Worship Service

with Rev. Tracy Sprowls Scary stories help us know fear in our bodies and how to use our intellect and our innate resilience to overcome it. There is plenty to fear in the real world. While we can’t fix everything, we can become more resilient and more compassionate. Scary stories can help. All ages are invited to dress up in costume for our Sunday service! Adults are encouraged to wear a funny hat (or dress up too!) - Zoom participants are welcome to dress up too! We'll have a fun parade and provide treats for an intergenerational trick-or-treating!

With Rev. Tracy Sprowls Our democracy is in peril. Timothy Snyder, the acclaimed historian and author of books like On Tyranny, tells us that one of the primary things the average person can do to keep a democracy strong is commit to an institution. Right when we find ourselves in the midst of a political crisis, membership in congregations and other organizations is dramatically down. Let's talk!

with Rev. Jules Taylor The state of our world, our nation, our lives can feel overwhelming. So much is needed, it is inevitable that overwhelm can lead to shutting down, doing what is necessary for survival. And—as people of faith who recognize the web of all existence, our survival is connected to others’ survival. We can’t wait.   Rev. Jules Taylor is a Unitarian Universalist community minister specializing in critical incident response, community crisis and pastoral care. Rev. Taylor is the Senior Director of Contextual Ministry and an affiliate professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School. Agitating, preaching, and working towards dismantling [...]

With Rev. Tracy Sprowls I collect stories about animals that have become unlikely friends from a hippo and a turtle to an old grey parrot and his scientist friend. This morning we honor our animal friends and all of the earth’s creatures with our annual animal blessing. Bring photos of an animal you live with or love or admire or lost. Bring your well behaved dogs and cats or chickens, too. Live animals are welcome. So are beloved stuffies.

With Rev. Leah Ongiri Humans have the capacity for both cruelty and kindness, which can lead us either to hope or despair. In such a confused and fractured world, creative imagination can help us embrace our traditions as we move into a shared future. --- Rev. Leah Ongiri (she/her) has served congregations in California, New Jersey, Florida, Wisconsin, and Colorado. She is a graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry and coeditor of the Skinner House book Jewish Voices in Unitarian Universalism. In her current ministry, she consults with congregations and coaches clergy who are seeking to develop and support their communities’ spiritual [...]

With Rev. Tracy Sprowls and Ashley Hamlin, DLRE Summer was bookended by the UUA General Assembly in June and the Parliament of World Religions in August. Come hear some highlights from both these conferences and a conversation about the power of religion in the 21st century.

This morning we celebrate the High Holy Days of Judaism. The High Holy Days offer all of us a time to reflect and to heal and to begin again. These days are about relationships and connection and forgiveness. Whether Jewish or not these days offer us the time to really consider ourselves and our relationships to ourselves, to each other, to the community and to the world and try again to get it right.