Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
|
|
Here are some past service topics. We link to this page from our Services page to give you an idea of what we talk about. It is easier to show you "eclectic" than to spell it.
The Meaning of Life
Rick Childs, October 18, 2009
While philosophers (and Monty Python) may grapple with what the meaning
of life is, we can well benefit from exploring what we’re doing that makes
our own life meaningful ... and more importantly what we might consider
changing to make it more meaningful.
Pilgrimage to Santa Rosa
Entire Congregation, October 4, 2009
We went to to Santa Rosa, where we joined up with all the other North Bay UU congregations - Santa Rosa, Marin, Napa, Lake County, and Petaluma - to celebrate our UU heritage, community, and message.
Palestine: Experience and Teacher
Rick Childs, September 20, 2009
Rick spent summer as a peace activist in Palestine. He shared his experiences and
impressions about why the Mideast conflict seems so difficult to resolve, what he
believed would work, and some general and spiritual lessons about life that
he learned in the concentrated and intense atmosphere there.
A New Direction
Entire Congregation, September 6, 2009
Nothing in life, they say, is constant except change. And that's now happening
to our Fellowship. The Board decided to reduce Lay Leader Rick's workload
and salary by half to reduce expenses so we can stay afloat. After a short
mini-sermon discussing the importance of service in our lives, our service was
open to sharing ideas on how to make this happen.
Fellowship Sunday
Entire Congregation, June 21, 2009
This was be our final service before our summer break: a coming-together and
deeper connecting of our lives and spiritual gifts. We shared a special
spiritual experience, insight, or lesson learned this past year.
More Spiritual Moments
Rick Childs, June 7, 2009
So much of our life gets lived on "automatic pilot." Unitarian philosopher John
Dewey observed that virtually all our daily life is predictable and routine.
Constrained by habitual activities, reactions, and even thoughts, we likely get
very few inspired, expansive moments. Rick explored some.
One Mountain ... Many Paths
Rev. Chris Bell, May 17, 2009
Rev. Bell writes: "In all
the world's religions, we are taught that there are many paths, but one mountain.
I believe this image is both useful and accurate. It honors the sanctity of our
own individual experience while encouraging our tolerance and support of others.
It also boldly affirms a common firmament under us, and a shared view from the
summit. This service will consider some of the universal truths of the spiritual
journey, and encourage us forward on the path we choose, a path we need not walk
alone."
Our Relationhips: Understanding Them ... Nurturing Them
Liz Irwin, May 3, 2009
Ms. Irwin writes: "Our relationships are probably
the most important part of our lives. I want to explore their dynamics - the meaning
they give us; why certain ones help us and others don't; and how they wind up
becoming an entity of their own - the way they begin, grow, change, and often end.
Of course, if we want a relationship to survive, we have to always work at it, so
I'll share some thoughts on what nurtures them and keeps them growing."
Ahhh ... Spring!
Rick Childs, April 19, 2009
Rick spoke about watching the earth blossom into its verdant rich beauty, our
own rebirth of joy and aliveness and our inspiration for new growth.
We concluded with our annual Flower Communion.
Search for Meaning: The "Urantia" Book
Clayton Roberts, April 5, 2009
Fellowship friend Clayton Roberts discussed his lifelong search for meaning and
value in life. He shared his life struggles with atheism, agnosticism, and
theism. He introduced the Urantia Book and described its importance in
developing a personal religion.
The Interface of Art and Science
Walt McKeown, March 15, 2009
Taking off from his "Man and the Cosmos"
February sermon, Walt offered his thoughts on some of the interesting ways that
these two disciplines interact, support, and complement each other. Walt has
a deep connection with both, as a scientist and a musician.
Loving Yourself
Rick Childs, March 1, 2009
Think of all the ways you love the person
that you most love in life ... the kind of deep caring, acceptance and respect,
and support you give? How well do you treat yourself by that standard?
Finding Inspiration in the World Around Us
Danny Barca, February 15, 2009
Danny Barca, song-writer, tenor, and musician, gave another of his wonderful
all-music services. Danny has been creating songs that capture the essences
of spirituality, life, and love all his life. He offered songs he's written
that were inspired by the beauty and wonder of the ordinary day-to-day world
around us ... songs to remind us that when we pause and notice, life becomes
that much more special.
