sermon summaries

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.)

Each season brings its gifts, and challenges. Here is the unique beauty of the Pacific Northwest in winter – green and fog and cold. Here are the holidays of light and joy. Here is the time of waiting and wondering. Join us for a morning of music and contemplation of this season on the earth, this season in our lives.

With the UUFC Choir and Band, Music Director David Servias, Choir Leader Steven Evans-Renteria, and the Rev. Leslie Chartier.