May 19, 2019
Reverend Anthony David Makar and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
Unitarian Universalists speak of their faith as a “living tradition.” We see that language on what might be the most popular and used book in our congregations, our hymnal entitled, “ Singing the Living Tradition.” But what is the story of our Tradition that Lives? Join Rev. Makar for an inspiring and uplifting message about who we are in the world and who we aspire to be. Immediately following the service, please plan to attend the Congregational Meeting. This will be a two-part meeting. The first part will be our Annual Meeting to elect the new Board of Trustees and Nominating Committee members. The second part will be a special congregational meeting on calling Rev. Anthony Makar as our NEW Senior Minister.
May 12, 2019
by Reverend Anthony Makar and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
Each of us has a story about how we discovered Unitarian Universalism and why we have chosen it as our religious path. It reflects a unique combination of people, circumstances, and personal needs and hopes. Timing is also important. West Shore's Candidate for Senior Minister, Rev. Makar, shares some of the stories of why he’s a Unitarian Universalist, what it means to him, why he's so grateful for it. Come see how his story might speak to your own!
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May 12, 2019
by Reverend Anthony Makar and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
Each of us has a story about how we discovered Unitarian Universalism and why we have chosen it as our religious path. It reflects a unique combination of people, circumstances, and personal needs and hopes. Timing is also important. West Shore's Candidate for Senior Minister, Rev. Makar, shares some of the stories of why he’s a Unitarian Universalist, what it means to him, why he's so grateful for it. Come see how his story might speak to your own!
May 5, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Gerry Meader
Worship Associate
“Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God.” These words, spoken by Benjamin Franklin, speak volumes about the political ideas that shaped our country and the religious convictions that would become Unitarianism. There are many points in history when those two movements converged. To some extent, they still do.
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May 5, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Gerry Meader
Worship Associate
“Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God.” These words, spoken by Benjamin Franklin, speak volumes about the political ideas that shaped our country and the religious convictions that would become Unitarianism. There are many points in history when those two movements converged. To some extent, they still do.
April 28, 2019
by Intern Minister Michelle Ma and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
We are whole beings, each and every one of us, with inherent worth and dignity. It's easy to say those words out loud and agree; another thing to put it into practice. How do we hold each other accountable for our actions in this world while still treating one another with compassion and kindness?
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Seven Principles (from Wikipedia)
Adopted in 1960, the Principles, Purposes and Sources can be found in the Bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association.[50] The Principles are expressed,
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;[51]
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;[52]
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;[53]
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;[54]
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;[55]
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;[56]
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.[57]
April 28, 2019
by Intern Minister Michelle Ma and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
We are whole beings, each and every one of us, with inherent worth and dignity. It's easy to say those words out loud and agree; another thing to put it into practice. How do we hold each other accountable for our actions in this world while still treating one another with compassion and kindness?
Seven Principles (from Wikipedia)
Adopted in 1960, the Principles, Purposes and Sources can be found in the Bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association.[50] The Principles are expressed,
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;[51]
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;[52]
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;[53]
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;[54]
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;[55]
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;[56]
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.[57]
April 21, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Maura Garin
Worship Associate
Easter is a complicated celebration for Unitarian Universalists of any theological disposition. The stories in the Bible are unclear as to what happens and why...so much so that Christians have been debating what it all means for millennia. Is there a place for you in the mystery? What is the work of joy in our lives? Erin Gyomber, who won this service in the 2018 Auction, wonders if joy shows up to remind us to look up from the tedium and disappointment that surround us, and find beauty again--and hope.
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April 21, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Maura Garin
Worship Associate
Easter is a complicated celebration for Unitarian Universalists of any theological disposition. The stories in the Bible are unclear as to what happens and why...so much so that Christians have been debating what it all means for millennia. Is there a place for you in the mystery? What is the work of joy in our lives? Erin Gyomber, who won this service in the 2018 Auction, wonders if joy shows up to remind us to look up from the tedium and disappointment that surround us, and find beauty again--and hope.
