sermon summaries

Where do we come from? From a long line of reformers and innovators, courageous dissenters and broad-minded humanitarians, among others. The liberal religious tradition includes people in all times and places. It has never been the dominant culture, and has often been a dangerous path. And now? And here? What are this tradition and its high aims worth to us, today?

With Rev. Jill McAllister

Following the service, all who are interested are invited to join in another “Transition Talk” beginning at 11:45 in the Sanctuary.

Unitarian Universalist Peter Mayer has been singing and songwriting full-time for 30 years, performing across the U.S. and beyond, including in many UU congregations and gatherings.  His songs are part of our hymnals and services, including the well-loved  “Blue Boat Home.”  In this time when art and beauty and singing together are essential to our well-being, we are thrilled to welcome Peter back to the Fellowship. There will be more music than speaking – the service will be primarily a concert, to feed our souls.  We are not selling tickets!  However, if you are interested, able and willing to support Pete’s art, and would like to contribute the price of a ticket, or more, you are welcome to do so, at uucorvallis.org, Donate, Gift to A Different Fund, Peter Mayer.

Fellowship member Blaise Ntakarutimana (now Kevin Shimineza) joins Jill McAllister to tell about his journey as a UU refugee from Burundi, where he was active in a humanist organization and in the newly-established Unitarian congregation in Bujumbura, and was thinking about the possiblity of ministry. Then his life changed when he had to flee Burundi. He’ll talk this morning about his life as a new US citizen in these troubling times, and his hopes for what his experience can offer to others.

And how do you know you know it? But even more important is “what difference does it make? Martin Luther King Jr said “shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.” And that “nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” The minister/writer Frederick Buechner once said “faith is not being sure where you’re going, but going anyway.” Which leads us to consider the relationship between knowledge and faith, which isn’t as simple as we might assume.

For me, Black History Month is a time for intentionality, for reflection, for learning. I consider it to be a responsibility – not an option. I am dedicated to the creation and sustaining of an anti-racist multi-cultural society, even though I don’t always know what that means for me or what the next steps are. Like the song says – “One more step, we will take one more step….” I hope you’ll join me.
With Rev. Jill McAllister

Here at the mid-point between Solstice and Equinox, here at the frontier of new assaults on freedom and democracy, here in the stirring of the season of new life, we can find wisdom and inspiration for how to live now by considering the ancient traditions of Imbolc. The life force is moving and growing as always, in many unseen ways. It is the creative force in everything that is getting ready to be born, sprout, bud and grow. What practices and perspectives can help us as we aim and strive to help life, justice, and freedom emerge?

With the Wheel of the Year team and Rev. Jill McAllister

The list of current choices for this label is long – where do we begin? Sadly, it was used for a person who was dedicated to freedom, equity, and love, who helped shine more light on the immoral foundations of so much of our society not so long ago. Those foundations remain strong, and seem to be being fortified as we speak. In those dangerous times he said: “There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect…. We still have a choice today.” We do still have choices today. How shall we live now? We’ll revisit some of the legacies and present wisdom of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Following the service, all who are interested are invited to join in a first conversation about entering into a ministerial transition, with Jill and members of the Board and Committee on Ministry.

One the Roman calendar, the foundation for the Gregorian calendar we now use, every January was a crossroads between past and future – the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. The month is named for Janus, the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and endings. (Wow – that’s a lot of responsibility!) The Fellowship is at a crossroads in this January; to begin with, with the rest of the country (and much of the world) we’re about see what new government leadership will mean for our lives. And we’re renewing part of our building in preparation for…. the future! Some of this will be hard, some of it will be nourishing. All of it will be change. What tools, practices and skills do we already have for navigating these changes, and what do we need to learn?

Though arbitrary in many ways – calendars are human creations- the beginning of this new year feels momentous. Certainly we are called to continue to be present to the world in ever more careful and effective ways. As always, this kind of presence requires strengths and courage which come from being grounded and centered.

This first Sunday in January is a good time to remind ourselves of the meanings of religion, spirituality, grounded-ness, and centering.

With Rev. Jill McAllister

We are between and amidst winter holidays – Christmas and Yule, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s. There is quiet observing, celebrating, gathering, resting and contemplation. We’ll gather on this last December Sunday for short worship service for all ages – affirming our connections and acknowledging the realities of the world, followed by sharing in a Holiday(s) Brunch and intergenerational activities. Please bring finger foods to share, such as holiday breads, muffins, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, fruits, veggies, nuts, etc.

Activities may include drawing / coloring, origami, singing together, discussion groups (be ready to share about something you’ve read this year that really made a difference, or some action you’ve taken this year that really made a difference.)