Join in person or on Zoom. This multigenerational service will feature two important ceremonies. The first will be an Ingathering of New Members in which we will welcome and covenant with those who have signed the Membership Book since our last Ingathering in December. The second will be the Flower Communion, a symbolic ritual that … Continue reading Sunday May 18, 2025 – Flower Communion & Ingathering of New Members
Cassandra Ryan, Vice President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) will lead this service, along with Worship Associates Jane Facente and Emily Stoper. This is our annual occasion to find inspiration in and raise funds for the UUSC and its vital work in advancing human rights through grassroots partnerships around the world. There will … Continue reading Sunday March 30, 2025 – Advancing Justice at the Speed of Trust
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. Led by guest minister Rev. Ben Myers … Continue reading Sunday February 16, 2025 – Re-Storying Our Lives
A longstanding tradition of this congregation is to dedicate the first Sunday of the year to remember and honor those who have died. Join Rev. Laurel and Worship Associate Nancy Henderson for a ritual of remembrance. Laila Ibrahim and Katrinca Ford will offer a special remembrance of longtime lay leader Bev Smrha who died last … Continue reading Sunday January 5, 2025: Tolling of the Bells
On the longest night of the year, many Pagans honor the passing of the old Sun and the birth of the new Sun. We’ll remember various tales of the Winter Solstice in between Yule carols (to familiar holiday tunes). Come to be nourished by the sacred Darkness and celebrate the returning light with Piper Rowanoak-Swim … Continue reading Sunday December 22, 2024 – The Longest Night: Celebrating Yule
The First Unitarian Church of Oakland has a longstanding tradition of having a multigenerational “bread communion” on the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day. The ceremony is an open invitation to commune together by taking turns offering a basket of bread to one another. The communion will be facilitated by Rev. Laurel Liefert and Worship Associate Marilyn … Continue reading Sunday November 24, 2024 – Breaking Bread Together
This service begins the series of sermons based on the book The Five Invitations Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully by Frank Ostaseski. Rev. Laurel will introduce the first invitation: Don’t Wait. “Whatever we have done with our lives makes us what we are when we die. And everything, absolutely everything, counts.” … Continue reading Sunday October 20, 2024 – Don’t Wait
