This Sunday we will refresh our spirits with a contemplative service in the style of Taizé: an ecumenical intentional community in France. The service will alternate between short, melodic chants – in our case, from different religious traditions and in different languages; brief readings from various sources; and periods of silence. Learn more about Taizé worship here: https://www.taize.fr/en/ Come help us co-create a balm for the heart in these troubled and troubling times.

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On February 15, Japanese Buddhists commemorate the Buddha’s Paranirvana: i.e., his death and entry into final Nirvana. The last teaching frequently (mis-)attributed to him is expressed in Unitarian Universalist hymn #184: ”Be ye lamps unto yourselves; be your own confidence; hold to the truth within yourselves as to the only lamp.” According to Buddhist scripture, he said no such thing. In fact, his final message was quite different. So where does this mis-quotation come from, what’s wrong with it, and why should we care? We will consider what Buddhist scriptures actually say, and how the Buddha’s final teachings might speak to Unitarian Universalists today.

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As we navigate a busy holiday season, on this Sunday morning we will slow down, settle into stillness, reflection, and contemplative chanting. December 8, Bodhi Day, marks the Buddha’s enlightenment in the Japanese Buddhist traditions. This story of spiritual seeking and finding will be recounted and related to our own lives.

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Over this 2025-26 church year, we’ll be exploring the Shared Values at the heart of our Covenantal relationship with one another as Unitarian Univeralists. A silly but helpful acronym for remembering these values is JETPIG, with Love at the Center. We’re covering them in a slightly different order: TEPJIG+L. The “T” stands for Transformation: our openness to change and growth, individually, in our congregations, and as a denomination. UUs support lifelong learning and incorporate new insights from many religious and non-religious sources. We’ll celebrate the UU value of Transformation this Sunday with music, reflections, and ceremony. Bonus: if you don’t know anything about Diwali when you arrive, you will by the time you leave!

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How do people forgive the seemingly unforgivable? What is forgiveness, anyway? Does it require us to forget past harms? How is it related to reconciliation? Is either of those ever a bad idea? Is it possible to become a more forgiving person, and is that a good idea? Join us as we consider these questions.

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