At Hanukkah, the menorah holds nine candles. But there are only eight nights. The ninth candle is the shamash and is the candle used to light the others. We will explore stories and lessons of the shamash candle and what it might teach us.

Our shared value of Generosity is described in Article 2 as something we cultivate through gratitude and hope. Rev. Sean will consider these things and how they connect with interdependence, sharing, and caring for each other.

To be grounded and rooted in something more than our own worldview, beliefs, and opinions is vital to our movement. We are not an aggregate of individuals but something more: a community that transcends both time and the myth of individualism by keeping us connected to those who have come before and those that yet … Continue reading Grounded and Rooted

What are the inspirations of Unitarian Universalism? Who are our heroes and saints? What are our formative stories? What do we bring with us from other traditions and how do we keep learning as we hold onto our collective identity?

At this time of year we encounter stories that encourage us to imagine freedom even in death. To acknowledge our own losses and grief, but imagine that something of those we love goes on: in memory, in story, in this world or another. We will explore the wisdom of these traditions to help us accept … Continue reading Skulls, Bonfires, Butterflies, Tricks & Treats

What, ultimately, would it mean to be truly free? Free from coercion, free from fear, free from isolation, free from our trauma and pain? Is there a way to be both free and fully engaged in all that life brings?

We have long held the freedom of the pulpit to be a sacred value. We don’t insist the minister preach only from a certain point of view, catechism or creed. But we also believe in the freedom of those in the pews…Rev. Sean will talk about the joys and responsibilities of these freedoms.

Unitarian Universalism is known for and founded on freedom of belief. But what does that mean? How do we stay faithful to our individual beliefs while creating real community?