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To give you an idea of what our previous services have looked like, here is the full list in reverse order: |
| July 20, 2008 "The Tempting Temptations" Guest speaker: The Rev. Timothy Locke, Ph.D. Worship Leader: Meredith Guest We often think of temptation as the urge to do something we clearly know is wrong. Yet many temptations are really "tempting". That is, they appeal to us because we can see some good that may come of them, something desirable beyond their simply being "forbidden". How do we make choices when there is promise in following a different course than the one that may have been presented to us as the "right" one? Rev. Timothy Locke, Ph.D., is director of Four Springs Retreat near Middletown, an historic center for studies in depth psychology and the teachings of Jesus. He is also a pastoral counselor, coach and consultant with the Lloyd Center of San Francisco Theological Seminary in their Napa branch office. |
| July 13, 2008 "Better Tomorrows by Seeing Yesterdays" Guest speaker: Jeffrey Melcher Worship leader: Joyce Tischler How is knowledge relevant? How does our experience inform our life? Why is knowing Unitarian Universalist history important to our psycho-social-spiritual health? Are spirituality and politics connected? Some reflections on the relevance of our UU History. |
| July 6, 2008 "Re-Examining Our Relationship to Animals: An Interdependence Day Service" Speaker: Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding What place do animals have in our lives? We may not ask ourselves this question everyday, but it's one worth exploring in light of our commitment to being good stewards of the earth, and advocates for the Sacred Circle of life. PLEASE BRING PICTURES OF YOUR FAVORITE ANIMALS, PETS, ETC, TO PLACE ON THE ALTAR AND SHARE. This service is inspired by Janet Crosby, who bought the sermon topic at the UUP auction. |
| June 29, 2008 "Why Religious Literacy Matters" Speaker: Marlene Abel, Director of Religious Education for UUP Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding Americans are more interested in religion, and consider it more important in their daily lives than people in other developed nations, but, statistically, we know little about world religions or our own faiths. As a result, we Americans make political and moral decisions based on our beliefs, but without basic religious knowledge. The service will focus on why religious literacy matters, both for our UUP children and for all Americans. |
| June 22, 2008 "Trans-itions: Gay Pride '08" Guest speaker: Meredith Guest Worship Leaders: Jodi Boyle and Joyce Tischler This service honors Gay Pride Month and will take a more focused look at the "T" of GLBT. While transsexuality is often the least visible and most confusing of the issues surrounding sexual orientation and identity, at its heart it's about the urge to live an authentic life, a theme with which we are all familiar. |
| June 15, 2008 "A Passion for Freedom" Minister: Rev. Béla-Botond Jakabházi Worship Leader: Lara Abel Although there are considerable differences between American UU`s and Transylvanian Unitarianism - because we live in different societies and in slightly different kind of cultures--I am more and more conscious about our common passion for justice, human dignity, true fellowship, real peace and love--and I know that we all feel responsible for these values. As a progressive liberal from Transylvania, being here among UU`s gives me the unique opportunity to learn from your experience, spirituality, and social involvement. At the same time I am getting a clearer perspective on the values of my own church both to celebrate my tradition, and at the same time to be skeptical about it. My experience here is like looking into a mirror-an American UU mirror-in which my own church and religious tradition show its strong points and weaknesses. This is truly a transformative experience. |
| June 8, 2008 "Ordination Sunday: Yes and Know" Ministers: Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers and Rev. Leland Bond-Upson Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding Later on this day, the congregation will gather to ordain Leland Bond-Upson into the Unitarian Universalist ministry. The authority of a congregation to ordain an individual who has fulfilled the requirements for ministerial service to the world is unique in the liberal religious tradition. It is both a joyous and an auspicious occassion. In honor of this milestone in the life of UUP (its first ordination) and the ordinand-elect (his ONLY ordination) there will be two brief homilies: "The Power of 'YES'", by the Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers, and "The Power of 'KNOW'", by Leland Bond-Upson. Diana Spaulding will serve as Worship Associate and special music for the occassion will be provided by Elizabeth Nielsen, and David Dodd. All are invited to share in this hour of worship and celebration in preparation for the Service of Ordination to be held later in the day. |
