Category: From the Minister

From the Minister: Coastal Salish Family Day

Beloveds,
This month I had the blessing of being part of a wonderful event: The Coastal Salish Family Day. We gathered via Zoom with Melanie Schambach, who came up with the mural idea, and other artists and community members who participated in the creation of a mural that accompanied the Red Road Totem Pole on its way to Washington, D.C.… Read the rest

From the Minister: Feast of Epiphany

The New Year announces the coming of the Three Kings, The Magi/Los Reyes Magos, on January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany. We celebrate their journey and their courage to take a different path. We also celebrate with childlike awe the magical power of a guiding star. Epiphany reminds us to open ourselves and receive the gifts before us. Being … Read the rest

From the Minister: The Miracle of Transformation

Beloveds, as you may have seen on our Facebook page, I have been deeply engaged in the nurturing of monarch butterfly caterpillars. I had read about the scarcity of milkweed plants causing a decline in the monarch butterfly population. But it wasn’t until one day when Darryl Ray and I were sitting outside that I got the idea to actually … Read the rest

From the Minister: Gather the Spirit

Beloveds, here we have re-gathered, both in person and virtually, both just as powerful! It is so good to be together. To gather in peace, to gather in thanks, to gather in hope, to gather in strength. To gather to celebrate once again! It is so good to see you all, to see all your beautiful faces, and to see … Read the rest

Five Year Anniversary

I read somewhere that traditionally the five year anniversary gift is wood…and I think back to our installation ceremony four years ago…and the drums made of wood, that were such an important cultural element. I can hear the drums as the Aztec dancers blessed me with sacred copal incense. I asked Xiomara, who is an Aztec danzante, if her calpulli would … Read the rest

May: A Month for Celebration

Minister’s Blog, by Rev. Dr. Maria Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa  

It might seem too early to celebrate when we are still in the midst of a pandemic, still witnessing acts of violence and injustice all around us, and feeling uncertain about the future. And yet there are so many reasons to celebrate in order to nourish our sense of hope. I … Read the rest

Moving Forward Together

As I admire the beauty of new Spring blossoms, I am reminded that last year in March we closed our building and began to navigate the COVID pandemic as best we could. Despite all the fear and uncertainty, we regrouped and with great leadership and a core group of volunteers, we moved forward together. Since then, we have not skipped … Read the rest

General Assembly 2019: The Power of We

“Incrementalism and progressivism are insufficient in these totalitarian times.”

-Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray, UUA President

“In this delicate turning…how will you become ready? No one’s comfort is at the center, you just do what needs to be done. Let’s be co-liberators and get free together.” Reverend Marta Valentin

In a time of great challenge and heartbreak in our world, what does Read the rest

Minister’s Report: Gratitude

Beloveds,
This is a picture of my office door. It is covered with some of the cards and thank you notes that I have recently received: Sympathy cards after my uncle’s passing, Thank You cards, and “just because” cards and notes. I am so grateful for all your expressions of love and support!
As I look back on this past
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Poor People’s Campaign, Oakland

This past Saturday, our Rev. Dr. Maria Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa shared her vision of social justice at a Poor People’s Hearing in Oakland, California. WE are the ones we’ve been waiting for!


 

Poor People’s Campaign, April 2019

Rev. Dr. Maria Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa

 

In my tradition before we say our own names we honor our ancestors by invoking … Read the rest