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"Revisiting Stories: The Prodigal Son and Belonging"
Sunday, September 14, 2025
We talk about the importance of sacred stories. They come in many forms. The gentle ones whose wisdom goes down sweet and easy and the ones that require a lot more work. In my experience the Prodigal Son, a story told in the Gospel of Luke, is one that a lot of people want to toss aside. It pricks our notions of fairness, our own sibling rivalries. On Sunday we will roll up our sleeves and lean into it and see what wisdom it has to offer. It is a story particularly relevant to the question of belonging. This Sunday we will also ritual confer on the Rev. Alyson Jack the title of Minister Emerita with a reception to follow!
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister, preaching; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita; Rev. Alyson Jacks, Minister Emerita; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Mark Caswell, Ministerial Intern; Linda Enger, Vice Moderator, Board of Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist
Shulee Ong; Camera Operator; Desired Effect, Sound; Jonathan Silk, Order of Service; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
Our democracy is fragile, and recent headlines remind us just how dangerous political violence has become in our public life. Safety cannot come at the expense of others and attempts to silence or harm political opponents threaten the very fabric of democracy itself.
As people of faith, we know that democracy is not about domination, it’s about covenant: how we live together, honor each other’s dignity, and shape a shared future. We also know that true safety comes not from fear and weapons, but from building communities of belonging and accountability. That’s why we must continue to press for common-sense gun reform and resist a culture that normalizes violence.
At Side With Love, we organize not out of nostalgia for a broken past, but out of hope for a liberatory future. A multiracial democracy where everyone’s voice matters is only possible when we reject violence and instead practice love in action.
In this month’s email, you’ll find resources, trainings, and upcoming events to help you put that love into practice: registering voters, protecting elections, and strengthening the collective power we need to build a democracy where all can thrive.
In solidarity,
Side With Love
The Department of Education has proposed an amendment to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program that would “exclude employers that engage in activities that have a ‘substantial illegal purpose.’ The vague descriptions of what are considered “illegal activities” are little more than a smokescreen to punish nonprofits and employees who may support immigrant justice, bodily autonomy, and more.
Image description: On a blue background is a black and white stylized photograph of two hands holding up a sign that reads "No Kings" with a drawing of a crown crossed out. Above it, in white text against a red background, reads: "Join us to Make it Clear" then "America Has No Kings. Power Belongs to the People." There's a red line, and then white text reads: "Saturday, October 18".
The Unitarian Universalist Association has signed on as an official partner of the No Kings National Day of Mobilization on Saturday, October 18. Building on the momentum from the first No Kings protests in June, we are mobilizing for another mass day of resistance, resilience, and action. Our commitment to building a multiracial democracy shows up in how we resist the abduction and deportation of our immigrant community members; how we resist voter suppression in the legislature and at the ballot box; how we celebrate our LGBTQ+ kin and communities - and on October 18, shows up in how we collectively cry out No Kings! (Interested in hosting a local #NoKings event with your UU congregation? Register your event here to receive training and resources.
Find an action near you Host/Organize a #NoKings EventJoin the UUA on Oct 18 for No Kings National Day of Mobilization: September Update from UU the Vote
Hello friends. I recently moved, and I'd like to use this as an opportunity to support UU artists. If you, or know, is a UU artist, please link their website. It's fine if it's a print or original. All art styles are welcome, and UU/religious art is preferred. Peace & love.
Ethan Loewi
:The honorary fellowship, presented in July, is from a college deeply rooted in religious dissent and nonconformity.
Central East Region of the UUA
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WWUUD stream