Archives: Services

Surviving to Thriving – Honoring the Nurturing Spirit on Mothers Day

Rev. Gayle Asali Dickson (she/her)Mothers and Others: The Nurturing Spirit shows up in many forms in families and communities–Grannies, Stepmoms, Boppas and Fur Baby Moms. How can we honor and support them all? Rev. Gayle “Asali” Dickson is an artist, a former member of the Black Panther Party from 1970-1976, and a retired ordained minister. … Continue reading Surviving to Thriving – Honoring the Nurturing Spirit on Mothers Day

A Service of Song; The Music of Leonard Cohen

Rev. Ben Meyers (he/him) ft. Guest Musicians The Conspiracy BeardsLeonard Cohen (1934-2016) was a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet, novelist and painter. His career spanned over 50 years and his work continues to impact and inform the realms of religion, politics, sexuality and human relationships. Formed in June 2003 by Daryl Henline and Peter Kadyk, The … Continue reading A Service of Song; The Music of Leonard Cohen

When the US Supreme Court Legalized Gay Marriage in 2015

Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles describes the arguments the Court heard on April 28, 2015, its majority decision in Obergefell v. Hodges and the dissents of the conservative justices who now lead the Supreme Court. Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles describes herself as a recovering psychologist and recovering attorney, who graduated from Starr King in 2011 and … Continue reading When the US Supreme Court Legalized Gay Marriage in 2015

Pilgrimage of Hope – How Interfaith Organizing is Changing the World

Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb (she/her)More stories about the changing world from the liberatory perspective of multifaith organizers, and a reflection on the Gaza Interfaith Ceasefire Pilgrimage. Lynn Gottlieb is Rabbi Emerita of the Congregation Nahalat Shalom in Albuquerque, NM. Now a resident of Berkeley, CA, Rabbi Lynn engages in multifaith, intergenerational and multicultural organizing in solidarity … Continue reading Pilgrimage of Hope – How Interfaith Organizing is Changing the World

Green Service for Earth Day

Cate Calson is a member of Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leadership Corp. educating people about the scientific truths around climate change and how we can be a part of the solution. She has graciously offered to provide an update and some insights of the climate’s health and how our assistance is needed more now than … Continue reading Green Service for Earth Day

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