April 14, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Gerry Meader
Worship Associate
What is the work of joy in our lives? Erin Gyomber, who won this service in the 2018 Auction, wonders if joy shows up to remind us to look up from the tedium and disappointment that surround us, and find beauty again--and hope.
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April 14, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Gerry Meader
Worship Associate
What is the work of joy in our lives? Erin Gyomber, who won this service in the 2018 Auction, wonders if joy shows up to remind us to look up from the tedium and disappointment that surround us, and find beauty again--and hope.
April 7, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
Being afraid (cautious, terrified, wary, uncomfortable) is a common condition in life. We human beings spend remarkable amounts of time, energy and money trying to avoid fear, with limited success. Perhaps our fears have something to teach us. The Free Spirit Band will play, and Caprice Wright, West Shore Child Care Center Director, will talk about the Center and the “Week of the Young Child.”
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April 7, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
Being afraid (cautious, terrified, wary, uncomfortable) is a common condition in life. We human beings spend remarkable amounts of time, energy and money trying to avoid fear, with limited success. Perhaps our fears have something to teach us. The Free Spirit Band will play, and Caprice Wright, West Shore Child Care Center Director, will talk about the Center and the “Week of the Young Child.”
March 31, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
Reflections on the lessons and gifts of interim ministry.
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March 31, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
Reflections on the lessons and gifts of interim ministry.
March 24, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Christine Salontay
Worship Associate
Thoughts about where we are—as a nation, culture, religious tradition, congregation—not to mention as citizens of the world. What part are you playing in this journey we’re all on, together?
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March 24, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Christine Salontay
Worship Associate
Thoughts about where we are—as a nation, culture, religious tradition, congregation—not to mention as citizens of the world. What part are you playing in this journey we’re all on, together?
March 17, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Layne Richard-Hammock
Director of Lifespan Faith Development
We will mark the “graduation” of eight of our 2nd and 3rd-grade children who are completing the Age of Reason program, who will share their credos from the pulpit. Parents will be witnesses for their children, offering words of appreciation and hopes for the future.
March 10, 2019
by Intern Minister Michelle Ma and
Maura Garin
Worship Associate
Life is full of surprises, and it’s not until later that we can look back with any perspective on whether or not those surprises were good or bad ones. We never really know how any of the decisions we make will shake out. How do we face the uncertain future, and how do we support each other as a community on our respective journeys?
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March 10, 2019
by Intern Minister Michelle Ma and
Maura Garin
Worship Associate
Life is full of surprises, and it’s not until later that we can look back with any perspective on whether or not those surprises were good or bad ones. We never really know how any of the decisions we make will shake out. How do we face the uncertain future, and how do we support each other as a community on our respective journeys?
March 3, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
Spring is (almost) here—hearts and imaginations dare, again, to believe in growth and new life. How can we plant seeds of possibility, in our own lives and those around us? What do you need to un-become in order to begin your journey?
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March 3, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
Spring is (almost) here—hearts and imaginations dare, again, to believe in growth and new life. How can we plant seeds of possibility, in our own lives and those around us? What do you need to un-become in order to begin your journey?
February 24, 2019
by West Shore UU Church Youth and
Jack Smith
Youth Ministry Coordinator
It takes a lot to build and gain trust, especially as teenagers grow and see their friends change, become more aware of the current social and economic climate, and enter the working world. Find out what trust means to the youth in the congregation as they navigate through schools, church, spiritual lives, social justice activities, and their community. Our youth will discuss who and what they trust and how it will help shape their future worldview.
February 17, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
West Shore has made a commitment to be a force for racial justice in the life and communities of its people. But before anyone can change the world (or themselves), they must understand how things came to be the way they are. Some thoughts on being a white person, and telling the whole truth.
February 10, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Gerry Meader
Worship Associate
What lessons did you learn about money as a child? Was it the key to security, or happiness – or was money’s power a temptation to guard against, a pathway to immorality? We tend to carry such early lessons into adulthood, where they can exert more influence than we know. What money lessons do you hope to demonstrate in your life? What money stories do you hope your church will teach?
