Transforming the Three Poisons: Today we will explore the ancient Buddhist teachings that say greed, anger, and ignorance are the the path to unhappiness. They also say that what you feel matters and what you do with your feelings matters even more. Join us to learn how to nurture the inner beauty of our spirits and find the path to happiness.

Service Leader: Rev. Dr. Bill Stayton

Worship Associate: Judy Withee

Music: Gage Purdy with the Choir

 Everything we do, feel, think, and communicate is done through the lens of our culture. But, what is our culture? The interaction of culture, environment and our own personalities, temperaments, backgrounds, and experiences determine how we interact with one another, for better or worse. Let us examine aspects of our dominant culture that may be harmful to ourselves and to others.

Service Leader: Leslie Norinsky

Worship Associate: Eric Fischer & Mark Sowers

Music: Alan Bell & Paul Gilger

The UUCSR Flower Communion returns! The Flower Communion service was created by Unitarian Norbert Capek in Czechloslovakia in 1923, as a symbolic ritual that would bind people more closely together. He turned to the native beauty of his countryside -- and their bountiful spring flowers -- to create a communion that would be genuine to all comers. It was such a success that it has been held yearly ever since. Let us all gather in genuine communion for a multigenerational service. Please bring a flower (or two) to share!

Service Leader: Veronica Jordan & Era Capone

Worship Associate: Veronica Jordan

Music: Gage Purdy with The Choir & Roger Corman

The war in Ukraine once again reminds us of the cost of military conflicts on civilians – individuals, families, communities, and the larger society. On this Memorial Day, designated to mourn those who died serving in the U.S. armed forces, we will commemorate all those impacted by war.

Service Leader: Reverend Susan Panttaja

Worship Associate: Cathy Wiese

Music: Sally Jones & Roger Corman

An Insider's View of Ministry. Rev. Dan O'Neal's sermon "Will Preach for Money: An Insider's Thoughts on the Ministry" Dan O’Neal was our first called minister. He served from 1986 to 1996. Today’s service features a message he presented as he looked forward to his 9th year as our minister. In it he examines the multitudinous roles a minister is asked to take on. 

CUUPS Lammas Bread Offering in the social hall after the service.

In a jazz group, as in our community at UUCSR, certain roles need to be filled. Someone has to play the melody, someone has to keep time, someone has to suggest the harmonic context. Playing in a jazz group involves both responsibility and freedom; freedom consists of understanding your responsibility well enough to act independently and still make the needed contribution to the group. We are embarking on a journey together may it be one of celebration, one of learning and one of commitment. I invite you to join me as we begin our journey of celebration.

*Short Congregational Meeting to Follow. Please plan to attend, we especially need voting members present in person or zoom*

Our proposed 8th principle states: “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” This service will explore how understanding this proposed principle can lead us on a journey toward wholeness.

In Jewish traditions, the 10 days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are known as the "Days of Awe" . This period is part of the Jewish High Holidays, a time of profound introspection, repair and action. This morning we'll explore some of the themes and spiritual invitations that are part of this season. How can we take honest stock of our lives? How can we restore deeper relationships to self, other, and the sacred? Rev. Dara Olandt is a UU minister of Jewish heritage and practice. Her writing has been featured in "Jewish Voices in Unitarian Universalism" (Skinner House, 2014). She formerly served as Assistant Minister at UUCSR and is delighted to return as a guest worship leader today. 

Courage when focused can help us to have triumph over our fears. "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."- Nelson Mandela

Some common synonyms of courage are mettle, resolution, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.