Worship Associates Micah Forstein, Bjorn Nilson, and Ray KriseWelcoming is a trait practiced by our species throughout our evolutionary development and continues to be practiced today throughout the world. What do these world wide welcomings have in common, despite their variance by region and antiquity and their potential limitations by caste? We’ve all experienced the … Continue reading “World Wide Welcome”

Rev. Axel Gehrmann and Annie Scott and Worship Associate Corey BrunsonChange is the only constant in life,” an ancient philosopher once said, and many spiritual teachers agree. Change within us and around us is inescapable. We do have a choice, however, in how we handle change. We can be victims of change, or agents of … Continue reading “An Invitation to Innovation”

Rev. Elaine Gehrmann and Worship Associate Christina Zaro Why can’t we all just get along? Is our congregation a group of completely like-minded individuals, or is there room, and perhaps even a mandate, to welcome people of different viewpoints? How might we affirm our shared values and build bridges to understanding more perspectives? We will … Continue reading “Building Bridges: Welcoming Those With Whom We Disagree”

Rev. Axel Gehrmann and Page Galloway, Worship Associate“Whoever you are, wherever you are on your life’s journey, you are welcome here.” These are some of the words with which we begin every Sunday service. We aspire to welcome all. And yet, to be truly welcoming is easier said than done. The spiritual dimensions of a real welcome are radical. … Continue reading Radical Hospitality

Revs. Axel and Elaine Gehrmann in Big Sur Worship Associates Lauren Keenan, Kathleen Craig and Celia Barberena at UUCMP It’s the Big Sur Campout Weekend! You have two choices this Sunday, you can join Revs. Elaine & Axel and the other campers at the Santa Lucia Campground for a short multigenerational open-air worship service at … Continue reading “Campout: Worship in the Wild”

Revs. Axel & Elaine Gehrmann, and Elizabeth GranadoJoin us for our annual multigenerational Water Communion Service, a celebration of our community. Please bring a small container of water from someplace sacred to you, which you can contribute to this worship service for all ages. OOS: https://mailchi.mp/uucmp/uucmp-oos-2021-01-10137665

Fletcher Brunson, Jill Marshall, and Sam PrichardTechnology and “Generation Z” have grown up together. Young adults today have never known a world without Google, YouTube, smartphones, and social media. The forced isolation of the pandemic integrated their lives even more thoroughly with technology as they attended school from home and could only connect with friends … Continue reading “Human Connection in a Digital World ”

Worship Associates Lauren Keenan and Christina Zaro  WAs Christina Zaro and Lauren Keenan will be reflecting on the joyful exuberance of the endless summers of childhood. They will also consider how summers become periods of transition into young adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it. Congregants will be encouraged to share their own memories of summers past. OOS: https://mailchi.mp/uucmp/uucmp-oos-2021-01-10137645

Worship Associates Shannon Morrison & Ann Jacobson, and Guest Worship Associate Maren Martin Have you noticed how our minds love to fill in the blanks and make meaning? Do you ever pause to consider the stories you tell yourself about yourself and about others? Do these stories serve you well or do they get in … Continue reading “The Stories We Tell Ourselves”

Jon Czarnecki, Robin Jensen and Worship Associate Corey Brunson We can be discouraged and uplifted by both trust and hope. Is one stronger than the other? Under what circumstances should we rely on one and not the other? How can we make them both major players in our lives? Jon Czarnecki, Robin Jensen, and worship … Continue reading “Hope and Trust: In Conflict or in Accord?”