What can gardens teach us about caring for the Earth and caring for our souls through nature-based spiritual practices? Join us for an inspiring, community-building, seed-planting ritual service guided by these poetic words: "You are the gardener of your life, tend to what you wish to grow, bloom and fruit. Water it with your time, feed it with your love and warm it with your heart." ~Brigit Anna McNeill

Amanda Strombom, East Shore member and President of the nonprofit Vegetarians of Washington for 20 years, will lead us in an exploration of how we can put our UU values into practice through the choices we make every day on what foods to eat. After the service, Amanda will host a cooking demonstration and coffee and vegan treats will be provided in Spring Hall in the Education Building.

A number of us grew up in religious traditions that encouraged us to see ourselves as broken, flawed, sinful or as downright 'abominations.' Leaving these institutions is one thing; untangling the knots we have tied around our souls can take years. Join Director of Music Eric Lane Barnes in a bright and liberating service that helps shine a light on how to heal from toxic theology.

We recognize that there are many paths to the sacred. We hold fast to the notion that one religion does not hold all the truth for all time, not even Unitarian Universalism. We maintain that a free, open, and respectful dialogue is one of the primary ways our theological perspectives evolve and grow. We affirm the power of Love to heal what is broken and to hold us together across pluralities of diverse religious practices and beliefs.

Myth is something that everyone can touch, something that one hears and says “Yes, I have lived that, I know what that feels like.” It explains a common experience of life that is universal to everyone that has ever lived. The story of Eve is one of spiritual searching and awakening, passed down to us all. Ed Borroff will be speaking.

Come celebrate the profound impact of love as a binding force that transcends boundaries and divisions! A new statement of shared UU values placing love at the center was adopted at the largest annual gathering of UUs worldwide, known as General Assembly, this past June. The new stated values of the faith are: Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, Generosity, centered around Love. Hear more about the evolutionary new values and other conversations that took place on Gender-Expansive Rights and the Middle East from those who attended.

Few things are as connecting and freeing as singing together. Join Director of Music Eric Lane Barnes for a sing-along service on July 14! We will sing hymns from our hymnals as well as several UU-friendly songs projected on the screen. If you would like to have a non-hymnal song considered for inclusion please contact Eric before July 7 at [email protected].

Caroline Haessly will lead the congregation in laughter exercises and present ways to bring more joy, love and gratitude into your life. Laughter is a universal language and need not be solely based on humor. Scientific research has shown that laughter has physiological and emotional benefits. It also eases stress and builds rapport. Like mindfulness meditation, laughter practice is a way of being in the moment.

Just like flower communion but with books! Bring a book, take a book.

We’re inviting a couple of people to participate in the service by reading a passage from their favorite book.

Join us this Sunday, June 9th, for East Shore’s annual UU Children and Youth Bridging worship. It is an amazing ritual and worship for everyone in your family to join in on. It’s also a special Sunday to thank the adults leaders who guide and mentor children and youth each and every Sunday. We’ll be featuring voices from our community and counting the blessings and gratitude to one another among us. All are welcome!