Lucas Milliken M. Div., Guest Speaker; Erica Kenney, Worship Associate; Progress Ranch Quilt Blessing.

I freed thousands of slaves. I could have freed thousands more, if only they had known they were slaves. – Harriet Tubman

We may be unaware of the ways in which we are constrained. Or, we may be far too aware that we are stuck, certain that we know how to remove ourselves from our trappings, and finding that we get no closer to the freedom we seek. Perhaps the key to freedom is far simpler than we imagined, and we are looking in the wrong places.

Lucas holds a Master’s in Theology and the Arts from Union Theological Seminary in New York. There he served as a chapel minister, helping to plan and lead daily services organized by student groups. Services creatively explored ways congregants might arrive at the divine (ex: a Mardi Gras service with puppets inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.) Lucas dabbles in music, theater, puppetry, playwriting, juggling, etc. He is a member of the Disciples of Christ Denomination, the First Christian Church of Oakland, and is a progressive Christian. He is partnered with Annie Gonzalez.

Copyright: Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis

Rev. Beth Banks & Annie Gonalez, Worship Leaders 

In this week of violence in Davis and Boston, we consider our lilves, fears, and heartache.  Where do you find healling?

Copyright: Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis

Rev. Beth Banks, Worship Leader

Claudia Maupin and Chip Northup, UUCD congregation members, were murdered in Davis over the weekend of April 13. Our congregation planned to hold a simple vigil on Wednesday, April 17, but the service grew to include readings, music, and ritual with the participation of family and clergy. Although this podcast can’t bring you the candlelight and healing ritual, we can bring you the poetry and words of healing.

Copyright: Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis

Annie Gonzalez, M.Div, Intern & Campus Minister; Charles Halsted, Worship Associate.

The term queer has many meanings and provokes an assortment of reactions. It can be used to describe a variety of sexual orientations and gender identities. It also refers to an academic discipline – Queer Theory. Many people find great freedom in embracing queerness. What if we apply the concept of queerness to our religious identity, rather than our sexual or gender identities? Would we UUs find that we are religiously queer?

Copyright: Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis

Rev. Beth Banks, Worship Leader; Jenn Richard, WorshipAssociate.

Rabindranath Tagore wrote a poem about envy and looking into a neighbor’s sunshine soaked gardens. From his own shady side of the street he describes going door-to-door, hungry and yearning. Then someone knocks on his door asking for alms. Freedom comes with that knock, and the world changes.

Copyright: Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis