Our monthly theme is "Celebrating Blessings." None of us likes the state of the nation at the moment but looking back at where we've been is cause for celebration. Note: I will talk about progressive successes and look a bit more closely at how difficult those actually were for those involved. History glosses over the time and boredom of social action.

https://youtu.be/f-XCIEjCCdk

Reflections on Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and the Nature of Authority.

https://youtu.be/JZYxv0ykeIU

This is a short phrase from the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze. It underlines a fact about how we combine memory and anticipation to live in the possibilities of the moment. On a day that we celebrate our graduating high school seniors and our many volunteers, let's consider what is next.

Text of Talk (PDF): Becoming is an Anti-memory

https://youtu.be/gLANET2AWUo

William Shakespeare wrote, “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, /And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date . . . " (Sonnet 18). Beauty, ephemerality, and storms. Those words go a long way toward encompassing our lives.

Enjoy special music from Martha Hardesty and Maureen Hunt.

https://youtu.be/pzDz30WqBVo

Our Annual Meeting marks the 141st year of First Unitarian Society and our 106th year of being a congregational humanist gathering. Over those decades some things have changed a lot. Many things haven't changed at all. The conclusion that I draw from all this? We're not done here!

https://youtu.be/c8CczZCc7UU

Don’t miss Revs. Kelli and Jé in this love and beauty duet, a different kind of Sunday morning experience, with story, poetry, and dance. With beautiful music by the Eclectics.

https://youtu.be/BeN7yho65pg

Both Unitarian Universalism and Humanism are products of the nineteenth century idea that all religions come from a common source--perhaps a god, perhaps the human mind. There is a dark side to this conviction. 

Text of Talk (PDF): Getting All Meta About It

https://youtu.be/BgR6S4dEDAI

The great Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa wrote, “Where there are humans / You’ll find flies / And Buddhas.” Our theme for the month of May is Nurturing Beauty. Who doesn’t love beauty, but too often the nurturing part gets onerous. 

Text of Talk (PDF): Seedbeds and Worms (Buddhas and Flies)

https://youtu.be/ZvEqZ0LZYUU

Let’s give Rev. Jim a send-off filled with joy and gratitude! Message from Rev. Jim Foti.

https://youtu.be/u-NMymd3wz0

Let’s give Rev. Jim a send-off filled with joy and gratitude! Message from Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

https://youtu.be/rb7Nsm93CkM