity to fully comprehend?
Sometimes known as "compassion fatigue," we can become overwhelmed at the number of injustices, inequities, and sorrowful circumstances calling for our attention. How do we renew our commitments when the temptation is to give up?
"The first step to building an antiracist America is acknowledging America’s racist past. By acknowledging America’s racist past, we can acknowledge America’s racist present. In acknowledging America’s racist present, we can work toward building an antiracist America…" Ibram X. Kendi
Memory is a powerful tool, one that can lend itself to healing or harming. How do we choose to use it? And what are those things we forget to remember?
...cross this door. That's the rest of the line in the very first hymn in one of our hymnals. But how do we go about refusing evil entry?
Looking at the tragic (and unnecessary) suffering that pervades our world, we can understandably feel guilty for all that we have not done to alleviate it, losing faith in ourselves and in humanity at large. How might we approach this feeling of hopelessness as a threshold, inviting us to summon the courage to change the things we can.
Addressing climate change calls on us (humans) to wrestle with our unfortunate tendencies toward denial, apathy, cynicism, and despair. However, it also calls forth from us our noblest aspirations toward compassion, connection, and courage.
"When will things return to normal?" This question is quickly followed by another: "Do we want things to return to normal?"
The possibility of resurrection--life arising from death; hope arising out of despair--calls to us enticingly...but what does it require of us?
We all--it is said--carry with us a certain amount of "emotional baggage." Sometimes, we barely notice the weight of it. Other times, we doubt we will be able to take another step carrying this burden.
We live in an individualistic society and have inherited what has often been seen as an individualistic religious tradition. How do we live into a faith that listens to collective wisdom and prioritizes the good of the whole?
One of the six Sources of our Living Tradition is "wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life." How do we go about intentionally gathering from the richness of this source?
Jesus said to his disciples, "I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves." What wisdom does that phrase hold for our work in the world?
As Darwin Day approaches, we'll explore just what the "fit" in "survival of the fittest" might mean.
Resilience has something to do with being able to weather suffering and carry on. Does this have something to do with reaching "closure"? Moving on? Or might it have more to do with remaining open and moving through and with our pain?
As we consider our highest aspirations, what relevance might the phrase "collective liberation" hold for us? To what is it pointing?
Integrity seems to have something to do with identity. Finding out who I am and staying true to myself. Why is it hard to be me?
In a cultural climate that seems to question the very idea of a shared reality, how can we be expected to "get real"?
This talk will speak to the future of religion and the ways that technology will shape the religion of our great grandchildren. Dr. Stephen Lloyd-Moffett is an internationally known Religious Studies scholar and Professor of Religious Studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He is a dynamic and popular speaker who has graced our pulpit many times.
When darkness comes--not the restful, healing darkness, but the dark nights of the soul, when we are not able to see our own light or the lights of others--it can feel like the end of the world.
The Book of Job is not considered a...well, festive book. It is harsh. Almost cruel. So what can it teach us about awe? And, as Human Rights Day approaches, what might it have to say about justice?
A celebration of the season with special music, favorite hymns, and reflections on wonder.
"Come sing a song with me, that I might know your mind" we sing from our hymnal. Just how does singing a song together give us any hard data about another person's mind??
"Attention!" is a military command to arrange the body in a particular posture. Other commands include "at ease" and "rest." How might we position ourselves to invite attention, ease, rest...?
"Peacemaking is the functioning of bearing witness. Once we listen with our entire body and mind, loving action arises." Bernie Glassman
As the commemoration of Columbus Day rolls around, let's take a look at what history--as it has been taught--tells us about who really belongs.
This period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is known to some in the Jewish tradition as "Days of Awe." It is also known as "Days of Repentance." Pray tell, what is so awesome about repentance? And what does that have to do with a feeling of belonging?
How is it that we form opinions, assumptions, conclusions about other people...sometimes even before we have met them? What do we carry into those first moments of meeting, and what can we set aside?
Beloved Conversations is a guided series of seminars which invites people to have open and honest conversations about how race and ethnicity shape their lives. Today, we will hear reflections on these sessions from the participants.
Expectation is a tricky thing. Should we expect the best and simply deal with anything less? Should we expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised at anything better? How do our expectations shape what we do in this moment?
That's always been the American promise, right? If you're willing to work, you can expect to get somewhere in your life. Is the dream being realized? Or does it vanish upon waking?
