A Blessing of the Backpacks and Masks, Water Communion, and Homecoming Special Serviceby AJ Fox, Director of Religious Education Our August 23, 2020 message begins with a Sufi Parable read by Babs Garcia. LEARNING TO LOVE THIS WORLDBy Molly Housh Gordon We gather together this morningtenderly—like drops of dew on a leaf of grasshopefully—like gathered … Continue reading Blessings

by Rev Michelle Scott-Huffman The Poet Derek Walcott wrote in “Love After Love” The time will comewhen, with elationyou will greet yourself arrivingat your own door, in your own mirrorand each will smile at the other’s welcome How might we cultivate a practice of smiling at ourselves and offering compassion instead of always being our … Continue reading Turning Inward: Cultivating Self-Compassion

by Stella Harrison Content note: Descriptions of emotional, financial, and physical domestic abuse. Descriptions of child abuse. Prelude No. 2 from Six Little Preludes, by J.S. BachPublic Domain WorkPerformed by Eva Riebold Sometimes, as I work with the Sunday Services team, Michelle, Eva, and all our other dedicated musicians to prepare for upcoming services, we … Continue reading Why Doesn’t She Just Leave? A Look at Power and Control

8/2/2020 Give Us Justice, Give Us Peace Dona Nobis Pacem Round, Public Domain Worktext from BLMnew music by Emily McKinneyperformed by the Virtual First UU Choir “I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, … Continue reading Compassion

July 26, Virtual Service We want to thank guest musician and speaker Adhamh Roland for providing much of the music as well as insight and context during this service. Adhamh is a seminary student at a UU affiliated institution as he pursues hospice chaplaincy. As we consider what it is to be a welcoming community, … Continue reading Across the Threshold: The Experience of Welcome

Threshold moments tend to bring great tension, conflict, and both inner and outer wrestling. Overwhelmed by the tension, we often find ourselves stuck in the doorway, peering ahead into an unknown future and holding on to the assurance of past experience. This message will explore the idea of tension as a creative force and strategies for stepping boldly into an unknown future while choosing carefully what elements of the past should be carried across the threshold.

Come, Come, Whoever You AreWords: Adapted from RumiMusic: Lynn Adair UngarPerformed by the First UU Virtual Choir Staying apart and not singing together is an act of love these days, and still, we invite you to come, whoever you are, and join us this Sunday as we reflect on General Assembly and what it means … Continue reading Special Music – 7/12/20

I am Colleen Appel. My pronouns are she and her. I accepted the position of Board President because I had time to give the job my full attention, and, when it comes to preparing for a meeting, I am very organized. However, I brought a grievous assumption with me – I believed it was my … Continue reading Rooted, Inspired, and Ready – GA Reflections

Confidencefrom Songs Without Words, Op. 19 No. 4by Felix Mendelssohnperformed by Eva Riebold Eva suggested this as our prelude this week and I agree that it’s both lovely and supports the theme of Possibility. This is from collected works of Mendelssohn, published across different periods of his life, under the title Songs Without Words. You … Continue reading June 28, 2020 – Special Music