New Year, New UU: Telling our Story of Shared Values

January 5th, 10:30am. Topic: “New Year, New UU: Telling our Story of Shared Values.” Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

Worship Leader: Reverend Stacy Craig (Zoom)

Worship Associate: Susan Bachlor and David Strohmeyer

Music: Megan Johnson and Chris Perske

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis and Dave Keller

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

The Poetry of Spirituality

January 12th, 10:30am. Topic: “Story and Spirituality.” Service led by Rev. Asya Lesly.

Do the words that we use to express our spirituality matter? Does it make a difference if we use the word God, Goddess, Spirit of Life, The Universe, Love, or Great Mystery make a difference? Unitarian Universalists often spend a great deal of energy deciding which words to use. But does it really matter? Or are we just uptight?

Worship Leader: Reverend Asya Lesly

Worship Associate: Angela Risdon

Tech Support: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

What’s in a Name?

January 19th, 10:30am. Topic: “What’s in a Name?” Service led by Rev. Alex da Silva Souto

An origin story and reflection on the power of naming and being named.

Worship Leader: Reverend Alex da Silva Souto (Zoom)

Worship Associate: Megan Johnson

Music: Dave Keller and Chris Perske

Tech Support: Malachi Smith-Lewis and Dave Keller

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Telling Stories: How we Thrive and Survive

January 26th, 10:30am. Topic: “Storytelling.” Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

It’s said humans can survive three weeks without food, three days without water, and three hours without shelter. How long would we survive without storytelling? At this service, we’ll explore the role of storytelling not only in surviving but thriving.

Worship Leader: Reverend Stacy Craig

Worship Associate: Merrily Stover

Music: Choir and Pam Sachs

Tech Support: Jeff Sachs

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Dare I Say it? There I Said it!

February 2nd, 10:30am. Topic: “Dare I say it? There I said it!” Service led by Rev. Alex da Silva Souto.

Let us examine our inclusionary and exclusionary practices. Let us find ways to “Draw the Circle Wide” in lovingkindness, but not at the cost of the most vulnerable.

Worship Leader: Reverend Alex da Silva Souto (Zoom)

Worship Associate: Meagan Fischer

Music: Chris Perske

Tech Support: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Doctrine of Discovery

February 9th, 10:30am. Topic: “Doctrine of Discovery.” Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

In 1452, a Papal decree was issued that theologically justified the right of Christian nations to conquer and confiscate Indigenous lands on behalf of Christendom. This practice eventually became international law known as the Doctrine of Discovery. The U.S. Supreme Court adopted this as the law of these land, and cases continue to be decided based on this legal precedent. For over 45 years, UU fellowships have worked to refute this doctrine’s impact on current day policies and beliefs. Several other religions have taken this up in recent years. At this service, we’ll explore some of the confluences of religious history, justice, and equity and lift up examples that are working towards reparations and the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Worship Leader: Reverend Stacy Craig (Zoom)

Worship Associate: Angela Risdon

Music: Chris Perske

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Birds Do It, Bees Do It, Sometimes We Do It: Let’s Talk About Sex

February 16th, 10:30am. Topic: “Birds Do It, Bees Do It, Sometimes We Do It: Let’s Talk About Sex.” Service led by Rev. Asya Lesly.

Worship Leader: Reverend Asya Lesly

Worship Associate: Susan Bachlor

Music: Chris Perske

Tech Support: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Revelations of Divine Love

February 23rd, 10:30am. Topic: “Revelations of Divine Love.” Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

The first book in the English language written by a woman is Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich. Julian was a mystic and lived as a monastic recluse during the 1300’s: times filled with anxiety and suffering. When she took ill with fever, last rights were called for, but she survived and received a message: “all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” At this service, we’ll walk with Julian through her mystical vision, wonder around mystery, and uncover her messages about divine love.

Worship Leader: Reverend Stacy Craig

Worship Associate: Megan Johnson

Music: Pam Sachs and Choir

Tech: Jeff Sachs

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Giving Yourself Grace: The Power of Self-Compassion

March 2nd, 10:30am. Topic: “Giving Yourself Grace: The Power of Self-Compassion.” Service led by Bev McMillan.

In Buddhist psychology, self-compassion is not a way of thinking about yourself, it is a way of caring for yourself.  According to Dr. Kristin Neff, a psychology professor at the University of Texas and pioneer of studies of the effects of mindful self-compassion, self-compassion involves accepting that you are human and, as all of us do, you make mistakes. It also means that you don’t dwell on those mistakes or beat yourself up for being less than perfect. At this service, we’ll look at the main elements of self-compassion and skills we all can learn to practice it effectively, including being kind to yourself, being mindful of who you really are, flaws and all, and allowing yourself the freedom to be imperfect.

