Starr King Unitarian Universalist Church

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

A lay-led service. Sermon by Bob Meyerson and Stuart Fink

Youth’s lofty ambitions along with life’s sometimes harsh and often unwelcome realities will be discussed. Come celebrate both and realize they co-exist.

IT’S ABOUT TIME

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson.

We have just slid into yet another new year. Join us for a New Year’s ritual as we say goodbye to the past year and look forward to the new, and as we ponder the meaning of time in our lives.

Where is the love?

Led by the Worship Committee

Like the Black Eyed Peas sing “Where is the love,” we do only have one world but it is up to us to figure out where the love went. Today several members will touch on this subject.

GIVING, GETTING, AND THE REAL GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson

We will explore what giving and getting means in our lives, and celebrate the special gifts of the season, besides those that are wrapped in bright paper and ribbon.

TOWARD BETHLEHEM

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson

What can we Unitarian Universalists make of the traditional nativity story? How might it speak to us? The sermon will explore the rich mythic and universal themes of the Christmas story.

HANUKKAH SERVICE FREEDOM’S FLAMES

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson

The service will celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday whose theme is religious freedom, and the sermon will tell the story of a historical Unitarian struggle for religious freedom—the story of Faustus Socinus and the Polish Bretheren.

A VISIT FROM THE FUTURE

Led by Glen Jacob, pulpit guest.

Some view science fiction as nothing but pulp stories about robots and aliens, or  children’s fantasies. However, good science fiction can tell us something about ourselves, and what is to come. Join us for a fun, lay-led service, as we explore and experience some good “sci-fi.”

ONLY GRATITUDE HELPS

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson

We will gather to express our gratitude for the many gifts of life, to hear Thanksgiving reading, stories and a homily, to sing and to celebrate our thankfulness. Susan Merril from South Hayward Parish will update us on current needs. The choir will offer songs of the season, and children will participate. Guest At Your Table Boxes to support the UU Service Committee’s international and domestic projects, will also be distributed.

CIVILTY AND GRACIOUSNESS

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson

Whatever happened to simple thoughtfulness and kindness? How might we cultivate an attitude of graciousness and civility in ourselves and others, and turn away from the cynicism, rudeness and meanness that characterizes so much of our modern life?

Between Melting and Freezing

Led by Jeanne Foster, pulpit guest

We often feel buffeted between crisis and crisis, problem and problem, issue and issue. How do we find moments of rest, times of peace, in a fast-paced, crisis-torn world? In a passage from the Four Quartets, T. S. Eliot writes: “Between melting and freezing / The soul’s sap quivers. / The dumb spirit stirs.” This poet, who is part of our UU tradition, has wisdom to offer us about living in the “between” times.