Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sunnyvale

Art done by UUFS children in their virtual RE class. <3 As a parent I love how thoughtful each lesson is, with a focus on RE values and allowing children come to their own conclusions. I can leave the room and know my child is learning about themes we embrace here at home: respect, kindness, and helping others. - Jesse, UUFS parent

What's your thoughts?

With some irony, I post a recommendation for this Netflix docudrama featuring Tristan Harris, founder of the Center for Humane Technology. https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224 They tell a compelling story on the dangers of the attention economy and social networks (including this one).

Sharing my thoughts on love, and why unfollows and comments like, "Shut up and stick to your research" won't keep me from pressing on with purpose. You can read more here: https://bit.ly/31M8QZv

Empathy is deeply honorable. It acknowledges each unique experience without trying to claim it, add on, compare, rescue, or minimize. In short, empathy requires... boundaries. Empathy says, I believe in your feelings, needs, and experience. I also believe in mine. Empathy is the inspiring light that fills the space that healthy boundaries create. When adults empathize, children have a safe space to empty out their hurts and fill up their hearts. Eg) I know how badly you wanted that. It’s disappointing! It’s difficult to hear your sister say no. I won’t let you hurt her. Let’s go outside together so you can calm down. The adult then listens. Using body language and facial expressions to empathize with the child’s emotions and validate their experience. Behavior naturally improves when we feel understood, respected, connected, protected ~> regulated. Empathy recognizes the child in front of us with the big feelings and needs, AND the adult within us with the maturity and responsibility. In the parent-child relationship, the adult is responsible for preserving and protecting lives and rights, as the child learns to do the same. It is totally possible to lead without using fear, shame, blame, judgment and criticism. In fact, the only real way to lead is by inspiring empathy. love Lelia. www.leliaschott.com

This is a watershed year for our faith, for this country and for our world. Who we are or decide to become in this moment will define us for decades to come. Wh...at we do will determine if we’re combatting a fully fledged white supremacist and authoritarianism or if we building movements and resilient communities to hold our representatives accountable by applying pressure, sharing resources, and taking to the streets to continue to bend the moral arc of the universe towards justice and liberation. Collectively we say Enough Is Enough! As Unitarian Universalists the mandate is clear--if we Side With Love, we center the oppressed, we show up in the face injustice, and we build community in service of creating a world in which we are all free! In 2020, when we #VoteLove, we are committing ourselves to a radical and expansive love that confronts and dismantles systems and behaviors of domination and oppression, while building thriving, inclusive and democratic communities. When we #DefeatHate, we reject, confront, and divest from systems and institutions that seek to diminish the lives, dignity, and agency of all people. This is how we UU the Vote-- today, in November, and for years to come. Take the #VoteLove Pledge, today! Join our community of folks taking action to mobilize voters in 2020 and committing to hold ourselves accountable to the radical and loving politics of our beloved Unitarian Universalist faith! Take the pledge today: https://bit.ly/31g5e1F

A beautiful play-dough chalice, don't you think? UUFS offers Religious Education classes to children of all ages through Zoom. Parents and children love that UU values are taught in creative and enriching ways. <3

Beautiful words by Rachel Held Evans. Don't you think?