Past Personal Theology Seminars

9:30 a.m. In-Person in the Fireside room and streamed to Zoom, we’ll get the answer to “What shapes an artist’s vision over a lifetime?” The Personal Theology Committee is delighted to have painter and sculptor, Kim Thoman, share images from more than forty years of artwork, reflecting on the creative journey behind her recently published book, Kim Thoman: 40 Years of Painting. Click the heading for more about Kim and the Zoom link.

9:30-10:30 a.m. ZOOM ONLY. UU Mystic, Alice Yeager, will share with the UUCB community about her spiritual journey beginning with her family’s history attending the 1st Unitarian Church of Baltimore in Maryland to her sudden psychic opening where she experienced all five “clair” senses as apparently latent until then, suddenly becoming heightened multi-sensory psychic abilities, i.e. clairvoyance (visual), clairsentience (physical sensations), clairaudence (auditory), clairscentist (smells) and clairgustance (tastes). Click the heading for the link and more information about Alice. This is a not to be missed talk!

9:30 a.m. Personal Theology, In-person in the Fireside Room and online in the Zoom Room. Presenter: Dr. David Belden.  “Dave,” as many of his UUCB friends call him is a gift to this community and he has shared snippets of his extraordinary life.  In this Personal Theology talk, “Amazing grace: How UUs saved me from burnout.” Dave will read excerpts from his new book, “The World Remakers’ Child.” The book is about moving in and out of movements dedicated to changing the world. So: joy and despair, faith, burnout, and renewal. And how finding Unitarian Universalism saved him from burnout! Click the heading for the Zoom link and more information about Dave’s talk and his new book. Dave will have his book for sale in the Fireside Room.

9:30 a.m. In-person in the Fireside room and online in the Zoom room, UUCB is delighted to have 2025-26 ministerial intern, Liesl Dees, as Personal Theology’s first presenter of the 2026 year!  Liesl will talk with us of her spiritual journey growing up in New Mexico and attending “The Church of the Big Blue Dome” which she now calls “religious naturalism.”  So many of us encounter the divine when in nature and Liesl’s talk will inspire and encourage us to share our own experiences during the Q&A time.  Click the heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. in-person in the Fireside Room and on Zoom, Josh Kornbluth, writer, actor, performer, In-person and on Zoom, Fireside Room, “Gather Around, We’ve Got a Story to Tell.”
All of us have experiences that could be fashioned into a verbal story or narrative to tell if only we knew how to get started. Josh will discuss how he takes his thoughts and ideas and forms them into a story to share with others. Hopefully, his suggestions will prompt attendees to give it a whirl themselves! Click the heading for the Link.

9:30 a.m. In-Person in the Fireside Room and on Zoom, UUCB is delighted to have actor, performer, storyteller, Josh Kornbluth share with us his Marsh performance on “Fighting Fascism and Depression.”  Come and be delighted and the chance to talk to Josh during the Q&A.  And Josh will be at UUCB AGAIN on November 23 to show us how to passionately and outrageously share/perform our own stories! Click the heading for the link.

Personal Theology – 9:30 a.m. In-person in Fireside room and on Zoom. Join us for a rare opportunity to experience poetry that illuminates the human spirit from two distinct yet deeply connected perspectives. Berkeley poets, Judy Wells and Dale Jensen (spouses) invite us into their and our own personal theologies through verse that is as insightful as it is alive. Click the heading for more details and Zoom link.

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. In-person in the Fireside Room and also on Zoom. Diane Rusnak is a member of UUCB and a Bay Area artist making imagery from night dreams. Diane will be showing many images of my lifelong paintings and mixed media works that grew out of my dreams and changed my life for the better! Click the heading for the Zoom link and for Diane’s work and her advice on “How To Catch Your Dreams.”

9:30 a.m. Personal Theology will be offering congregants time to share stories of transformation and/or profound moments. Each person’s 3-4 minute story time will be shared between the Fireside room participants (in-person) and the Zoom participants (on-line). To sign up to share, click the heading to see the details and also for the Zoom link for May 18, 2025.

9:30a.m. in the Fireside Room and on Zoom, the Personal Theology program will be an “idea sharing” session on the continuation of the Personal Theology program. Chairperson, Anne Wardell, will be stepping down after ten years of leadership!!  And we’re grateful to her.  Anne is inviting us to share ideas about whether the continuation of the Personal Theology program is possible.  The range of speakers has been jaw dropping: Imans, Buddhist monks, physicists, ministers, interns, priests, poets, singers, harpists, doctors, teachers, local celebrities, psychologists, scientists, theologians, rabbis, personal journeys, Native Americans, spiritual journeys, atheists, religious educators. The incredible list goes on and on.  The question is “Can we continue this program?”  Click the heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. Personal Theology, in-person and on Zoom. An active attendee with UUCB, Dr. Peter Boland, is a national thought leader and has challenged the healthcare industry to make good on its (broken) promise of ‘better care, less cost’ for everyone.  He has generously offered to talk with us at Personal Theology on why health equity is both an economic imperative and a moral necessity. Click the heading for the link and more information on Peter.

9:30 a.m. Personal Theology, in-person and on Zoom. Alicia Assefa is a newcomer to UUCB and has enjoyed getting to know the UUCB community.  Raised as a Quaker and now curious about Unitarian Universalism, Alicia is eager to share her “Glimpse of Heaven” as she describes her 40 year journey through ‘A Course in Miracles’.  “A Course in Miracles”, is the non-dualistic self-study course on forgiveness. Click the heading for the link and more information about Alicia.

9:30 a.m. Personal Theology, in-person in the Fireside Room and on Zoom. The Personal Theology program is delighted that our own Rev. Marcus will be presenting.  The topic of “Sin Without Sinners: The Struggle with Evil in Liberal Religion” is very timely and speaks directly to our first UU principle to affirm the dignity and worth of every person AND speaks to our UU value that “Love is at the Center” of our religion.  How do we reconcile intentional cruelty with love?  Is evil an outcome?  Or is evil an action? Come hear Rev. Marcus talk with us about this challenging subject.  Click the heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. The Personal Theology program is delighted to support the Climate Justice Council in bringing Mr. Wei-Tai Kwok to talk with the UUCB Community on how he personally went from climate stress to climate action!  Mr. Kwok is a prominent climate advocate, and will talk with us about his journey in decarbonizing his lifestyle & devoting himself to climate advocacy. Trained personally by Al Gore, Wei-Tai has given over 175 presentations to communities like ours. The talk will be In-person in the Fireside Room and on Zoom. Click the heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. The Personal Theology program is delighted that SF Chronicle writer, Rebecca (Becca) Blackman, will be presenting to our community.  Her talk is entitled, “”Channeling Jimmy Carter: From Albany, GA to Albany, CA” and is a beautiful, personal memoir and reflection. Becca will be in-person in the Fireside Room and on Zoom. Click the heading for the link and more info about Rebecca.

