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.