UU Community Church of Washington County's Podcast

The number of people in the U.S. aged 100 or older jumped 44% between 2000 and 2014.  As we live longer, healthier lives how can we make intentional choices along the journey so our lives continue to be meaningful?  And how do we change the stereotypes that pretend our accumulated experience is no longer relevant?  Even those still young need to think about what kind of world to be creating for their future.

Throughout religious history, revivals have marked periods of resurgence in people’s commitment to their faith traditions.  Classic American tent revivals took people out of the four walls of the church and into the world.  They brought the community together and served as a galvanizing force for the future, often during times of great change or anxiety. 

In the midst of overlapping climate crises and mounting social injustice, we are in a time of great change and profound anxiety.  Taking a note from those who have gone before us, this weekend's UUA Climate Justice Revival is meant to be a time to come together, re-commit, and re-imagine a way forward for Climate Justice within our congregation as it relates to a changing world.  Though we may not be gathering in a tent or under the stars, this weekend's Revival is an invitation to bring the revival spirit to our Sunday service and our shared time together.

Gary Kowalski, delivered by Diane Larson

Flower Communion symbolizes the light and color and fragrance of many creeds, many cultures, and many races joining together in a bright, living bouquet.  It is a testament to the power of love to withstand hate.  The flowers we share this morning bring us the assurance that warmth and kindness can pierce through frost of cruelty and indifference, that mercy and decency will blossom, that goodness has deep roots and will prevail.  What seems most fragile and perishable is most persistent and enduring.

It is said that laughter is the best medicine… let’s find out if that’s true!  April rings in with its first day heralding pranks and silliness.  Come and enjoy a fun-filled Sunday with silly music, playful rituals, and some surprises.

Jon Biemer will share Three C’s of Sustainability – and how we can make use of them. He draws stories and insights from his books Our Journey to Sustainability: How Everyday Heroes Make a Difference (2024) and Our Environmental Handprints:  Recover the Land, Reverse Global Warming, Reclaim the Future (2021). Jon is a member of the Wy’east Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

Like UUs, Dandelions are persistent, often flamboyant, and rooted in a growing future.  Join us and Ms Bloom as we consider spreading the seeds of our community.

The meditation practice, “Be Still and Get Going,” was created by Rabbi Alan Lew, and can be found in his book by the same name. This practice weaves together the tradition of Zen Buddhism with Judaism, merging the wisdom of these spiritual teachings and anchoring them with meditation. The “Be Still and Get Going” meditation is a method that we can use to reconnect with our centers amidst chaos, and can help us keep going when we are overwhelmed by life. Come and learn more about this meditative practice; may it help aid our community in finding comfort amidst life’s storms. 

In my 20 years as a spiritual director, I have found nothing so effective in fostering personal change as gentle persistence and persistent gentleness.  As adrienne maree brown says, "Small is all."  When we treat ourselves with love and respect, it becomes more possible for us to treat others so.  When we come to one another with persistent love and gentle respect, we increase our capacity for larger social change.

Resting is the seedbed that blooms with the fruit of subversive imagination… and we must water this seedbed tenderly and disruptively. In the words of Nap Minister Tricia Hersey, “We are deeply committed to dismantling white supremacy and capitalism by using rest as the foundation for this disruption. We believe rest is a spiritual practice, a racial justice issue and a social justice issue…. This is about more than naps.” Come join us for a time of worship that honors sacred rest and promotes subversive, deeply authentic alignment with our bodies, minds, and spirits.

Since the beloved broadway musical "Wicked" hit the big screen, fans have taken a deep dive back into the music, and meaning, of the story.  Come to UUCCWC on Sunday, February 23rd, and enjoy a Wicked-themed service, complete with music from the show, and wear your favorite color: pink or green.  This Sunday's sermon will explore the understory of the Wicked musical, and reflect on Brené Brown's research, which shows that love - not hate - is at the center of any *real* community.  Also, don't forget to bring your pledge cards and clear your dance card for our pledge party, immediately following worship!  As a super special treat, Rev. Lauren will be joining us in person!