9:30 a.m. In-Person in the Fireside Room and on Zoom, The Personal Theology program is thrilled to have Dr. Brent Duckor present a conversation with us, UU folks, Dr. Brent and Saul (aka Paul), the disciple of Jesus. Wow! Click the heading for the Zoom Link and more information.

9:30 a.m. In-person in the Fireside Room and available on Zoom, UUCB member, Dave Belden, and his friend and colleague, Kevin Skipper, know clearly that Restorative Justice can be seen as set of practices but it is deeper than that.
Restorative Justice is how WE respond to any harm with healing, instead of neglecting the person harmed or punishing the person responsible. Click the heading for the Zoom link and for more information on this profound presentation being offered by Dave and Kevin.

9:30 a.m. In-Person and available on Zoom. There are people whose very presence instills a sense of solidity, hope, resilience, and compassion.  The Rev. Dr. Alvin Bernstine is one of those people.  Click the heading for the Zoom link and more information on Rev. Bernstine.

9:30 a.m. IN-PERSON and ON ZOOM, PT is delighted to welcome back, Dr. Karen Voorhees. Karen is a UUCB Member and has given several presentations at Personal Theology about her optimism for the future of our species and planet. Today she will revisit this subject in the light of current events. In times of such turmoil, uncertainty and distress, how can we prepare ourselves for what lies ahead?  Click HEADING for Link.

9:30 a.m. IN-PERSON and ON ZOOM, UUCB is excited to welcome three Unitarian Universalist Poets to read their poetry selections that shine a light on how their work reflects their common faith. Please come hear Kathleen McClung (Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco), Lee Rossi (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City), Deborah Bachels Schmidt (Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley). Click the HEADING for the Link.

9:30 a.m. UUCB member, historian and emeritus minister, Rev. Jay Atkinson, will talk with us about “What is Enduring in our Unitarian Universalist Identity.”
With the results of the election now known, there will be much discussion with Rev. Jay about our UU identity and values.
This presentation will be quite engaging. Click the heading for the Zoom Link.

9:30 a.m. The Personal Theology program is delighted to have James Baraz, co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center as our speaker on Nov 3, 2024.  He is actively working on the upcoming election and understands that the closer we get to election day, the more stress we are feeling. His one-hour talk, “Keeping the Heart Open in Uncertain Times,” is designed to help us keep an open heart and develop balance in tough times. Also, he has a fondness for UUCB as he and his wife, Jane, were married here approximately 42 years ago! Click the heading for the link and more about this much needed talk — pre-election.

9:30 a.m. in-person in Fireside Room and online in Zoom, UUCB members Anne Greenwood and Stephanie Ann Blythe will provide a report on their recent travels to our sister church in Transylvania with fascinating pictures and stories.  Click the heading for more information and the link.

9:30 a.m. in-person in Fireside Room and online Zoom, Rev. Dr. Sheri Prud’homme presents on “Love at the Center: Theological Reflections on the UUA’s newly revised Article II.” Rev. Sheri (she/her) is on the core faculty of Starr King School for the Ministry and an ordained minister of religious education. She has published articles related to UU history and theology. Click heading for more information and the LINK.

9:30-10:30 a.m. In-Person and on Zoom. UUCB Member, Dr. Win Williams, will speak to us on the topic of ‘The Pandemic as a Rite of Initiation and Our Missing Third Step.’ Win’s brilliant and delightful discussion will draw on the work of Michael Meade–his teacher and mentor. And engage us in discussion about what we experience when we face Life’s challenges, and how we as a community reintegrate members who have been through these challenges with healing and honoring what those members have experienced i.e. the ‘missing third step’.

9:30-10:30 Personal Theology is pleased to host Rev. Dr. Rosemary McNatt, President of Starr King School for the Ministry, as our first speaker for the Personal Theology program for 2024-25.  On Zoom and possibly in-person.

9:30 a.m. In-Person, Fireside Room, and On Zoom, please give yourself a gift on August 18 by attending Summer Forum’s presentation by UUCB Intern, Charlie Clason. Charlie has spent this 2024 summer at UUCB sitting in on  various program meetings, talking with congregants about social justice as it relates to their spirituality, helping with different projects and bringing to these activities her perspective and wisdom….Click the heading for more about Charlie and for the Zoom link.

Joining authenticity and compassion, both for yourself and for others in a difficult situation is an essential key to transforming breakthroughs challenging situations. Let’s explore this profound spiritual practice together! Please also join me in the afternoon for my workshop Collaborative Decision Making to discover how this spiritual tool can be used for problem-solving even in the most complex situations.

Rev. Cat Cox, M.A.T., M. Div., has been offering a community ministry of spiritual guidance, The Path of Joy: Awkening~Alighment~Action, to individuals, couples, clergy, congregations and leaders for 25 years, 17 as an Affiliated Community Minister of UUCB. Her work in conflict resolution has been presented nationwide at many congregations as well as at many District and General Assemblies and for both the UUMA and UUA. She is a Past-President of the UU Society for Community Ministries and a recipient of the Margaret Fuller Award of the UU Women’s Federation. She is available by Zoom nationwide. Visit her website: www.thepathofjoyorg. Contact her at Revcat1213@gmail.org.

Join Rev. Cat in person in the Fireside Room, or on Zoom.

9:30 a.m. IN-PERSON on ZOOM, We are delighted to have new UUCB member, Dr. Dave Belden, presenting to Personal Theology. 
The title of his talk is, “So then, how do we change the world? My journey from the Oxford Group via the Left and the UUs to Restorative Justice.”
This 2024 final presentation for Personal Theology is so informative. Dave’s wealth of real world experience in restorative justice will be riveting. Click the heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. ZOOM ONLY. STREAMED TO THE FIRESIDE ROOM. Dr. Victoria Lee, a treasured member of UUCB, is a devotee and expert on ‘The Poetry of Rumi.” Be prepared to be transported to inner spaces that we don’t often visit in our busy lives. Dr. Lee will read selected poems of Rumi and engage with us on the poetry’s impact, nuance and transformative power. Click the above heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. In-Person and on Zoom. The full title of Heaven Walker’s talk is “Aphrodite the Alchemical Goddess, Archetypal Psychology, and Healing.”  We are so delighted to have Heaven present to us on the magical power of power and transformation. 
And she will connect us to our… Click to read more and for the Zoom Link.

9:30 a.m. In-Person and on Zoom. Our wonderful Executive Director, Tess Snook O’Riva, has asked for this Personal Theology time to share with our congregation the ins and outs of the UUCB budgeting process. Tess jokes that formulating the annual budget for UUCB could be compared to the process of making sausage.  But she takes very seriously…. Click the heading to read more and for the LINK.

9:30 a.m. Bay artist and performer, Josh Kornbluth, presents “Some Thoughts on Empathy.” Josh has been performing autobiographical monologues, on stages across the country and around the world, for over 30 years. He was a fellow at the Global Brain Health Institute, based at UCSF — an experience that led to his latest solo show, Citizen Brain. Click the heading for the LINK and more information about Josh.

