What if the very risks we face in the world today that require us to be more resilient thrive on that very resilience? Author, activist, and journalist Soraya Chemaly challenges us to rethink some of our beliefs about resilience in her thought-provoking book The Resilience Myth: New Thinking on Grit, Strength, and Growth After Trauma. … Continue reading What’s Wrong with Resilience?
This worship service draws insight, hope, and inspiration from our Unitarian, Universalist, and UU histories with select stories of how ordinary people have shown up for justice in very different ways and contexts. To borrow a phrase from the Biblical book of Hebrews, “ we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,….”to guide … Continue reading Rooted in Solidarity: UU Stories of Resistance and Resilience
What does it mean for us to be people of imagination, hope, and possibility during uncertain and difficult times? Let us embrace and hold both reality and possibility together. During this Sunday’s worship service, we will participate in our annual fire communion ceremony, a practice of letting go and setting new intention as we begin … Continue reading Embracing Possibility: Annual Fire Communion Ceremony
Come celebrate the mystery and miracle of the season and beyond through carols, music, poetry, song, and community. Our annual candlelight service is a time for wondering, a time for singing, a time for holding the sacred with one another. This year’s celebration of Holidays and Holy Days will highlight and underscore Mary’s heart, soul, … Continue reading A Weary World Rejoices: A Christmas Eve Celebration for All
Due to a technical glitch the first part of the service was not recorded. Tree of Life and Prairie Circle UU Congregations’ annual holiday musical celebration is Sunday, December 21 at 10:30am. This year’s concert features both secular and sacred music with vocal and bell choirs, woodwinds ensemble, and guest musicians. All are welcome to … Continue reading Annual Holiday Concert: Winter Peace and Holiday Joy
Believe it or not, Christmas Day did not become a federal holiday in the United States until 1870. Prior to then, the celebration of Christmas was discouraged. This Sunday we will revisit the role that early Unitarians and Universalists had in shaping the history of the Christmas holiday in America. An exploration of UU history, … Continue reading Inventing Christmas: How Unitarian Universalists Shaped the American Holiday
We will celebrate the earth with Jim’s original songs, readings and personal reflections on Mother Earth or “Gaia” being one living organism. Our “spiritual response” is so timely now, as “the spirit of life on earth is in crisis. Jim’s uplifting songs provide the balance to the wake-up call, leaving us with vision and inspiration … Continue reading Gaia, Mother Earth and the Oneness of Everything – worship service with musician Jim Scott
When times and situations are turbulent, it is natural and understandable to look for an” anchor in the storm” and to crave a sense of certainty. What happens if we ground ourselves in a sense of wonder, curiosity, and gratitude, even in difficult times? Can our spiritual anchor become a faith without certainty? Join Chaplain … Continue reading In Praise of Not Knowing
In a time of hyper-individualism and extreme divisions, it is vital to create community and build belonging. How do we build bridges without losing our selves? How do we build belonging that is not based in separation and othering? This Sunday, choir members from both our Prairie Circle and Tree of Life congregations will lead … Continue reading Strong is What We Make Each Other
What are the life lessons, and lessons for our spirit and our faith, that we can learn from the waters that surround us? This Sunday we explore and celebrate our connection to one another and to the wider web of life, our one world and one interconnected body of water. Our worship service will include … Continue reading In Praise of What Connects Us: Our Annual Water Communion Ceremony
