Speaker: Rev. Joe Cleveland
Annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Our annual Christmas Eve worship service celebrates, in the light of the story of the birth of Jesus, the re-birth of hope. The service will include readings from Christian and Muslim traditions and more. We’ll hear the prophetic words of Maya Angelou and Howard Thurman. And, of course, we will light candles and sing Silent … Continue reading Annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Winter Solstice: The Presence and Presents of the Dark
In honor of the Winter Solstice, we explore the gifts of the dark even as we turn toward the returning sun. Attend in person at 624 N Broadway or via Zoom at <http://bit.ly/uusaratoga-worship>.
The Presence of What Isn’t Present Yet
The Christian season of Advent is a month-long meditation on the practice of waiting. As a spiritual practice, waiting is the practice of acknowledging the presence of what isn’t present yet. Today’s service features special musical guests: Mustard’s Retreat. The defiantly hopeful folk duo known as Mustard’s Retreat is David Tamulevich and Libby Glover. David … Continue reading The Presence of What Isn’t Present Yet
Being Present to What Is Present
Presence as a spiritual practice is challenging, perhaps more challenging than we might expect. As soon as we focus on presence as a practice, as something we do, we become aware of a fundamental truth: it is impossible to be present alone. And when much of what is around us is difficult, when much of … Continue reading Being Present to What Is Present
Thanksgiving Soup Communion
Today’s multigenerational service explores the discovery of abundance through sharing, using a stoneless variation on the stone soup story. Following the service, all are invited to join in a potluck lunch. Please bring your own place settings, if you can, in addition to whatever you feel you can bring to share. If you can’t contribute … Continue reading Thanksgiving Soup Communion
Urgent Slowing
Order of Service for November 17, 2024 Bayo Akomolafe, a Nigerian writer and professor of psychology, shares as an African saying: “The times are urgent; let us slow down.” Today we explore the wisdom of that saying and how we might lean into–and lean on–our values as we navigate a complicated, confusing, and difficult time. … Continue reading Urgent Slowing
We Hold It, Together
We are in a time of risk and fear and grief for ourselves and those we love. We gather together to be present to one another and to create sanctuary for one another. We can feel all these feelings. As “Black Liturgies” author Cole Arthur Riley has written: “INHALE This is too much to hold. … Continue reading We Hold It, Together
Honoring Our Ancestors, Voting as Ancestors
Voting Ancestors Rev. Joe Cleveland November 3, 2024 Today is the last day of early voting. The early voting sites that are open right now in Saratoga County will close today at 5:00. Just out of curiosity, how many of you have voted already? Wow! That’s a lot! I’ve put in a bunch … Continue reading Honoring Our Ancestors, Voting as Ancestors
Whir, Buzz, Click, Beep
In this unique service, we learn from Ayudha Puja, the ancient tradition in which Hindus honor their tools and machines. We reflect on the ways technology serves our daily lives and explore our responsibility to use these tools for the greater good. If we listened deeply to the machines in our lives, what might we … Continue reading Whir, Buzz, Click, Beep