The UUA wrapped up its annual General Assembly in Pittsburgh on June 25th with a powerful, joyous, communal worship service.
This Sunday, we will have the opportunity to see this service via stream on the screen in Hamilton Hall. Beginning at 10:30, the service will last 90 minutes, with the sermon coming approximately 2/3 of the way through.
The service is highlighted by amazing music featuring the General Assembly Choir, made up of talented choral musicians from throughout the denomination. It is directed by Clif Hardin, who has been the music director for the River Road UU Congregation in Bethesda, MD since 1983.
The service includes renditions of spirituals, traditional hymns, and more contemporary songs by Holly Near, Bob Dylan, and Stevie Wonder. Adam Podd’s piano accompaniment is extraordinary as are the vocal interpretations by Reggie Harris.
The sermon, Ever Willing: Becoming the People Our World Needs, is delivered by The Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Senior Minister of the First UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, MI.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Rev. Manish is a co-editor of Conversations with the Sacred: A Collection of Prayers (2020) and the 2018-2019 UUA common read, Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment. He has served extensively in Unitarian Universalist leadership, including as a member of the UUSC Board of Trustees; the UUA Board of Trustees; President of DRUUMM; Secretary of the Board of Starr King School for the Ministry; and as an author and advocate of the 2007 General Assembly resolution confronting gender identity-related discrimination. He brings to the ministry his multicultural experience serving as a U.S. diplomat during the Clinton administration.
This is an opportunity to witness the largest annual aggregation of UUs for worship
There are two ways to attend this worship service:
- In person: Worship service starts at 10:20 AM. We strongly recommend that you wear a mask while in the building. All are invited to stay after worship for Coffee Hour in Wendte Hall.
- Via Zoom: Join the worship service and Virtual Coffee Hour from any internet browser or with the installed Zoom app. Closed captions will be provided. A Zoom account is not required. The first part consists of watching the live stream, and the second part continues our practice of online Coffee Hour. The virtual “doors” open at 10 AM and music commences at 10:20 AM. Refer to your Chalice Chatter or contact office@uuoakland.org for Zoom details.
Checking out First Unitarian Oakland?
If you’re joining us for the first time, we would like to extend a full welcome! Please answer a few questions on our online Guest Connection Card. When at church on Sunday, you can also ask questions & get help at the Greeting Table on the patio before the service.
On most Sundays right after the service, we have a quick Newcomer Welcome in the sanctuary — meet up with a church member in front by the pulpit, for a quick introduction to the church and answers to your questions — then join us in Wendte Hall for Coffee Hour. If you attend via Zoom, you can stay in the Zoom session after the service for informal discussion in our Virtual Coffee Hour.
We look forward to you joining us for worship service each week! For more information, check out About Worship.