If you knew an exercise that would let you live forever if you practiced every day, would you do it faithfully and never miss? Today I'll share some insights from a 110 year-old woman about how she managed to live so long. Sermon by Rev. Craig Moro.
May 5th is the first day of Ramadan, when roughly one-fourth of all human beings will begin a month of daytime fasting. How did this get started? What does it mean to those who participate? And why should we care? Service led by Rev. Craig Moro.
Based in Portland, Kunu Dittmer Bearchum is a modern day storyteller who uses multiple mediums to communicate his message. Kunudraws from his roots for inspiration and guidance while navigating a society that too often ignores or silences an indigenous perspective.
The Cilappatikaram is one of a very few religious epics from the ancient world that has a woman as its hero. We are fortunate today to share a religious tradition in which no single religious scripture is placed on top of all others, so we can give this powerful story the attention it deserves! (A word of caution: Just like the Easter story being shared in neighbor churches this morning, the Cilappatikaram features images of bodily violence.) Service led by Rev. Craig Moro.
When we listen with the heart, and are spiritually alive, it is possible to hear more than words and sounds. A practice of listening to the earth reveals deep connections, challenges the common understanding of environmentalism, and ties us to our own histories still unfolding. Service led by Mira Mickiewicz, Intern Minister at First UU Church of Portland.
Recently our nation was caught up in confirmation hearings that included very different memories of the same incidents. We—and our representatives—were asked to trust one memory over another. The stakes were high, and the results of the choice will be long-lasting. But how reliable is memory years, days, hours, or even seconds after something has occurred? Rev. Craig Moro will dig into a few memories today, and see what we think.
Sharilyn Cohn, Executive Director of Sacred Flight, will share with us the work and mission of music-thanatology in palliative end of life care. Learn more about the work of this organization at sacredflight.org.
Penny Okamoto, executive director of Ceasefire Oregon and the Ceasefire Oregon Education Foundation, will share with us some the firearm-related bills currently being considered in Oregon's 2019 legislative session. Some legislative concepts like permit-to-purchase (licensing) and limiting high-capacity firearm magazines to 10 rounds are very popular and highly effective at reducing gun death and injury. Penny will bring her 19 years of experience and expertise on this issue to explain why these policies are effective.
What do you find at the end of a rainbow—or who? That’s a good question for St. Patrick’s Day, and a good place to start our annual stewardship campaign! Sermon by Rev. Craig Moro.
Climate change is having an increasing impact on the earth, including human society. The basic equation of climate change, as explained in last year’s UN report, requires that carbon emissions drop steeply within the next several decades. Can we do this? Yes! We have lots of exciting technologies and strategies for reducing fossil fuels. Will we? Well…. We’ll explore the practical, political, and spiritual challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon society.
Service led by Wy'east Member and Trained Climate Reality Project Volunteer, Karl Arruda.