How do we open ourselves and our communities to provide a real (if raggedy) welcome? How do we move from perfection to practice?
"Triangulation" is a mathematical process, but also has a psychological meaning. How does it work, exactly? And what meaning does it have in creating community?
The traditional ways in which we come together can, after a time, seem unchangeable. How can we step back and take a look at existing forms...and consider some new shapes?
Love is one of the most misused and misunderstood words in the English language. This talk will clarify the true nature of love, the two key features of love, and the ways love manifests or does not manifest in our daily lives.
To get close to our experience of things, we must first look into ourselves (it's called "into me I see") and check out what blocks us, like judgment and concepts.
Nature vs. nurture is a debate that goes on in many arenas, though it is rarely answered once and for all. Though we are born, certainly, with the capacity for loving, it is up to us what we do with that inherent capability.
...and the political is personal. It is tempting to want to step away from the messy world of politics altogether, yet it touches our personal lives in many ways. In just such a way, our personal lives inform our political action.
Our Seventh Principle keeps UUs focused on the “interconnected web of life.” Recent advances in biology are showing those connections are even more profound than we knew. A strong web of life is needed for both a healthy planet and a healthy body.
Today, we reflect on the complications, conflicts, and confusion that often circle around fatherhood in our present culture. What are healthy models of masculinity? How do we approach gender roles in parenting and simply being a person?
Beauty, the saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder. But how is it that we come to recognize beauty? What qualities does it hold?
As we remember loved ones who have died today, we can't help but wonder about the possibilities of what happens after death. Most of us join with Iris Dement's sentiment: let the mystery be. However, sometimes the mystery won't let us be.
Curiosity, it is said, can be an antidote to cynicism. Rather than resting in our certainty of the worst, how can we be curious about even the most troubling things that are happening in our lives and in our world?
Oncology chaplain and popular guest speaker Michael Eselun will share some deeply personal reflections about junior high school -- a pivotal and often painful time that leaves indelible memories for many of us. In dialogue with some of those 13-year-old perceptions, what might be discovered about inherent worth, dignity and compassion?
Today, we welcome new members: a joyous celebration. But as much information as we have sought to provide, you can see the question in their eyes: what happens now?
Celebrate the 49th Earth Day with poetry, music, mime, storytelling, dance, unique decorations, insightful readings, and much more with your worship leaders, Susan Lara, Steve Brown, and Judith Bernstein.
To say that Jesus represents different things to different people...well, it's true, but it doesn't get us very far. If we tried fashioning all those differing perspectives into a whole, what would it look like? How do we view Jesus--and the Easter celebration--today?
What does it mean to be wholehearted? How do we bring that quality into our lives together?
By exchanging flowers, we show our willingness to walk together in our Search for truth, disregarding all that might divide us. Each person takes home a flower brought by someone else - thus symbolizing our shared celebration in community. This communion of sharing is essential to a free people of a free religion.
Besides being a title of a Hermann Hesse novel, it also suggests a journey toward enlightenment that many in the West have engaged by adopting religious practices from the East. Where has your own free and responsible search for truth and meaning led? What mementos have you gathered from the journey?
There is never enough to go around.That is a message that is all around us. It is a fear that burns within us. It seems to be confirmed in the world. It is a "given." How might we fashion a different expectation?
It used to be a question: at what point did one give up wandering in search of a location and simply ask someone for directions. These days, the wonders of GPS have made it pretty difficult to get lost...right?
Where do we place our trust when it comes to understanding ourselves and our earthly home?
How do we build the trust that allows us to have challenging conversations? How do we make space in our congregation for vulnerability?
"The most beautiful people you have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." - Elizabeth Kubler Ross
Hold fast to dreams, Langston Hughes tells us. But don't our dreams need to have some connection to reality? What is truly possible?
"I took the road less traveled by and that made all the difference," writes Robert Frost. What is it that made "all the difference" in your life?
It's that time of year for turning over new leaves, starting new habits, ending old habits, and all-around self-improvement. Day 6: How's it going?
When we encounter the unexplainable, how do we respond? As we journey past the terrain that science and reason have mapped, what do we find?
As we prepare to celebrate the Winter Solstice and the returning of the light, let us take note of the gifts that darkness can bring.
The "mystery" genre holds a great appeal for many, whether reading a favorite series or watching a good thriller. What is it that draws us to this form? What might we learn from it?
