I often jest, “Just because I’m an atheist doesn’t mean I don’t believe in God.” I don’t believe, that is, in a personal god, nor in a benevolent and mysterious force some call God. But there are certain qualities theologians sometimes attribute to “God,” along with a few of my own, that I do believe […]
This is an anxious time in our country and in the world, on the eve of a momentous election, amongst other troubles. Rev. Zenshin Florence Caplow will offer some simple spiritual practices that any of us can do, drawing from both her Unitarian Universalist and Buddhist understandings, that can be supportive in these times. https://youtube.com/live/mGYjQxr8YjI?feature=share
In this service, we will examine how ecologies recover from massive traumas like fires, floods, and volcanic eruptions to better understand how we might work on our communities and our electorate in the wake of a scarring political season. We will also spend some time on repairing ourselves (regardless of the election’s outcome)--noting where and […]
This Sunday is a Fellowship Service, founded in the Unitarian Universalist philosophy of Small Group ministry. We gather with a lay leader in conversations that deepen and expand the ministry of a congregation. Two key focuses are building community and deepening relationships, and the opportunity for deeper spiritual exploration and search for meaning. This month, […]
There is much about our current moment that leads us to see not neighbors but enemies, not people but problems when we look across the rest of humanity. This not only dehumanizes the other but also alienates us from our own humanity. In this service, we will look at witch hunts and pogroms alongside successful […]
Immigration is a key issue this election season, but how much do we really understand about it? What myths obscure the realities? What do the personal experiences of immigrants teach us about this complex topic? This thought-provoking service features a former sheep herder turned outreach worker, who now advocates for guest worker sheep herders in […]
Humanity has achieved extraordinary heights—from skyscrapers and rockets to vast networks of technology and the treasures of art and knowledge. Yet much of this progress was driven by force—external pressures and inner discipline—that comes at a cost to freedom, happiness, and ease. Force can build, but it can also destroy. When the forces around us […]
As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to feel swept up in the whirlwind of gifts, gatherings, and endless to-do lists. Let this Sunday provide a moment’s respite as we practice presence together. In this service, we’ll pause to rediscover the grace that surrounds us, even amid the holiday chaos. Through reflection, story, and music, […]
Join us on the longest night as we gather to honor winter’s deep, quiet darkness. Through candlelight, stories, and gentle music, we’ll explore the gifts of the dark—releasing, reflecting, and preparing for new beginnings. Warm cider and seasonal treats will follow by the bonfire. This event is part I of our Solstice celebration. Please come […]
On the morning after Solstice, we come together to welcome the returning light. With song, story, and ritual, we’ll celebrate the Sun’s journey back and the promise of brighter days. Each of us will carry a spark of hope into the season ahead. This event is part II of our Solstice celebration. Please also join […]
The limits of my language are the limits of my world. - Wittgenstein. In these times of uncertainty, how can we find some peace and equanimity? One powerful way is to start to see how our minds are like “storytelling machines”, and most of the time we believe the stories our minds tell us, whether […]
Building on the idea that we can work with the stories that bind us in order to experience more freedom and possibility in our daily lives, we will examine the psychological process of projection. By recognizing and changing the way we relate to this process (and to our stories about others), we have a chance […]