When this madness ends – and I must have faith that it will – our nation will have the opportunity to reimagine how we want to live together. Communities, once formed for the purpose of survival, now play an important role in how we identify ourselves. The current model is being torn down as we […]
A Sacred Call to Remember: Juneteenth Through a Lens of Faith In this powerful and reflective talk, invites audiences into a deeper understanding of Juneteenth—not just as a historical milestone, but as a sacred call to truth, justice, and collective responsibility. Designed especially for faith communities seeking to engage with honesty and compassion, this conversation […]
Marcia Kritzler-Egeland shares the story of her mother, Millie Kritzler, who survived the Holocaust. Marcia writes, “Simon and Hildegunde Straahs, my grandparents, saved their daughter from certain death by selflessly sending her into the arms of strangers. At the age of nine and a half, Mom boarded a train for France. For my mother, Millie […]
Oak Trees, Blue Jays, Grandmothers, and UU’ers Do we ever think about oak trees? Maybe occasionally. How about blue jays? Again, maybe every once in a while. We probably do think about grandmothers more frequently. But do we ever recognize that all of us, all the above, are interrelated? Darwin not only introduced the idea […]
Remembering engages us in the search for the truth of our lives. Our memories connect us not only to ourselves and our past, but also to communities like our congregation. And in such communities of hope and promise, brokenness and healing, our stories encounter the larger human story, and we become more whole. What do […]
Spiritual directors walk alongside people as they face life’s challenges, joys, questions, and changes. They listen to each person’s story and ask thoughtful questions to help them see their life more clearly. Spiritual directors welcome everyone, no matter their background or beliefs. They listen with compassion and without judgment. Everything shared is treated with respect […]
Creativity and Community in an Age of Alienation In a time marked by isolation, digital fragmentation, and declining civic life, creativity is not a luxury but a vital force that restores connection and belonging. Creative acts—especially those practiced in community—awaken us to the fullness of our lives, foster empathy, and resist the numbing speed of […]
Attending to Our Shared Humanity Sermon by Rev. Joan Javier-Duval, Read by Donna Johnson (pictured) Service Led by Carrie Link Rev. Joan writes, “To truly pay attention, sometimes we need to set aside the story that we want to ascribe to someone else… If we set the story aside, we might realize that we are each fighting our […]
Artificial Intelligence and Unitarian Universalism Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that comes up in every conversation. We experience it in everyday interactions, particularly with automated chats and other experiences on the web, from Google searches to interacting with provider websites. What is AI and how can it be implemented to support Unitarian Universalism, and […]
Concert pianist and Birch Creek faculty member for 30 years, Jodie DeSalvo, will discuss various areas of the brain and their relationship to our listening and interpretation of music. She will also explore the positive effects of music on Alzheimer’s patients and others with dementia-related diagnoses. The benefits of music in our daily lives are […]