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February 10, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Gerry Meader
Worship Associate
What lessons did you learn about money as a child? Was it the key to security, or happiness – or was money’s power a temptation to guard against, a pathway to immorality? We tend to carry such early lessons into adulthood, where they can exert more influence than we know. What money lessons do you hope to demonstrate in your life? What money stories do you hope your church will teach?
February 3, 2019
by Reverend Chris Long and
Maura Garin
Worship Associate
Any lovers of Jazz amongst us? Of course, there must be. Rather smooth jazz, ragtime or fans of New Orleans “Second Lining”, the origins and soul of jazz provide many images and metaphors of abundant possibilities. As we work towards even more racial and social justice engagement within this congregation and in the Greater Cleveland area, how might we imagine ourselves creating deeper relationships with ourselves and each other, to live the congregation's mission and vision of becoming an “anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural congregation”? The Free Spirit Band will play, and children will start in the service for a Jazzy Time for All Ages before going to their classes.
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February 3, 2019
by Reverend Chris Long and
Maura Garin
Worship Associate
Any lovers of Jazz amongst us? Of course, there must be. Rather smooth jazz, ragtime or fans of New Orleans “Second Lining”, the origins and soul of jazz provide many images and metaphors of abundant possibilities. As we work towards even more racial and social justice engagement within this congregation and in the Greater Cleveland area, how might we imagine ourselves creating deeper relationships with ourselves and each other, to live the congregation's mission and vision of becoming an “anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural congregation”? The Free Spirit Band will play, and children will start in the service for a Jazzy Time for All Ages before going to their classes.
January 27, 2019
by Members of the Coming of Age Class and
Layne Richard-Hammock
Director of Lifespan Faith Development
As part of this service, we'll be hearing credo presentations from our three CoA members—Liam Yeung, Delaney McCoy and Cole Aulisio. Their mentors—Gary Nemes, Irene Mor-ley, and Jeff Martin—will share their observations on this new ninth-grade program and their experiences mentoring these young people. Some other surprises are in the pipeline for this celebration service and, of course, the traditional cake afterward.
January 13, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
"Remember Those Who Forget," an article written by a Presbyterian elder, asks us to imagine how congregations might become more dementia-friendly. Why is this important to Unitarian Universalists? How might our own experiences with those who suffer from cognitive memory loss—those in our congregation, families and larger communities—transform us and move us to act on our values?
January 6, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Maura Garin
Worship Associate
The third and final year of this interim period has reached the halfway point, and it’s time to pause and take stock. How many of the goals set for this transitional time have been met, and which ones are still out of reach? What opportunities and challenges have shown up along the way, and how have they changed the West Shore story? Reflections on what has happened so far, and what comes next. The Free Spirit Band will play.
December 30, 2018
by Intern Minister Michelle Ma and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
It’s the season for letting things go and making new resolutions for the future. But how do we know what to let go and what to keep, and when?
December 23, 2018
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Martha Boesel
Worship Associate
All are welcome as we retell Truman Capote’s timeless story “A Christmas Memory.” The largely autobiographical story, which takes place in the 1930s, describes a period in the lives of the seven-year-old narrator and an elderly woman who is his distant cousin and best friend. The evocative narrative focuses on country life, friendship, and the joy of giving—and gently yet poignantly touches on themes of loneliness and loss. Is it fruitcake weather yet?
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December 9, 2018
by Reverend Nozomi Ikuta and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
“Until I got to Denison, most Christians I knew treated the Sermon on the Mount as a good idea but not something we were actually supposed to practice. At Denison, I've learned that it's actually a survival manual in a poor community so that people don't kill each other."
~Pastor Nozomi C.
Nozomi Ikuta is pastor of Denison Avenue UCC, and a co-founder of the Neighborhood Achievement Hub, which forges pathways from poverty to possibility. A Cleveland native, she returned to her hometown after attending Carleton College, Harvard Divinity School, and New York Theological Seminary. Her interest in healing from historical trauma is rooted in her family's experience of forcible removal from their home in California, and placement in a concentration camp in Poston, AZ. She enjoys taiko, tai chi, and hiking with her husband and dog.
