Seattle Unity Church

"And so how do we reconcile, sometimes, these ideals that we have in light of what we see as not living up to those ideals?" This year's Fourth of July brings a mixed bag of emotions, and Associate Minister Diane Robertson wrestles with the central questions around our sense of national identity. Diving deep into the meaning of patriotism and its shadow, nationalism, she finds many paradoxes, which can't be ignored or glossed over any more. The talk begins at 13:22. Worship arts comes from Jimmie Herrod, including a brand new original, as well as a beautiful treatment of classic patriotic hymnody. Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.  

"This was a time period when many lesbian mothers across the U.S. lost their rights to care for their children, strictly because they were lesbian." To mark Pride Sunday this year, former Seattle Unity Board chair Dr. Desi Bailey describes her advocacy work over the decades.  The scope and commitment of her work is inspiring, profound, and continues today.  Thank you Desi, and to all our activist members, who bring their spiritual principles into action every day to help make a more just and equitable world for everyone. The talk begins at 17:45. Worship arts comes from Stephanie Anne Johnson.   Go here for the full service video. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.  

"I think that we as grandparents should hold in trust institutions, our country, our world, for our grandchildren... to hold in trust what we have, and make sure that we pass it on." Today’s Father’s Day celebration service is a little longer than usual Sunday Services, because it includes the slideshow of Congregants’ Fathers, as well as testimony from three fathers in our congregation: Tracy Cobbin, Karl Tegtmeyer and George Edwards. Blessings to all our community’s fathers! The talks begin at 19:55. Fun-fact for those who are newer to our community:  today's guest singer Sean Bendickson was our house drummer for many years before he left to become a music director himself. He has also become a father in that time. Go here for the full service video, including the lovely Father's Day slide show. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more,

"COVID-19 knows no boundary of country, it knows no boundary of race or culture or religion... apparently knows no boundary of age... of language. COVID-19 demonstates exceptionally clearly how incredibly interconnected we all are, and calls us to a kind of mutual support, should we wish to survive, as humankind on this planet." Today’s talk from our long-time friend Rabbi Ted Falcon was recorded several weeks ago, but we pre-empted it last week so that Rev. Karen could speak to the issue of the current protests.  However, his spiritual message remains fresh and relevant. Ted's talk begins at 12:05. Worship Arts material comes from our Seattle Unity Worship Arts Team.  Go here for the full service video, including a slide show of pictures from BLM protests around the world. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our

"So we are at a crossroads, and we can try to keep the status quo or we can move forward with tremendous change and transformation." Rev. Karen Lindvig speaks to the protests and unrest over the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Arbery and so many others.  How do we take action that creates long term systemic changes?   How do we face our shadow?  How do we move - truly - forward? Karen's talk begins at 18:30. Worship Arts material comes from guest blues guitarist Jeff Fielder.  Go here for the full service video. Youth & Families Director Heidi Nathe gives a the Y&F update, and Diane Robertson gives the meditation. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.  

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5: 3-11 This time, Sunday Rev. Karen Lindvig dives deep into this classic section of the Sermon on the Mount, weaving in elements of the Vedanta, for clues about awakening to the Divine Presence. What does it mean to be "poor in Spirit"?  How can one in mourning also be one awakening? How can those who seem most unfortunate or small, actually be the bl

"A twist in perception can change what we see, and how we feel, in a single moment." This time, Sunday Rev. Karen Lindvig looks at how our world shifts as we allow our perception to shift.   She weaves material from myth, personal life, the works of Jean Houston and others. Karen's talk begins at 12:20. Worship Arts material comes from Tyler Rogers and Justin Huertas.  Go here for the full service video. Board member Robyn McKoy presents the offering. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more.. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.  