December 2nd marks the first Sunday in Advent, and to help us get prepared to face the upcoming holidays I’d like to check in with two old friends of mine from Shinbone Alley, New York: Archy, the free verse poet who died and was reincarnated as a cockroach, and Mehitabel, the alley cat who makes the dubious claim that she was once Cleopatra.
Re: a prefix, occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, used with the meaning “again” or “again and again” to indicate repetition or "back to the original place, again."
While some memories may be cherished, are there times it is better to forget? Are there different kinds of remembering?
What do we imagine the children of this congregation will remember about their time here? What do we hope they will remember?
A joyful celebration of the lives of those we have lost. Please bring pictures and small mementos of loved ones who have died.
Sanctuary sometimes refers to a safe place in an inherently insecure existence. What does it mean to offer/seek out/create sanctuary?
"We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been," writes Starhawk, "a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time."
What is your vision of "a life well-lived"? What is the goal of our existence? Happiness is often held up as a worthy goal, even enshrined in the Declaration of Independence as an "unalienable right." Does happiness give our lives meaning? Or does finding a meaning for our lives bring happiness?
This was the title of a book by Carl Jung, and I always felt like it covered a lot of important territory in just three words. How do these things work together to shape my vision of myself and my sense of possibility?
International Peace Day was celebrated on September 21. Can we keep that celebration going? Can we envision a path to real peace?
How does the past inform the present and help to shape the future? What happens when we ignore, distort, or deny our history? What gifts might we discover in honest exploration?
Water has been used in worship and ritual the world over from time immemorial. Why? You may be surprised as we lean toward science to reveal the mystery. As the waters commingle in this Unitarian Universalist tradition, we also connect with the mystery embedded in rituals across cultures and down through time.
Considering the present state of "the labor class," we will look at the visions by those who fought and fight for worker rights. Might we look to labor to birth new visions?
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, which will be collected along with the offering. The sermon will be made up of my responses.
Social justice has always been central to Unitarian Universalist spirituality. What forms does that take in our present age? How might we connect? How do we prepare for the work?
We join in worship for many reasons. Mary Raskin, Madrikha, will describe Humanistic Judaism and how her community joins together in community to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
It's a common phrase often used in closing a letter, or email, or part of a spoken goodbye. What are the ways we find to "take care"?
It's a term we hear a lot these days in the media, referring to the impassioned repetition of a questionable claim even after it is proven false. Where did this phrase come from? What does it hide?
"Don't Know Mind" sometimes called beginners mind functions in many ways. The secret is to be skillful in your understanding, and to make it work for you as a tool of discovery rather than as an excuse. We'll get up close and personal with don't know mind.
One of the definitions of "conviction" is "a firmly held belief or opinion." But convictions can sometimes run deeper than opinions and survive across changing beliefs. Where do convictions come from? How do they guide us?
Most religions and ethical systems speak of the virtues of humility. Is there a place for healthy pride? Is pride the opposite of humility? Where do the two meet?
What does patriotism look like in 2018? Hand over the heart? Taking a knee? How do we express a love for country along with our commitment to resisting the most destructive forces within it?
We are used to hearing this chant of protest-- as a demand for justice. Pursuit of justice is a core UU Principle, and yet we've also heard since childhood that "no one said life is fair." When such injustice hits closer to home-like say, a diagnosis of cancer, how do we find peace when there seems to be no justice? UCLA oncology chaplain, Michael Eselun, will explore this territory.
The ways in which we speak can inspire a range of responses. How do we become aware--and intentional--about how we speak in a climate that has wildly inconsistent standards about communication that is proper, respectful, and effective.
We will sing together, honor our awesome RE teachers and assistants, celebrate our community in preparation for the Annual Meeting, and look out toward the future...enter, rejoice, and come in!
Sometimes it is hard not to view religion as a negative influence on individuals and communities, with the histories and present-day realities of religious strife and violence and intolerance. Our Universalist heritage calls us to seek the underlying commonalities in teachings of justice and compassion, and to appreciate the harmonies of many different religious and ethical voices.
Is membership in this congregation, in itself, a spiritual practice? If so, what does it entail?
Practice justice (from our Mission). Practice patience, compassion, and empathy (from our Covenant). We are a practicing people
"Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit." This chant reminds us that we are people of the earth, and that our fire of commitment comes through the connections we have to nature. Come explore Hildegard of Bingen’s “Viriditas”. Each of us is a vessel, a chalice. Come nurture the flame within that expresses itself through us as a lived commitment to the UU Seventh Principle.
