The Truth About Freedom

Considering positive and negative freedom, as  author Timothy Snyder explores, and what it means to be free from bodily harm vs. free to be our authentic selves. Rev. Eileen leads the service with Lynn Kendall as Worship Associate. Charles M. Anderson is our hymn leader and Gregory Shifrin is our pianist.

Today’s offering will be shared with the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), which is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism.

Upcoming Services

June 22 – General Assembly service live streamed (10-11:30 am) – MASK Required

June 29 – Exploring AI (Pt. 1) – Dr. Emma

July 6 – World Refugee Day – Rev. Eileen with Immigrant Solidarity Team

July 13 – On Humility – Rev. Eileen

Glitter, Grief, and Grace: Radical Welcome in a Time of Harm

 This vibrant, all-ages Pride service will celebrate the power of radical welcome at UCE. Through heartfelt contributions from newcomers to long-time members, we’ll explore how radical welcome creates transformative spaces of belonging, particularly in times when queer identities are under attack. We will reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity, love, and resilience. Everyone is welcome—come exactly as you are!

Dr. Emma Farrell, ministerial intern, leads this service with contributions from Nellie Eastman and Renée Gatsis. Special music provided by Chester Beck, and Jean Durkin with the rest of the Lesbian Posse. Gregory Shifrin shares his talents on piano. 

Today’s offering will be shared with the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), which is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism.

Upcoming Services

June 15 – The Truth about Freedom – Rev. Eileen

June 22 – General Assembly service live streamed (10-11:30 am) – MASK Required

June 29 – Exploring AI Part 1: Navigating Change with Courage and Compassion – Dr. Emma

Blooms from the Breakdown

We celebrate our annual flower communion ceremony, created by Unitarian Minister Norbert Čapek in Prague in 1923. We carry on this sacred tradition to remember the beauty and strength of our pluralism and interdependence. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Worship Associate Janelle Brittain. We are blessed by our UCE Choir, under the direction of Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano. This is a worship service for all ages.

Today’s offering will be shared with the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), which is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism.

Upcoming Services:

June 8 – Pride Service – Rainbow Alliance and Dr. Emma

June 15 – The Truth about Freedom – Rev. Eileen

June 22 – General Assembly service live streamed (10-11:30 am) – MASK Required

June 29 – Exploring AI (Pt. 1) – Dr. Emma

Carved by Grief, Carried by Love 

 On this Memorial Day weekend, we gather not only to remember the ones we’ve lost, but to honor the grief that lives in us still. Too often, we’re asked to pretend we’re ok. Whether your heart carries sorrow from long ago or grief that is fresh and raw, this service invites you to bring it with you. Together, we’ll honor the ways grief reshapes us, and explore how it can deepen our compassion, widen our hearts, and carry us toward transformative healing.

Dr. Emma Farrell, ministerial intern, with Ann McCallister, Worship Associate, lead this service. Charles M. Anderson and Gregory Shifrin offer their musical talents.

Today’s offering will be shared with the Sunrise Movement. The Youth Group selected the Sunrise Movement as this month’s shared offering recipient because they are a group that is organized by youth and is working toward a world in which everyone has access to clear air and water, full pantries of food, affordable housing, free public transportation, good and meaningful jobs, vibrant community centers, and lives filled with joy.

June 1 – Flower Communion with Rev Eileen

June 8 – Pride Service – Rainbow Alliance and Dr. Emma

Jun 15 – The Truth About Freedom with Rev Eileen

Jun 22 – GA Worship Service **MASKED**

Dreaming Who We Want to Be

 Organizer adrienne maree brown says, “all organizing is science fiction – we are shaping the future we long for and have not yet experienced.” In our congregation, we are conspiring together to imagine and co-create the world we long to inhabit. What questions are we asking and how do we remain open to the answers in a more expansive, liberating, and life-giving way? Rev. Eileen with Worship Associate, Ellie Feddersen, lead this service. The UCE Choir and soloists, directed by Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by guest pianist, Ken Smith, offer their musical gifts. 

Today’s offering will be shared with the Sunrise Movement. The Youth Group selected the Sunrise Movement as this month’s shared offering recipient because they are a group that is organized by youth and is working toward a world in which everyone has access to clear air and water, full pantries of food, affordable housing, free public transportation, good and meaningful jobs, vibrant community centers, and lives filled with joy.