June 1, 2008
"'Saint Stephen with a Rose': Ritual, Rapture and the Grateful Dead Experience" Guest Speaker: Mary Goodenough Worship Leader: David Dodd Guest musician: David Gans Drawing on mytholgist Joseph Campbell's lecture: "Ritual and Rapture: From Dionysus to the Grateful Dead," Goodenough will discuss ritual and rapture as they relate to the Grateful Dead experience. Grateful Dead concerts were, as Campbell discovered first hand, a container for religious experience characterized by an opening of the heart. The music, dancing and participation of all present created a ritual performance that brought about a catharsis of mind, heart and senses, thus opening one both into full awareness of the self and one's relationship with the natural world. Goodenough will also consider a few lyrical images (from Grateful Dead anthem "Saint Stephen," and others), then briefly describe their personal significance as well as their centrality to the Grateful Dead experience. Mary Goodenough, a member of UUP, is a published scholar on the topic of Grateful Dead spirituality. David Gans, guest musician, is a long-time authority on the band and a wonderful musician in his own right. UUP member David Dodd has published three books about the band, and runs the Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics website. |
| May 25, 2008 "Peace" Worship Leader: Meredith Guest |
| May 18, 2008 "A Unitarian Considering Christ" Speaker: Jim Weller, M.T.S. Worship Leader: Lara Abel How did a life-long Unitarian Universalist layman come to be a Christian theologian and religious scholar, preparing for ordination in the United Church of Christ? Grasped by the gospel of love, Jim Weller, a recent graduate of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, will come tell us the story of his journey of faith. |
| May 11, 2008 "The Myths of War: A Sermon for Mother's Peace Day" Minister: Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway In the U.S., we celebrate Mother's Day with a flurry of gifts and greeting cards. However, this holiday was originally called 'Mother's Peace Day,' and one of the main organizers was the Unitarian, Julia Ward Howe. Begun in 1870, it was a rallying cry for mothers who lost husbands and sons in the U.S. Civil War, and a renunciation of war, militarism, and patriarchy. In that original spirit, the service will focus on the ancient myths of war, our vulnerability to them, and, despite these, how to embolden ourselves to the peace that is yet possible and in our reach. |
| May 4, 2008 "Flower Communion" Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding This year marks the 85th annual Flower Communion Celebration. This beautiful celebration of community is one of the very few (almost) universally practiced Unitarian traditions. Each person is asked to bring one flower for the ritual. |
| April 27, 2008 Stewardship Sunday: "The Present Value of Our Future Vision" Minister: Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers Worship Leader: Meredith Guest The words of the great American social reformer, Dorothy Day, are encouraging: "Spend your life on something that outlasts it." This Sunday, the hopes for the future of this congregation, the quality of its programs and services, and the vibrancy of its mission and ministry to the community will either be met and fed, or not. What role does a collective vision play in this little drama? How do you assess the present value of your future legacy as a member or friend of this congregation? Immediately following the service, we will gather to share our hopes for the ensuing year and make a pledge for fiscal year 2008-09 to fulfill our collective vision. Plan to stay after for a light lunch, and a one-hour meeting. Childcare provided. |
| April 20, 2008 "Passover" Guest Speaker: Ellen Beeler Worship Leader: Mike Iritz From the origins of our faith to its inclusion as one of many Spring rites from around the world, Passover reminds us to break free from that which might enslave us: the dregs of Winter, debt or even an addiction to our favorite foods. Spring renews faith in the cycle of life; Passover brings family & community together to honor and celebrate the opportunity of freedom within that cycle. Join us in celebrating this cherished Jewish Spring holiday. |