Man and the Cosmos
Walt McKeown, February 1, 2009
Walt gave us a positively mind-stretching service. A man of deep and wide
knowledge in many areas, Walt shared his expertise on the current state of
the universe (including dark matter, extra-solar planets, and indications
of extra-terrestrial life) and the current state of the earth (including
climate change, population pressure, and religious wars).
Breathing and Unitarian Universalism
Siri Gian Khalsa, January 18, 2009
Siri Gian said, "Conscious breathing can change one's whole attitude and response
to life. The sermon will primarily be experiential. I'll be teaching some
easy-to-learn breathing techniques, which we'll all practice together, which can
create exuberance, open our hearts, and spark our natural generosity. These create
a natural fit with your 'UU Qualities of a Spiritual Life' - growth, love, and service."
Happy New Year!
Rick Childs, January 4, 2009
The New Year traditionally prompts us to deeper reflections of what's missing -
or what we want more of - in our lives. Most of us, I think, make some form of
"resolutions" to achieve those goals. Do you? ... a year from now, what would
like to be saying that you accomplished in 2009?
Celebration of the Five Holidays
Rick Childs, December 21, 2008
A past favorite, almost now a tradition ... we celebrated the rich abundance
of the season's holidays together: Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas,
Kwanzaa and New Years. Each has its own spiritual meaning. We spent time
with each holiday's unique message for our lives, with readings, rituals,
songs and carols. Each of us to shared our personal thoughts and/or past
remembrances we have connected to these holidays.
The Fellowship's 25th Anniversary Celebration!
Chuck Rosene, December 7, 2008
Our UU District Administrator, Chuck Rosene, came up from Berkeley
to lead a special service honoring not only what our Fellowship has done, but
more importantly, the vital role we, as an integral part of this worldwide
liberal religion, has in service to individuals, the community, and
the world in the challenging times ahead.
Gratitude . . . Musically
Tim and Linda O'Laughlin, November 16, 2008
Our service included thoughts and forms of gratitude. The centerpiece
was be Tim and Linda O'Laughlin's wonderful music . . . traditional
Thanksgiving hymns songs, along with songs they've written that we sang
together . . . fun songs that will allow us to share what we're grateful for.
These Very Troubling Times
Rick Childs, November 2, 2008
Rick first looked at just why this crisis is happening - economically,
politically, and psychologically. But he focused on what we can do spiritually
to make sure we (and our wider world) come through intact. Can we find ways to
even come out "better?"
Overcoming Negative Belief Systems
Brigitta and George D'Amato, October 19, 2008
Brigitta and George D'Amato helped us understand how our
negative belief systems got created, how we may not have been
aware of them, how they sabotaged us and hold back our lives.
Most importantly, they told us how we can access spiritual truths
and techniques to get rid of them! George and Brigitta are certified
clinical hypnotherapists. Visit them on the web:
www.empowerments.net
Parenting ... It's a Spiritual Practice
Rick Childs, October 5, 2008
Our service looked at this ever-so-important part of life.
Not a "how to parent" service, it explored the underlying
spiritual principles of our important roles as parents.
The "Why" and "How" of Defeating Proposition 8
Brad Bergman and Rita Butterfield, September 21, 2008
Proposition 8, on the November ballot, would amend the California
constitution to prevent gays and lesbians from getting married.
Our UU church has historically supported gay rights and is
actively working to defeat Proposition 8. We discussed tactics.
You may also want to read a Spirituality Essay. Our lay leader, Rick Childs, writes one a month.
Serving Albion, Caspar, Comptche, Elk, Fort Bragg, Gualala, Little River, Mendocino, Navarro, Philo, Rockport, Westport and inland Mendocino County.
For questions about our Fellowship or Unitarian Universalism,
send e-mail to our lay leader,
Rick Childs:
For problems or questions about our web site,
send e-mail to our web master,
Ted Pack:
| Visits since November 15, 2005. |