It was at a gathering of white women in 1980 when this ritual first came to pass; making new meaning, shifting the old ethos. Today, may our gathering of the waters reflect our collective courage in service of the grace and love that is promised by our liberal faith. NOTE: This is not a ‘travelogue’ … Continue reading Gathering of the Waters Ceremony
In the theme of “Invitation”, which most UU congregations will explore this month, the sermon asks the question: “What do we rely upon to help us face the future boldly, and to accept Life’s invitation with joy, love, grace, hope and courage?” The Rev. Ben Meyers (he/him) loves living near Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA. His … Continue reading “Life Calls Us Up, Out and On…”
Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles reports on the remarkable life of Fungi, that live inside and around us, and sustain us and all that we depend upon. Rev. Dr. Caroline Knowles (she/her)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 … Continue reading What It’s Like to be a Fungus
Aloha is not just a word. What is it, exactly? You can find it in Hawaiian music, and you don’t have to go to Hawai’i to find Aloha. We can look for and share Aloha in our everyday lives to help make our world a better place. **Please join us for a service filled with wonderful traditional … Continue reading Return of the Aloha Spirit with ‘Ahamele Hawaiian Music Ensemble and Hula
Youth Spirit Artworks opened the first tiny village shelter for transitional age youth (18-25) in the United States. Through trauma informed, clinical-based practices we seek to foster healing, belonging and transition to permanent housing for participants through our housing and art programs at the shelter (Oakland) and art studio (Berkeley). Zae Illo (he/him)Zae is a … Continue reading Art Saves Young Lives
This timely quote from David Orr is essential to the work that lies before us in our lives, our community, and our country. Theo Kocs-Meyers, guest musician. Bring a friend! The Rev. Ben Meyers loves living near Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA. His ministry spans 28 years: half of that time as a parish minister … Continue reading “Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up”
For too long, women were excluded from science. Rev. Dr. Carrie Knowles presents the voices and person stories of women who have entered this recently liberated realm. 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 … Continue reading Women in Science Now
The origins of poetic critique of power in biblical times to the songs of Sweet Honey and the Rock by Bernice Johnson Reagan. Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb (she/her) 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 … Continue reading Prophetic Witness
Art is my daily meditation. Painting and drawing are tools that connects me on a deeper level to self and the whole cosmos. I use paints, brushes, pens, and crayons to calm me, take away my anxiety and ground me in the moment. I am grateful beyond words, thus the paintings, for art in my … Continue reading Art as Healing
I have become more and more distressed by what I perceive as a serious lack of joy in our day-to-day lives. In my own life, in casual conversations with friends and acquaintances, with what generally passes as “News”. It’s as if we have forgotten something basic about ourselves that we are trying to relearn. It’s … Continue reading The Default Dilemma; Despair or Delight?