| April 13, 2008 "Membership Fees" Guest Speaker: Garrick Linn Worship Leader: Lara Abel April 15th is a day of reckoning in the United States, a day when a portion of our hard-earned dollars is collected and eventually redistributed in the service of what we hope (and are promised) is the common good. One might expect for such democracy-loving Unitarian Universalists as ourselves that this day would warrant celebration rather than consternation, but I have noticed that our feelings towards filing tend to be, shall we say, ambivalent. As part of an attempt to reframe our thinking about what it means to be one among many, George Lakoff has proposed that the word "taxes" be replaced in our public discourse with "membership fees." In that spirit, let us frame and explore some of the connections and responsibilities we share in our various capacities as employers, employees, citizens and congregants. The taxman cometh...will we lay out the welcome mat, or lock the door? |
| April 6, 2008 "What's Your Story?" Guest Speaker: Jamie McReynolds Jamie McReynolds will be exploring our fourth UU principle, our free and responsible truth and meaning, and the ways that we make meaning in our lives. As an interfaith chaplain in a community hospital, ministering to patients, families and staff, he sees people making meaning of their lives in many different ways. How does our UU faith help us make meaning of our lives? Jamie McReynolds is a 3rd year Master of Divinity student at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley . He is currently a resident hospital chaplain at John Muir Medical Center in Concord , CA. Prior to seminary, Jamie was a lay leader at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Santa Rosa and worked professionally in banking, manufacturing and the wine industry. |
| March 30, 2008 "In Praise of Organized Religion" Minister: Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers Worship Leader Diana Spaulding Individualism is the prevailing ideal in our culture. But the truth is, we find ourselves not independently of other people and institutions, but through them. This sermon is an unabashedly affirming anthem for organized religion, especially organized Unitarian Universalist communities (no, that's not an oxymoron!) This would be an excellent Sunday to bring a friend! |
| March 23, 2008 And the Stone Rolled Away: Easter and Resurrection" Guest speaker: Meredith Guest As the earth does its annual springtime resurrection, let's see if we can find a way to look differently at the Christian celebration of Easter. Maybe there's something of importance and value even for sensible, logical, rational people like us in the resurrection story - or maybe, especially for people like us. P.S. Bring flowers to welcome and celebrate the season and the holiday. |
| March 16, 2008 "Living From the Crossroads -- Choose Carefully" Guest speaker: Kent McKusick, ministerial student Worship Leader Diana Spaulding Kent McKusick invites us to consider the Hebrew Bible story of Abram and Lot (Genesis 13) when they come to a crossroads (and a decision) on their journey to the Promised Land. As Unitarian Universalists, how might this story relate to the culture of decision making as we navigate our own journeys to beloved community? What consequences await us at the various crossroads of life? Kent McKusick is a 3rd year Master of Divinity student from Maine at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley. Next year, he will be the intern minister in Kansas City MO. Prior to seminary, Kent was active as a lay leader at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor and worked professionally in theatre, recreation (skiing and whitewater rafting), stained glass, and banking. There have been many crossroads! |
| March 9, 2008 "Sacred Time Lost and Found" Worship Leader Elisabeth Hathaway This is daylight savings weekend--where does that hour go???!!! We spring forward but what happens to our soul; and do we have a choice? What if we don't want to spring, but would rather meander but still be in sync with those around us? Together we will consider how we "use" our time, how we choose to "spend" it, what makes time meaningful, and what could make our moments more conscious, sacred and spiritually satisfying. Be sure to put your clocks forward to be at our consensual reality time! |
| February 24, 2008 "Living through Life's Contortions" Guest Speaker: Alexandra McGee, Ministerial Student Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding When you find your spirit is twisted like a pretzel, how do you reconnect to your roots and wings? Alexandra McGee will discuss wisdom from the yoga tradition, with a perspective on how UUs can respect its origins in Hinduism. Alex is a 3rd year student at Starr King School for the Ministry, soon to complete her Masters of Divinity with a focus on Sanskrit, chaplaincy, and Hindu theology. Practicing yoga since 1989, she has taught in corporations, churches, gyms, ecovillages, country clubs, and a prison. |
