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.

June 2025 Spiritual Theme:

Living Love Through The Practice of Freedom

What if we could listen

like the great salmon

who goes about its ordinary life

when suddenly something shifts.

It does not come as a thunderous

revelation, but a quiet knowing

you have been preparing all

your life to trust.

The path lived until now no longer

satisfies but the path ahead

seems thousands of miles

long, and your womb is heavy.

   -Christine Valters Paintner

 from her poem “Following an Ancient Call”

Who of us doesn’t understand that “heavy womb”? Who of us hasn’t felt a deep hunger begin to grow in our bellies? Who of us hasn’t felt a particular new desire rise up, sure and clear? And who of us hasn’t—at some point—turned our backs on that desire, that call?

Not that we wanted to. It’s just that we were stuck. Imprisoned, so to speak, by circumstances, responsibilities, constraints or assumptions which made that desire seem out of reach. We felt trapped, forced to say “No” when our heart wanted to say “Yes”.

More often than we notice, this is the dilemma when it comes to freedom. It’s not so much about running away from something as it is about wanting to run toward something but not being able to! In other words, there is a big difference between “freedom from” and “freedom to.” 

Our Unitarian Universalist faith gets this. At its best, it never simply asks us, “What do you need to get away from?” No, it pushes us to ask the deeper question of “What is it that you want to run toward?”  Mature freedom is never about the absence of all constraints; it’s about being able to commit yourself to the things that have your heart. Or to put it another way, true freedom is about constraints of our own choosing.

So what is it for you, friends? Where in your life are you feeling forced to say “No” when your heart really wants to say “Yes”? What is it that you want to use your freedom for? It’s not the bars of a prison that make us want to escape; it’s suddenly noticing what’s on the other side of those bars that makes us want to get out.

So this month, don’t take your eyes off of it. Keep that longing clearly in view. And if you do, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to bend open those bars… and simply walk out.

Plate Partner: Women & Children Alliance (WCA)

For over 40 years, WCA has been at the forefront of providing services to those healing from domestic abuse and sexual assault. Since its founding, WCA’s crisis program has evolved into one of the most vital, unduplicated, comprehensive programs in our community and region. WCA is proud to be a community leader in providing these critically needed services. We’ve been an important community partner for over 110 years and providing safe spaces for members of our community has always been at the core of our mission.

Play area in childcare at WCA secure domestic violence shelter.

Vision

To foster a community where individuals thrive in safe, healthy relationships.

Mission

Safety, healing, and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault.

• WCA provides Safety to domestic abuse and sexual assault victimsthrough our two 24-hour crisis hotlines, our domestic abuse shelter, safety planning assistance, and court advocacy.
• We provide Healing through therapy services, support groups, and client advocacy.
• We provide Freedom through case management and financial empowerment and life skills classes.

Through these core values, we hope to provide security, hope, and empowerment and to break the cycle of violence. For more information on these and other services, see our Get Help section.

Core Values

• Empowerment—Fostering potential
• Respect—Recognizing and honoring the dignity of all
• Integrity—Consistent in word and deed