December 1, 2019
by Reverend Anthony Makar and
Michael Miller, Worship Associates
Religions around the world honor the gift of tears and have found ways to ritualize it. During the Passover Seder, when Jews remember their escape from Egypt, they bring salt water to their lips to symbolize the tears of bondage. In ancient times, when a person died, mourners put their tears in bottles and sometimes even wore them around their necks. Over the ages, the weeping of tears has been a sign of the mystical experiences of saints and repentant sinners. These transcendent moments go beyond what the mind can comprehend; tears are a response of the heart. Today, we explore the role that tears might play in our Unitarian Universalist faith life.
All songs are played in their entirety at the end of the service
August 25, 2019
by Reverend Anthony Makar and
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
Worldwide, there are approximately 50 million people with Alzheimer’s, and the ripple effects of this mean that millions of more lives of family, friends, and others have been impacted. It’s a difficult journey, but one that contains many lessons for UUs of all ages about human dignity, the nature of caregiving, and the depths of human devotion and love.
July 14, 2019
by Worship Associate Gerry Meader
We will explore mindfulness and some of the ways in which we accept ideas without the benefit of any serious intellectual rigor. How do we come to accept “truth” when real evidence doesn’t exist, or when the “evidence” is misleading? And how might these precarious beliefs affect our commitment to social justice or our world view?
CLICK HERE FOR SERMON ONLY
July 14, 2019
by Worship Associate Gerry Meader
We will explore mindfulness and some of the ways in which we accept ideas without the benefit of any serious intellectual rigor. How do we come to accept “truth” when real evidence doesn’t exist, or when the “evidence” is misleading? And how might these precarious beliefs affect our commitment to social justice or our world view?
June 2, 2019
by Reverend Patricia Hart and
Reverend Chris Long with
Michael Miller
Worship Associate
The theme for this all-ages Pride service is Sanctuary, focusing on how the Unitarian Universalist faith and West Shore embraces and creates a safe space and culture of all. Especially youth! We will recognize all those who served this year as West Shore’s Religious Education teachers. Children of all ages are welcome to stay for the entire service.
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.
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.”
CLICK HERE FOR SERMON ONLY
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 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?
CLICK HERE FOR SERMON ONLY
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?
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?
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.
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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