Wednesday, January 4, 7:00-7:45 PM
VESPERS SERVICE: Contemplating Patience
“I beg you ... to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language.”
~Rainier Maria Rilke
The First-Wednesday Contemplative lay-led service this month features meditation, poetry, and music by Skyler Leftridge in the sanctuary. Join us for a quiet gathering and stay for community and light refreshments, if you like. For more information, contact Val Bowman at 916-751-9188 or
valjohnbow@aol.com.
January 8 RISKING JOY, FINDING WHOLENESS
Generally, we might not think of being joyful as a risk, and yet part of the experience of joy is also the experience of pain and loss. Wholeness is often manifested by the acknowledgement of brokenness and the willingness to do the work of healing. Sometimes this is a solo task, though often it can be more profound when healing occurs in community. Let us inspire courage in one another to risk joy and find wholeness!
Worship Leaders: Revs. Lynn Gardner and Wendy Bartel
Worship Associate: Val Bowman
January 15 MORE THAN DREAMING
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had a dream that sparked a nation to look at racism, classism, and the rights of workers, particularly in the south. He had a dream that has inspired millions for over 5 decades to imagine a world where everyone is valued, respected, and treated equally. Much progress has been made, but racism still exists in our culture. Today, classism is front and center as corporations continue to make huge profits while American workers continue to lose jobs. Other forms of oppression continue to thrive in a culture of ‘us’ vs. ‘them.’ Unitarian Universalism calls us to dream of what might be possible, yet it also calls us to act. Change happens through our dedicated practice to do, speak, spend, and live differently. Accountability and solidarity are necessary elements of cultural transformation. Join us!
Worship Leaders: Revs. Wendy Bartel and Lynn Gardner
Worship Associate: Bud Fielder
There will be a community celebration at 4:00 PM, followed by a moving vigil, ending at the Placer Arts Center.
January 22 THIS I BELIEVE
SFUU’s “This I Believe” services give members an opportunity to share their spiritual journeys. This week, members Sue Fegley and Toby McBride will talk about what Unitarian Universalism means to them. We often learn something new about people with whom we are in fellowship when we listen to their experiences and find out what gives spiritual meaning to their lives.
Speakers: Sue Fegley and Toby McBride
Worship Associate: Joan Lacktis
There will be Forum at 11:30 to explain how the congregation can give input to the Call Process Steering Committee
January 29 COMPASSION AND LOVING KINDNESS: EXPLORING BUDDHISM
On the tail of the Lunar New Year celebration, we will explore Buddhism and how many of its teachings and practices are in alignment with Unitarian Universalism. We will be joined by Jim Robison, SFUU meditation leader, and David Judd, Buddhist Hospice Chaplain at Sutter Faith Hospital.
Worship Leader: Revs. Lynn Gardner and Wendy Bartel
Worship Associate: Charles Miles
To hear a sample sermon click the link: "The L Word"
