Our service on 12/15 is led by The Rev. Ben Meyers, who is a regular guest minister here. Rev. Ben has served as a Unitarian Universalist parish minister, hospice chaplain and social justice activist for over 30 years. He is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and an ardent advocate for the adoption of clean energy in faith-based homes and communities. He loves living near Lake Merritt in Oakland, which allows closer proximity to his 4 y.o. grandson. Welcome back to our pulpit, Rev. Ben.
n 1923 the Rev. Norbert Capek created the first “Oslava Květin”, or ‘Flower Celebration’, in Prague. In order to unite the diverse congregants of his church, he turned to the beauty of nature, with each person bringing a flower to place in a vase. Once blessed, a flower different from the one brought is picked … Continue reading The Simplest of Sacraments
The problem with evil’ is not just a theological topic for sermon discourse. We live in a time where we each need to decide “What do we do about it?”. Our Worship Services are In Person at 1893 N Vasco Rd, Livermore, CA 94551. You can attend services online at the following Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82288296993?pwd=U1dlY1BSS1pPUnJpSXVaZG1ObU9kZz09Meeting ID: … Continue reading Seeing Evil
It has been suggested that the ultimate test for becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister is to sit in a room, with a single sheet of paper and a pen, and answer a single test question: “Explain Easter.” And then, in italicized parentheses underneath (….So that your Unitarian Universalist congregation will understand—NOT AGREE–but understand…) On this, … Continue reading The Easter Exam
Our values call us to live in the reality of the heartbreak of our world, remembering that: “No one is outside the circle of love.” How can we keep the circle and our hearts open when we may wish to ‘close ranks’? Whom, or what, do we trust when the winds of changes shift? Worship Associate; Carolyn … Continue reading The Open Circle
The American writer, Willa Cather, wrote, “There are only two or three human stories,and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before.”Stories can keep us stuck in a perpetual cycle of struggle or liberate us into a previously unimagined potential. Our Worship Services are In Person at 1893 N … Continue reading Re-storying Our Lives
A sermon for the Advent Season, by the Rev. Ben Meyers. We all spend time waiting….Waiting for doctors, for dentists, for our tires to be rotated. I realize I’ve also spent a lot of time in ‘phantom waiting rooms’…waiting for something that will NEVER happen…waiting for something wanted, but will never get if I keep … Continue reading Phantom Waiting Rooms
A sermon on health, wholeness and healing, by the Rev. Ben Meyers. Healing is ‘usually’ presented to us as something binary: something is either broken, or it has been healed from that brokenness. But that’s not how healing happens. Leonard Cohen wrote; “There is a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in.” The sermon aspires … Continue reading “…How The Light Gets In…”
The service, informed by the Jewish High Holy Days, which end at sunset on October 12, delves into the universally complex and profound spiritual journey of ‘letting go’, and the healing powers of giving and receiving forgiveness. Through reflection, music, stories, and ritual we will foster compassion, encourage personal growth, and deepen connections within ourselves and … Continue reading Understanding Forgiveness
From Rev. Ben: “I have become more and more distressed by what I perceive as a serious lack of joy in our day-to-day lives. In my own life, in casual conversations with friends and acquaintances, with what generally passes as “News”. It’s as if we have forgotten something basic about ourselves that we are trying … Continue reading Joy, the Antidote to Overwhelm
