Archives: Services

Blessing of the Animals

For the Feast of St. Francis, we bless our animal companions on this day! All are invited to bring their (well-behaved and appropriately vaccinated) pets to church on this day, whether they be furry, scaly, or feathered, for celebration and blessing. If your pet would rather attend virtually, we invite you to send a photo … Continue reading Blessing of the Animals

The Tolerance Paradox

We welcome everyone–but is there a limit to who we will welcome? Today we will explore what’s called the tolerance paradox: the idea that in order to build an inclusive space, we must exclude the intolerant. What does that look like? 

How Are the Children

A traditional greeting among Masai warriors in Africa is: “How are the children?” And the traditional answer is: “All the children are well.” If all the children are well, then that means life is good, peace and safety prevail. What does it look like to ask ourselves that question about the children in our country?

All Labor is Labor

As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people–but what does that mean about the work that people do? In honor of Labor Day, we will interrogate how we regard and approach different kinds of labor–especially in the wake of the pandemic, which revealed all kinds of truths about the … Continue reading All Labor is Labor

Circle of Life

As Chief Black Elk said, “Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle.” Yin and yang, these complementary opposites are expressed in a circle. We live in circles within circles. The rotation of the Milky Way, the solar year, the seasons, solstice and equinox, the waxing and waning of the moon, … Continue reading Circle of Life

One Water

Water Communion is a uniquely Unitarian Universalist tradition where we recognize our many sources and origin stories and also that we all flow together into one community. What wisdom can we learn from water?

Potential Futures

Phillip Strickland was a high school student when he first came to the Unitarian Coastal Fellowship, and now that he is departing for graduate school he has some ideas about the role that UCF can play in the community. Today, we explore the many futures that could be ahead for UCF. 

Welcome to the Interim

The Unitarian Coastal Fellowship has gone through one transition: moving from one building to another larger facility, one built to fulfill dreams of growth and visibility in the community. Now, it is time to undergo another transition: discerning a new direction, and calling a new minister to help lead in that direction. What will the … Continue reading Welcome to the Interim

Power

 In 1857, Frederick Douglass said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” Thus, a struggle will be required by each generation to renew, repair, and/or reclaim things like democracy, equality, liberty, freedom, and other rights that can be denied or undermined. Our tools of power include reason, non-violence, and … Continue reading Power