Archives: Services

Belonging: Why Cultivating Community is Essential

“I am because we are.” This is the English approximation of the Bantu word ubuntu, which has no comparable word in our individualistic American culture. Experiencing interconnectedness requires a practice of empathy and consideration, which can feel like swimming upstream against the society we live in. And yet, the practice of belonging and inclusion is … Continue reading Belonging: Why Cultivating Community is Essential

In Darkness Comes Light

The deepest truth about the darkness of winter is that the brightest hope is born, again and again, during periods of greatest darkness. We will celebrate the light that darkness allows from many traditions, stories and songs! The Rev. Ben Meyers (he/him) loves living near Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA. His ministry spans 28 years: … Continue reading In Darkness Comes Light

The Demons in our Days

“You are worthless.” This is my demon’s opening line when she wakes me up at three in the morning. Perhaps you’ve heard a similar voice reminding you of all the ways you come up short as a human being. Who are these demons and how can we shut them up? Can our faith help us … Continue reading The Demons in our Days

Phantom Waiting Rooms

We all spend time waiting….Waiting for doctors, for dentists, for our tires to be rotated. I realize I’ve also spent a lot of time in ‘phantom waiting rooms’, waiting for something that will NEVER happen…waiting for something I want, but will never get if I keep waiting where I am. Q: What are you waiting … Continue reading Phantom Waiting Rooms

Decolonized Reparation and Liberation Psychology

What are your thoughts about reparation? How would you like it to be decolonized? What does liberation psychology suggests to facilitate the decolonization of reparation? The writings of Psychiatrist and Philosopher Frantz Fanon and Liberation Psychologist Martin Baro would provide the tools for the full and total liberation of the marginalized victims and survivors of … Continue reading Decolonized Reparation and Liberation Psychology

A Path of Nonviolence in a Time of Genocide

Join Rabbi Lynn for reflections on the shape of nonviolent practice as an activist’s spiritual disciple in a time of genocide. Soul tending, Culture Tending, Wisdom Tending, Tending Transformational Solidarity. Rabbi Lynn will bring her newest book, Shomeret Shalom: Replanting Seeds of Jewish Revolutionary Nonviolence. Cost is $28 via check, PayPal or cash. Lynn Gottlieb … Continue reading A Path of Nonviolence in a Time of Genocide

The Mystery of Our Universe –The Unknown 96%

Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles explores the current quest to perceive and understand the dark energy and dark matter that lies around us. Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles describes herself as a recovering psychologist and recovering attorney, who graduated from Starr King in 2011 and was ordained to UU ministry in 2013. Along with providing pastoral care … Continue reading The Mystery of Our Universe –The Unknown 96%

How the Light Gets In

Healing is ‘usually’ presented to us as something binary: something is either broken, or it has been healed from that brokenness. But that’s not how healing happens. Leonard Cohen wrote; “There is a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in.” The sermon aspires to ‘shed some light’ on ways of thinking about repairing ourselves … Continue reading How the Light Gets In

The New Science of Plant Intelligence

Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles reports on how the unseen world of plant intelligence offers a new understanding of life on earth. Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles (she/her) describes herself as a recovering psychologist and recovering attorney, who graduated from Starr King in 2011 and was ordained to UU ministry in 2013. Along with providing pastoral care … Continue reading The New Science of Plant Intelligence