9:30 a.m. Harold James Dean, a long time friend of UUCB and a recent member, has performed at UUCB as an actor in Driving Miss Daisy, directed by Harold and Donna Davis.  Harold was born and raised in Alameda, California. He was brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness but left that faith in his early twenties. He will share with us his story of physical and spiritual growth. In-person and on Zoom. Click heading for the LINK and more information about Harold.

9:30 a.m. in-person and on Zoom. Joanna Foley will present a talk on “Rescuing the Revolutionary Black Patriots from the Shadows of History: An Accountability Project’. Joanna’s ancestor, Major Joseph Winston–the namesake of Winston-Salem, North Carolina– served as a militia leader in the American Revolution. A statue of him stands on federal land at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro, North Carolina. Ten years later in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, she came to have very different feelings about it and all other representations of enslavers in public places. This will be a fascinating, heartfelt and not to be missed talk! Click the heading for the link.

9:30 a.m.  In-person and on Zoom.  The Rev. Aija Simpson-Newbury is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist who was raised right here at First Unitarian Church of Berkeley; our name was later changed to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley.  Rev. Aija was ordained to the ministry (by us!) in 2013 and served the congregation in Boiling Springs, PA for eight years. She will present her ‘Reflections on a Lifelong Theology’. Click the heading for the Zoom link.

Watch the replay

Begin the New Year of Personal Theology with a message from settled minister, Rev. Marcus Liefert.  His topic will be “Love at the Center: Reflecting on the History and Future of Our Principles.”  This discussion went deeply into “Article II” which will be voted on by UU delegates at the General Assembly (GA) meeting June 2024.  This is a not to be missed discussion.

Video Replay HERE

Fire Rituals: Theory and Practice presented by UUUCB member, Jim Gasperini. From solstice bonfires to the UU chalice to candles on a birthday cake, we have long used fire to signal how we take actions with serious intent. As we enter a season of ubiquitous ceremonial flames, what is it about fire that makes it so central to ritual practice? Jim Gasperini is currently completing a cultural history of fire, Fire in the Mind—from the Burning Bush to Burning Man, How We Imagine Fire. A seven-year project, the book began as a topic for a summertime sermon at UUCB.

Click HERE for replay (coming)

Murshid Kiran Rana became dissatisfied with conventional religious ideas at an early age. Eventually he discovered Sufism and has been a student and teacher of the Sufi Way for many years. Prior to retirement, Kiran was a publisher of self-help books on health and personal growth. He conducts monthly meetings to discuss Sufi topics and questions. Go to www.baydervish.com for more information. Currently he is also a member of the choir of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland.

9:30 a.m. IN-PERSON and streamed to Zoom. “Tripping in Transylvania: enlarging our Global Unitarian/Universalist Perspective.” Join us as Anne Greenwood and Rev. Jay Atkinson recount their recent visit to historic Unitarian homelands in the Transylvanian region of Romania. Click the heading for more information and the link.

9:30 a.m. ZOOM ONLY. Kanyon Sayers-Roods is Costanoan Ohlone-Mutsun and Chumash; she also goes by her given Native name, “Coyote Woman”. She is proud of her heritage and her native name (though it comes with its own back story), and is very active in the Native Community. She is an Artist, Poet, Published Author, Activist, Student and Teacher. Click the heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. IN-PERSON and streaming to ZOOM. Kevin Fisher-Paulson, SF Chronicle columnist, has made so many of us laugh, cry and be inspired by his tender and hilariously honest tales of gay-parenting. But when cancer was discovered, Kevin made a decision to go through the medical experience with curiosity, humor and a commitment to look for joy. It is a joy to be with Kevin as he shares his spiritual journey with cancer. Click the above heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. IN-PERSON! Zoom will be streamed to the Fireside room for online attendees. Rev. Zae (pronounced Zah-ee) Asa Illo, Operations Manager of Youth Spirit Artworks (our Good Neighbor who is providing Tiny Houses for unhoused youth–is a recently ordained minister and will share his personal journey. Living a life of radical hospitality and a commitment to love and serve others is how we know when we are encountering great souls. Come hear Rev. Zae talk about what it takes to keep focused on what is true and real–which we must love and care for each other in whatever ways we can.  Click the above heading for the link and more information about Rev. Zae Illo.

9:30 a.m. IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM — streamed into Fireside Room. Rev. Carolyn West has graced the Personal Theology program many times before and we are so happy that she has agreed to return to talk about ‘What the Heck is Jesus Doing at UUCB?’ As Rev. Carolyn says, “Believe me when I tell you that finding Jesus at UUCB was an utter surprise! To be honest (TBH), it’s hard to talk about. So, let’s get to it and unpack our assumptions about belief and about Jesus and about other aspects of belief systems. Click the heading for the link and more information about Rev. Carolyn.

9:30 a.m. IN-PERSON and streaming to ZOOM. Timothy Travis is a long-time member of the UUCB Humanist Connection group that meets weekly to discuss and share viewpoints on morality, ethics, human development, the nature of the universe and so much more. For Timothy, HUMANISM is the focus of his life and his talk will have you nodding your head as he passionately reminds us “We are all in this life together.” Timothy will be presenting in-person. Masking is required in the Fireside Room. Click the above heading for the link and more interesting information about Timothy.

9:30 a.m. ZOOM ONLY. Streamed to Fireside Room. We’re grateful to Dr. Karen Voorhees for opening the Personal Theology year with a talk entitled, “A Report From Tomorrow, or Why I Am Still (Cautiously) Optimistic About the Future.” Dr. Voorhees, a member of UUCB, is a brilliant thinker, historian and humanitarian. This not-to-be-missed talk will build on her two previous Personal Theology presentations, and be largely based on her long-term experience with the work of Ken Wilber, especially his recent massive tome “The Religion of Tomorrow.” Click the above heading for the link and for more delightful information about Karen.

Hi, it’s your UUCB Religious Education/Exploration Director, Heaven Walker (yes, that’s my real name).  I’m giving a talk on Zoom on May 28th at 9:30 a.m.  You know, when people think of Judaism, they often think of the Orthodox, Conservative, or  Reform Traditions.  In my talk, I’ll be sharing how Judaism also contains many New Thought, or some may even say “New Age” Communities that embrace ideas of the Divine Feminine such as the “Kohenet Hebrew Priestesses.” Click the heading for the Link and more information.

9:30 a.m. In-Person and Zoom. Rev. Michelle Collins, our energetic and amazing interim minister, is nearing the end of her 3 year service with UUCB. Her final talk for Personal Theology will be:  ‘Intentional Conclusions-how to think about end of life planning.  With a resource workbook that Rev. Michelle has published. Click heading for link.

