00:00 SERMON: Where Grace has been Blooming – Dr. Melissa James
15:35 ONE JUST THING: Rev. Ben Meyers
In tumultuous times there is often a tendency for individuals and communities to turn inward. This can leave us feeling isolated, alone, and closed off to the experiences, gifts, and needs of others. What if it didn’t have to be that way? Deep within our UU theology is a commitment to covenant that connects us with each other, with our neighbors, and with all beings. When we turn our gaze from the “I” to the “we” spaces where grace has been blooming start to come into focus. Exploring the connection between covenant and grace we start to discover what is uniquely ours, individually and collectively to bring to the healing and flourishing of all in beloved community.
Our Guest Worship leader this morning is Dr. Melissa James, works for our UUA Congregational Life Field Staff in the Pacific Western Region. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in faith-based ministry to her role. She earned her Masters of Arts from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago (LSTC) and a Ph.D. in Ethics and Social Theory from the Graduate theological Union in Berkeley, CA. She has served Unitarian Universalist churches in Oakland and San Diego.