Poetry delights, enlightens and often mystifies us. The uniqueness of poetry is directly evoking human experience. Poetry invites rather than explains, illuminates the invisible, speaks the unspeakable. Poetry’s images, rhythm and economy of words are electric, waking us from the habitual and from sleep. Poetry, by giving voice to what is forbidden, shamed and forgotten, … Continue reading Sunday August 18, 2024 – The Power of Poetry
It is our faith that each child born is one more redeemer. We speak these words with each child dedication and every Christmas Eve. But what do they mean? If our faith tell us that each child is born a source of salvation rather than in need of salvation, how does this shape our relationship … Continue reading Sunday July 21, 2024 – Raising Redeemers: the joys and challenges of intergenerational ministry
The Pastoral Associates program began at First Oakland under the tutelage of the late Mary Ann Haw. A nurse educator by profession, she envisioned a team of compassionate lay members who would be trained to accompany congregants when they were in crisis, challenge, and transformation. Since its inception, the PA program has journeyed along side … Continue reading Sunday July 14, 2024 – The Ministry of Pastoral Care
Join Rev. Laurel Liefert, Worship Associate Sarah Watts and musician Susan Keiter for this Christmas Eve morning service when we will raise our voices together in singing traditional carols of the season. There are two ways to attend this worship service: In person: Worship service starts at 10:20 AM. We strongly recommend that you wear … Continue reading Dec. 24, 2023, 10:20am – Gladden Our Hearts With Song
Poet Mary Oliver asks: “tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.” In this service, Rev. Laurel will ask a different question: “tell me about hope, yours, and I will tell you mine.” There are two ways to attend this worship service: In person: Worship service starts at 10:20 AM. We strongly … Continue reading Sep. 3, 2023 – The Fool or the Magician?
Each Sunday, the First Unitarian Church of Oakland hosts worship that connects us both to shared values in community and to something larger than ourselves. True to our Unitarian Universalist practice, what we connect to ranges from theistic to nature-based to non-theistic and many things in-between, but is always held as part of the multifaceted … Continue reading Aug. 13, 2023 – How Do We Become Elders?
Come join in with Aloha spirit! Susan T. Mashiyama, PhD and UUA Certified Music Leader, will share her multicultural background and tell us a little about her experiences with the culture, music, and dance of Hawaii, as well as Buddhism. Emily Stoper will give a reflection based on her experiences being a mother and at … Continue reading May 14, 2023 – The Aloha Spirit
[Contemplative Vibe Service] Join Dick Bailey and Pastor Ninán to consider what it means to live in practical, real-time community and how our differences call us to change our perspectives from firm and fixed to connected and curious. Checking out First Unitarian Oakland? If you’re joining us for the first time, we would like to … Continue reading Community Is Complicated
Unitarian theologian James Luther Adams wrote about the power of covenant to resist oppression and injustice. Covenant is the basic building block from which we grow our UU church. As we continue to move out of Covid, the need for civil society is more important than ever to promote democracy and support each other. What … Continue reading Legacy of Love
Musician and mystic Leonard Cohen once asked, “How can I begin anything new with all of yesterday in me?” As we seek renewal and connection, we might also have the same question. How can we begin again, given all the history that we’ve experienced? Join us to consider what Rosh Hashanah can reveal, what Emerson’s … Continue reading How Can I? The Lessons of Forgiveness and Renewal of the Season
