At this service, we’ll consider ways Unitarian Universalists can collectively respond to our endangered democracy and institutions and leverage our power. The message and stories will be offered by Rev. Peggy Clarke and Rev. Kristin Grassel Schmidt, leaders from the UUs for Social Justice, our national political advocacy presence. This shared UUCR/UUFE Zoom service will … Continue reading “Leveraging Our Collective Power” – Rev. Peggy Clarke and Rev. Kristin Grassel Schmidt, leaders from the UUs for Social Justice — ZOOM-ONLY Service

Søren Kierkegaard (the “father” of Existentialism) asked: “How did I get into the world? Why was I not asked about it and why was I not informed of the rules and regulations but just thrust into the ranks as if I had been bought by a peddling shanghaier of human beings? How did I get … Continue reading “Existentialism Simplified” – Rev. Greg Chute, Guest Speaker — In-Person & Zoom

All life journeys each come with twists, turns, and uncertainty. Immigrants face more than their share, often being treated as pawns in our political debates while at the same time being hired for deeply challenging work. At this service with Rev. Sue Browning, we’ll reflect on the realities of being an immigrant in 2023 and … Continue reading “Immigration Stories” – Rev. Sue Browning, Minister — In-Person & Zoom

For the sovereign indigenous nations on this continent, the elder women are the keepers of history, of community ties, of family heritage, and of tribal history. Our own Unitarian Universalist faith has ties to the harm of residential schools and colonizing behaviors. As a people of faith seeking to move toward substantive support and justice … Continue reading “The Grandmothers’ Wisdom” – Lora Powell-Haney, Guest Speaker — In-Person & Zoom

It’s been ten years since our minister, Rev. Sue Browning, was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister. Recently she shared, “The vocation of parish ministry has been pretty much what I was trained for, and of course there is always room to grow. The deeper challenge has been to live fully into the vows I … Continue reading “Promises We Make” – Rev. Sue Browning, Minister — In-Person & Zoom

As Jews around the world pause to observe Yom Kippur, might we too pause and ask, “How do atonement and forgiveness enter into our UU theologies? At the end of our days, will there be grudges, regrets, old hurts, and angers that we’ve held on to? Or can we find a way to remind ourselves to let … Continue reading “We Begin Again in Love” – Rev. John Wright, Guest Speaker — In-Person & Zoom

How might we continually welcome one another and welcome the stranger? How might a vision of radical hospitality guide our coming year together? At this service led by Rev. Sue Browning, we’ll reflect on the “gift of welcome” as a foundation in our Unitarian Universalist faith. The service will include our annual Water Communion ritual. All are welcome! (Keep an … Continue reading Water Communion — “Doors Wide Open, Hearts Wide Open” – Rev. Sue Browning, Minister — In-Person & Zoom

Science and spirituality both teach us that there is nothing unchanging in the universe. Even Unitarian Universalism has evolved and continues to do so. Are we prepared to live into the larger love our movement is embodying in this generation? What is the tension between the greater possibilities at hand and the resistance, even hostility, … Continue reading UUCR Homecoming — “The Courage to Evolve” – Rev. Paul Boothby, Guest Speaker — In-Person & Zoom

This discussion will focus on the meaning of the term “freedom.” Think of the differing meanings of these phrases: being free from; being free to; being free for; being free at. Think, too, of the possibilities of one person or group seeking to be free in ways that might dynamically interfere with the freedom of others.

What book intrigued, fascinated, enlightened, and/or entertained you in the last year?  Come prepared to share a three-to-four minute “pitch” for this book during our annual summer reading book discussion. Bring the title and author’s name to record so that we can share the list in subsequent issues of Reflections.