Paws and Presence, led by Rev. Israel Buffardi
Join us for a special animal blessing service where we honor the sacred connections that weave all living beings into the circle of life. Bring your pets—whether furry, feathered, or scaled—for a blessing. If your beloved pet has passed or can’t be with you, bring a photo or a favorite item in their honor. Stuffed animals are welcome too! This joyful service is a time for all ages to celebrate the love and companionship our animal friends provide and reflect on our place within the greater circle of life that connects us all. Everyone is welcome, with or without a pet!
Strong As Ever, led by Rev. David Carl Olson
For Indigenous Peoples Sunday, Rev. David Carl Olson and Worship Associate WinterFlower Robinson will consider the spiritualities and struggles of Native American peoples. Ceremony and poetry are joined by our music program and guest musicians.
Soulful Sundown, led by Rev. David Carl Olson
Come for Supper, stay for Soulful Sundown! Soulful Sundown offers poetry and reflection by Rev. David Carl Olson and live music from The Cosmic Orchestra, onsite AND online. Special guest artist Sarah Gross will perform at an ONSITE-ONLY coffee house/concert afterward. All are welcome; never a charge!
Where music resides at the heart of religious experience.
Come early at 6:30 PM! All are welcome to simple supper prior to Soulful Sundown. A voluntary donation of $10 covers soup, salad, artisanal bread, cookies, and beverages.
What to Us is Holy, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
In this season of the Jewish High Holy Days, we reflect on what to us, as Unitarian Universalists is holy. Our pluralist faith community holds that there are many ways to experience the divine, to know peace, to find connectedness and purpose. But Unitarian Universalists do not believe that you can do and believe anything, our values, principles, and covenants do provide guidelines and boundaries which can help us to find what to us is holy.
UU Climate Justice Revival, led by Rev. Israel Buffardi
Join us for a special service as part of the national UU Climate Justice Revival Weekend. Together, we’ll explore new ways to break down barriers, build relationships, and engage in transformative climate action. Come be part of this vital conversation and learn how we can all contribute to a more just and sustainable world.
Whose Are We? led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
There are many ways of considering our identities. We can think about who we are, what we are, what we do, as ways of defining our identities. But we can also know that our relationship with others is definitional. We can ask, “Whose are we?”
Homecoming Sunday: We Are Issuing An Invitation, led by UUCSR Ministers
As we come together after our summer journeys, we issue an invitation to everyone to build a deeper connection to others in our congregation, to the community around us, and to the larger world. Join in the Homecoming Picnic following the Worship Service.
An Open Invitation, led by Rev. Israel Buffardi
Join us as we delve into the practice of invitation and explore how each of us can help foster a culture of genuine hospitality and inclusivity within our community. Through heartfelt reflections, uplifting music, and interactive discussions, we’ll examine the call to radical welcome and how our actions can create a true space of belonging. This Service will also highlight the Welcoming Pathways Program, an initiative of the membership committee aimed at empowering everyone to contribute to a welcoming environment at UUCSR. Come be inspired and learn how you can help shape our culture of welcome.
Prophecy Past and Present, led by Dana N. Moore, Guest Minister
Minister Dana N. Moore returns to Shelter Rock with words and wisdom from former UUCSR interns and prophetic voices in Unitarian Universalist history. Together we’ll ponder the impact of latter-day prophets, the powerful urgings of present-day leaders, and how our own prophetic voices and actions might inspire future generations. UU Values of justice, transformation, interdependence, pluralism and LOVE will be represented throughout, and attendees encouraged to lift their voices in song to create a lasting synergy and memory of this present moment in our movement.
A Robot Wrote My Sermon, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
In these times, we can use the tools of artificial intelligence to do many things for us–including writing and reasoning, planning and communicating. I chose not to use those tools myself but as AI becomes more available to us how do we decide to use it? How do we decide not to use it? Does it make a difference? Would it make a difference to you if a robot wrote my sermon?
Centering Love, led by Rev. Gordon Bailey
This sermon and service is in support of our paradigm shift as Unitarian Universalist. Rev. Gordon Bailey believes the principles and purposes are forever etched on our minds yet LOVE Centered will help change the dynamics of who we are as a movement that seeks to be in relationship all.
