Worship Services: 2024

Spirit of Generosity

December 29th, 10:30am. Topic: “Spirit of Generosity.” Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

Did you know that charitable giving increases by four times during the months of November and December? The spirit of generosity is a way of being that is kind and giving to others without expecting anything in return. At this service, we’ll explore where generosity comes from and how it is generative.

Worship Leader: Reverend Stacy Craig.

Worship Associate: Asya Lesly

Music: Chris Perske and Pam Sachs

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Winter Solstice

December 22nd, 10:30am. Topic: “Making Peace with the Darkness: A Winter Solstice Service.” Service led by Rev. Asya Lesly.

This service will explore what it means to survive winter and the holidays, as well as what it means to embrace the darkness.

Worship Leader: Reverend Asya Lesly

Worship Associate: Megan Johnson

Music: Pam Sachs and Choir

Tech: Jeff Sachs

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

The Gift of Presence

December 15th, 10:30am. Topic: “The Gift of Presence.” Service led by Reverend Emeritus Bryan Plude.

We are amid the holidays, a time of great expectation and excitement for many. And we are also approaching the shortest day of the year. For some of us, the holidays are difficult as we experience grief over past or present losses. Some of us experience seasonal affective disorder, known as SAD, in response to the decreased light. Yet, in our culture, we are expected to maintain an attitude of good cheer. Nonjudgemental presence with those experiencing difficulty can be a tremendous gift to them, and to yourself. We will explore the practice of listening presence this Sunday.

Worship Leader: Reverend Emeritus Bryan Plude

Worship Associate: Merrily Stover

Music: Margaret Aumann and Pam Sachs

Tech: Jeff Sachs

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

The Practice of Presence

December 8th, 10:30am. Topic: “The Practice of Presence.” Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

The Book of Job is a stunning piece of Hebrew poetry known as wisdom literature in the Old Testament. It tells the story of Job, who was righteous and hardworking but experienced catastrophic loss. His friends come and try to console him with quick fixes and explanations, but this only makes it worse. Sometimes, the best thing we can offer is the gift of our presence. As the days grow shorter and holiday gatherings commence, this can be a tender time for many. Let’s explore the practice of presence: don’t just do something, stand there.

Worship Leader: Rev. Stacy Craig

Worship Associate: Angela Risdon

Music: Chris Perske and Megan Johnson

Gratitude Beyond Me, Myself, and I

December 1st, 10:30am. Topic: “Gratitude Beyond Me, Myself, and I.” Service led by Rev. Alex da Silva Souto.

What if my gratitude can reach beyond me, myself, and I?

What kind of spiritual practices would that inspire?

Where are the deep places of gratitude already in my life?

Worship Leader: Reverend Alex da Silva Souto (Zoom)

Worship Associate: Susan Bachlor and Meagan Fischer

Music: Chris Perske and Pam Sachs

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

The Practice of Repair

November 24th, 10:30am. Topic: The Practice of Repair. Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

Andrew Sung Park believes there is a critical step in forgiveness that is missing in our culture: the healing of han. This concept of han is from South Korea and doesn’t have an equivalent word in the English language. Anguish comes close. “A woundedness too deep for words” comes closer. The dominant cultural framework for forgiveness is the doctrine of sin, which focuses exclusively on forgiving those who have done harm, without addressing those who have been harmed. To heal han is to put the burden of right relationships on the ones who have created the harm. Can engaging the healing of han be a missing piece to the practice of repair, especially as it relates to the practice of Thanksgiving?

Worship Associate: Megan Johnson and Meagan Fischer
Music: Chris Perske, Pam Sachs, and Choir

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Reflection on Belonging

November 17th, 10:30am. Topic: Building Community. Service led by Membership Committee.

Belonging is a journey, and each journey is unique. Some have found UU for a short time, others, for a lifetime. This Sunday, we’ll explore how our personal contribution to this beloved fellowship nurtures and sustains us all. If you’ve ever wondered how we organize to uplift the congregation and create a compassionate outreach in Chico, join us. Several reflections will be shared about how membership can be an inspiring step to move over a personal and communal threshold towards connection and reciprocal relationship. Discover how important you are in our shared lives and aspirations.

Worship Associate: Angela Risdon
Music: Chris Perske

Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Lightness of Being: Listening…to Be…

November 10th, 10:30am. Service led by Rev. Alex da Silva Souto.

Worship Leader: Rev. Alex da Silva Souto
Worship Associate: Asya Lesly
Music: Pam Sachs and Chris Perske
Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Service of Remembrance

November 3rd, 10:30am. Topic: Service of Remembrance. Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

This is the time of year that is believed to be a thin time, a liminal space, when the veil between this world and the next is most transparent. Cultural celebrations such as All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos, Samhain, and others all happen at the end of October or beginning of November. The Service of Remembrance offers time when everyone is invited to co-create an ancestor altar and speak names they would like to honor.

Worship Leader: Rev. Stacy Craig
Worship Associate: Susan Bachlor
Music: Pam Sachs and Chris Perske
Tech: Jeff Sachs

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

The Practice of Deep Listening

October 27th, 10:30am. Topic: The Practice of Deep Listening. Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig.

It can be argued that all spiritual practices include listening. At this service, we’ll explore three examples and what ‘deep’ listening means. We’ll explore the ways that hearing and listening differ, and especially how this intersects with hearing loss.

Worship Leader: Rev. Stacy Craig
Worship Associate: Merrily Stover
Music: Pam Sachs and Choir
Tech: Jeff Sachs

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Means and Ends: Exploring Civil Resistance

October 13th, 10:30am. Topic: Means and Ends: Exploring Civil Resistance. Service led by Rev. Stacy Craig via Zoom.

Do nonviolent movements make change, or is violence necessary in conflict situations? Two political scientists explored this question through the first comprehensive research project on the efficacy of civil resistance. At this service, we’ll explore their findings and how to apply them to address the many social issues and political divides in our world today.

Worship Leader: Rev. Stacy Craig
Worship Associate: Susan Bachlor
Music: Chris Perske
Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service.

Bearing Witness

October 6th, 10:30am. Topic: Bearing Witness. Service led by Rev. Asya Lesly.

What does it mean to bear witness? Do we stand up or stand by? Do we speak up when we see a wrong? Rev. Asya will explore how bearing witness is an important spiritual practice that can lead to transformation.

Worship Leader: Rev. Asya Lesly
Worship Associate: Angela Risdon
Music: Pam Sachs and Chris Perske
Tech: Malachi Smith-Lewis

Click HERE to view a recording of this service. Click HERE to view the second recording of this service.

Separation of Church and State in a Time of Christian Nationalism

September 29th, 10:30am. Topic: “Separation of Church and State in a Time of Christian Nationalism.” Services led by Reverend Stacy Craig.

Come and hear Rev. Stacy speak about this week’s topic: “Separation of Church and State in a Time of Chrisitan Nationalism.” The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution includes the Establishment Clause which prohibits the government from establishing a religion or state-sponsored church. Some hear the term ‘separation of church and state’ and believe it is a wall prohibiting religion from the public square. On the contrary, the clause allows for faith to be openly organized and shared, with many great examples of organizations and individuals whose faith compels them to work for justice and equity. It prohibits anyone, especially those with political standing, to impose one’s faith as authority over another. This service will explore the First Amendment and implications of the Christian Nationalism movement to define America as a Christian nation.

Tech: Jeff Sachs
Music: Pam Sachs and Choir
Worship Associate: Asya Lesly