Unitarian Universalists of Merced

05/14/2026

Our shared ministry is making this life livable in the best and worst of times; we can only do that together.

05/08/2026

Celebrate Mother's Day with us this Sunday as we discuss the sermon "Justice Is Love: A Mother's Day Sermon for the World We Must Build" from artist, historian, author, and activist Aurora Levins Morales. This sermon invites us into a radical reimagining of motherhood, justice, and love.

Aurora challenges us to understand Mother’s Day not as a celebration of sentiment, but as a call to courageous, heart-led action. From the unsung public health work of Ann Reeves Jarvis in Civil War-era Appalachia to contemporary struggles led by mothers across borders and identities, this sermon weaves history, resistance, and spirit into a vision of collective liberation. With reverence for both ancestral wisdom and modern-day movements, from Standing Rock to Gaza, Aurora calls on all of us to mother the world by conspiring for life, refusing obedience to injustice, and building a world where no one is left behind.

We hope you'll join us for this discussion!

Regular services are Sundays at 4PM, 305 W 26th Street in Merced.

04/21/2026

This Saturday! UU Merced will also have a table at the Resource Fair, so come by and say hello.

04/04/2026

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Spring's promise of renewal with a picnic in the park. We'll be meeting at 3PM in Rahilly Park, 3400 N. Parsons Ave. Merced. Look for our sign! For more information, email us at [email protected].

Next week, we'll be back to our regular services which are Sundays at 4PM, 305 W. 26th Street in Merced.

03/20/2026

Join us this Sunday for a guest sermon from Bryan Amos titled “Stories of Resurrection & The Uses of Sorrow”

Jesus, Lazarus, Quetzalcóatl, Baldur, Osris, Zalmoxis, Hercules, Dionysus, Attis, Ishtar, Goku, Gandalf— all round the world, people tell stories of resurrection. But why? What has kept these stories relevant across thousands of miles and tens of thousands of years? Are such stories still relevant to us today? Do they mean anything to we humanist Unitarians who so long ago forsook the divine for the rational? I think so. In our own culture, our age of science and moment of poly-crisis (when governmental instability, catastrophic changes in climate, and the seeming collapse of community inform our every day), we talk a great deal about resilience; the capacity to withstand hardship and recover from difficulty. Resilience is a very good, very necessary, very safe concept. And If you squint, resilience looks something like resurrection bleached of the miraculous. But even without magic, resilience is lesser than resurrection. Resurrection, the miracle of each spring blooming flower, represents so much more than survival—is something far greater than continuity within the same conditions. Resurrection represents the chance, to grow, to thrive—not in spite of but because of life’s difficulties. Resurrection gives us the opportunity to view life’s hardships not simply as burdens but gifts. Resurrection is the idea that we will not only live through this pain, this time, this trial, but that we will live to change and be changed by it. Such acts of transformation are of that substance which collapses empire; such stories are important to us now more than ever.

Regular services are Sundays at 4PM, 305 W 26th St. in Merced.

02/18/2026

If you're looking for a Lenten practice, check out the Photo a Day from UULent as an opportunity to reflect during this season.

words for reflection are now available, just in time . As always, for more explanation and a link to a pdf version of the graphic please go to: https://barbsbantering.wordpress.com/2026/02/11/uulent-2026/

11/01/2025

🌒 Blessings for Samhain 🌒

Samhain, observed in many pagan and earth-centered traditions, is a time to honor ancestors—those whose love, courage, and wisdom continue to shape life today.

It also marks the turning of the wheel toward the dark half of the year, inviting reflection, release, and rest in the mystery of endings that make space for new beginnings.

May this season bring remembrance, connection, and peace to all who observe.

10/26/2025

Join us this Sunday as we commemorate the Day of the Dead with a special Drum Circle. We will build an altar to honor our loved ones who have passed, followed by a session of meditative drumming. Feel free to bring a friend and a drum! We will also have percussion instruments available to borrow.

UU Merced meets Sundays at 4PM, 305 W. 26th St. in Merced

10/21/2025

🪔Wishing a bright and joyful Diwali to all who celebrate!
May the light of this season shine with love, hope, and new beginnings. ✨

10/06/2025

In Merced: 10AM - 12PM, Courthouse Park, M & 21st St.

Join the UUA on Saturday, October 18 for the National Day of Mobilization!

On October 18, millions say: No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. 👑 ❌ [crown and red X]

Our commitment to building a multiracial democracy shows up in how we resist the abduction and deportation of our immigrant community members; how we resist voter suppression in the legislature and at the ballot box; how we celebrate our LGBTQ+ kin and communities—and on October 18, shows up in how we collectively cry out No Kings!

Find your local action here: https://bit.ly/42C4GSI

Don't see your city? Host your own event here: https://bit.ly/4mrnITc

Image description: Bold white text and a crown with a red "X" through it. In the background is a collage of people rallying with protest signs and American flags with a dark blue overlay. NO THRONES. NO CROWNS. NO KINGS. SATURDAY, OCT 18.