9:30 a.m. ZOOM ONLY One of our beloved speakers and wisdom-giver, Dr. Hana Matt, is back to give us a summary of the 3 recent, large groundbreaking studies that just came out. They examined doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains in hospitals during the 3 years of the Covid pandemic. Which people succumbed to burnout, or depression or…. Click the heading above for the rest of the summary and the Zoom link.

9:30 on ZOOM. Tricia Sullivan’s wonderful Personal Theology presentation takes you on a journey from her 2022 memoir “Overland Before the Hippie Trail: Kathmandu and Beyond with a Van A Man and No Plan” which chronicles Tricia and husband, Mick, as a young, freshly married couple, intent on teaching and learning their way around the world! And then Tricia has BONUS adventures from more recent years to mystical and marvelous places.  Click the heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. ZOOM. Please join the Personal Theology program in welcoming back to UUCB Zoom, Kayleen Asbo, who will presenting “Dante and the Art of Love.”
In this wonderful multi-media lecture drenched with art from across the ages, Kayleen will chart the evolution of love so perfectly illustrated in Dante’s Divine Comedy, from infatuation to enmeshed attachment to liberating compassion and communal connection to the “Love that moves the Sun and all stars”. Click the heading for the link.

9:30 – 10:30 In-Person in the Fireside Room and on Zoom. UUCB’s wonderful Executive Director, Tess Snook O’Riva, will talk about her recent trip to Thailand and the special spiritual locations she visited and experiences she had. This will be a fascinating and engaging talk with Tess’s perspective, insight and humor keeping us riveted. Click the heading for the link, if you’re not able to attend in-person in the Fireside Room.

9:30 – 10:30 On Zoom ONLY, our own Poet Laureate of UUCB, Claire Baker, will be presenting her exquisite poetry on Zoom with the facilitation of Linda Laskowski.  Click the heading for the link to this wonderful presentation.

9:30 a.m. ZOOM and IN-PERSON (Fireside Room). The Personal Theology program is delighted to have Reverend Michelle Collins talk to us on the topic of Grief.  Rev. Dr. Michelle Collins is in her third year as Interim Minister at UUCB.  She is a graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and Wesley Theological Seminary.  She will talk about the grief that the stressful holiday season can stir in many of us. Click the heading above for the link.

9:30 Adult Sexuality. Did you know there was OWL–“Our Whole Lives” for ADULTS, too?! Not only does the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) offer curriculum for this, but Alice Lemieux, our presenter, has been trained on all levels of it (that’s right, there are multiple levels!) and our director of Family Ministry, Heaven Walker has, too! Come explore what “Our Whole Lives” has to offer you at your stage of life. In this Personal Theology presentation, Alice will show you how perfectly OWL fits into UU theology. Click the heading above for link.

9:30 a.m. Intense spiritual experiences are often experienced while participating in a Sweat Lodge ceremony. We are grateful to our Personal Theology speaker, Cuauhtémoc Mendoza (Geno), for sharing about the purification rites and health benefits of the Sweat Lodge.  Geno will take us through the history, culture, and spirituality of Sweat Lodges.  This is a not to be missed presentation.  This talk is best experienced in person at UUCB’s Fireside room as our speaker, Geno Mendoza, will be in-person.  And it will also be live streamed on Zoom. Click the heading above for the Zoom link.

9:30 a.m. Please join on Zoom OR in-person in the Fireside Room, the Ministerial Search Committee and UUA Transition Office Trainer, Keith Kron, for a follow up to Saturday’s workshop on “Beyond Categorial Thinking.”  All your lingering questions will be answered about this wonderful “mind-clarifying” process.  Click the heading above for the Zoom Link.

9:30 on ZOOM. Rev. Dr. David G. Sammons will tell us about ‘Bernard Loomer and Process Theology’. Rev. Sammons, minister emeritus of the Mt. Diablo UU church in Walnut Creek and former faculty member at Starr King School for the Ministry, will discuss Rev. Bernard Loomer and his work. Rev. Loomer began the Personal Theology program at UUCB over 40 years ago. This presentation will be an opportunity to learn more about Rev. Loomer and process theology. Click the heading for the Zoom Link.

9:30 on ZOOM. Swami Vivekananda and C.G. Jung, Yoga in the West, Steven Herrmann, Presenter. In this profound discussion, Steven shares his deeply intuitive vision and wears his learning lightly, interweaving dreams, synchronicities and insights arising from his longtime emersion in depth psychology and yoga. He brings invaluable study of Eastern and Western approaches to higher levels of consciousness and spiritual democracy that reaches across disciplines and traditions. Using different language, James, Jung and Vivekananda articulated a vision of the superconscious or Higher Self that inculcates virtues and truths that guides individuals and, in our current circumstance, can help the human race to avoid destruction. Click the heading for the Zoom Link.

9:30 on ZOOM. Small Group Ministry Chalice Circles, Words from our Chalice Circle Leaders, Lenore Ralston, Dick Sherman, and Sylvia Parisotto
“Come hear about my experience and decide if it might be right for you to try”.  These are the words of Dick Sherman, one of the chalice circle leaders you’ll hear from at this wonderful discussion on Chalice Circles. Click the heading for the Zoom Link.

9:30 to 10:30 ON ZOOM. Exactly what DO you believe?  Do you have divine spiritual beliefs?  Or positive humanistic beliefs?  Or negative despairing beliefs?  What you believe determines how you will act–we all know that from today’s political scene.  Our biological evolution tells us to look out for anything that might affect our survival.  So we are actually biologically programmed to look for what might go wrong.  What might be a danger.  Can we go against our DNA and practice beliefs that help us to feel whole and hopeful?  Rev. John Young thinks so and in this wonderful PT talk, will give us strategies for practicing beliefs that benefit us.  Click the heading for the Zoom link.

9:15 a.m. UUCB Member, Dwight Merrill, who has been a stalwart supporter of Personal Theology for many years will give us a reflection on “Capitalism or Socialism? A Hybrid System is Better.”
This thoughtful conversation will be had on the inherent worth and dignity of human beings in these two political and financial systems and how they impact us as human beings.

9:15 a.m. Personal Theology – UUCB is gifted with the presence and music of Dr. Susan T. Mashiyama as we celebrate with Susan, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Celtic harp player and singer/songwriter Susan T. Mashiyama shares her music and tells us about her multicultural experiences and heritage from Southern California, Hawaii, the Bay Area, and Japan. Click the heading above for the Zoom Link.

9:15 a.m. UUCB is delighted to have as our speaker the Rev. Dr. Rosemary Bray McNatt, President of Star King School for the Ministry.
She will speak on “Seeing the Light”–how we keep ourselves lifted in the aftermath of Covid, the war in Ukraine, and the politics of separation in America. Click the heading for the Zoom Link and information about Rev. McNatt.

9:15 a.m. on Zoom, UUCB is delighted to have Dr. Kayleen Asbo talk with and invite us to consider how we are called to new thresholds of discovery and personal transformation through our responses to beauty, wonder, dreams and longing.  Click the heading for the link.

