This Easter Sunday our Sanctuary will have a table set with both matzah and bread – symbols of two ancient traditions that share a single heartbeat: the human longing for freedom and the perennial hope of new life. Drawing on the Passover story of liberation and the Easter promise of renewal, we will break bread … Continue reading Sunday April 5, 2026: Liberation and Renewal: One Table, Two Traditions
Attention: neuroscientists study it, kids seek it and our capacity for sustaining it is reportedly shrinking. It is a spiritual practice that some say is the most important, even the only one we need master. Our sources today include a Buddhist caregiver, the band Keane, and someone who spent an entire month doing nothing but … Continue reading Sunday March 29, 2026: The Gift of Presence
Every morning when we wake up, we receive the gift of a new day. What will we do with our time? Join Rev. Laurel and Worship Associate Sarah Watts to explore how establishing a morning spiritual practice can act as a “tuning fork” for the rest of the day. By starting with intentionality, we can … Continue reading Sunday March 22, 2026: What Is Worthy of Our Attention?
This Sunday the Stewardship Team will kick off our annual pledge drive. Joyful Noise Band will play at 10:20 and Crescendo Choir will sing during the service. Join Rev. Laurel Liefert and Worship Associate Laurel Egenberger in taking time this Sunday to notice what our connection with UU Oakland means in our lives. Focusing on … Continue reading Sunday March 15, 2026: Justice and Joy
Our deepest faith values tell us we must ABOLISH ICE NOW! “What Minneapolis taught us is that resisting authoritarianism requires training, sustained resistance, grounding in truth telling and faithful witness.” Twin Cities based MARCH (Multifaith, Antiracism, Change & Healing) is a pro-queer coalition of multiracial faith leaders in Minneapolis / St Paul who sent a … Continue reading Sunday March 8, 2026: ABOLISH ICE NOW! Lessons in Resistance from Minneapolis
Our monthly Soul Matters theme for March is “Paying Attention.” Our family-friendly first Sunday service will begin at 10:20 with Director of Children and Family Ministries Jeffrey Melcher and Rev. Laurel holding a Community Sing. As we begin to explore the monthly theme, we will be reminded that attention and gratitude go hand in hand. … Continue reading Sunday March 1, 2026: Attention and Gratitude
Turns out all of us have a limit – that place where the tragedy of the world exceeds our capacity to whole heartedly abide. Maybe your country is overrun by fascists. Or, the choir just sang your least favorite hymn – your mileage may vary. Join guest minister Rev. Greg Ward and Worship Associate Marilyn … Continue reading Sunday February 22, 2026: Death by Hymn – the Sacred Work of Repair, Resilience and Rebuilding Trust
Join Worship Leaders Emily Stoper and Sarah Watts in a philosophical, social and emotional exploration of our connection with the world’s poorest people.The service will feature music by pianist Vincent Raines. Each Sunday, the First Unitarian Church of Oakland hosts worship that connects us both to shared values in community and to something larger than … Continue reading Sunday February 15, 2026: Universal Love
Join Rev. Laurel and the Pastoral Care Associates to learn about the many ways we care for one another to weave the tapestry of love we call community. Our half-plate recipient for the month of January was the Oakland Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression. In this service, we will present a check to Terry … Continue reading Sunday February 8, 2026: Loving Hearts, Helping Hands
This shortened Sunday service begins at 10:20 with a “Sing-a-Long with Jef and Rev. Laurel” and then we ease right into the First Sunday Family-Friendly segment starting at 10:30. Story, singing and dancing kick off the theme of the month “Embodying Resilience”. Joy can be a sustaining part of resilience. In the words of Rumi, … Continue reading Sunday February 1, 2026: Embodying Resilience
