How do we live vividly? How do we open ourselves to constant change? The practice of writing haiku involves attention to momentary and seasonal change. Haiku poet Matsuo Basho traveled for months at a time. Traveling gave him a heightened sense of the impermanence we live within each day. We will explore Basho’s idea of … Continue reading Sunday September 13, 2026: Life is a Journey
Like many Unitarian Universalist churches First Unitarian has a tradition of offering summer Sunday services crafted entirely by congregants and guest service leaders. We get the chance to hear new voices, and get to know some of the talented people who call this church home. On August 9th, Rev. Laurel Liefert will return to lead … Continue reading Sunday July 26, 2026: Parable of the Rainbow – Healing and Transformation
Come celebrate 5:00 pm Christmas Eve with Director of Children and Family Ministry Jef Melcher, Board Member Katrinca Ford and musician Susan Keiter in our Christmas Eve Family Service and Annual No Rehearsal Christmas Pageant! With a spark of imagination and the willing participation of children and youth, we will bring to life, right before … Continue reading Wednesday December 24, 2025, 5:00 pm: Christmas Eve Family Service with Annual No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant
Join in person or on Zoom. Nancy Henderson, Reilly Hirst, and members of Poetry Circle will share poems relevant for these times. Vocal group Short Term Fun (with member Lo Jackson) returns to share their poetic, exquisite harmonies! Like many UU churches First Unitarian has a tradition of offering summer Sunday services crafted entirely by … Continue reading Sunday August 10, 2025 – Poetry for These Times
Join in person or on Zoom. Lammas (or Luggnasadh) is the halfway point, or “cross quarter” between summer solstice and the fall equinox. Lammas was also known as “First Loaf” and represented the first harvest festival! The multi-talented Irish celt god Lugh is associated with this holiday, the sun, crafts, magic, poetry, war and harvest. … Continue reading Sunday August 3, 2025 – Lammas
Join in person or on Zoom. Join leaders of the Justice Council Steering Committee and musician Susan Keiter as we affirm that our work for justice and social change nourishes our hearts and our souls and gives us hope. We will sing songs that give us courage and lift up the work of church members … Continue reading Sunday June 29, 2025 – The Joy of Justice: Keep on Moving Forward
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
