If you were arrested for being a religious liberal, would there be enough evidence to convict you? This Sunday, we’ll consider the examples set by abolitionist Unitarian minister Theodore Parker, and by fugitive slaves William and Ellen Craft, who became parishioners in his congregation after their escape in 1848. Considering their choices in our 21st Century context, how shall we then live? Service led by Dr. Mary Shelden.  All Ages Service (sanctuary).

 Let’s Be a Church on Purpose

Why do we exist?  What is it that we are called to do?  While the answers are often simple, their realizations are often complex and confusing.  It begins with being a church a church on purpose.  We’ll explore what this means and why it should matter to those both inside and outside our beloved community.  Service led by Rev. Gregory Stewart.

What Is the Spirit of this Church?

We say it every Sunday: “Love is the spirit of this church . . .” That’s a tall order, even on a good day.  How does what we say square with what we do?  Are we truly loving to each other and to those in the wider world?  This sermon responds to tough questions like these.  The responses may surprise you.  All Ages Opening Worship (sanctuary). Service led by Rev. Gregory Stewart

Love and Death

“The one thing that can’t be taken from us, even by death, is the love we give away before we go.”  So says the late Rev. Forrest Church, senior minister of the Church of All Souls (Unitarian Universalist) for 28 years.  Based on Church’s work by the same name, this sermon considers death as a beginning and love as a way of life.  All ages opening worship (sermon topic not good for kids). Rev. Gregory Stewart leads the service.

Making Loss Matter

Life presents no certainties. Loss looms unexpectedly. How do we begin again when trouble strikes? We’ll hear from some unlikely voices: Gabriel Faure, Gary Larson, Alexander Dumas, and the Kotzker Rebbe, to name a few. Even loss can matter and we’ll explore ways to find meaning in the midst of pain and suffering. Rev. Gregory Stewart leads the service.

As we begin the opening of the church year on Homecoming Sunday, we’ll consider what it means to live a meaningful life and why it matters.  As the great poet Mary Oliver once asked, “Are you living just a little, and calling it a life?”  I’ll offer concrete ways to break though the barriers than can hold us back. All Ages Sunday (sanctuary).  Service lead by Rev. Gregory Stewart.

Are we all immigrants? How shall we define our relationship with immigrants today who need our support? How has our nation’s view of immigration changed through the decades? Today’s service will dip into these questions and provide insights into their world and how we might connect. Rev. Eileen leads the service, assisted by the UCE Immigrant Solidarity Team.

We are all unfolding, transforming, and becoming. Sometimes our evolution leads us to a new sense of gender identity and a new name. In this service we will lovingly support and affirm the names of those who are authentically living their gender journey. Rev. Eileen leads the service.

Blessings of the Animals

As Unitarian Universalists, we celebrate the interdependent web of all existence, which binds us to each living thing and the wider universe. We will bless our animal friends on this day so bring your friendly, and well-behaved pets to the service. Be sure to have them on a leash or in a cage or container to honor our interspecies covenant. You may also bring a photo of pets you have lost and want to remember.

Rev. Eileen and Rev. Greg will lead the service and bless your pets.