Join Our New NAUA Conversation/Discussion Circle!

Dec 30, 2024 | News

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new monthly space for connection and community building – The NAUA Conversation/Discussion Circle! This circle is designed for NAUA members and friends to gather, share ideas, spark meaningful conversations, and deepen our connections.
 
Our first gathering will take place on January 15th, the third Wednesday of each month, from 4:00 – 5:30 pm Pacific Time / 7:00 pm Eastern Time. Everyone is welcome. We invite you to join us in creating a vibrant, supportive space for dialogue and reflection. The zoom link is:   https://tinyurlcom/naua-circle
 
For questions or to register for reminders, email us at circles@naunitarians.org. The circle will be facilitated by a member of the NAUA Board of Trustees. We hope to see you there!

January Worship Service: “The Enlightenment Values of Freedom, Reason, Tolerance”

Dec 23, 2024 | News

January’s monthly worship service will focus on the Enlightenment Values of Freedom, Reason and Tolerance, the very same values that were adopted by the NAUA and that stand at the core of Western liberal tradition. The full service title is: “The Enlightenment Values of Freedom, Reason, Tolerance; Advancing the Human Condition Materially and Spiritually; Our Core Strengths.” The worship team will make this a group effort. Join in exploring and honoring the primary core values of our faith tradition.

The service will take place on Saturday, January 18th at 10 AM Pacific Time, 11 AM MT, 12 noon CT and 1 PM ET. We always have a lively breakout room discussion after the service, where you can meet both new and long time friends.  

“North American Unitarian Association is a member service organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the practice of liberal religion by embracing freedom, reason, and tolerance—rooted in our commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of every person and all peoples.”

Solstice Service, 2024

Dec 22, 2024 | News, Worship Service, Worship Services

I’ve been attending Unitarian Solstice services for as long as I can remember, but I have never enjoyed one as much as this Solstice. Maybe it was the music, the poems, Rev Manning’s talk or just being (virtually) with 50 old and new friends.

From all of us at NAUA, warmest wishes for a thoughtful, rejuvenating and joyful holiday season!

 

Liberal Religion—Is It Time for Hospice?

Dec 12, 2024 | NAUA Academy, News

Religious participation is plummeting. “Church” has become a bad brand. Should we resign ourselves to palliative care for our aging congregations?
Can we find ways to feed the hunger for meaning and community?
 
One thing is certain: We cannot church the way we always have and hope for different results. 

Speaker: Rev Peter Morales is the former president of the UUA. Before becoming UUA president he was senior minister at Jefferson Unitarian Church in Colorado. Jefferson was one of the UUA’s fastest growing congregations during his tenure. Before entering the ministry he was editor and publisher of a community newspaper in Oregon. He has lived abroad as a Fulbright lecturer in Spain and a Knight International Press fellow in Peru. Peter lives in Sequim, WA with his wife Phyllis.

 

Baruch Spinoza’s ideas – increasing relevance today

Dec 3, 2024 | News

Many of you may be familiar with 17th century Dutch philosopher Baruck Spinoza.  I knew the name and the famous quote from Einstein that he “believed in “Spinoza’s God” but I didn’t have a very clear idea of the resonance his beliefs hold for many Unitarians.  Thus, I was grateful to bump into the video below that overviews his life and his ideas.  Like many Unitarians he came from a religious home and community, but found that his ideas outgrew these religious teachings.

I was also interested in his ideas that ‘God and nature were the same. His expression “God or Nature”, illustrates this.  He also taught that God was in everything  and all living creatures share the Conatus Principle. “Each thing, as far as it can by its own power, strives to persevere in its being” – a nice summary of our shared evolutionary drive.

I hope you enjoy the 13 minute video below.