We are meaning-seeking animals. This means we can sometimes find ourselves looking for our purpose in our lives and communities. It’s simple if we’re just looking to increase what’s ours, raise our status, and beat our competitors into submission. But when we value healing — ... read more.
“Well I left my happy home
To see what I could find out
I left my folk and friends
With the aim to clear my mind out.” – Cat Stevens. On Rev. Joanna’s last service before leaving on sabbatical, she shares some thoughts about renewal, ... read more.
All faiths are welcome, small group of 4000+ members, for religious discussions and general chats.
Official Discord: https://discord.gg/theology
Partner website chat: thechat.cafe/theology/
"What's Going On?"
Sunday, March 27, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
I want to talk about what I have been seeing and hearing the last week or two -- not about timeless and eternal questions but about what is going on around and within us all these days... at least my best guess, with a little input from my friends. It will be a time to sing, too light candles, to enjoy each other in coffee hour, to be still, to breathe. Just come, however, you are able to join in.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Nancy Hardies, Annual Giving Fund Testimony; Sam King & Wonder Dave Crady, AOF Co-Chairs; Richard Davis, UU Seder 2022; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Ralph Fenn, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
"The Question of Legacy"
Sunday, March 20, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
I've been thinking a lot about legacy. Call it mid-life, call it an eternal itch we humans scratch and an eternal question with which we wrestle. It's a grounding question, a sobering one, sometimes an inspiring one, and maybe, maybe our answer changes as we go, as the path before us twists and opens. The question of legacy!
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; "Wonder Dave" Crady, Worship Associate; Lori Lai, Annual Fund Testimonial; Dan Barnard, Facilities Manager; Linda Enger; Board of Trustees; Merle Easton; Robin Larsen, UUSF Women's Group; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Ben Rudiak-Gould, Songleader
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Ralph Fenn, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Or how does a UU church deal with members who choose not to get vaccinated?
This is Ostara, the Spring Equinox, a time of planting. And we are looking ahead to a new future, hopefully a post-pandemic future. What do we want to plant?
I’m a foster parent and I’ve noticed there are very few UU foster parents compared to other local churches and their involvement in foster care. My minister explained it to me that UUs are more focused on tackling the systematic problems that cause foster care to be necessary, rather than the end result of children needing safe homes to live in.
I’m wondering if there are any UU foster parents here, or if you know of any UU Foster Care groups or ministries? It’s starting to feel pretty lonely over here.
I tried making a foster care Ministry in my own church, but there just wasn’t any interest from other congregants, and there’s been little practical support from my local congregation.
When I read about the support foster parents get in other local churches (meal trains, babysitting, baby showers, mentoring, tutoring, driving, help around the house, etc) I admit to feeling jealous or wistful. But I’m not interested in joining a Christian church, and I actively want the kids in our care to experience my congregations RE and Owl programs.
I’d really just love to talk some foster parents who are UU. I don’t know anyone else who’s a foster parent, and it would be nice to talk to other people who have similar interests, struggles, and life experiences.
"Rites of Passage Service: Big Life Questions"
Sunday, March 13, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
We are excited to welcome our 4th and 5th graders for this year's Rites of Passage Service. The service will include wonderful music, performed by our bell and church choir, we'll have special songs, and a few surprises. And of course, the Big Life Questions! Our eight young people have waited an extra year for this service so we want to make this one extra special. And wait till you hear their questions! Join us for this special celebration.
Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Marigold Birch, 4th-5th Grade Lead Teacher; Dennielle Kronenberg, Canvass Testimony; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, Music Director; Jon Silk, Drummer; Nancy Munn, Soloist; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
As you can see, I wrote about my experiences within Islam as a convert in my history. I still believe in One God. I still think Muhammad was a Prophet and that Jesus was the Messiah. I just don't think Islam itself is good for my future. Do I have a place within UU?
"The Ecology of Generosity"
Sunday, March 6, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
Our preacher this week, The Rev. Vail Weller, has served congregations as parish minister in West Virginia, Michigan, and most recently San Mateo, California, where she still resides. She is also the Congregational Giving Director at the Unitarian Universalist Association and we are so grateful to have her with us on this Sunday when we kick off our 2022-23 annual giving/pledge drive for this community. This week's sermon "The Ecology of Generosity" draws deeply on the thoughts of Robin Wall Kimmerer and her book “Braiding Sweetgrass” and explores the cycles of nature and the cycles of generosity.
Rev. Vail Weller, Guest Minister; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Sam King & “Wonder Dave” Crady, Canvass Co-Chairs; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Judy Payne, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
The world right now looks scary and its easy to imagine enemies around us. But the math says otherwise.
Are there any online UU different religions discussion groups? I'm not entirely sure if this even is a thing, but the congregation where I'm at in the world isn't very interested in the discussion of it very much and focuses way more on secular humanism (which is great for sure). I just want to talk with others more about our spiritual journeys, topics in different religions, etc. Is this something that exists?