December 2, 2018
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Gerry Meader
Worship Associate
Advent as a spiritual practice: pondering the mystery of waiting expectantly, when we don’t quite know what we’re waiting for. The Free Spirit Band will play; come early to hear the Junior Choir sing in the sanctuary!
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December 2, 2018
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Gerry Meader
Worship Associate
Advent as a spiritual practice: pondering the mystery of waiting expectantly, when we don’t quite know what we’re waiting for. The Free Spirit Band will play; come early to hear the Junior Choir sing in the sanctuary!
November 25, 2018
by Intern Minister Michelle Ma and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
What does it mean to bring our full and authentic selves to a community, and what does it mean for that community to accept everyone the way they are? How do we make sure that there really is a seat at the table for everyone? Let’s talk about it over a potluck lunch after the service.
November 18, 2018
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Maura Garin
Worship Associate
Memories of all kinds tend to grow from the rich soil of family gatherings for the holidays. Come explore together the nature of memories, and some wise magic for transforming the “grungy” ones into joyful, appreciative ones. We'll worship together as a congregation: PreK-K class and older children will stay in the Sanctuary for the whole service and sit with their families.
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November 11, 2018
by Intern Minister Michelle Ma and
Gerry Meader
Worship Associate
Who are we? What are we doing? Where are we going? These are questions the Search Committee has been wrestling with, and though we may not have the answers, we know that we’re all in this together.
Also, a nice tribute to veterans by Gerry Meader
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November 4, 2018
by Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray, UUA President and
Reverend Tricia Hart
Unitarian Universalists are being called at this moment to live more powerfully and boldly into a vision of a Beloved Community. What does this look like and how do we answer “Yes” to this calling in our lives and in our congregations? Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray was elected President of the Unitarian Universalist Association on June 24, 2017. Prior to her election, she served as Lead Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, Arizona. Susan played a critical role in the long-term campaign to end the constitutional violations of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Susan received a Masters of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is a lifelong UU who grew up at in the St. Louis area. She lives now in Cam-bridge, MA with her husband, Brian and their son.
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November 3, 2018
by Barbara Walker
Worship Associate
A service to remember those no longer amongst the living.
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October 28, 2018
by Reverend Chris Long and
Michelle Ma
Intern Minister
On this Sunday, the day following the first-ever Justice- pa-lUUza weekend, come, hear about the existing things happening within and outside of this congregation related to the justice mission and vision for the church. Find out what a deepening focus on Justice Work can mean for West Shore’s identity—now, and in the future!
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October 21, 2018
by Reverend Patricia Hart
Layne Richard-Hammock
Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Dana Morgan
Worship Associate
West Shore has made a commitment to be a “multi-generational” community: a place where persons of all ages are not only welcome but where opportunities abound for those of different generations to interact and learn from one another. Some reflection and history about child dedications, and a celebration of legacy gifts from several elders who have gone before us.
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October 14, 2018
by Reverend Peter Newport and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
Loss of identity, not knowing who you are, is part of white supremacy culture—for white people, anyway. A personal look, this morning, from where one white person came from; some of the confusions that arose along the way; and the story of John Wampus.
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October 7, 2018
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
Churches often highlight growth as part of their vision— when things are going well, and when they're not. How does growth actually happen in a congregation, and why does it stall? What is the connection between money and growth? Observations about opportunities and obstacles before West Shore UU Church in this pivotal chapter of its history. The Free Spirit Band will play!
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September 30, 2018
by ReverendKeith Kron
UUA Transitions Director
Living our Unitarian Universalist values isn't always as easy as we would like it to be. Often what we strive for is not what actually happens. How can we improve the odds that we will lead with our best values inside and outside our congregation? This sermon will explore these issues as they pertain to your next minister.
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September 23, 2018
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Marty Blachly-Cross
Worship Associate
In Unitarian Universalism, everything important is rooted in the covenant that members make with one another. Everyone is free to believe and practice their own faith—but even in that freedom, there is the mutual commitment to a vision and way of being together. (How does that work?)
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