Worship Leader: Bev McMillan

Worship Associate: Susan Bachlor

Reflection: Joan Shephard

Music: Chris Perske and Pam Sachs

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Peeling Back the Layers: Finding A Spiritual Sense of Place

March 9th, 10:30am. Topic: “Peeling Back the Layers: Finding A Spiritual Sense of Place.” Service led by Reverend Stacy Craig.

In 2008 and 2009, Alan and Stacy Craig moved and renovated a turn of the century Finnish settler’s cabin. This is the story of the power of a dream, but even more so, as they peeled back the layers of particle board, wallpaper, and siding, it is the story of discovering the layers of relationship with the land and the meaning of ‘sense of place’. No matter where one lives, sense of place and the spiritual practice of simple living can provide grounding and deeper connection to the interdependent web of life.

Worship Leader: Reverend Stacy Craig (Zoom)

Worship Associate: Merrily Stover

Music: Chris Perske and Megan Johnson

Tech: Dave Keller

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Breath In. Breath Out.

March 16th, 10:30am. Topic: “Breath In. Breath Out.” Service led by Rev. Asya Lesly.

Join us as we listen to Reverend Asya as she shares how she has been influenced and inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh’s life and teachings. Then, she will explore how his teachings may help us find our way in a broken world.

Worship Leader: Reverend Asya Lesly

Worship Associate: Megan Johnson

Music: Chris Perske and Pam Sachs

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Celebrating the Spring Equinox!

March 23rd, 10:30am. Topic: “Celebrating the Spring Equinox!” 

Join us as we celebrate the Spring Equinox with members of the Druid community. This service will be held outside under our cherry tree with Worship Associate Meagan Fisher and music supported by Pam Sachs

For those of you participating through Zoom, we would like to invite you to join our friends at the Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains – Grass Valley for their Spring Equinox service. Their service starts at 10:30, and their zoom link is open at 10:10, with music and announcements playing until the service starts.

Worship Leader: Don Taylor

Worship Associate: Meagan Fischer

Music: Pam Sachs

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Across the Great Divides: Building Trust and New Member Ceremony

March 30th, 10:30am. Topic: “Across the Great Divides: Building Trust and New Member Ceremony.” Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

There are three Great Divides in the landscape of this country: the Lake Superior watershed, the Rocky Mountains, and talking with Republicans and Democrats. How did the U.S. become so polarized that many have estranged family members and neighbors that glare instead of wave? Using lessons from serving two very different geographic areas, Rev. Stacy will offer reflections on the practice of trust and how it can be a roadmap to hope and reparations. This service will also include a celebration of new members into the fellowship.

Worship Leader: Reverend Stacy Craig

Worship Associate: Angela Risdon

Reflections on the Little Mermaid: Finding our Voices

April 6th, 10:30am. Topic: “Reflections on the Little Mermaid: Finding our Voices.” Service led by Reverend Asya Lesly.

The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson is a tale about a young mermaid who gives up her “voice” to pursue her love of a man. How important is our voice and the way in which we use it?

Worship Leader: Reverend Asya Lesly

Worship Associate: Susan Bachlor

Music: Chris Perske and Pam Sachs

The Four Elements

April 13th, 10:30am. Topic: “The Four Elements.” Service led by Reverend Stacy Craig.

The four elements: earth, wind, fire, and water are in religious rituals, prayers, and practices. They are the components of nature needed for life, but relationships with the elements are changing with climate catastophies. How do we reclaim our relationship with the elements that bring life and destruction? Perhaps it has to do with the fifth element, the human element.

Worship Leader: Reverend Stacy Craig (Zoom)

Worship Associate: Megan Johnson

Music: Chris Perske

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Rebirth of the Environment: Thirsting for Water Justice

April 20th, 10:30am. Topic: “Rebirth of the Environment: Thirsting for Water Justice.” Service led by members of the UU Social Justice Committee.

This week, join the Social Justice Committee as we consider our vulnerable and precious resource: water. We’ll look at threats to our waterways and public lands. We’ll also celebrate the recent revival of rivers and their fish populations. What’s our relationship with Earth and this priceless gift? And how can we work for water justice? Come generate possibilities with us this Sunday.  

Worship Leader: Social Justice Committee

Worship Associate: Social Justice Committee

Music: Pam Sachs, Kerry Curtis, and Choir

Tech: Jeff Sachs

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Practice of Joy

April 27th, 10:30am. Topic: “Practice of Joy.” Service led by Reverend Stacy Craig.

Being worry free is not a prerequisite to practicing joy. Philosophers and religious thinkers have been engaging this topic from ancient times to current times. If we can choose joy, can we choose non-joy? If joy is an art, can we create it? Come and find out!

Worship Leader: Reverend Stacy Craig

Worship Associate: Meagan Fischer

Music: Chris Perske

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis