Rev Viola’s First Service at UUSaratoga- Returning
Many people long for home and some can’t get far enough away. Either way, what, if anything makes home so special?
Many people long for home and some can’t get far enough away. Either way, what, if anything makes home so special?
We gather in a season of becoming. Some of us are arriving, some are departing, and most of us are somewhere in between. May we find courage for what is ending, openness for what is emerging, and companionship for the journey. Website oos 6_28_26 Music sheet 6-28-26
Kevin O’Brien, MSP ACSW, now retired Director of Catholic Charities, Director of Caleo Center outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Clinical Director at Conifer Park, and private practice psychotherapist in the Adirondacks, reflects on what he learned over 40 years and how that might help us, as the bareness of our personal “winter” transforms into the “fullness … Continue reading The Inward Journey: Psychology, Spirituality, and Spiritual Metaphor
This is it folks, the day we looked forward to (or dreaded!) for a long time. Our last service at 624 North Broadway was a most special one, as we took time to honor the building that has been witness to joys, sorrows, celebrations, and more than a few pot lucks for 24 years. We … Continue reading We Say Goodbye: The Last Service at 624 N. Broadway
This morning we present a humorous perspective on community spirit, teamwork, and rooting for the home team. It is a recollection of a sermon delivered in July 2007 by a beloved former congregant, Board member, and President of the Congregation, Brent Wilkes. Brent had been a strong advocate of growing this congregation and moving to … Continue reading The Spirituality of Baseball
On Sunday August 3rd, there will be a special service that focuses on our New Home. Sue Davis, SD Atelier architect, will present the most current information about our new home. Members of the Task Force will take part in the service and be available for questions after service coffee chat. We hope you will … Continue reading An Audacious Bouquet: Congregational Service with Our New Home Task Force
Especially in challenging or difficult situations, our responses to the need we normally have in less troubled circumstances for a measure of kindness can be shunted aside. Today we take a closer look at what role kindness can and does play in our lives. Six-year congregation member John Fisher is a retired Episcopal priest and … Continue reading A Meditation on Kindness
We explore beginnings, famous and not-so-famous first sentences and paragraphs, as a way of beginning to explore story and story-telling as a spiritual practice. Nourish beginnings, let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest. The blessing is in the seed. –from “Elegy in Joy” by Muriel … Continue reading Beginning a Story
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
This UU ritual symbolizes the diverse streams of our lives flowing together. All ages are invited to bring a small vial of water and/or a small stone to contribute to the ritual. As we gather, we reflect on our connections and renew our commitment to shared values and mutual support. This service marks the beginning … Continue reading Annual Water Communion Celebration: Inviting New Beginnings