Gathering for Sunday services in person and online, 10:15 am.
And now, a question for you. What is something you were taught at a very early age that you still live by and value? If you’re comfortable being “interviewed” by Amy on this question, please e-mail her at parishmin@uucpa.org. Our answers will send our children to school with wisdom and love. Special music: Larry Chinn, jazz piano
The order of service is here.
What are you wondering? In lieu of the sermon, Amy will answer as many of your questions as she can. Come with a question in mind! Special music: Veronika Agranov-Dafoe
The Justice Partner for August is Abilities United, which has merged with Gatepath and is now called Ability Path. The offering today will be donated to this justice partner.
The order of service is here.
. . . for the mistake shall not be repeated. So reads the inscription on the memorial Cenotaph in Hiroshima, a message to those who died 75 years ago from the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the many more who died of the effects in the years that followed. There are many things we can do to fulfill this promise and make a world where nuclear war will not happen, and they start right here in our community. Special music: Michael Peterson and Laura Rubinstein-Salze, Harpsichord and violin
The order of service is here.
Sacrifice is a word that evokes feelings ranging from horror to noble aspiration. It is hailed as a necessary ingredient of religion, success, and community, on the one hand, and it is deeply mistrusted, on the other. And it is much in the news as some U.S. Americans beg others to be willing to sacrifice convenience in order to end the pandemic. Today is the Muslim celebration Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, so it is a fine time to explore: what would we sacrifice, and toward what goals? What should we be willing to sacrifice–and what should we not? Special music: Veronika Agranov-Dafoe, piano
The order of service is here.
As the climate of our beautiful blue boat home changes, people living near shorelines now find their homes underwater, while those farming on rich land are now beset by drought. The result is increased migration within and beyond borders. We’ll hear from Gregorio, who left Guatemala and its rapidly changing climate to come to Mountain View, and Amy will share what we can do (and are doing) to repair the interdependent web of people, other animals, plants, sky, sea, and earth. Special Music: The Aurora Singers
The order of service is here.
In this time of physical distancing and virtual church, we miss some of what makes our Sunday mornings special. How do we reach out to one another and show our care for each other in this new way of being together?
Special music: The Season of Us, jazz flute/guitar duo
The order of service is here.
“Ring theory,” or “Circles of care,” is a simple principle with many, many applications. It can help us help others and get what we need, ourselves. Today’s service explores its almost magical possibilities. Special music: Veronika Agranov-Dafoe, piano
Today’s offering will be donated to the justice partner for July: California Clean Money Campaign. Nancy Neff will be the speaker.
The order of service is here.
One of our affiliated community ministers, the Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale, speaks to us about the spiritual practice of attentiveness to the present moment, in all its complexity. Special music: Veronika Agranov-Dafoe, piano
The order of service is here.
Not this one, but previous ones. Plague and flu, tuberculosis and smallpox: each has challenged us, shown us who we were and could become, and offered us some lessons that could help us today. Let us redeem this difficult time by emerging from it with more compassion and self-understanding.
Special Music: Eric Leong, violin
The order of service is here.
The order of service is here.
Today’s service invites us into the traditions of contemplative prayer, centering, silence, and music from the Taizé community. They are all meant to help us tap into our first source, “Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life.” Come drink deeply from the source.