9:30 a.m. Personal Theology is delighted to have Part 2 of UUCB’s Worship Associates sharing their journeys at UUCB.  Deborah Schmidt, Andrea Brown and Karen Elliott will present on March 27. Their topics will explore the varied faith traditions in their personal histories and spiritual journeys.

9:30 a.m. In 2020, UUCB was gifted with a Personal Theology sharing by former soldier and then seminarian, Jacob King. His talk deeply affected the audience as he shared his traumatic military experiences at the US southern border where his assignment was to handle immigrants at the border. He found his way to a UU church who helped him process these experiences. He is now finished as a Starr King seminary student and ready for a ministerial internship. His wonderful talk will be about “Renewing of Faith.”

9:30 a.m. Personal Theology is delighted to have UUCB’s Worship Associates: Sarah Ward, Don Klose and Jason Russell present on March 6, 2022.  They will explore the interplay of science and faith in their lives and spiritual journeys.

9:30 a.m. Using his own journey from physics to UU ministry as a springboard, Jay will share some (always tentative) reflections on the “big questions” of human understanding—those perennial existential, theological, and moral conundrums that perplex us. Along the way he will touch on ideas about God, evil, love, interconnection, and the fundamental nature of reality.  This is a not to be missed Personal Theology. Click the heading above for the link.

9:30 a.m. As many of you know, the Widening the Circle of Concern task force has been working for many months on this topic of widening the circle of concern for UUCB. Their dedication, thoughtfulness, and hard work has resulted in an astounding report that is available on our website for congregants to read. Rev. Michelle will expand on this topic of Widening the Circle of Concern, which is also the theme for the month of February. Click the heading above for the link.

9:30 a.m. This year Rabbi Manhoff will speak to us about “Care First, Jail Last,” an Alameda interfaith coalition to take some money from the Sheriff’s jail budget and redirect it to community mental health programs and facilities.  Rabbi Manhoff will present the Jewish spiritual view of mental health services versus incarceration.  Click heading for the LINK.

9:30 a.m. Kenneth Marino, former Ministerial Intern at UUCB will present on the topic of “Yoga as a Spiritual Practice.” Ken has been studying Yoga for forty years and will offer his insights and experiences into this most ancient tradition. Ken is from New York and completed his Master of Divinity degree at Drew University. He is an author, musician, yoga teacher, and a Reiki Master. Please take this opportunity to get to know more about the power of Yoga for our mental, physical and emotional health. Click the heading for more information and the Zoom link.

9:30 a.m. James Baraz is well known to many members and friends of UUCB.  He is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center and has taught mindfulness meditation since 1978.  He is the author of two books:  Awakening Joy, which he co-authored with Shoshana Alexander; and Awakening Joy for Kids. This is a rare opportunity to hear James speak on this topic, of “Joy in Difficult Times.” Click the heading above for more description and the Zoom link.

9:30 a.m. UUCB member, Wyndy Knox Carr will give her Personal Theology, “We Have It In Us to Heal: Ancestral Memory, Tribalism and Finding ThOur Way Forward in the Half-light and Dark.” 
Wyndy will reconnect us to our deepest bio-cultural roots as UUs, in the U.S. and on Mother Earth. Wyndy’s talk will convince us that, “We’re not crazy after all,” and we might just be able to evolve our way out of this IF we return to our roots, intuitions and caring for one another as ‘humane’ beings.” Click the heading above for the Zoom Link and full description.

9:30 The UUA Principles are once again up for revision with a commission charged to propose an update to Article II of the UUA bylaws.  Why “principles”?  Why not values, or covenants, or commitments?  And where do our present UUA principles come from?  Rev’d Jay will offer a historical look at all this and raise some questions about what’s transient and what’s permanent in the identity of our UU tradition. Click the heading above for the Link.

9:30 a.m. Sue Ellen Parkinson is a visionary artist who explores the Sacred Feminine through her paintings. Coming from outside the Christian tradition, her work has led her on an unexpected journey that has profoundly changed her life. Her dream-like paintings, are interesting from both a spiritual and cultural perspective. Click the heading above for the link to the meeting.

9:30 a.m. UUCB is honored that once again the wonderful human being known as Rev. Dr. Matthew Fox will be presenting to our congregation from his new book, “Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a time of Pandemic and Beyond,” Please join us at 9:20 a.m. for this fascinating discussion by Rev. Fox. Click the heading above for the full description and link.

9:30 a.m. One of Personal Theology’s most dedicated presenters, Dr. Steven Herrmann, is back on Sept 19 to talk with us from his new book, “William James and C. G. Jung: Doorways to the Self.” What is so timely about Steven’s talk is his focus in the book on how the religious function inside us is a Universal principle of Equality that gave birth to all religions. We UUs know about a Universal principle of Equality. Steven will mix in the Q&A all throughout the presentation. This will be a fascinating talk about the religious/cosmic function. Click the heading above for more description and the link to the presentation.

9:30 a.m. – We are delighted to have our UUCB member, Ray Westergard, provide us with his great perspective on one of the most important topics: “Is there God?” Please join for what will be a VERY lively discussion. The format will be somewhat different with Ray speaking for thirty minutes and allowing a full 45 minutes for discussion and questions. Each speaker will get 3 minutes for their response. Click the heading above for the link to the presentation.

9:30 a.m. – Please come to this enlightening talk on “Sogorea Te’ Land Trust”, an urban indigenous women-led land trust that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people. Speaker: Corrina Gould (Lisjan Ohlone), Corrina Gould is the chair and spokesperson for the Confederated Villages of Lisjan. Click the heading above for the link to the presentation and Corrina Gould Bio and picture.

9:30 a.m. -The wonderful Hana Matt is back to give us a much needed presentation of the spiritual practices, techniques, and activities to enable people to thrive during this difficult time rather than really suffer. Click the heading above for the link to the presentation.

9:30 a.m. – Personal Theology is honored to have Rev. Phil Lawson, former minister of Easter Hill Methodist church and his wife, Jo Ann Lawson, share their personal journeys with the UUCB community.  Their Topic is “COMMITMENT.”  Rev. Phil and JoAnn Lawson are well known to those in the spiritual community of Richmond, CA. Click the heading of this event for the link.

On March 7, 2021, at 9:30 a.m., UUCB is delighted to have the Rev. Dr. Dorsey O. Blake, speak to us about “Returning Home.”  This will be powerful.  Rev. Blake is the pastor of the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco, founded by the renowned Howard Thurman.  Rev. Blake will explore how the concept of being “led home” has influenced his personal, spiritual journey. Please click the heading of this event for the Link.

Personal Theology will host the chairs of two vital groups at UUCB: the People of Color Caucus (POCC) and the Whites Opposed to White Supremacy (WOWS). Helen Tinsley-Jones, chair of POCC and Julia Rogers, chair WOWS will share their personal stories of religious/spiritual herstory plus how they came to UUCB. They will enlighten us as to how they work together and with others to foster a community of love, acceptance, and self-reflection? Click the heading above for info and the Link.

