Archives: Services

Lifting the Blinds on Our Implicit Bias Windows

Rev. Ben Meyers (he/him)Implicit biases are the unconscious attitudes, prejudices and judgements ‘hard-wired’ in every person through our individual experiences, upbringings and backgrounds. They affect what we think, do and say at an unconscious level. The antidotes are awareness, curiosity and hard consistent practice. This spiritual work is imperative and the core of transforming ourselves … Continue reading Lifting the Blinds on Our Implicit Bias Windows

Reviving Eden

There is no denying that our Earth is dying. The story of Easter can be one of resurrecting our spirits, our lives, and our garden/planet. By reclaiming our true role as partners in creation, we CAN restore Paradise before it is forever lost. The service will also observe the International Transgender Day of Visibility and … Continue reading Reviving Eden

Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves: the Message of Palm Sunday and Holy Week

Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles reviews the story of Jesus and its meaning for our time. 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 at BFUU and preaching at Bay Area … Continue reading Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves: the Message of Palm Sunday and Holy Week

Collective Action Towards Social Change

Octavia E. Butler’s book, “Parable of the Sower,” posits that God is Change and believers can “shape God” by intentionally working together to leverage the change around them. Amanda Gorman’s spoken word poem, “The Hill We Climb,” calls for collaboration, togetherness, and unity among this nation’s populace. It envisions possibilities for the future. Collective action … Continue reading Collective Action Towards Social Change

Invisible No More – Celebrate the Women of the Black Panther Party

Many people put up images of people they admire in their homes. But for Jilchristina Vest, the ideal place to depict the people she most admires—the women of the Black Panther Party– was on the outside of her west Oakland home. Listen to her stories about local she-roes as you commemorate Women’s History Month. Jilchristina … Continue reading Invisible No More – Celebrate the Women of the Black Panther Party

Diyos sa Gugma (God of Love): Building Bridges with the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines (UUCP)

There are over 2,500 Unitarian Universalists in the Philippines in 25 congregations and 10 newly forming fellowships. Most of the churches are located in remote rural farming and fishing villages. What can UUs from the Philippines teach us about their unique expression of our shared global liberal religious faith? How can building bridges of mutuality … Continue reading Diyos sa Gugma (God of Love): Building Bridges with the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines (UUCP)

Faith/Spirituality and Health

What is the relationship between faith and health? How can this relationship benefit us? Affirming the connection between faith/spirituality and health is central to our well-being as humans who are also spiritual beings. Let us share one another’s practices and/or stories on how we leverage our health (physical, mental, emotional) to strengthen our faith/spirituality. Reverend … Continue reading Faith/Spirituality and Health

Reparations in the Beloved Community

Rev. Ben Meyers (he/him) Reparations is not simply material payback in the form of restitution for harm done. It actually points to a deeper, spiritual imperative. Join me in exploring this deeper imperative as we commemorate Black History Month and the UUA’s ‘Siding With Love’ activities.  Rev. Ben Meyers (he/him) is a resident of Oakland, and … Continue reading Reparations in the Beloved Community