Play is incredibly important for kids in their well-being and development. It is no less important for adults, too! This week we'll explore the power and meaning and fun of play in our lives. We'll also honour the fathers among us - many of whom know a thing or two about play.

​Flower Communion is a unique UU tradition celebrated in spring in many congregations across the world. Usually we all bring a flower to share and to make a bouquet celebrating beauty, community, and diversity. While we can't make a bouquet in one vase this year, we will make one together on Zoom - please bring a flower to share. In poetry, music, and song, we'll offer care and blessings to one another to sustain us on the journey, 'til we meet again. Guest musician Joe Jencks will be sharing his music ministry in this special service.

​As the current pandemic stretches on, maintaining spiritual and emotional wellness can be a challenge. The Blommes will share findings from contemporary positive psychology research to provoke us as individuals - and as a congregation - to engage in habits of thought and behaviour which foster wellness and enhance resilience.

​This week we'll explore our third source, "Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life." As UUs, we value wisdom from many traditions. Some of us focus on one in particular as we deepen our own spiritual journey. Today we'll explore what "wisdom" means in a variety of world religions, and what that means for us as UUs as we seek wisdom in other religious traditions. 

​In our search for purpose and meaning, we yearn for the answers to our questions about why things happen and how they will play out. These answers are often only revealed one step at a time and our responsibility is to discern that next step. This Sunday, join Nicole as she shares how she has come to discern the direction of her call to ministry as a military chaplain. 

In the midst of the ordinary and extraordinary challenges of life, some of us are called to be caregivers, some of us need care, and most of us will be both givers and receivers of care to different degrees at some time in our lives. Caregiving, like motherhood, is complex and multifaceted. Caregiving can be as gruelling as it can be meaningful, and can sometimes require more of us than we think we can give. What can we learn about ourselves, others, and the world through acts of caring? 

​Breathe in… breathe out. It’s hard sometimes to just keep doing this most simple act when we’re struggling with an ever-present sense of overwhelm and uncertainty. When we don’t know what's coming next, we gulp that oxygen and hold it in, not sure when we’ll get to take another breath. How, amidst everything that is going on at the moment, do we keep breathing in peace, and breathing out love, together? 

Where do we seek truth as Unitarians? This week we'll explore our second source, "Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love." Sometimes this is easy and we all agree which words and deeds are meaningful examples. Sometimes people's wisdom is obscured through superficial differences or very real imperfections that make it hard for us to hear their message. And sometimes it is the follow through that is hardest - to really allow others' words and lives to challenge us to step out of our own ways of seeing and doing things. Today we'll explore the power of learning from others' experiences. 

​Volunteer litter pickers can make a massive difference to their local park and neighbourhood. Anna will talk about how she got involved in picking up litter, what she has learned in the process, and the truly big difference that she has made in her neighbourhood. Being a volunteer litter picker is not just about cleaning up after others, it's about showing pride in where we live and setting a positive example of love for our planet.