When each day’s news presents a world full of problems and examples of humans at their very worst, it’s easy to think that the future can only be worse. But such pessimism can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. To make a better future for our descendants, we first have to believe it possible. The future is … Continue reading The Future Is Good
Human organizations are often structured as hierarchies with empowered leaders at the top and obedient followers below. Nature, however, consists largely of self-organizing systems that achieve incredible things without any central authority or decision-maker. Let’s explore how we can similarly self-organize for social change in ways that decenter authority and better reflect our values of … Continue reading Leaderless Movements
Home is our place of belonging, a place of memory and hope, the place where the stories of our lives play out. However, as housing has become unaffordable to more and more of the population, our communities have become less stable, more anonymous, and less able to provide a sense of belonging and meaning. How … Continue reading The Meaning of Home
We are raised in a culture devoted to ease and comfort. While this can indeed be pleasant, it can also lead us toward lives of empty hedonism and passivity in the face of injustice. It’s precisely the struggles we try so hard to avoid that give us purpose, make us strong, and allow us to … Continue reading Meaning Is in the Struggle
In this re-imagining we are going to come together for more than soup, (which will be served after church!) but as a food and toiletry drive for the Vandal Pantry and Cougar Pantry! These organizations support students in need. Please bring nonperishable foods, toiletries, and cleaning supplies if you’re able. And yes, we will have … Continue reading Stone Soup Sunday
As we spend more and more time in artificial spaces, it’s easy to think of the human and nonhuman worlds as distinct and separate. While we often long for a deeper connection to nature, what if we’ve never really been apart? What if we are as enmeshed with the world around us as a frog … Continue reading The Web of Life (a.k.a. The Frog Sermon)
Celebrant: Trish Harzell In recent years, a number of studies have come out that explore the science of happiness. That is to say, what actually makes us happy? The answers are somewhat surprising. We’ll reflect together on how to create and sustain a healthy and joyful life. Welcome Greeting and Announcements Territorial Acknowledgement Chalice Lighting and … Continue reading A Happy Life
Two years ago UUCP joined UU Wellspring, a small-group discussion program designed to deepen our knowledge of UU theology, strengthen UU identity, and put faith into action by exploring new spiritual practices. If you would like to have engaging, heart-opening experiences in an intimate, small group setting, UU Wellspring might be just what you’re looking … Continue reading Deepening Our Spirituality: UU Wellspring
The idea of progress calls on us to strive to attain our joy and fulfillment in an indeterminate future. But what if the pursuit of progress is precisely what keeps us from finding the lives of meaning we seek right here and now? Let’s explore the possibilities of a future in which we abandon “always … Continue reading Stories of the Future Service
At UUCP we do our best to address all sorts of needs in our community. However, the needs and stories we know, we only know because those people have the ability to make their needs known. They are seen. To be radically welcoming and fulfill our church’s purpose, however, we must also learn to see … Continue reading Why I Consort with Murderers and Thieves