Bio: Growing up on the banks of the Hudson River, the Reverend Gordon Clay Bailey spent his early adult life searching for the right career path. A job where he could make the most difference. A place to bring together his heart, his mind and his spirit. He found that call in Unitarian Universalism Ministry with its rich tradition in social justice and its non-dogmatic approach to worship. He earned his Master of Divinity specializing in Pastoral Counseling and Urban Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary. Since his ordination in 2002, he has served congregations in California; New Jersey; New York; Washington, DC; and Nevada. Currently he is the minister at the Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society.
Summer Poems, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
Come together to share poems about the summer season. Read and share poems of beauty, heat, adventure, love–whatever the summer brings to you and this community.
Celebrating “First Fruits” Sunday, led by Rev. David Carl Olson
Like our agrarian ancestors, we celebrate the abundant harvest that is evident in our home and community gardens. We’ll share stories and songs, dance a circle dance (as we are able), and bless the bounty of our gardens.
After the service, we’ll go outside to the Veatch House patio for refreshing summertime (non-alcoholic) beverages and offer a time where people may exchange the produce of their gardens. “A good for a good,” a generous response for the bounty of life. Please share what is growing in your garden—vegetables and flowers, grains and fungi, all the representations of Mother Earth’s bounty!
Soulful Sunday, led by Rev. David Carl Olson with The Cosmic Orchestra
Our Perceptions Create Our Objective World: The interplay between the subjective and objective world is more complicated than we think, even as, is the interplay between the individual and collective ego. We will explore this interplay to answer the question posed in a song in A Chorus Line: "Who am I anyway, am I my resume?"
Questions of the Heart: A Real-Time Q&A with Rev. Israel, led by Rev. Israel Buffardi
You are invited to let your curiosity and wonder take center stage! Do you ever stop and wonder: What does it mean to live a life of purpose? How do we find hope in challenging times? How can we live out our values more fully in our daily lives? During the service, you will be invited to pose your questions of meaning, wonder, and discovery to Rev. Israel, who will then respond in real time. Come with your curiosity and leave with new insights.
A Future Worth Remembering, led by Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Carrow-Boyd, CRE–LL (UU Hawaii), Guest Minister
Unitarian Universalism invites us to work together to create a future that can hold each of us in our wholeness and complexity with compassion. In this service, we take time to imagine this bold future that we often call the Beloved Community, the starts and stops along our journey there, and the lessons we learned along the way. Come explore a future worth remembering.
Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Carrow-Boyd, CRE–LL (UU Hawaii) (he/him) is a Religious Educator Credentialed at the Leadership Level. He serves our UU congregation in Honolulu, HI, as Executive Minister of Religious Education. He also serves our wider Association as a LREDA Good Officer and Religious Education Credentialing Program Mentor.
Breaking New Ground, led by Rev. David Carl Olson and UUCSR Green Sanctuary Committee
We must change how we source energy, what we eat and the way we use land. What are we doing to make the transition here at Shelter Rock? What can you do at home? Join Rev. Olson and the Green Sanctuary Committee for this service. Music provided by Any Given Sunday Band!
Rest, Review, Renew! led by Dana Moore, Student Minister
In her final offering as UUCSR's 2023-24 Student Minister, Dana N. Moore explores the ritualistic process of Renewal as a vital element of sustainability in systems that champion transformation and change. Along with Claire Deroche, UUCSR Social Justice Coordinator of 17 years, we'll celebrate and consider values, principles and practices that inspire faithful work and support the future of Unitarian Universalism.
Weaving Our Lives, Led by Rev. Israel Buffardi
Sunday Worship Service, Weaving Our Lives, in the Social Hall.
There will be a screening of the UUA General Assembly service at 11:00 AM, following which there will be an opportunity for discussion during the Sunday Cafe.
Embrace the electrifying spirit of the year's largest UU gathering, where we come together in unity for an awe-inspiring Sunday worship celebration like no other! It's a vibrant, communal worship experience that promises to uplift your soul and ignite your passion.
Summer Solstice, led by Rev. David Carl Olson
Summer Solstice Service, led by Rev. David Carl Olson and the Exploring Earth-Centered Spirituality Group.
