In September, we experienced our first Multigenerational service of the new church year, the water communion. We spent a good deal of time reflecting on our Vision for ourselves as Unitarian Universalists. We acknowledged that we are seekers, looking for truth and meaning wherever we can find it. We can find the “truth” when we … Continue reading RE Reflections – October 2018
Beloveds, Our Mission statement describes us as a welcoming congregation. Being welcoming means striving for radical inclusion, and creating spaces that honor every part of our identities, backgrounds, and experiences. The spiritual practice of welcome is a very important one to our faith community. In the 1980s and 90s, when the word “welcoming” became a … Continue reading Minister’s Blog – October 2018
SUMMER TRANSITIONS As the end of the church year draws near, Reverend Maria Cristina and I are preparing for our leave. I am off from June 15 to August 15. Rev. Maria Cristina will be out in July for vacation and part of August for study leave. The new church year will begin on September … Continue reading RE Reflections – June 2018
Theme: Feminism Tradition: Islam When I think about Islam and feminism, the role model who springs to mind is Malala Yousafzai. She is a brave and inspirational young woman who dared to speak up for Islamic girls’ right to education, and nearly lost her life for speaking her truth.Taliban extremists took over her town in … Continue reading RE Reflections – May 2018
April Theme: Earth Faith Tradition: Pagan Welcome Spring!! April is here with many exciting things to look forward to. It feels like all the winter rain decided to fall in the last two weeks. But, warm weather is on the horizon and we really needed the rain. Get ready to pull weeds!! The … Continue reading RE Reflections – April 2018
Every year the UUA Office of Multicultural Growth and Witness offers a retreat for UU Professionals who identify as People of Color, African American, Afro-Caribbean, Latina/o, Hispanic, Native American/Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Middle Easterners, and/or multiracial and multiethnic. Our retreat is called “Finding Our Way Home” and its purpose is to engage in community building, spiritual … Continue reading From the Minister – Finding Our Way Home – April 2018
The big news this month is our board is going over the budget and trying to fit our champagne and caviar dreams into a beer and pretzel reality. We are faced with rising costs for things that are needed and we find ourselves sharpening the pencils more often in search of ways to save money. … Continue reading From the Board – April 2018
A View of Another Liberal Religious Tradition On January 7, 2018, I had the honor to experience a Three Kings’ Day Service at Eden United Church in Hayward. As you may know, I have been trying to establish a relationship with our liberal religious faith neighbors with an eye towards combining youth programs. In the … Continue reading RE Reflections – February 2018
The topic of communication has been very present during meetings of the Board of Trustees, the Committee on Ministry, and during the recent Adult RE class addressing congregational polity. We are constantly being challenged to reflect upon language, on the ways we communicate with each other, and on the impact of our words on the … Continue reading Minister’s Blog, Beloved Conversations – February 2018
For those of you who weren’t at the Martin Luther King Day Gathering at Hayward City Hall, it was a powerful experience. Terri Owen has been the chief organizer of this march for many years and once again the turnout filled the square and the march inspired those we passed in cars and on the … Continue reading From the Board – February 2018