| March 2, 2008 "Religion That Gets in the Way" Minister: Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers Worship Leader: Lara Abel The function of all faith, religion, or even philosophy could well be assessed as the honest attempt to brace us when in the eye of the storm and guide us through the uncharted waters of the future. We may find that some are better than others as we live and learn and grow towards spiritual maturity. One of the guiding questions for this morning’s service is: If your religious beliefs were a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Children from the RE program will help present a parable during the service. |
| February 17, 2008 "Learning to Live the Questions" Minister: Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers Worship Leader: Meredith Guest Religions are often depicted as institutions with iron-clad answers that usually discourage questions about life's meaning (e.g., catachisms, dogma, and creeds.) However, most of us cannot escape asking ourselves deep, seemingly unanswerable questions--the answers to which guide and direct us to living a good life without fear of retribution or damnation. This is a "seeker-friendly" service that presents Unitarian Universalism as a religion that embraces our doubts and questions as a path to spiritual growth and discovery. Bring a friend! |
| February 10, 2008 "Readings on Love" Worship Leader: Stacey Meinzen As Unitarians, our principles suggest that we should cultivate loving kindness for all living things. However, practicing this may be more challenging than it sounds. Albert Schweitzer said, "Those who believe in love for all creation must realize clearly the difficulties involved... To think out in every implication the ethic of love for all creation -- this is the difficult task which confronts our age." This kind of love is one of many that we will explore. Please bring your favorite reading on love to share. |
| February 3, 2008 "True Religion?" The Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers, preaching. Worship Associate: Elisabeth Hathaway Reflections from one who had it, lost it, and later rediscoverd it to be both essential and beyond belief. |
| January 27, 2008 "This I Believe" Guest speakers: Bruce Eriksen and Joyce Tischler Worship Associate: Diana Spaulding In quarterly "This I Believe" services at UUP members of our community trace their religious and spiritual awakening and personal narrative through the events and practices of their lives, highlighting their religious histories, beliefs and catalytic experiences. Through these services we get to know one another better and see the range and variety of ways to think and act in the process of seeking to pursue and fulfill what we might call a spiritually informed and enriched life. |
| January 20, 2008 "Remembering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." Minister: Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers Worship Associate: Stacey Meinzen Today we celebrate the life and impact of one who was great among us. A man who led this country to reexamine what it means to be American and what it means to live out the idea that all people should be free, and treated equally under the law. The service will include an opportunity for the congregation to share what his life and legacy means to them. |
| January 13, 2008 "Secrets of the Kingdom" Guest Minister: Timothy Locke, PhD Worship Associate: Elizabeth Hathaway Join us with returning Guest Minister Timothy Locke as he facilitates an imaginative exploration into meanings that the "Kingdom of Heaven" might hold for us as Unitarians. Inquiring into three parables of Jesus, we will consider together what these images evoke, and what they may tell us about a reality that Jesus taught was "at hand," or "within reach." |
| January 6, 2008 "To Savor the World or To Save It?" Minister: Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers Worship Associate: Lara Abel Throughout our lives we may be compelled to choose one or the other--to immerse ourselves in the world’s beauty or to engage ourselves in some cause on its’ behalf--to savor or to save it. Can we balance both our longing to ‘make a difference’ and to 'make the most’ of life? The Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers, preaching. The Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers is a Unitarian Universalist minister, storyteller and musician, and currently serves as Consulting Minister to the UUP congregation. |
UUP's services from 2007 are also available. (Find earlier years by scrolling to the bottom of each year's listing, all the way back to 2002!)
A list of sermons is available, delivered by some of UUP's guests.