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
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.
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
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
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
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
Gospel Music Part II: For Women’s Month, we will look at the life and legacy of Bernice Johnson Reagon and how Gospel music was woven so tightly throughout the Civil Rights marches and demonstrations on the 1960s. Tinka Friend and her husband, Nick, joined UUCR in 1996. After decades of trying to find the “right” church … Continue reading “Nothing But Love in God’s Water” Part 2
“Nothing But Love in God’s Water” Part 1: What constitutes Gospel music? Where and how does it fits into American history? And the legacy of Thomas A. Dorsey, who is universally considered to be the Father of Gospel music. Tinka Friend and her husband, Nick, joined UUCR in 1996. After decades of trying to find … Continue reading “Nothing But Love in God’s Water” Part 1
Video recording We will explore two of the six UU sources — Jewish and Christian teachings and Earth-centered traditions — and their relationship to each other. Today, looking at the Old Testament, it’s hard to understand the cruel behavior of Yahweh, and we might not expect insight from pagan readings of these Judeo-Christian myths. What … Continue reading “Yahweh and The Goddess Earth,” by Alec Peck
Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) is a celebrated figure in American history. She was an abolitionist, social activist, and Union spy during the American Civil War. Living through the slavery era, Harriet Tubman faced three major challenges: She was black, she was a woman, and she had a disability. She also had three support systems: family, faith … Continue reading “The Life & Times of Harriet Tubman,” by Lauren Young
