After Sunday’s service, which addressed Martin Luther King’s argument that equating a person’s value with their financial means is an “unjust measurement of human worth,” Live Oak member Michael Van Slyke shared that he finds it frustrating when the news media describes someone as being “worth” their financial resources, e.g....
January 9 is a national day of mourning on the death of President Jimmy Carter. What a life and what a legacy. I never met him, but he has been an influence in my life since I was a child. My parents were big fans of his – I think...
This Sunday is our annual “Fire Communion.” This is a participatory service, one of our four community-based rituals, in which which we honor that we are each on our individual life journeys, but we do not journey alone. On Sunday, we will be noting things that we would like to...
There are so many ways that Live Oak members show their love for this church. You serve in leadership, teach classes, work on committees, donate your time, talent, and treasure to this church. And there are little touches that often others don’t know about (like Ray, Becky M, and Tim...
The Selfies with Santa Holiday Festival was pretty amazing. We now have families who have been coming to this for eight years – some began on their baby’s very first Christmas, and have been every year since (except 2020). Some of them even bring photos to show Santa their history....
This week, we have multiple holiday events happening, so you’re sure to find something that fits what you need. This Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 pm, we will gather in the sanctuary for the annual “Blue Christmas Vespers” service. This service is for anyone who is having a challenging time...
At the bonfire/s’mores feast last Friday night at Live Oak, we had a good crowd. And what I heard over and over again was, “I just needed to be with my people.” Significantly, we had several people new to Live Oak at the bonfire. I have shared before about an...
It is time for our annual “Feast of Breads” worship service, sometimes called in our tradition “the bread communion.” There are four annual ceremonial services at Live Oak, and you’ll find these at other UU congregations, too. Each one honors an aspect of community life: Water Communion (end of summer):...
On Friday, I wanted to show up … well, mean. Mad. Not with anyone I know, mind you. But out in public. At the grocery store, at the gym. I relaxed into a scowl that didn’t move. Especially toward those who I suspected voted against the rights of my loved...
When I was in London, we were in a beautiful park on our last day when we stumbled upon on sign. There are directional signs all over the city, pointing to museums, the zoo, the subway. This one was just like it, except that the word on every direction was...