Each month we feature a spiritual theme (see below) which we weave into Sunday worship, Religious Exploration and many of our small groups and gatherings. Each month’s theme is also highlighted in the aesthetic elements of the sanctuary. We send out the theme resources found here (eadings, spiritual exercises, and reflection questions) in an monthly worship email so you can explore the theme on your own or with your family members and friends. These theme resources come from the Soul Matters Sharing Circle,  a UU theme-based program with more than 140 UU subscribers.

Social Justice Monthly Plate Partners

Each month we introduce our Plate Partner , an organization whose work and mission are connected with our UU social justice mission and values. Rev. Sara and the Social Justice Council often explore additional opportunities through collaborative programming (ex: book discussion, arts opportunity, issue forum, workshop etc). For more information about the plate partners below, please visit our plate partner webpage.

February 2026 Spiritual Theme:

Welcome to Embodying Resilience   

When did we decide that resilience was a solo project?

It’s not that we consciously chose to define it that way. It’s just what we were taught, from the time we were little right up to today: “Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps”; “You’re stronger than you think.”; “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”; “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” The cultural consensus is clear: resilience depends on your personal toughness and inner strength. It’s a solo act!

But other voices are on the rise. Take author and activist, Soraya Chemaly, who writes, 

“In spectacular arrogance, our mainstream vision of resilience encourages us to ignore, minimize, and even punish the desire for our greatest resilience assets: interdependence, collective versatility, and shared care. Instead of revealing our relationships to one another, our environments, and the systems we live in, this vision highlights and glorifies self-sufficiency, limitless positivity, and individual strength against all odds. It makes us less resilient, not more.”

In a world facing numerous threats of collapse and conflict, Chemaly’s words help us see that correctly defining resilience is not just an intellectual exercise, but a matter of life and death. We all sense it: the road ahead for us human beings is going to get rough. So we simply can’t afford to overlook a single source of resilience.

Which is another way of saying the world needs us to start speaking up too! If those rough roads ahead are to be successfully navigated, we need people who challenge those old-school chants of “You can do it!” with a new mantra of ”We can’t do it on our own!”

That doesn’t mean we have to abandon old messages about personal resilience entirely, but it does mean that we need to get better at noticing when they get in our way. It’s fine to celebrate the classic resilient image of a tree flexibly leaning and bending with the wind, but we can’t let that distract us from the fact that, today, the kind of leaning that matters most is leaning on each other.    

So friends, this month, let’s look around as much as look within. Let’s let up on all the “grin and bear it” talk and instead grab the hand that is reaching our way.

Plate Partner: BOISE HIVE: Musicians Resource

Our Mission: To prevent suicide in the music community.

We aim to empower musicians and artists of all ages through access to support and resources for mental and emotional well-being. We provide a welcoming, all-ages environment free from drugs and alcohol, dedicated to providing safe and affordable rehearsal space, educational programs, and events. We believe this space is especially crucial for the growth of youth, teenage and young adult musicians, blending musical development with a healthy lifestyle. At the Boise Hive, music becomes a catalyst for nurturing collaboration, communication, and leadership skills

Mental Health Services

At the Boise Hive, our core mission is woven into every note: to combat suicide within the music community by providing a sanctuary where mental health is prioritized. Here, you’ll find a welcoming space dedicated to supporting musicians and artists.

Education & Programs

At the Boise Hive, we believe in the transformative power of music and its ability to heal, connect, and inspire. Our programs are more than just activities; they are essential lifelines for artists at every stage of their journey

Resources & Tools

At the Boise Hive, we’re dedicated to nurturing the growth and well-being of our music community. With our affordable practice spaces, the Johnny Harper Memorial Music Library, and a wealth of other resources, we’re here to support your creative journey every step of the way.

Making history in a historical space.

The Boise Hive was founded in 2014 by local musicians and industry supporters as a non-profit music resource center with the vision to promote creativity and support the health and culture of Boise’s music community. The Hive lives in the historical Custom Recording and Sound building in Boise’s Bench Neighborhood where bands like Paul Revere & the Raiders, Kings of Swing, and Curtis Stigers recorded more than 30 years ago.