In a culture focused on achievement, the humble is not often celebrated. Aspiring to humility even seems like a contradiction in terms. Shouldn't we aim high? And what do we do when we always seem to fall short? In this sermon, Rebecca shares some spiritual lessons from the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, with references to woodchucks, mindfulness, motivation, and dirt.

Steve Brooks

Since the beginning of time, we have sought solace during the darkness of winter. Our earliest ancestors gathered together to tell tales passed down from past generations and celebrate the strength and safety of community and love. Please join us as we celebrate the holiday season during our service of spoken word and voices joined in song.

Winter Solstice offers us the hope of ending darkness and regaining the light. We will give honor to the Winter Solstice, say goodbye to what we want to leave behind this year and what we want to carry into the new year. We, this Fellowship, are lighting the way to better times ahead.

As we gather for Thanksgiving, many of us will be reminded of our families and our often complicated relationships with them. We project their contradictions into our own identities, as well as our morality, politics and churches. How do we reconcile them in our spiritual lives? How can we meet our needs for family connections, when our birth families may not fill the bill? Steve Brooks answers these questions for us.

The Problem of Patriarchy - to be a truly flourishing society with equal opportunity for all persons requires moving past the patriarchy to which so many still seem to be clinging.

Steve Brooks will enlighten and entertain the Fellowship with his sermon, Born Again Pagan. With Halloween and Dia de los Muertos on the horizon, it's a perfect time to reflect on their roots as the Pagan New Year. The worship of nature is our oldest spiritual impulse, and these days, it might be just what we need to save our planet. Austin folksinger and UU Steve Brooks talks and sings about the Wiccan and Native American paths, and how he found out he was a Born-Again Pagan. Learn about the real old-time religion, and help God get in touch with his feminine side.

In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the Open Hearts and Minds Fellowship will dedicate its service on October 13th to animals and animal lovers everywhere. St. Francis was a thirteenth century monk who founded the Franciscan order of monks that still exists today. He is the patron saint of animals and of the environment. Many faith traditions celebrate St. Francis Day by blessing animals during their Sunday service.