"To what purpose, April, do you return again?" asked poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. "Beauty is not enough." And, indeed, it is not enough when one faces depression or despair. How can we respond, within our own lives and to others?
Humility has always been considered a spiritual virtue, yet one cannot find it mentioned anywhere in our principles or mission or covenant. What does humility mean? What gifts might it bring to our culture at large?
We live in a society that is obsessed about the prices of everything, but has a harder time calculating what things actually cost. What is the price of generosity? What is the cost of not being generous?
We have heard that money talks, but what exactly is it saying? If we listen closely--in our own lives; in our culture; in the wider world--what do we hear?
We all support this church and sustain it with our gifts, but how do we decide how much to give?
We often talk about a pledge to the church or the congregation as if it were separate from us; an organization out there that we support. But our pledges are really promises to one another: all we who gather, along with those who came before us, and those who have yet to join us. My pledge is a pledge to you.
It is all too easy for me to sometimes treat spirituality as a spectator sport; to learn about it rather than to nurture it within my own life.
Puzzle Pals launches today and it strikes me that it just may provide some helpful insights into how we work as a congregation every day of the year.
Timber Hawkeye is the bestselling author of Buddhist Boot Camp and Faithfully Religionless. He offers a secular and non-sectarian approach to being at peace with the world (both within and around us), with the intention to awaken, enlighten, enrich and inspire.
The time has come," the Minister said, "To talk of many things: A place called Transylvania-- And open-minded kings-- And why an edict has import-- And just how freedom ‘rings.’"
Our cultural language uses "white" as a default and describes others by how they differ. But what exactly do we mean by "white"? What happens if we try to describe "whiteness" itself?
Mary Oliver writes, "To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones, knowing your own life depends on it; and when the time comes to let it go, to let it go."
In ancient Roman religion, according to Wikipedia, Janus is the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages and endings. This surely makes Janus one of the busiest gods, one whose face we recognize as looking forward and backward simultaneously. What can we learn by studying the posture of this ancient god-with-a-small-g?
All is calm. All is bright. But only for moments. The Christmas story is also one of upheaval, fear, insecurity, risk, and courage in the face of danger and desperation...and that courage can provide comfort, too.
Courage is an important element of the story of Hanukkah. How does it translate into our contemporary context?
Like Robert Frost, we often arrive at forks in the road and we just don't know which is the best way. We choose without knowing. That takes courage.
Courage is the root word found in encouragement and discouragement. Our third Principle calls us to "acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations." How are we doing?
Agreements, treaties, covenants, contracts...there are many ways to make promises to one another. And when those promises are broken...
We celebrate the promise embodied in our children and in our own ability to make promises in the present that may help shape the future. Choir will be performing The Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre
"We are opening our eyes to white supremacy as it exists in the very fabric of our story as a society and a nation...In this time, our commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of all people and our collective interdependence call for us to live, invest in, and understand our faith in new ways." - Susan Frederick Gray, President of the UUA.
Michael Eselun will explore the experience of insiders and outsiders — our yearning to belong and the comfort we take in belonging versus our inner experience of being on the outside, often at the same time.
October 11 is National Coming Out Day, celebrating the 29th anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and supporting the rights of LGBTQ people to freely and publicly claim their full selves in the public square.
Looking at the most distressing pieces of our history—as individuals; as Americans; as Unitarian Universalists—it is tempting to treat them as tragic aberrations. Yes, that happened, I say. But…that’s not me!
As our year turns from summer to fall, let us take time to notice how our lives too are marked by seasons of change. Join Lora Barnett as she reflects on how nature is often our best teacher in learning to embrace the many seasons of our lives.
Reflections on the Seventh Principle. No, it’s not just a justification of environmental action. Well, it is that, but it is far more than that. It’s really about the sacredness of the ordinary, about the reality of the divine within us all, even about mysticism. So let’s think a little more deeply about this thing.
What would happen if instead of seeing ourselves as broken, in progress, imperfect or otherwise less than, we instead insisted that we are already and always whole? What if, we are already creative, resourceful and wholly capable of solving the complex challenges that confront us in our daily lives? What might happen if we just acted as if?
As UU's our principles and values call us to respond to injustice but doing so has too often been a matter of political and social conscience rather than prophetic or theological conscience. What might be gained if we dared to boldly claim our theological territory in search for whole justice in the public square? (ed - technical glitch, sorry - the first few minutes are missing)