Messages

A message from the monthly “Transformation.” At the heart of Christianity is the call to share a meal with one another and to invite ourselves to be transformed by the experience of Oneness that follows. Join us as we explore the roots of communion and the practice of breaking bread as a path to wholeness and liberation. Rev. Amelia Mu’mina Marie, preaching. Sue Bickford, worship associate. Order of Service available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/16rjI3tZgvMkREgaOIvtm2BF1mpGUmBUzN5vP2PYZBGI/edit?usp=sharing

A message from the monthly “Transformation.” The Islamic Holy Month of Ramazan arrives with the setting of the Sun this evening. Muslims all around the globe will begin the spiritual exercise of reading the entire Quran over the next lunar month. Join us as we introduce and explore this luminous scripture in preparation for the arrival of the Queen of Months. Rev. Jeremiah, preaching. Karen Hsu Patterson, worship associate. Order of Service available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sVdIgt40yxy8-NKsJ1GMgdBIg6gSHn9WXTohQGUnrGQ/edit?usp=sharing

A message from the monthly “Transformation.” Celebrating the Hindu festival of Shivaratri (the Night of Shiva), as we contemplate Shiva, the “Auspicious One”, who shines beyond the limitations of human thought, structure, and prejudice, inviting us to search for the Divine in the darkness of the unknown. Rev. Dr. Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati is a sannyasi (monk), pujari (priest), writer, and teacher living and serving at Kali Mandir in Laguna Beach. Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati is our 2023-2024 Honored Guest Teacher. Each church year, we have selected one special teacher who helps to widen our multireligious embrace and/or deeepen our commitments to anti-racism/anti-oppressionn to lead worship. We are thrilled to have “Swami B” with us this year. Order of Service available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RVA05xCT1CioNY0i4N8CBbP4b1Dfq5puqVAef30s_h0/edit?usp=sharing

A message from the monthly “Justice + Equity.” We are one lighthouse for the liberal religious spirit among over a thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations! We covenant to work together through the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) to promote our 7 Principles and advance the religious, educational, and humanitarian causes of our unique religious tradition. Join us this morning to learn more about our national movement and the interdependent web of transformative change of which we are a part! Order of Service available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/10SZ0xzBIsISM7tAVmDdUXCk67jd_FS1MpS6Kppziqpw/edit?usp=sharing

A message from the monthly “Justice + Equity.” “Unitarian Universalists are in discernment about the newly proposed revision of our Principles and Purposes that are the foundation of work and our covenant with each other. We’ll examine how our current principles are not abandoned but rather folded into the new Article II of our bylaws by considering one of our core principles, interdependence. It is articulated in our seventh principle, “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part” and it is indeed anchored by love. Let us worship together calling up the sacred and the spiritual in the question, “”How do we spin, strengthen, and upkeep the love-dependent web of all existence?”” Rev. Joshua Berg, preaching. Patrick Meighan, worship associate. Order of Service is available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RH0Z-9c7Zwj5eX4AR5AsRhnR7uojjApx6B_4uHDmhdk/edit?usp=sharing

A message from the monthly “Justice + Equity.” Are you holding yourself responsible for things you cannot control? Do you beat yourself up with guilt over decisions you have every right to make? Do you call yourself names for doing things you would quickly forgive if someone else had done them? If your answers are YES! perhaps you might benefit from more justice directed toward yourself. Let’s talk about internal injustice and what you might do about it. Order of Service available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fgs6FbZOc-HYEvE8Nfqpuqn4RL9jybF8yoRWtJRVPuo

A message from the monthly “Justice + Equity.” We honor the Şeb-i Arûs of Pir Dr. Ibrahim Farajajé who joined the ancestors on February 9th in 2016 but still lives in the hearts of generations of liberal religious leaders, with memories, songs, and poetry. The former Provost of Starr King School for the Ministry and beloved Sheikh to Revs. Jeremiah and Amelia and friend of Rev. Kikanza, the impact of his life continues to be felt profoundly by many souls near and far. A tireless advocate for those living in the margins throughout his life, we will call his transformative presence in service to love, justice, and equity into our sanctuary this Sunday. Order of Service available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y6EO7leaN07sEUGedOVoyoixXDjRZjRzda_YeLvs_r4

A message from the monthly “Liberating Love.” Join us as we explore the life and teachings of one of the great saints of the Hindu tradition: Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. After a near-death experience in his early years, he claimed he experienced enlightenment and then spent the rest of his life teaching a path that was applicable to many religious traditions. Central to his teachings was consistent inquiry into the nature of one’s Self. Order of Service available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RPTvvt9QjCz1EFU0qD5FKnoQY8xl70JXqbLhIaqD8aY/edit?usp=sharing

A message from the monthly “Liberating Love.” It is true, as the saying goes, that you can catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar, but who wants a room full of flies? Sometimes it is easier to be the crochety one, seeing all that is wrong, guarding your boundaries with epithets and dire warnings. What happens when you lead with your softer sides? How much easier will life be if you respond from your heart, rather than your head? How much work must you do to move to this tender approach to life? Perhaps you are already there…and can help a grouchy friend to relax into love. Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, preaching. Cassie Winters, worship associate. Order of Service available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/12OurF5XvRIqmwjtt5QyP56uXLMkdUtfUmsvVZ_IWBbk/edit?usp=sharing

A message from the monthly “Liberating Love.” Nonviolence is a religious virtue in many religious paths and especially in the dharmic traditions of India. With so much violence in the world, on television, in our schools, and in our communities, we will reflect upon this ancient spiritual teaching and consider its application to our lives and our common pursuit of social equity and justice. We will celebrate the prophetic embrace of nonviolence by human and civil rights movements around the globe and especially the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this morning. Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae, preaching. Michael McCormack, worship associate. Order of Service available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EG0PmMNshRzZqIi2aCOmAQVCrUiv9D5etNKI6dNt__I/edit?usp=sharing