“A Magical Child,” by Dave Van Voorhis
A Magical Child, inspired by the book Magical Child by Joseph Chilton Pearce: “It is never too late to play, for we are all Magical Children.”
Archives: Services
“They Died So We Could Live,” by Nick Williams
Memorial Day is a time for honoring the men and women of our Armed Forces who gave the ultimate sacrifice–their lives. Is there someone in your family who died serving our country? How do we honor them? What is the history of Memorial Day? Today, Nick Williams, an Army Veteran during Vietnam, will share his … Continue reading “They Died So We Could Live,” by Nick Williams
“International day against Queer Oppression,” by Wren Monsour
The world has celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — a document that is much more than a cornerstone of international law: it is a guide to navigate a deeply divided world, a set of values that everyone can live by, and ultimately a force for good. And yet, we … Continue reading “International day against Queer Oppression,” by Wren Monsour
“Mother’s Day,” by Tinka Friend
Today is Mother’s Day, a celebration honoring all mother figures of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. The tradition of Mother’s Day endures and evolves. Just as Mother’s Day was the creation of multiple women,out of appreciation for the support and sacrifices of their … Continue reading “Mother’s Day,” by Tinka Friend
“Beltane & Flower Communion,” by Wren Monsour & Tinka Friend
May 1st (or May Day) was Beltane, a Celtic celebration which says goodbye to Darkness and Winter and hello to Light and Spring. We’ll learn a little about this day and how pagans honor it. Flowers are an important symbol of Spring, which bring us to the third part of our service—The Flower Ceremony, or … Continue reading “Beltane & Flower Communion,” by Wren Monsour & Tinka Friend
“War and Peace: A Meditation on Our World Through Songs of Peace,” by Dr. Lee Greer
Art, music, and song generally accompany the culture of any society. Sometimes songs can lead to a revolt against that society. We will explore examples by singing songs of peace and rebellion against war, oppression and exploitation from our world today.
Earth Teach Us Resurrection
Easter Sunday is revered by Christians as the day when the miracle of resurection occurred, cementing Jesus as the Messiah. How can we as UUs understand such a miracle? How do we hold space for our wisdom gained from personal experience and the teachings of science alongside possibility (and perhaps the inevitability) that we have … Continue reading Earth Teach Us Resurrection
“A Seed of Hope: Educating Afghan Girls for a Brighter Future,” by Friba Dawar
In this talk, I share my journey from Afghanistan to Riverside and how my experiences as a mother, educator, and advocate shaped my mission to support girls’ education. I discuss the impact of the current crisis on Afghan girls and introduce Success Journey Academy, an online school that brings learning to those who are now … Continue reading “A Seed of Hope: Educating Afghan Girls for a Brighter Future,” by Friba Dawar
A Lighthouse in Troubled Times
Reflections by Rev. Mariela Perez-Simons and Rev. Jules Taylor on making our way during troubled times. These times are difficult, but we can partner together and prioritize our values, while still protecting our loved ones and our communities. Together we will find new solutions and ways forward. We must become the keeper of the light … Continue reading A Lighthouse in Troubled Times
Reclaiming My Time, by Rev. Kimberley Debus
After the spur of the #metoo movement in 2018, Rev. Debus was inspired to rewrite this sermon to reflect on systemic sexism and gender inequality. Women’s personal freedoms are under even more threat now, and we must reflect deeply, confront discomfort, and work towards a beloved community of justice, dignity, and interdependence. We must validate … Continue reading Reclaiming My Time, by Rev. Kimberley Debus