Previous Services
Days of Awe
09/05/2021
"How To Do Nothing"
06/06/2021
"Remembering Our Fallen Heroes"
05/30/2021
"Pompous Vs. Pompous"
05/16/2021
"Mother's Day"
05/09/2021
"Volunteering for the Red Cross" - Mark Stapf"
05/02/2021
If you've ever given blood to the Red Cross, you know they are experiencing a critical need for blood donations at this time. We are proud to host regular blood drives in our building - even during Covid. Guest speaker Mark Stapf will share his experience of volunteering on the Red Cross as Board President of his local chapter for inspiration. Mark is Health Advocate Program Instructor for the California Institute of Technology.
"Music Service"
04/25/2021
Don't miss this annual treat of a worship service entirely dedicated to music, produced and performed by our very own choir members and Music Coordinator Anthony Concepcion.
"Radical Compassion"
04/11/2021
"Easter Sunday"
04/04/2021
Join us for Pandemic Easter Sunday 2.0! Let us rejoice in rebirth and renewal, despite all that has been lost. Let us be grateful for ancient traditions that are yet relevant today.
"Four Legs of the Liberation Table"
03/28/2021
After decades of inquiry of the elements of women’s liberation- - indeed any marginalized people’s freedom -- there are 4 main pillars that create freedom and interdependence. If you visualize stability as a table, the legs of the table in this metaphor are: 1) Financial, 2) Self-Expression, 3) Self-protection, and 4) History. If any of those legs are damaged or even missing, instability is almost guaranteed.
Given that March was declared Women’s History Month in 1987, and so few people even know that, the exploration of those four legs are useful as a lens to view women’s lives historically. I emphasize the sweet spot between dependence and independence -- namely interdependence -- that is a hallmark of partnership, not domination/dominated.
"Spring Equinox: Goddesses in Every Woman, Gods in Every Man"
03/21/2021
The Pagan tradition of honoring the transition of seasons helps us honor transitions in our own lives. We will look at how we can identify archetypes within ourselves that empower and strengthen us, using the seminal work of Jean Shinoda Bolen.
"Daring Greatly"
03/14/2021
After one year of pandemic, vulnerability is a state we're all familiar with. Using the work of Brene Brown, we'll explore how the harsh lessons of the pandemic can make us stronger, more grateful, and more open to new experiences.
"Generation to Generation"
03/07/2021
This is the title of the seminal work by Rabbi Edwin Freidman about family process in congregations. One of my semi-specialties is knowledge of Family Systems Theory, founded by psychiatrist Murray Bowen in the early 1950s. I will be offering a four-week class about it and this service serves to whet the appetite about this fascinating school of thought.
"Abraham Lincoln: Leadership in Turbulent Times"
02/21/2021
This Sunday we engage the second installment in a three part series on the traits of a real leader - qualities that inspire us as UUs to be the best leaders we can be in our own lives. It's interesting that February was chosen for Black History Month, the same month that is home to Presidents' Day, honoring Washington and Lincoln. Lincoln is deeply intertwined in American Black History, and the example of his leadership lifts up themes for present-time Reconstruction, as we seek to correct course and heal from the turbulent events of January 6.
"Valentine's Day: A Celebration of Friendship"
02/14/2021
For many, Valentine's Day is no fun - more and more people are single these days. But, if we consider all the different types of love, friendship is prominent among them. We love our friends, and can have the same highs and lows in these relationships as we do in our romantic ones. This Sunday we will reflect on this, and celebrate our friends new and old, silver and gold.
"History in Black and White"
02/07/2021
A few weeks ago we looked at the topic of the 8th Principle, which seeks to dismantle white supremacy within our congregations. If you haven't seen it, you can check out the guest minister's sermon from that day, by Rev. Leonisa Ardizzone, on YouTube. Simply search "8th Principle." This short sermon did a good job of explaining the brief history of this worthy endeavor. This Sunday, we will continue to whet your appetite with all our great 8th Principle activities coming up, and since it's Black History month, review some of the entrenched historical landmarks of white supremacy, further reminding us why this work is so important.
"The Traits of a Real Leader"
01/24/2021
Goodness willing (or God, if you will), we will have observed the peaceful transfer of power to President-Elect Joe Biden four days earlier. I have been studying the traits of Winston Churchill during the blitz in the book, "The Splendid and the Vile" by Erik Larson. While historians say he was best as a war-time leader, many also compare the pandemic to being in a war. What traits do we want to see in Biden and all our leaders at the height of this war on illness?
"The Call of Service, The Clarion Call of Democracy"
01/10/2021
What a wild week in the history of American democracy. It's this time of year we do a big volunteer appreciation and recruitment Sunday. As we observe the rocky (the say the least) changing of the guard in our national government, we'll compare the call of public service to the call to volunteer in our church. Several seats are available, and it's an honorable way to use your free-time, as we continue to be stuck in the comfort of our own homes.
"The World Needs Us at Our Best"
01/03/2021
Happy New Year! Or is it? We are all tired of the pandemic and being stuck at home. Depression and things like overeating or over-drinking are common. Malaise is hard to snap out of. Our houses are a mess. Couples are at each other's throats. Children are already bored with their new Christmas toys. I could go on . . . but what is the antidote for all of this? I will explore this tomorrow, in a sermon about self-care. Join us!
