Sunday Worship: Love Is the Spirit of This Church

Rev. Michael Walker, preaching

Johnny Canales, Worship Associate

Starting with a popular affirmation used by many UU churches, “Love is the Spirit of this Church,” Rev. Mike looks for wisdom beyond rote recitation, an understanding of service as a spiritual practice, a spirit that encompasses and expands the church community, and a love beyond words.

The Rev. Michael Walker spent 11 years serving in interim ministries at congregations around the country, after graduating from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, in 2010. He later decided to begin work on a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. He has now finished coursework and clinical training, so will spend the next year focusing on his dissertation about psychological reasons that individuals might find themselves involved in cults or with charismatic religious leaders who are not concerned about protecting the wellbeing of those individuals. Rev. Walker imagines his future ministry to be a “community ministry” focused on counseling and teaching.