What if our interactions with the earth, and rocks in particular, shape us and we shape them? How do we shape them and what do these interactions say about our culture and values? We will explore stones of: 1. geology and fossils 2. stones of building materials and tools, 3. commerce and trade, 4. art and 5. ritual.
The poet, John O’Donohue, wrote: “May this house shelter your life. When you come home here.” This Ingathering Sunday we come home to Chalice and gather around a living fountain, reminding us of the source that nourishes and sustains our lives. Home is not only where we live, but where we are seen, loved, renewed and inspired. Today we come home to one another, for the new congregational year, celebrating this community and connections that sustain us.
Some time back, Ayanna Gaines presented a service that centered on the concept of the soul: what it is and what do Unitarian Universalists believe about the soul. Now, Ayanna is revisiting the concept of the soul, this time from a popular culture perspective: why do we call Stevie Wonder’s songs “soul music,” or fried chicken “soul food”? How does this connect to the soul in our hearts?
Living a life that matters is no small thing. Today we are inspired by Michael Josephson’s poem: “What Will Matter” to explore what truly matters in our lives, how we find purpose and meaning. Join us for this deep, soulful enquiry.
We are on a journey. It is a challenging one with a new learning curve as we acquire knowledge in how to stay connected, express our discontent but continue to evolve. Diane DeMarco has been a long time Unitarian Universalist practicing psychotherapy in Cambria, California.
Words like God, holy, sin, or church can feel loaded or alienating to many UUs, but do they still have something to offer us? Join us as we gently unpack and reinterpret religious language, exploring how, in translation, it might benefit our shared spiritual journey.
Join us for our Summer Surprise gatherings. Since July and August are theme-free months, Our Worship team will be offering Summer Surprises. This week Sam and Ayanna have a service that is guaranteed to be so fabulous! But you’ll have to attend to see what they are cooking up.
What does a minister really do all week? And how is that work connected to the well-being of the whole congregation? Join us, as Rev. Nica shares a behind-the-scenes look at the joys, demands, and sacred responsibilities of ministry. She explores the visible and invisible aspects of her role, and why sustainable rhythms like sabbaticals and study leave matter, not just for the minister, but for the health and vitality of the entire community. Tim Snowber will also offer reflections on the importance of shared ministry and how we grow stronger together.
“We Are Everywhere,” read the bumper sticker on the bookshelf of my brother’s apartment in the early 70s. And yes, every family, nuclear or extended, includes our queer brothers and sisters. Whether we judge, ignore, embrace or celebrate the diversity among us is our choice, one that ripples out far beyond our lifetime. Clifton Snider was a principled and prolific teacher, poet, writer and activist who deeply touched the lives of many and made the world a better place for having sojourned among us. I am proud this month, and every month, to call him my brother.
On this special Sunday, we explore how true freedom is not the absence of responsibility—but the deepening of it. As we welcome new members and discover all that’s going on at Chalice, we reflect on the liberating power of community and the sacred commitments we freely choose. How do we embrace both freedom and responsibility? Join us in celebrating the freedom to belong, to care, to listen within and to co-create a beloved community.
