Speaker: Alec Peck
Alec has been a practicing UU for 23 years, raised in a UU church chosen by his father, raised Quaker, and his mother, raised Jewish (though both Humanist in practice). Alec studied natural science at Creighton University, a Jesuit institution, and is now completing his Ph.D. at UC Riverside while serving as chair of the Worship Committee here at UUCR.
“Poetry Sharing ,” by Alec Peck
Poetry is an act of human expression and emotional healing for both the writer and the reader. To make art is uniquely human; we transform the world through art, and we are transformed by it. Today, we share poetry which has changed and … read more.
“Radical Love: We are in this Together,” by Alec Peck
We strive to build a world community of peace, love, and justice, where we each can grow into who we want to be and follow our dreams. Yet we are only as rich as the poorest of the poor, and this is a … read more.
“Ingathering (Water Communion),” by Alec Peck
The Water Communion, also sometimes called Water Ceremony, was first used at a Unitarian Universalist (UU) worship service in the 1980s. Many UU congregations now hold a Water Communion once a year, often at the beginning of the new church year (September). Members … read more.
“Rise Up to Stop Cop City,” by Alec Peck
The Atlanta Police Foundation, with local corporate donors, has proposed the construction of a $90 million militarized urban warfare training complex, deemed “Cop City,” in the heart of a predominantly Black neighborhood. Construction of the Cop City campus requires the destruction of 381 … read more.
“Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?,” by Rev. Gary Kowalski
How do we define wealth? Does it consist in how much we are able to accumulate and possess? Or is wealth better measured by how much we feel we can afford to share? How does this translate into our participation in the UU … read more.
“Living the Life We Want,” by Alec Peck
“Seize the day, for this moment will never come again.” This age-old wisdom is hard enough to internalize, and yet we must also seize this week, this year, this life. It is every person’s birthright to live with dignity in a life that … read more.
“Aesthetics and Morals: Making Poetic Principles,” by Alec Peck
We generally think of our personal choices as be either aesthetic or moral choices: Do I wear blue or green today? Do I donate my dollar to the children’s hospital or the homeless shelter? We think of the appeals to what is “good” … read more.
“Beloved Community,” by Alec Peck
According to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Beloved Community happens when everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate. To feel accepted is not only for our uniqueness to be respected by those around us; it is also feeling that it … read more.
“Odd Arrangements and Funny Solutions,” by Rev. Dr. Helen Lutton Cohen
The author of today’s reading writes: “We all share the need to feel we exist, and that we are safe—we need to feel both present and secure. I am convinced that these very basic emotional needs lie at the heart of all kinds … read more.