Unitarian Universalist Church West

Of all the emotions that drive human behavior, fear can be the most potent and debilitating. It can control and even destroy a person's life. While fear can be addressed at a psychological level, it is primarily a spiritual disease. We will examine the experience of existential fear, how it takes hostage the soul, and what we can do to overcome it.

Failed terrorist attacks, oil spill disasters, earthquakes, floods, financial crises - and more. What is happening in our world? Seems like things are moving from bad to worse at a rapid rate. Universalism helps us respond, both spiritually and practically.

How does growing up in a radically open religious tradition like Unitarian Universalism shape a person's worldview, spritiuality and life choices? Is being a "religious minority" a point of pride or pain as a child, youth and your adult? Today we hear intriguing thoughts and ideas from folks who grew up at UUCW or as UUs elsewhere

The power to decide which path to take in life is a power we cherish.  But have we ever considered the ways in which “the road not taken” and the things we choose not to do shape our destiny?  In each moment of decision waits the power to transform ourselves and our world.  What might it take for us as individuals and for our American system overall to choose a different road?

William Young’s bestselling novel “The Shack” has captured the imagination and drawn the ire of Christians around the globe with its unorthodox images of the Trinitarian god (“the father” is an African American woman, “the son” is a big-nosed Jewish carpenter, and the “holy spirit” is an ephemeral Asian American woman) and its unconventional theology. Does “The Shack” have something important to say to Unitarian Universalists? Can we meet “god” there?

We Unitarian Universalists have a vision of environmental justice. We affirm and promote the interdependent web of all life, of which we are but a part. But are we willing to change how we live our daily lives so that we are truly in alignment with our values? Ethical Eating – adopted by the UUA as a Study Action Issue for 2008-2012 asks this question, among many others. Eating our values – how delicious might that be? Come today and find out.

Today we seek the wisdom of Buddhism in honor of Vesak, a holiday informally called “Buddha's birthday,” but which actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. We ask today what is eternal, and what is not? What can be destroyed by wind or fire, and what cannot?

We live in a culture that is said to value excellence, a culture that pushes all of us to excel. In the first weeks of President Obama’s administration, much was made in the press about the brilliant, high achievers he was nominating for many cabinet posts – people with excellent educations, peerless skills, and admirable resumes. These days, even grade school kids are pushed into the culture of excellence, urged by well meaning parents to compete to get into the best private schools, elite sports teams and “preferred activities.” In this world, what does it mean to be average? Are all Unitarian Universalists, like the children of Lake Wobegone, “above average?” What might our Unitarian Universalist values say about “average” people?