Speaker: Rev. Theresa Ninán Soto

Rev. Soto

Rev. Theresa  Ninán Soto (who uses the personal pronouns they/them/theirs) brings a remarkably loving presence and a depth of spiritual leadership. They are invested in working collaboratively with the congregation to live more deeply into our mission and vision. They have said, “While I am prepared to lead a congregation, I want to do it in partnership with them, their dreams, their ideas, and their dearest values.” Rev. Soto comes to us most recently from Ashland, Oregon, where they served as an affiliated Community Minister at Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. They also serve as co-chair of the Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and co-vice president of Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUMM). DRUUMM is a Unitarian Universalist People of Color Ministry and anti-racist collective bringing lay and religious professionals together to overcome racism through resistance and transform Unitarian Universalism.

They are a graduate of Quinnipiac University School of Law and Meadville Lombard Theological School. Their partner is the Rev. Sean Parker Dennison.

Rev. Soto comes to ministry after careers in education and law. Sometimes people ask what the connection is between those fields: simply that all three are different paths to making the world a better place.

If you are curious about Rev. Soto, please visit their website: revtheresalovesyou.com, or search their sermons on YouTube.

Community Is Complicated

[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

[B]eneath us the other order already moves. It is burning. It is dreaming. It is waking up.

In her poem, “Map,” Linda Hogan highlights the thread of aliveness that connects all things. This service will engage the question, “If I were to talk about awakening, I could talk about … .” How has awakening shown up in your life? How do you want it to? This service will be followed by a … Continue reading [B]eneath us the other order already moves. It is burning. It is dreaming. It is waking up.

Friday, 12/24 Christmas Eve 6:00 pm and 7:30

A great and joyful event: 6:00 pm – Family Zoom celebration of Christmas. Join us for stories, songs, and fun to explore the blessings of Christmas. Folks of every age and stage of life are invited; this service will be shaped to welcome participation of children and youth. Need a link? Email yesplease@uuoakland.org  with family … Continue reading Friday, 12/24 Christmas Eve 6:00 pm and 7:30

No one can hold back the dawn (and Christmas sweaters)

Join us for celebrating the meaning of Yule in this season, along with imagining how this season of moving from night to dawn offers joy and possibilities to our community. Wear your Christmas sweater, beautiful or ugly, and prepare by thinking of ways that people have blessed you with generosity. If you’re joining us for … Continue reading No one can hold back the dawn (and Christmas sweaters)

December 12, 2021: 8th Principle Vote—Love is Not All

This week, First Unitarian Oakland will host a historic vote for members of record to vote on whether this congregation supports and adopts the 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism. [website link] Join us as Pastor Ninán and the Rev. Dr. Michael Tino (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester and the Church of the Larger Fellowship) … Continue reading December 12, 2021: 8th Principle Vote—Love is Not All

The Impediment in Choosing: Emerson, Gifts, and Progress

It is said that the world is in a state of bankruptcy, that the world owes the world more than [it] can pay [. . .] I do not think this general insolvency [. . .] to be the reason of the difficulty experienced at Christmas and New Year, and other times, in bestowing gifts; … Continue reading The Impediment in Choosing: Emerson, Gifts, and Progress