"It's almost as if ... in Tarot, we've all been dealt the Tower... the destruction of the tower means that things must happen in order to clear out the old ways and welcome something new." This Sunday Rev. Karen Lindvig teaches us how to acknowledge present pain, even while looking with determined optimism toward building the future. She pulls lessons from Churchill's writings in WWII, as well as from our modern climate crisis and current pandemic. What is it that keeps us able to do our best, love, dream, and find joy, even when the world seems at its worst? Karen's talk begins at 13:44. Worship Arts material comes from David Loy, Erin McGaughan, and Olivia Hamilton.  See the full video version for a great dance from worship leader Jimmy Shields, too. Take advantage of all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time, including after-service fellowship and Wednesday evening Zoom services.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes,

"We celebrate not only mothers, but the compassionate, nurturing energy, that goes beyond gender." Senior Minister Rev. Karen Lindvig pulls new lessons from the traditions of Mother's Day, looking at the energy of caretaking and compassion, and how that energy can serve us profoundly during this time of sheltering in place. Karen's talk beings at 07:32. Music comes from new friends Zoe and Kellie Newton, a local mother/daughter duo. Lean more about Zoe and Kellie here. Share this pod, or the full video of this service, which includes a slideshow of congregants' mothers, with anyone you know who may need a little spiritual support right now. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here.  

"This quarantine has given us the opportunity to step back from our lives in a way that we never could have done before... to ask ourselves: is it possible to begin to think differently?" Continuing our stay-at-home time, Rev. Karen uses two meanings of "Mayday", the pagan springtime dance as well as the nautical distress term, for inspiration about how we can navigate our lives during this continued coronavirus period. Karen's talk beings at 13:30. Music comes from our own Worship Arts team members, including Erin McGaughan, with congregants Brian and Stephanie Emery, Chris Sullivan, Alexandrea Davis, Keia del Rosario, Jennifer Bolles, and house percussionist Jesse Whitford (with a meditation on vibraphone). Share this pod, or the video of this service, with others who may need a little spiritual support right now. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and

https://vimeo.com/414277445 "The practices of Ramadan  -- the practices of fasting, and feasting,  and reflection -- help us build on that capacity to receive and to respond to this invitation of love, from Allah." Today's online worship service features special guest speaker Bahiyya Ann Holmes Redding.  Ann is a former Episcopal priest, now practicing Muslim teacher, writer, singer, professor at University of Puget Sound, and spiritual guide.  In her talk today, Ann shows us how the practices of Ramadan can help us with the fundamental human need to remember our relationship with the divine. Ann also leads Friday Prayers in the Islamic Tradition at the Interfaith Community Sanctuary in Seattle.  She is co-author of Out of Darkness Into Light: Spiritual Guidance in the Quran with Reflections from Jewish and Christian Sources. Rafe Pearlman presents special Worship Arts support. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram f

https://vimeo.com/414277445 "The practices of Ramadan  -- the practices of fasting, and feasting,  and reflection -- help us build on that capacity to receive and to respond to this invitation of love, from Allah." Today's online worship service features special guest speaker Bahiyya Ann Holmes Redding.  Ann is a former Episcopal priest, now practicing Muslim teacher, writer, singer, professor at University of Puget Sound, and spiritual guide.  In her talk today, Ann shows us how the practices of Ramadan can help us with the fundamental human need to remember our relationship with the divine. Ann also leads Friday Prayers in the Islamic Tradition at the Interfaith Community Sanctuary in Seattle.  She is co-author of Out of Darkness Into Light: Spiritual Guidance in the Quran with Reflections from Jewish and Christian Sources. Rafe Pearlman presents special Worship Arts support. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram f

“Are you having prophetic dreams?  And are there synchronicities that are showing up in your life, that you may not have seen or noticed before?” Rev. Karen turns our attention toward Earth Day, and what it means in this very special year.  Our stay-home restrictions have created a necessary rest for us, and for nature, too.  Karen explains how we can lean into this and discover a kind of re-enchantment, a renewed awe of our natural world. Chava Mirel presents special Worship Arts support. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here. https://vimeo.com/413883622

“Are you having prophetic dreams?  And are there synchronicities that are showing up in your life, that you may not have seen or noticed before?” Rev. Karen turns our attention toward Earth Day, and what it means in this very special year.  Our stay-home restrictions have created a necessary rest for us, and for nature, too.  Karen explains how we can lean into this and discover a kind of re-enchantment, a renewed awe of our natural world. Chava Mirel presents special Worship Arts support. Check out all the ways we can stay connected during this amazing time.  And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here. https://vimeo.com/413883622

