Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church

Sacred Solidarity – Heather Vickery

The recording opens with a reading – Cultivating Trust as an Organizing Strategy by Adaku Utah. Then our choir performs “Let it Matter” by Elizabeth Alexander. The sermon was provided by Heather Vickery, the UUSC [https://www.uusc.org/]Coordinator for Congregational Activism. It was titled Sacred Solidarity: Accompaniment as an Expression of Our Faith. Heather’s summary of the message: Accompaniment is the radical act of being with someone even when it is hard and you don’t know how things will turn out. With the increase in fascism across our country, our society often tells us to isolate, take care of our own first, and fear the other. However, our faith calls us to hold love at the center, to recognize everyone as family even if we’ve never met, and to support and follow the lead of those most impacted by systems of oppression. Join us to learn of the ways UUs are accompanying trans and gender expansive individuals and families, asylum seekers and others on the frontlines of building the beloved community.

Honoring Treaty Day

Join us to honor Treaty Day, marking the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott signed by the ancestors of the Coast Salish Nations. With special guests, Tse-Sealth, “Jewel James” and Sul Ka Dub, “Freddie Lane” of the Lummi Nation, we reflected on the enduring story of land, justice, and the promises made and broken to reaffirm our commitment to justice for Indigenous communities.

The Unfolding Story of Northlake

Rev. Brigitta and celebrant David Lyman guide us through a ritual where we reflect on the rich history of Northlake, decade by decade, celebrating the vision and courage that have shaped our community. Join us to explore how our story is still unfolding—each of us contributes to the path ahead. [Recording opens with a reading titled: “A Shared Story” by Rev. Sandra Fees, and an excerpt of Maria playing Nocturne in Blue by E. McLean. It ends with an excerpt from Maria playing Improvisation on Frankie and Johnny by Sam Raphling.]

Stories We Uncover Through Epiphanies

The recording opens with Margaret Rogers, director of Lifespan Religious Education, sharing a time for all ages story inspired by “The Broken Story-Story” by Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy. Our choir performs “Ther is no rose of swych virtu,” anonymous, early 15th century. Rev. Brigitta delivers the sermon. Her summary: “Truth is an unfolding story, revealed through our questions, struggles, and epiphanies. Reflecting on Michael Servetus’ life, we explore how insights often arise from questioning, resistance, and discomfort, leading us to greater freedom and a deeper understanding of truth.” The recording ends with a choir performance of “Awake, the voice is sounding”, by J.S. Bach (arr. W. Kempf).

A post-election centering meditation

This centering meditation, offered by Rev. Brigitta, includes these words: We find ourselves in a new story. … our theological inheritance reminds us that … our stories are always a part of … a larger story of principled struggle for healing, justice, for liberation still in the making. … With these hands, we hold the weight of our anger, the grieving sorrow of our hearts, and the fear and pain of a divided world. May we honor the hurts we are holding. May these hands offer compassion, … May they act with justice, lifting up the silenced and the oppressed and working for a world where all are heard, seen, and free.