It often seems as though we are living in an era of despair. There are signs of despair all around us—including increased suicide rates, soaring rates of addiction to opioids, and a general sense of weariness and foreboding. What are the alternatives to despair, and how might we make the turn from despair to possibility, … Continued

We tend to define ourselves by what we do, what we have done, or what we plan to do. We ask children what they plan to do when they grow up, and when we meet new people one the first questions is often “What do you do?” But is all this “doing” what really gives … Continued

Sometimes we tire of “opportunities for growth” as they can be extremely challenging and exhausting. For us, both as individuals and as members of a larger community, growth can be difficult at times. But it is also rewarding and the only healthy way forward. This service will focus on both the blessings and the challenges … Continued

There are certain times in human history which can seem dark with conflict and uncertainty. Our current era seems to be one of those times during which our moral fortitude and the resilience of the human spirit are put to the test. How will we respond?

Some of the best music you will ever hear has emerged from a place of persecution and oppression, and, rather than dwelling in hopelessness and despair, has proclaimed through its very existence and through its great beauty that there is something more.  This service will explore theology as a genre of the blues. (Our designated … Continued

The true origins of Memorial Day are rarely discussed, but the holiday began in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War when African Americans, newly freed from chattel slavery, conducted a series of commemorations to express their sense of the meaning of the war. This service will explore the deep roots of Memorial Day and … Continued

According to a recent study, we check our cell phones an average of 221 times each day. How has our relationship with technology changed our relationship with one another? Do we really feel more connected with each other than we did years ago, or are we growing increasingly lonely despite being so thoroughly connected electronically? … Continued

Participating in rituals—religious and other rituals—seems to be a deep and meaningful part of being human. Humans of every era and geographical location have developed rituals which serve any number of purposes. This service will explore why rituals are so important and what they mean to us in our current era.

UUA President Peter Morales recently resigned amid a controversy about UUA hiring practices with regard to race. If we are to have any hope of addressing and undoing racism and other systemic oppressions, we must start at home—in our personal attitudes and behaviors, in our families, in our congregations, and in our larger association. This … Continued

One of the great challenges of our current era is to see dark times not as indicative of an ever-downward spiral, but as a time for regeneration and rebirth. Why is this shift in thinking important, and how do we go about making it so that we are working to make the world whole rather … Continued