Upcoming Services

May 25 – Memorial Day weekend – Dr. Emma Farrell

June 1 – Flower Communion

June 8 – Pride Service – Rainbow Alliance and Dr. Emma

Imagining New Ways of Being

Imagination’s greatest gift is to help us move beyond what is into what could be, inspiring us to create a more just, loving, inclusive, and liberated world. This service will explore some such imaginative heroes and what they can teach us. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Barbara Mesle as Worship Associate and Ellie Fedderson as storyteller. Kera and Jon Beskin, and Gregory Shifrin offer their musical talents.

Today’s offering will be shared with the Sunrise Movement. The Youth Group selected the Sunrise Movement as this month’s shared offering recipient because they are a group that is organized by youth and is working toward a world in which everyone has access to clear air and water, full pantries of food, affordable housing, free public transportation, good and meaningful jobs, vibrant community centers, and lives filled with joy.

Upcoming Services

May 18 – Dreaming Who We Want to Be – Rev. Eileen

May 25 – Memorial Day weekend – Dr. Emma Farrell

June 1 – Flower Communion

June 8 – Pride Service – Rainbow Alliance and Dr. Emma

May Our Faith Be With You

We find ourselves facing the dark side of The Force these days, and yet as we continue to fight the injustices of the world, we have our faith and each other to create the world that we imagine it can be. We celebrate the many ways our faith formation prepares us to go out into the world. We will be welcoming new members and recognizing our 8th grade and high school seniors too.

Led by Kathy Underwood, DLFF; Rev. Susan Frances, Worship Associate

Choir; Vickie Hellyer, Music Director; Gregory Shiffrin on piano; Enzo Wallin on violin

Today’s offering will be shared with the Sunrise Movement. The Youth Group selected the Sunrise Movement as this month’s shared offering recipient because they are a group that is organized by youth and is working toward a world in which everyone has access to clear air and water, full pantries of food, affordable housing, free public transportation, good and meaningful jobs, vibrant community centers, and lives filled with joy. 

Upcoming Worship Services

May 11th – Mother’s Day – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

May 18th – Dreaming Who We Want to Be – Rev. Eileen Wiviott

May 25th – Memorial Day Weekend – Dr. Emma Farrell

Knowing Ourselves, Growing Ourselves

We will explore the joy that is cultivated when we take time and expend energy to get to know ourselves better, which often empowers us to grow our capacity for experiencing joy when living our values out in the world. 

Rev. Susan Frances, Kathy Underwood, and Jessica Tomell-Presto lead our service this Sunday, along with musicians Kiley Korey and Gregory Shifrin.

Today’s offering will be shared with Sanctuary Working Group, a solidarity organization, supports and accompanies vulnerable migrants in their journey towards sustainable independence.

Upcoming Worship Services
May 4th – Faith Formation Recognition & New Member Covenanting – Kathy Underwood & Rev. Susan Frances
May 11th – Mother’s Day – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
May 18th – Dreaming Who We Want to Be – Rev. Eileen Wiviott
May 25th – Memorial Day Weekend – Dr. Emma Farrell

Dedicating Ourselves to Joy

We celebrate the joy of dedicating our children and dedicating ourselves as a community to the care of our littlest ones. What does it mean to cultivate relationships of care and caregiving so that we can usher each other into our best selves? Rev. Eileen leads the service with Dr. Emma Farrell, our Ministerial Intern, as Worship Associate. Soloists, Kiley Korey, Kevin Barrow, Jenn Wisegarver, and Chester Beck, and the UCE Choir will be directed by Music Director Vickie Hellyer and accompanied by Gregory Shifrin on piano.

Today’s offering will be shared with Sanctuary Working Group, a solidarity organization, supports and accompanies vulnerable migrants in their journey towards sustainable independence. 

Upcoming Worship Services

April 27th – Knowing Ourselves – Rev. Susan Frances

May 4th  – Faith Formation Recognition

May 11th – Mother’s Day – Rev. Eileen

May 18th – Dreaming Who We Want To Be – Rev. Eileen

The Practice of Everyday Joys that Sustain Us

Small joys. Every day delights. Easy to miss beauty. Noticing, sharing, and growing these little things can help us soften the hard edges of our lives and fill the empty spaces with meaning. Rev. Eileen works with the UCE’s Middle School Youth and Young Adults to offer a celebration of liberating love through the practice of joy. 

Today’s offering will be shared with the Sanctuary Working Group, a solidarity organization, supports and accompanies vulnerable migrants in their journey towards sustainable independence.

Upcoming Worship Services

April 20th – Easter Sunday and Child Dedications – Rev. Eileen with Dr. Emma Farrell

April 27th – Knowing Ourselves – Rev. Susan Frances

May 4th  – Faith Formation Recognition

May 11th – Mother’s Day – Rev. Eileen