Speaker: Gary Rossi (piano)

We Need Not Think Alike to Love Alike – The Story of the Unitarian Church of Transylvania

Sunday, October 6, 2024 - 10:30 am Gary Rossi (piano), Rev. Kevin Alan Mann

Join us for RevKev’s report back from his recent Pilgrimage to Transylvania! The Unitarian Church of Transylvania has over 60,000 members and is the birthplace of Unitarianism. Theologian Francis David led efforts to pass the Edict of Torda in 1568 which established Unitarianism and allowed congregants to freely elect their ministers and represented one of … Continue reading We Need Not Think Alike to Love Alike – The Story of the Unitarian Church of Transylvania

Keeping the Flame Alive

Sunday, September 15, 2024 - 10:30 a.m. David Dodd, Gary Rossi (piano)

A service led by UUP’s Keepers of the Flame Since the beginning, UUP has been a vibrant, growing group because of all of us who belong to the congregation. Each year, we honor those who have shone brightly in their efforts to sustain and grow UUP with our Recognition Awards: Keeper of the Flame, Firecracker, … Continue reading Keeping the Flame Alive

The Multiverse Within: Exploring Choice and Infinite Possibilities

Sunday, August 25, 2024 - 10:30 am Ashley Kennedy, Gary Rossi (piano), Nate Makdad

We’ll explore the profound impact of the choices we make and how they shape our lives. Though we may all face regret about choices not made, we’ll draw on philosophical theories and scientific research to delve into the idea that every decision creates a branching path, leading to different outcomes. We’ll discuss various understandings of … Continue reading The Multiverse Within: Exploring Choice and Infinite Possibilities

Zelophehad’s Daughters and the Buddha’s Aunt: Badass Women in History

Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. Gary Rossi (piano), Nancy Blake, Rev. Dr. Wakoh Shannon Hickey

Rev. Dr. Wakoh Shannon Hickey, assisted by WA Nancy Blake, will celebrate inspiring women leaders. Rev. Wakoh will share stories from the Hebrew and Buddhist scriptures about women who acted boldly and collectively to make life better for themselves, their extended families, and countless women who came after them. She will consider the relevance of … Continue reading Zelophehad’s Daughters and the Buddha’s Aunt: Badass Women in History

Standing in Our Truth

Sunday, June 30, 2024 - 10:30 am Cantor Rachel Steiner, Gary Rossi (piano), Lara Abel, Prof. Dr. Richard Greggory Johnson III, The Undogmatics Band

Special Guest: Faith Ross, Petaluma Blacks for Community Development The UUP’s Annual Pride Service embraces the theme “Standing In Our Truth.” This service will be a celebration of all things LGBTQIA and the beauty within each of us as loving beings. This is a “Give the Plate” Sunday with all non-pledge offerings going to support … Continue reading Standing in Our Truth

What is Worship For?

June 9, 2024 - 10:30 am Gary Rossi (piano), Nate Makdad, Rev. Jay Atkinson

Sunday morning worship embodies a sequence of ritual actions: greeting, singing, individual and unison speaking, story-telling, listening, praying/meditating in words and silence, etc. But how do we weave those components into a flow that yields a satisfying and meaningful whole? What deep purpose do we aim for in communal worship? For answers we must look … Continue reading What is Worship For?

Renewing Equality in Education: In Praise of Teachers

May 19, 2024 - 10:30 am Cantor Rachel Steiner, David Dodd, Gary Rossi (piano), Rev. Dr. John Buehrens

Equal opportunity in education is again a matter of controversy, just as it was during the Civil Rights Era. The Heritage Foundation, planning a new “conservative” agenda, wants the US Supreme Court to overturn the ruling that the children of undocumented migrants have a right to attend public schools. Many Americans know the name Horace … Continue reading Renewing Equality in Education: In Praise of Teachers

Interdependence Without Oppression

April 21, 2024 - 10:30 am Cantor Rachel Steiner, Gary Rossi (piano), Prof. Dr. Richard Greggory Johnson III, Rebecca Avery, Rev. Dr. John Buehrens

April 22 is both Earth Day and the beginning of Passover. Every liberation movement in Western culture has taken inspiration from the story of the Israelites escaping slavery in Egypt – even if they did then spend forty years wandering in the wilderness. Rev. John offers his sermon as a prayer for two refugee camps … Continue reading Interdependence Without Oppression

Easter Service: Resurrections of the Spirit

March 31, 2024 - 10:30 am Cantor Rachel Walters Steiner and the Larking About Choir, Gary Rossi (piano), Nancy Blake, Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Tony Blake

While it’s hard to believe in bodily resurrection, resurrections of the spirit are not only credible, but demonstrable. This service will be dedicated to the late Revs. Rob and Janne Eller-Isaacs, who revived the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. They both died of cancer in the last two years. Yet their spirit lives on, not … Continue reading Easter Service: Resurrections of the Spirit

Transformation in a Time of Trouble

March 17, 2024 - 10:30 am Cantor Rachel Steiner, Gary Rossi (piano), Nate Makdad, Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Roger Jungerman

What does it mean to be a community of transformation, especially in a time of trouble? Rev. John will draw on stories of his travels to troubled places from Northern Ireland to Israel and Palestine. Nate Makdad will serve as Worship Associate, with testimonial by Roger Jungerman, Gary Rossi will be at the keyboard, and … Continue reading Transformation in a Time of Trouble

Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma