As part of our worship on Sunday, we will offer our traditional flower communion. Please bring a flower to give away. In her poem “In the Midst of a World,” Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker writes of the need for those who bear witness, who speak honestly and see what must be seen, who grieve and … Continue reading In the Midst of a World
The field of neurotheology seeks to understand the relationship between the brain and religion. We will look at the science and the implications we might draw, knowing our brains are hardwired for myth-making and ritual. Worship Leader – Rev. Bryan Plude, Worship Associate – Merrily Stover, Music – Chris Perske, Technical support – courtney singer. … Continue reading Neurotheology
Reconciling the racial divides in our country will require acknowledgement, repentance, and reparations. Systemic racism is something that is difficult for most of us to recognize, socially liberal UU’s included. How do we begin? Worship Leader – Rev. Bryan Plude, Music – Pam Sachs, Megan Johnson, courtney singer & Margaret Aumann, Technical Support – Jeff … Continue reading Reconciliation and Reparations
In our personal lives and in the larger world there are often reasons to grieve. In our fellowship, I will soon no longer be your minister, a source of grief for myself and perhaps for you. Acknowledging and experiencing our grief can help us to move toward gratitude for what we have shared, and hope … Continue reading Grief to Gratitude
For the last 1000 years, Christians have believed Jesus died so we could be saved from sin. Early Christians focused, rather, on the life-giving message of Jesus; that Paradise was to be found by striving to live ethically in beauty and love. Worship Leader –Megan Johnson, Music – Pam Sachs & Margaret Aumann, Technical Support … Continue reading Why did Jesus Die?
The concept of sin is not highly regarded among many UU’s, nor among the population at large in our increasingly secular society. Unitarians rejected original sin, after all, in our split with the Calvinists. In traditional Christian preparation for Easter, one reflects on and repents for sins committed. How are we to reflect on the … Continue reading Capitalism, Idolatry, and the Golden Calf
Daylight Savings Time – so “Spring” those clocks ahead!! Our affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of every person calls us to be trustworthy neighbors. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, (Luke 10:25-37), only the loathed Samaritan saw the dignity of the grievously beaten man, a Jew, and stopped to help. A Levite … Continue reading Inherent Worth, Trust, and the Good Samaritan
“We are born to trust,” says Rev. Kirk Loadman-Copeland, editor of the Touchstones Project. Trust is our theme for March. Yet we live in a time of extreme distrust. How do we navigate these tumultuous times? What can we do to restore trust? Worship Leader – Rev. Bryan Plude, Worship Associates – Angela Risdon & … Continue reading How Do We Trust?
In 1995, the Rev. Dan O’Neal was in his 9th year of ministry with the UU Congregation, Santa Rosa. The congregation was growing exponentially. As we engage in discussions about the future of this Fellowship, we revisit Dan’s thoughts. What exactly do ministers do? This is a mystery to most people. Worship Leader – Rev. … Continue reading Will Preach for Money: An Insider’s Thoughts on the Ministry
Our theme for January is wintering. For most of human existence, no matter where humans lived, there has been a season of hardship, a season to be survived. For Northern Europeans and their transplants in North America, this has been winter. The advent of modernity has allayed this hardship—for many, but not all. Yet winter … Continue reading Wintering in Northern California
