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Universalists in Unitarian Universalism

Who are the Universalists in Unitarian Universalism? Where did they come from and how do they influence who we are as an active and progressive liberal and spiritual community? Our faith, Unitarian Universalism, is the outcome of a 1961 merger of these two faiths, but each has its own history and influence on our beliefs and the work of our congregation. It may be easier to just say we are Unitarians but what do we miss by not adding the term Universalist to the way we define ourselves? During this talk we will address what both the Unitarians and Universalists bring to our faith but will focus on contributions of … Continue reading Universalists in Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalist Principles and Values

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Not many people may know that the principles and values of Unitarian Universalism have evolved significantly since its founding in 1961. These principles and values (and how they have changed over time) are evidence of our faith being a living, breathing, tradition. This Sunday, Anna Clark, who is relatively new to Unitarian Universalism, will present the history of the UU principles and values. There will also be an introduction to the recent changes made to them and what the current status is of our UU values according to the Unitarian Universalist Association. Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism, or have been around a while, chances are the UU principles … Continue reading Unitarian Universalist Principles and Values

Soul Matters Discussion: Embodying Resilience

It doesn’t usually work to simply ignore or will our way out of stress, however there is a way. Various studies have shown how to care for ourselves: completing the stress cycle, downshifting the nervous system, and returning the body to its sense of safety through rituals, singing, laughing and moving. Community is key to this: the body returns to safety when we are with people we know, love and trust. Practicing being in our bodies and returning them to safety increases our resilience. We increase our courage and build our capacity to cope with stress and hopelessness. Our CVUU community is building our embodied resilience not only for individual … Continue reading Soul Matters Discussion: Embodying Resilience

Effective Listening

More than ever, people are struggling to pay attention to each other. This is largely due to our self-focused culture, technological distractions, and a toxic political atmosphere. Effective listening goes far beyond merely processing someone’s words. It requires prioritizing the speaker and helping them feel heard. It requires reading their body language, encouraging them to continue sharing, and putting our own assumptions aside. Effective listening includes trying to understand how the speaker is feeling and why they’re trying to share something. Most find effective listening challenging—and it is…but it’s well worth the effort.   Meet in person at CVUU or online through Zoom on Sunday at 10:00 AM.

Soul Matters – Practicing Resistance

When there are so many horrible things happening in the world it is difficult to know where to begin. How do we fight for a more loving and just world when the problems are far bigger than we could handle alone? Join us for a discussion on what resistance looks like, how joy is an act of resistance, and small ways we can make a change. Because we need everyone. Meet in person at CVUU or online through Zoom on Sunday at 10:00 AM.

Incarcerated America

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“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. wrote of structural inequities in the American criminal justice and punishment systems. He recognized that at every point in the criminal justice system, people of color are treated more severely. Excess incarceration results not only from racial injustice, but also from being unhoused, having an addiction, suffering from mental illness, being an immigrant, or using illicit drugs in small quantities. There are far too few resources for treatment or meaningful solutions—both in prisons and in society at large. Our law enforcement systems incarcerate far more … Continue reading Incarcerated America