  “There's a quietness that didn't exist before. Have you noticed?” https://vimeo.com/406386164 Easter comes in an entirely new way this year, and Rev. Karen leads a virtual tribe into a multi-modal, exuberant, and varied virtual Easter worship experience.  She frames this year as a collective shamanic journey, which offers spiritual wisdom that we are collectively poised to receive. To see previous Sunday messages during this time of the statewide stay-at-home order, check out our Facebook livestream.  If you're not already on Facebook, now is the perfect time to join up, even if only temporarily, and you can watch these livestreams here. Want to join us for a midweek Zoom call?  Email admin@seattleunity.com and we'll set you up. It's a great way to chat with other church members, and get a mid-week talk from Rev. Karen, including exercises and discussion. And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. W

Seattle Unity Easter Sunday Program: 9:00 am Sunday Meditation, with Laura Hebert "Doors" open at 9:00 a.m. Meditation will begin at 9:15 with a short guided lead-in, followed by silence until 9:45, when we will all join the Easter Sunday Service. Sunday Meditation Zoom Meeting Please email the office for the code if you would like to attend.   10:00 am Easter Service, A Planetary Resurrection, with Rev. Karen Lindvig (above) Music & Performance Guests: SU Choir, Leah Mann, Erin McGaughan.   10:45 am Fellowship Reception, hosted by Jen Bolles  Wear your Easter bonnet if you have one, show off your Easter brunch or snack items, and enjoy some fun with your spiritual community! Fellowship Reception Zoom Meeting Please email the office for the code if you would like to attend.     “Remember the threshold isn’t about figuring things out. When you explore thresholds, it’s about resting into mystery. Learn to live in the liminal space when the old is released but the new hasn’t come into

“We're kind of in a marathon and we're only in the middle of it.” This week Rev. Karen leads us in celebrating Palm Sunday, but in a different way.  The traditional story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem offers interesting lessons about the Power of Strength, in negotiating the challenges of great spiritual undertakings.  Rev. Karen uses this material to help us increase our own awareness of this inner Power, when we especially need it. Now that we are under a statewide stay-at-home order, Rev. Karen is giving her talk as a Facebook livestream.  If you're not already on Facebook, now is the perfect time to join up, even if only temporarily, and you can watch these livestreams here. Want to join us for a midweek Zoom call?  Email admin@seattleunity.com and we'll set you up. It's a great way to chat with other church members, and get a mid-week talk from Rev. Karen, including exercises and discussion. And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, read

“I think first we have to take a step back and acknowledge that there is a collective grief that is circling the planet right now.” Today, Rev. Karen explores our collective grief, referencing work from founder of grief.com David Kessler, as well as astrologist Laurence Hillman.  Grief can be an invitation to explore the dark places within, and sometimes this invitation cannot easily be refused. Now that we are under a statewide stay-at-home order, Rev. Karen is giving her talk as a Facebook livestream.  If you're not already on Facbeook, now is the perfect time to join up, even if only temporarily, and you can watch these livestreams here. Want to join us for a midweek Zoom call?  Email admin@seattleunity.com and we'll set you up. It's a great way to chat with other church members, and get a mid-week talk from Rev. Karen, including exercises and discussion. And as always, see our Facebook  page or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and more upcoming events. Want to

  “We are living in strange times and we are in unknown territory. Right now this is a very strange wonder.” Rev. Karen Lindvig leads the service team in another new experiment in Live Stream service, as we continue to navigate the enormous challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Karen’s talk begins at 22:30 Worship Arts this week features special guest Be Russell. Try our Facebook or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here. The post Sunday Service Podcast March 22nd – Strange Wonder appeared first on Seattle Unity.

“We have never really been in a situation like this before. It really demonstrates how the entire planet is connected, and that what happens to one of us, happens to all of us.” Rev. Karen Lindvig leads the service team in creating a new, virtual version of the Sunday service experience. In the midst of the challenges of coronavirus precautions, Karen encourages us to look for opportunites for a Sabbath experience, to find a sacred, refreshing quiet. The brief meditation begins at 15:44, and is underscored by contemplative guitar from James Howard.  Karen’s talk begins at 27:05. Today’s reading is Patient Trust, by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Worship Arts this week features special guests Denná Francesca and James Howard.   Try our Facebook or our Instagram for more, including quotes from our lesson notes, readings, and upcoming events. Want to get regular updates? Stay updated with our most recent newsletter here. The post Sunday Service Podcast March 15th – Patient Trust appeared first on Seattle Uni