Starr King Unitarian Universalist Church

Significant Choices

Led by Bob Miess, PCD Ministerial Settlement Representative.

Most people would agree that selecting our next settled minister is a very significant choice for our congregation. In his sermon, “Significant Choices,” Bob Miess, our district’s Ministerial Settlement Representative (MSR) since 2008, will discuss what makes an excellent significant choice, and 13 strategies for making excellent significant choices in all sorts of human endeavors. Bob has worked with more than 20 congregations, coaching them to successfully find their ministers. Following the service, he will meet with us to explain the details of the UUA’s ministerial search process, how it makes it possible for us to use the 13 strategies, and how we can best take advantage of it to make an excellent choice for our next settled minister.

Your One Wild and Precious Life

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson.

It’s a New Year-a time for resolutions, perhaps, on how to live the rest of our lives most fruitfully. The service and sermon will explore the issue of time in our lives and how we might live more fully in this new year and beyond.

What is Faith?

Led by member Brian Johnson.

This Lay Lead service will explore the question of faith.

Jesus the Sage

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson

On this Sunday before Christmas Eve, the sermon will explore some of the recent scholarship concerning Jesus, whose birth so many will celebrate on Wednesday evening. Who was this remarkable figure, beneath the legends? How much of what is attributed to him did he really say?

Winter Festivals of Light – The Pursuit of Radiance

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson.

As the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, approaches, we will acknowledge various traditions that celebrate light in the darkest time. Children will participate in celebrating these holidays for the first half of this service. The sermon will explore the metaphor of light as a symbol of the human spirit.

A Right Jolly Old Elf

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson.

He’s coming to town. Have you been good? Did St. Nicholas really exist? The sermon will explore various myths and stories surrounding this Christian saint, whose feast day is celebrated on December 6th in many parts of Europe.

The Sound of Silence

Led by Glen Jacob, pulpit guest.

Are we so used to all of the constant electronic input that we get in our daily lives, that our times of silence have become uncomfortable, or even frightening?  Let us consider the importance and joy to be found in a little quiet time.

Looking Back, Living Forward

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson, past Presidents Natalie Forrest, Doug Sprague and Andy Hanson.
Join us for a service celebrating 60 years as a thriving Unitarian Universalist congregation. We will honor long-time members and welcome some new ones. The celebration will continue after the service with a catered lunch, speakers and entertainment.

Dancing in the Chaos

ed by Erica Ward, Master of Divinity student, Starr King School for the Ministry.
November 9th is the obscure national holiday, “Chaos Never Dies Day.” As a symbol of the unknown, chaos has many negative connotations of confusion and upheaval. But chaos also holds the potential for creativity and fertility. Many creation stories, including Genesis in the Bible, begin with a void or chaos. This sermon will explore the metaphysical implications of chaos theory, which investigates patterns of possibility within complex and dynamically changing systems.

Alas For the Daisies: On Impermanence

Led by Rev. Joy Atkinson.
The season is changing, some of the leaves are turning bright colors, and summer vegetation is dying back . Nothing lasts forever in this universe. Changes, little and big deaths and losses, are inevitable facts of life. And yet, as the poet Wallace Stevens wrote, “death is the mother of beauty.” What would we really bother to do if we had an infinite amount of time to do it in? How can we cope with, and even learn to treasure, the changes and losses in our lives, and the stark fact of our own mortality?