Personal Theology will host Rev. Cathleen Cox, retired Community Minister at UUCB and a life long supporter of UUCB congregants in conflict resolution, leadership training, and spiritual direction. She is among our most beloved community ministers and will be talking on the topic, “Compassion: the Key to Accountability.” Click the heading above for info and the Link.

Personal Theology presents: Photography as a Spiritual Practice/Finding the Light. Click the heading above for info and the Zoom Link.

Personal Theology and the Literature, Film and Drama Contingent of the Social Justice Council jointly sponsored a presentation by Dr. James L. Taylor on January 17, 2021 on Zoom.

Dr. Taylor is Professor of Political Science in the Graduate Urban and Public Affairs Program and the Department of Politics at the University of San Francisco. His current research is on a full-length study of the Peoples Temple Movement and African American political history in California. He is past director of the African American Studies Program and has taught regularly in the African American and African Diaspora Studies Department at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of Black Nationalism in the United States: From Malcolm X to Barack Obama; co-editor and author of Something’s in the Air: Race and the Legalization of Marijuana, as well as the article “King the Sell Out or Sellin’ Out King?: Hip Hop’s Martin Luther King, Jr.,” in Dream and Legacy: Dr. Martin Luther King in the Post-Civil Rights Era.

Professor Taylor is former President of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, an organization of African American, African and Afro Caribbean political scientists in the United States. He is the immediate past Chair of the Department of Politics at USF.

Personal Theology will host a trio of talented women to discuss how imagination, creativity, and spirituality have been entwined-or not-throughout their lives. Click heading above for info and Zoom link.

We are delighted to once again have Rabbi Harry Manhoff speak at UUCB’s Personal Theology Seminar. Rabbi Manhoff’s wisdom, wit and well of compassion will be a gift to all that attend this wonderful presentation.

Destiny Muhammed is a Composer, Producer, Content Creator & Curator. She is author of “H O O D!” (Honoring Our Own Divinity). She will be talking about her personal path to the divine through music.

Mr. Jacob King is a Starr King seminarian. We are delighted to have his perspective as a seminarian and a soldier on the seven Unitarian Universalists Principles that we hold as the guiding principles for our faith.

The Reverend Dr. Michelle Collins is Interim Minister at UUCB and will give a lively and interactive discussion on “Resilience and Healing” for this post-election period.  Not to be missed.

Christians who claim to follow Jesus have acquiesced in, and supported, racism and misogyny. In this talk, we consider what Jesus would have to say and do about some of the major issues of our time, such as trampling on the immigrant, cutting healthcare for millions, continuing systemic racism, and objectifying women.

Craig Scott and his wife Karen have been members of UUCB since 1998. Craig is a retired UU minister, having served the congregation in Sonora, CA from 2005 through 2014. Before going into ministry, he was an attorney, practicing with several Legal Aid offices and then with the University of California.

In 2014 Rev. Craig re-energized UUCBs previous social justice activities and along with other members designed the new Social Justice Council and its foremost program, “Confronting Racism and Oppression.” He is proud to see that the Council continues to flourish. Craig and Karen now live on the Monterey Peninsula; they miss the UUCB community very much.

YouTube Video link to song “Song by Woody Guthrie performed by U2” by Woody Guthrie, performed by U2 used by Rev. Scott in his presentation.

Historical and traditional images of Images of Jesus Christ shown by Rev. Scott during his presentation.

David Roberts reflects on a lifetime of failures, consequences and what he has learned from these experiences.  He asks the question, “Do failures, large and small, inconsequential and monumental inform the spiritual journey? Or are they just evidence of poor planning, lack of direction, moral failure, weak character and worse?

David Roberts is a long-time UUCB member, current Trustee, former RE teacher, Worship Associate and active in church finances. He is the co-founder of two INC 500 companies, currently an investment banker, occasional actor and curious about everything.

64 Years Old And Escorted From the Office

Personal Theology Presenter:  Dr. Beverly Allen, author, screenwriter, speaker and teacher in the humanities and spiritual traditions.
See Dr. Allen’s website for her long list of accomplishments:  Dr. Beverly Allen website

The replay of Dr. Allen’s wonderful talk is below and the PDF of the images referenced during the presentation.

Note that the PDF of images begin at 6:35 on the replay.  Follow along from there.

PDF OF PERSONAL THEOLOGY TALK_Dr. Beverly Allen_SEPT 27 2020-Accompany audio replay

Maintaining Hope, Optimism and Faith during challenging times requires skill, perspective and others who help us see the larger context. Come listen to Dr. Karen Voorhees’ reason for hope in dark times. And during the Q&A argue with her, if that helps you. Click the “Personal Theology” heading above to get the Zoom link.

Dorothy Herzberg, Jefferson Award Winner, Peace Corp Volunteer, lifelong community volunteer, Educator, Author, longtime UUCB member, Chair and/or member of many UUCB Committees such as the Summer Forum for a Better World, Book Table, GRIP, Social Justice. TBA

Jim Gasperini is an author, multimedia designer and longtime member of UUCB, Jim has been working for three years on a cultural history of fire, with the working title Fire in the Mind: From the Burning Bush to Burning Man, How We Imagine Fire. He will base his talk on an early chapter, Fire at the Creation and the Fires of Heaven.

Nori Hudson, BA, MBA, is a Nutrition Consultant, owner of Radiant Vitality, a Community Volunteer, and an Educator; she taught at Bauman College in Berkeley, John F Kennedy University, Albany Adult School, and San Quentin Prison. She will discuss “Holistic Nutrition as a Spiritual Practice.”

Rev Dr Matthew Fox, is a world-renowned theologian, the founder of the University of Creation Spirituality in California, a writer of about forty books, a visiting scholar at the Academy for the Love of Learning and the recipient of numerous awards, among which are the Abbey Courage of Conscience Peace Award (other recipients being the Dali Lama, Mother Teresa, Ernesto Cardenal and Rosa Parks), and the Ghandi King Ikeda Award. He will discuss The Tao of Thomas Aquinas.

Catherine Boyle, UUCB Acting Director of Family Ministry, soon to be ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister, will speak on Ancient Practices, Modern Illumination, discussing how ancient Pagan and Christian practices influence her modern spiritual practice and highlighting the early February celebration of Imbolc and Candlemas.

Rev Kristin Grassel Schmidt, UUCB Senior Co-Minister, will give a seminar on Feb 2 about Eyes Wide Open: Courage in the Face of the Climate Crisis.”  She says: “As natural catastrophes grow in intensity and frequency here in California and around the world it is all too easy to look away, allowing tragedy to become part of the white noise of world suffering. Rev. Kristin will talk about a faith-based approach to the climate crisis, and how our religious values will be crucial to protecting and growing human equality amid disappearing resources.”

