When life catches us off guard, how do we respond – in families, in communities, in our country? What can we learn from deaths in two families, from a city devastated by earthquakes, and from our current political environment? How can communication, planning, and community action make a difference in our states of mind and … Continue reading How do we respond when chaos happens?
This Sunday, we’ll be gathering at the Picnic Shelter in Battle Point Park for a potluck brunch. Break out your flip flops, bring something brunchy to share, and let’s enjoy the start of summer together! We can share stories of our favorite summer childhood memories and our plans for the sunny days ahead. Families and children … Continue reading Summer Brunch in the Park
These last few years have been tough on everyone. Is it possible that kindness might bring healing and hope to our world? And does the universe even care? Barbara Wells ten Hove and Jaco ten Hove, Emeritus Ministers of Cedars, are back among us for the first time since they retired in 2017 after 8.5 … Continue reading Milk and Cookies and the Milky Way
Come and celebrate the Bridging of Grace, our graduating high school senior. Grace will describe how Unitarian Universalism shaped her journey from childhood to adult thinking and being. During the service, a few Cedars members will offer well wishes to Grace on behalf of our community. Following the service, you are warmly invited to greet … Continue reading Bridging Service for Grace Bonow
Sometimes beauty has the power to shake up the status quo. Re-examine our assumptions. Invite curiosity. Come join us as we learn to embrace the paradox of beauty, wonder and courage as wise companions on our spiritual journey. Welcome! Rev. Jennifer Alviar is a Unitarian Universalist minister, spiritual innovator, and avid community builder. She cultivates … Continue reading “Discovering Beauty in Unexpected Places”
When fear tries to drive the bus of our lives, how do we remain loving? We live in a world increasingly hostile to those fighting for liberation, fighting for freedom from harm. The gifts in this moment may be that we are forced to learn how to center, ground, nourish, and focus. Kathryn LaFond, Intuitive … Continue reading Prayer in a Time of Chaos
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson said, “The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.” While this is certainly true, we (collectively, all of humanity) have learned how to describe and predict many things. From Johannes Kepler’s observation that celestial bodies travel in elliptical orbits to the complex differential equations of Quantum Electrodynamics, math … Continue reading “The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences”
When you care deeply, whether for others, your community, or the world, it’s easy to overlook your own well-being. Come and explore how self-compassion is not a luxury, but a vital practice for those engaged in caregiving and justice work. Drawing on the insights of Kristin Neff, Tricia Hersey, and Israa Nasir, we’ll reflect on … Continue reading Tending the Soul: Building Self-Compassion When You Care Deeply
Come and explore the interrelationships of generosity, joy, and service as we try to live lives of integrity and purpose. This sermon will also make mention of the Cedars pledge drive! Rabindranath Tagore inspires us with his poem: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I … Continue reading Generosity: The Joy of Service
This sermon is a kick-off for all the learning and visioning we will be doing together in the months to come. Let us work together in building a co-ministry of support, beauty, and restoration. John O’Donohue says, “We each possess an imagination. Everyone, whether they like it or not, is involved in the construction of … Continue reading Imagination: We Are All Artists