Outdoors on the Patio
We gather to celebrate the longest day of the year and to bless the sun and the earth and each other. This is also the first day of the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly, which is meeting online this year. We’ll bless our association, too, with songs and prayers, poetry and even a few spoken selections from the theater.
Pride Service on Father's Day, led by Rev. David Carl Olson
A celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride, and a morning to thank our dads. Recognizing, too, that we only days away from Juneteenth, we will hear from diverse voices in our congregation. Rev. Olson will share thoughts about parenting and pride.
Soulful Sundown, led by Rev. David Carl Olson
Come for Supper, stay for Soulful Sundown! Soulful Sundown offers poetry and reflection by Rev. David Carl Olson and live music from The Cosmic Orchestra, onsite AND online. Special guest artist Walter Finley will perform at an ONSITE-ONLY coffee house/concert afterward. All are welcome; never a charge!
Where music resides at the heart of religious experience.
Come early at 6:30 PM! All are welcome to simple supper prior to Soulful Sundown. A voluntary donation of $10 covers soup, salad, artisanal bread, cookies, and beverages.
Bridging, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
Our annual Bridging Worship Service celebrates transitions of the young people in the UUCSR Religious Education Program.
All are welcome to a picnic celebration immediately following Worship.
Appreciation and Renewal, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
The work and ministry of a congregation requires many hearts and hands. In this service we offer appreciation for all those who give life to this community. We are renewed each year by the commitment of members and friends. Let’s celebrate.
Near and Far, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
This Sunday, UUCSR worships in two locations. Our community is gathered onsite and also at the All-Congregation Retreat in Pennsylvania. We are both together and apart. We remember this for Memorial Day—we may be physically separated from those who have died but we are together in our hearts.
Coming of Age, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
Join the annual celebration of our eighth grade Coming of Age class. Our young people will share their thoughts on what Unitarian Universalism means to them. They will share their gifts and talents with this community they love.
Nurture, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
This Mother’s Day we reflect on how mothers (and others) nurture and are in need of nurture.
Soulful Sundown, led by Rev. Israel Buffardi
Come for Supper, stay for Soulful Sundown! Soulful Sundown offers poetry and reflection by Rev. Israel Buffardi and live music from The Cosmic Orchestra, onsite AND online. Special guest artist Willy Porter will perform at an ONSITE-ONLY coffee house/concert afterward. All are welcome; never a charge!
Where music resides at the heart of religious experience.
Come early at 6:30 PM! All are welcome to simple supper prior to Soulful Sundown. A voluntary donation of $10 covers soup, salad, artisanal bread, cookies, and beverages.
Love’s Pronoun Is Plural, led by Rev. David Carl Olson
Unitarian Universalist minister Rev. Kathleen McTigue says, “Fear’s pronoun is singular... Love’s pronoun is plural.” We embrace a religious practice of pluralism in our Worship Room even as the greater UU Association considers naming Pluralism as a core value of our liberal faith. Come hear the choir sing a little Spanish, the minister give a blessing in Hebrew, as all of us share wonder at what the human heart-mind is discovering in diverse ways.
I Need You to Survive, led by Student Minister Dana N. Moore
Our lives are sustained by a mutual interdependence that extends far beyond our own lifetimes. Dana explores strands of shared history that weave compassion into our stories and joy into the future of social justice and collective survival.
Roots and Wings: The Practice of Belonging, led by Rev. Israel Buffardi
We explore the profound need for belonging that brings us together and the shared commitments to love and justice that move us to stretch and grow. We also mark the milestones of both new and longstanding members in our congregation to seek a meaningful celebration of the journeys that weave us together, as we honor our past, cherish our present, and look forward to our future with hope and purpose.
Music Sunday , led by Rev. David Carl Olson, The UUCSR Choir and Soloists with The Orchestra at Shelter Rock, Stephen Michael Smith, Music Director/Conductor,
Presented as a Worship Service celebrating music and the arts at Shelter Rock with The UUCSR Choir and Soloists with The Orchestra at Shelter Rock, Stephen Michael Smith, Music Director/Conductor. The Service will last one hour and fifteen minutes. Everyone is welcome to enjoy two extraordinary pieces: The Ballad of the Brown King, by Margaret Bonds, and Toward the Unknown Region, by Ralph Vaughan Williams. There will be an opportunity to contribute to the Edward Miller Memorial Music Scholarship Fund during the Service.