Alex Pappas, retired College of Alameda instructor of world religions and psychology (40+ years), past president of the Theosophical Society in Oakland, writer, a student of comparative religion especially nondual paths such as Vedanta, Theosophy, Alice A. Bailey and esoteric Buddhism. He has lectured at various locations including Germany, Turkey, India and US. His book ‘Heaven and Nirvana’ is a comprehensive text of dual and nondual religious traditions. “The Perennial Philosophy of Aldous Huxley & Western Thought.”

Dr. James Lance Taylor, Professor, and director of the African American Studies program at the University of San Francisco, author of ‘Black Nationalism in the United States: From Malcolm X to Barack Obama’ and former President of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. TBA

Hana Matt, see bio above. This week Ms. Matt will talk about “Hildegarde of Bingen”  who wrote music, poetry, play and nine books, who continually preached, healed, painted organized and founded organizations and monasteries, and who gave us a new concept called “Veriditas,” or “Greening Power.” Ms. Matt will explore the 4 ways that Hildegarde gave to contact with this greening power of the Divine.

Hana Matt, teacher of world religions at GTU and Interfaith Chaplaincy; author, spiritual director, and counselor.  For two weeks, she will talk about two influential women activists. One of them is “St. Teresa of Avila” of 16^th century Avila, Spain, a nun who founded and ran many reformed monasteries and convents of Carmelites all over Spain, traveling to each one, writing numerous books, teaching, and trying to reform the Catholic Church.

No session. Happy New Year!!

No session.  Happy Holidays!!

The great wisdom traditions of the world all seem to agree — there is some aspect of us that doesn’t die. What could that possibly mean for us today? Our bodies most definitely die. Is there really something of us that doesn’t? Dr. Karen Voorhees, a UUCB member, will bring her scholar’s knowledge of cultural history, insights from 38 years of meditating, and personal experience with attending the dying to today’s presentation and exploration. “Death Doesn’t Exist.”

Lenore Ralston, has a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College and an M.P.H. from UC Berkeley. UUCB Member. “Two Faces of God: Elohim and Adonai: A faith-journey of a secular Jew.”

Kit Hewitt, UUCB member, Facilitator for UUCB Write For Your Life Writing Group, and Personal Theology publicist.  “Joy: Galapagos Islands.”

Cordell Sloan, UUCB Board of Trustee, Technology guru; dream expert; jazz musician and son of Rev. Cordell Sloan, Sr. Cordell says “There have been a number of times in my life (And I’m sure yours too.) when necessity, that fecund mother of invention, required a personal reinvention. I’ve had a number of occasions requiring a makeover of myself as well as studying others pursuing a growth driven journey and from each of these experiences I find that there are many factors that consistently come into play when we succeed in renewal.” “My Toolkit For Self Invention.”

Murshid Kiran Rana is a senior teacher in the Sufi Way, a mystical community that has its origin in the teachings of universal Sufism introduced in the West in 1910 by the Indian mystic Inayat Khan. Kiran lives happily in Alameda with his wife, Jeanne Rana, a poet and fellow-Sufi who is also a member of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. At their Sufi center, Bay Dervish, they hold gatherings for meditation, invocation and music, offer personal guidance, and facilitate intimate conversations about the inner life, creativity and awakening. Kiran also teaches an online webinar called A Taste of Sufism; currently he and Jeanne are offering a ten-month-long program in Berkeley called Sufism & the Art of Loving. “Two Stories: How Kiran and Jeanne Found Sufism Found Them.”

Murshid Kiran Rana is a senior teacher in the Sufi Way, a mystical community that has its origin in the teachings of universal Sufism introduced in the West in 1910 by the Indian mystic Inayat Khan. Kiran lives happily in Alameda with his wife, Jeanne Rana, a poet and fellow-Sufi who is also a member of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. At their Sufi center, Bay Dervish, they hold gatherings for meditation, invocation and music, offer personal guidance, and facilitate intimate conversations about the inner life, creativity and awakening. Kiran also teaches an online webinar called A Taste of Sufism; currently he and Jeanne are offering a ten-month-long program in Berkeley called Sufism & the Art of Loving. “Two Stories: How Kiran and Jeanne Found Sufism Found Them.”

Bill Garrett, retired Professor of Philosophy and Religion, taught at JFK University, San Francisco State, Fromm institute, CIIS and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The Enemy of the People.

Dr. Markate Daly has a PhD in Ethics from the University of Wisconsin. She’s a long-time active member of UUCB. Recent debates on the abortion issue pit the pro-choice view, framed in the language of personal rights and interests, against the pro-life groups, framed in moral terms. This framing distorts the real balance of moral versus self-interested motives about the legality of abortion services.  My objective here is to show the moral case for continuing to support abortion rights while showing the Faustian bargain fundamentalist Christians have made with the corporate elite and the Republican Party. “A Moral Defense of Abortion Rights.”

Ifasina TaMeicka L. Clear is a queer, hood, Southern Bell who resides in Oakland. Ifasina is a spiritual artist that is passionate about creating meaningful spaces to engage the body, heart, and mind in the plight of personal liberation and deepened community connection. “All Bodies Centered.”

Terry Patten has a long history both as a social and environmental activist, and as a teacher, scholar and facilitator of leading edge spiritual practice. An author of four books, including A New Republic of the Heart: An Ethos for Revolutionaries, he has worked for forty years to integrate ancient and modern practices for raising consciousness. Today Terry will offer his deeply researched insights into how we can elevate our very way of being, conversing, and working together to address our collective predicament. This can only be done effectively if we come together in new ways. Our collective future requires it. What’s Really Happening in Our Crazy World, and How Can We Be the Change We Want to See?

Dr. Steven Herrmann, Jungian psychotherapist; author, poet, teacher and scholar. Steven is a certified Jungian analyst and analyst member of the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco, and member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP). Steven will give an overview of Jung’s spiritual vision as it developed over time, and encompassed many fields of religion and a variety of myths across the world.  “Carl Jung’s Spirituality: Living the Symbolic Life.”

Rev. Dr. Jay Atkinson, Minister Emeritus, UU Church of Studio City; writer and teacher; research scholar at Starr King; UUCB member. Rev. Atkinson will discuss “Living Agnostically.”

James O’Hara is a former math instructor, massage instructor, dream worker, and a Brother in a Catholic religious order for 30 years. He is the author of a book about his experiences living in India and Nepal for 7 years, where he came to question his vows and beliefs and left the Brotherhood and the Church. Jim is currently writing a second book and will talk about the topic of his book. “Accidental Soul Work.”

Rev. Christian Schmidt, co-minister of the UU Church of Berkeley since 2016. Come and join us as Rev. Schmidt explores the intersection of religion, the public sphere, and government in “Church/State/Politics”. As campaigns begin (already!) to ramp for the 2020 elections, many of us are concerned about politics. Long-standing law has required religious organizations to be careful about how they interact with the elections process, but it’s never been more important for us to engage it. We’ll talk about how we can engage politics and why we must!

UUCB members are encouraged to participate in UUCB’s booth at the Solano Stroll.

Bill Garrett, became ill at the last minute. David Millgrom , from the audience, led a discussion on the freedom of speech and especially the press.  Sorry, no recording.

Please join us to help evaluate past speakers as well as offer suggestions for future topics and/or speakers. Your input and ideas are important to keeping the Personal Theology program current and meaningful.

Dr. Victoria Lee is a UUCB member, holds a doctoral degree, two master’s degrees and a B.A. degree from Georgetown University, Western Graduate School, and George Washington University. Victoria is a licensed clinical psychologist, a couples’ counselor and a certified sex therapist. She is a past-President of Santa Clara Valley Marriage and Family Therapists, and is a past Director of the Masters in Counseling Program at College of Notre Dame. “Sacred Relationships and Sacred Sexuality.”

Dr. Bernard Schlager is Associate Professor of Historical & Cultural Studies and Executive Director, Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies, in Religion (CLGS) at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. His research interests include queer studies, the history of Christianity, LGBT pastoral care, and medieval social and religious history. He has published articles on ancient church history, medieval hagiography, the history of sexuality, and the history of education, and has recently co-authored with David Kundtz the second edition of their book: Ministry Among God’s Queer Folk: LGBT Pastoral Care (2018). Dr. Schlager will explore the connections between Christianity and the LGBTQ liberation movement in US History. “Queer and Christian.”

Rev. Lehel Molnár is the 2018-2019 Balazs Scholar at Starr King School for the Ministry. After his graduating from the Unitarian Faculty of the Protestant Theological Institute in Kolozsvár, he was then appointed as the archivist. He is presently a PHD student at the University of Szeged (Hungary) where his dissertation is on the Cultural and Church History of Transylvania between 1690-1725. “The Hungarian Unitarian Church Celebrates 450 Years; Preserving its Archival Heritage.”

Lois Snipes Atkinson is a retired social service worker and teacher, student of eclecticism, and UUCB member. “Religious, Not Spiritual.”

No session.

Stephen Miller, LCSW, is a Therapist in Psychiatry Dept at Kaiser for 24 years, currently teaching Anxiety, Anger and Sleep classes at Kaiser In Solano county. “Serenity Now.”

Dr. W. Frederick Shaw is a UUCB member and the CEO and founder of Developing Indigenous Resources, which empowers people living in slums of developing countries to provide their own health and human services. TBA

Rev. Dr. Chris Schriner is Minister Emeritus of Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Fremont and a retired psychotherapist. He is the author of six books, including including Bridging the God Gap: Finding Common Ground Among Believers, Atheists and Agnostics. “The Mystery of Consciousness.”

Oren Jay Sofer, teacher of meditation and communication nationally. A member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, he holds a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University and is author of Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication. “Living our Values: Speaking and Listening with Awareness.” 

Hana Matt (see bio above). “Ways to Transform Stress and Cultivate Resilience: From The World’s Religions and Modern Scientific Studies.”

Hana Matt, teacher of world religions at GTU and Interfaith Chaplaincy; author, spiritual director, and counselor. “Ways to Cultivate Vibrancy and Flourishing: From The World’s Religions and Modern Scientific Studies.”

Rev. Dr. Sue Magidson, lifelong UU; UUCB member for over 20 years; UUCB Community Minister. Ordained a UU minister, Sue serves as a hospital chaplain at San Leandro Hospital. She considers herself a professional listener. “Radical Listening as Spiritual Practice: The Transformative Power of Giving Someone Our Undivided Attention.”

Rev. Dr. Jane Ramsey, UUCB Community Minister and a Spiritual Care Provider (chaplain) for Napa Valley Hospice and Adult Day Center. Rev. Ramsey facilitates grief support groups, aging groups and leads workshops in death related issues.

Jeanne Foster, professor emeritus at Saint Mary’s College, poet, memoir writer, and translator, former minister, UUCB Worship Associate and choir member, and author of five books; the latest is The Living Theatre, a translation of selected poems by the Italian poet Bianca Tarozzi. It was nominated for the Northern California Book Critics Award for 2017. “Lessons from a Tuscan Grasshopper.”

James O’Hara, PhD, educator, experienced dream worker and author of In the Land of Shiva, A Memoir. He studied with Jeremy Taylor in 1986, and subsequently co-facilitated many dream groups with Jeremy. Jim embraces the core of Jeremy’s philosophy: the wisdom of our dreams is available to each one of us, not just to professionals in the field. “A Tribute to Jeremy Taylor by Jim O’Hara: The Multiple Meanings in Dreams.”

Rabbi Harry Manhoff, PhD, a superfan and collector of comic books, a Congregational Rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom in San Leandro, a lecturer at St. Mary’s College, and an author. “Politics and Prayer: The History of the Siddur (Jewish Prayer).”

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James Baraz, founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center, co-author of Awakening Joy: Ten Steps to Happiness, and guiding teacher of Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley. “Equanimity: Finding Balance in Difficult Times.”

Ron Campbell, multiple award-winning theater artist, poet and Cirque du Soleil clown. “Clown Knows:  What the Lessons of a Lifetime of Performing Can Teach Us About the Pitfalls (and Pratfalls) of Becoming a Better Human.”

Carolyn West, Associate Minister for Worship and Director of Religious Education and a teacher of “World Religions for Curious People” at Northbrae Community Church. She is a published poet, essayist, and storyteller, with an MFA from Warren Wilson College. “Wisdom Traditions Respond to the Soul’s Human Cry.”

Two UUCB visionaries, Cordell Sloan and Karen Voorhees, discuss their take on what the future is likely to hold for us. Karen brings her knowledge of Big History (PhD, cultural history) and spirituality (36 years as a meditator). Cordell brings his knowledge of UU history, his background in tech and his own deeply grounded spirituality. “We Have Seen This Movie Before: Reasons for Optimism About the Future in Spite of Today’s Headlines.”

Rev. Dr. John Buehrens (see bio above.) Part 2: “The Forgotten Female Transcendentalists.” 

Why we should know more about such women as Elizabeth Peabody, Margaret Fuller, Lydia Maria Child, Caroline Healey Dall, and Julia Ward Howe, among others. Brief stories of each will help to expand our understanding of the Transcendentalists’ role in helping to launch the American movement for women’s rights.

Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Harvard College and Harvard Divinity School graduate, former UUA President, retired Senior Minister of the First UU Society of San Francisco. He is also the author of six books, the latest of which is Transcendentalist Disciples: Spiritual Friendships Among Boston Leaders for Anti-Slavery, Women’s Rights, and Social Reform, 1830-1885. Rev. Buehrens will discuss “The Transcendentalists: Roots and Wings. Part 1: What You Don’t Know You Don’t Know About the Transcendentalists.”

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