We Are One led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
Unitarian Universalism honors our interconnection and interdependence, while respecting our individualism. We acknowledge that there is power in the ability to make individual choices which seek the common good. How can our individual actions move us toward collective peace and justice?
Easter: Lo, the Day of Days is Here! led by the UUCSR Ministers
Among the many ways we celebrate spring at Shelter Rock is the Easter Service featuring the Children’s Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and the Easter Bunny. Please join a Service that considers the Christian message of Jesus and the human message of perseverance and hope—and then hunt for Easter eggs on the lawn! Special music by soloists and an African anthem by the Choir, under the direction of Stephen Michael Smith.
Negentropy: Chaos Swallowed Up in Love, led by Rev. Dr. Fenimore and Senior Seminar Youth
As described by UUCSR Senior Seminar youth Juliet Mitchell, “Every year, the Senior Seminar class at UUCSR holds a service that is planned by high school youth. This year’s theme is Negentropy: Chaos Swallowed Up in Love, meaning that there is so much chaos in the world, and the way to solve all of the hatred is by unity and love, which is negentropy, or chaos coming back into order. This service contains self-written reflections and self-composed music along with other favorite songs and words that deeply resonate with the youth. It is very important for the congregation to be able to hear the thoughts and beliefs of the youth, as they are the future of our faith, and the youth are able to grow into their own faith by passionately exhibiting what is important to them in such a sacred space.” Please join us to hear the voices of the future of Unitarian Universalism!
Remember the Ladies, led by Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore and members of the UUCSR’s Women’s Group
As our Unitarian ancestor, Abigail Adams, famously asked her husband John Adams to do—we continue to ask for remembrance and appreciation of women’s needs, roles, burdens, and accomplishments this Women’s History Month.
Transformative Ministry, led by Rev. Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt
In this post-pandemic world, our UU congregations and communities have experienced change and considered what traditions we still value. Our ministries have to meet the challenges of these times.
Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt is the president of Starr King School for the Ministry, a Unitarian Universalist Seminary, was formerly the Senior Minister at Fourth Universalist Church in Manhattan, and is a leader in the development of Unitarian Universalist ministry for the future.
At 1:00 PM, conversation will continue in an informal and interactive setting in the Art Gallery. Participants are welcome to bring their lunch from home or purchase at the UU Sunday Café and dine together while considering the future of Unitarian Universalism. Rev. Buffardi and Rev. Bray McNatt will facilitate the conversation
Change: The Only Constant, led by Rev. Jennifer Raffensperger, Guest Minister
There’s no question: 2024 is going to be a year of change. Of course—what year isn’t? When change feels unsettling or scary, how do we shift our relationship in anticipation of change? Our faith calls us to the work of transformation. How can we work to embrace the change that is coming? Can we, from our own relationship and reactions to change, find ways to deepen our call to transformation within ourselves and our faith communities?
Once Upon Another Time, led by Student Minister Dana N. Moore
The call to justice, equity, and compassion in human relationships requires that we address systemic implications and re-imagine our future communities to work toward a common goal. What hope does our storied past glean for the future? Will we see these changes in our lifetime(s)?
Creatively Maladjusted, led by Rev. Israel Buffardi
The ability to connect with others and understand their truths often lies at the heart of what calls us to become the change we wish to see in the world. Together we explore the power that communal storytelling and visioning has to transform movements for justice and equity through both empathy and compassion.
What Are We Not Seeing? led by Guest Speaker Cassandra Montenegro
This Sunday, we consider the life and legacy of Elizabeth Cabot Cary Agassiz, Cambridge Unitarian and founder of the women’s educational institution that would later become Radcliffe College. She was the wife and close collaborator of Louis Agassiz, biologist and geologist whose approach to teaching revolutionized the study of natural history and whose scholarship simultaneously advanced theories in support of scientific racism. How do we practice a posture of spiritual humility when it comes to ancestral reconciliation? And, what is it in our own work, that we are not seeing?