Unitarian Universalists of Merced

10/23/2026

This Sunday, we'll discuss a sermon titled "Stepping into Risk and Landing in Trust" by the Rev. Ruth Mackenzie

In a world filled with uncertainty, how do we take the risks necessary to grow, heal, and trust? This sermon explores the connection between risk and trust, reflecting on Rev. Mackenzie's work with incarcerated individuals in a grief and loss circle. She reveals how small moments of trust—built through honesty, accountability, and generosity—can transform lives, even in the most challenging environments. Drawing from Brené Brown’s BRAVING framework, she invites us to examine our own relationships, communities, and democracy.

🔹 How do we build trust in a world that feels unstable?
🔹 What are we willing to risk to repair our lives, our communities, and our democracy?
🔹 How can grief become a sacred pathway to healing?

Join us Sunday at 4PM as we explore the courage to be vulnerable, the strength to grieve, and the power of trust to rebuild what feels broken.

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

10/10/2026

This Sunday we'll discuss the talk "How Art Transforms Brokenness Into Beauty" from artist Lily Yeh.

Lily Yeh calls herself a barefoot artist: she travels the world with a suitcase full of art supplies, working with whoever wants to join her. In an inspiring talk, she shares the fruits of her collaborative art projects that bring color, community and beauty to public spaces often seen as “broken."

Services are Sundays at 4pm, 305 W. 26th St in Merced. Hope to see you there!

10/10/2026

We light this chalice for all those who opened doors before us....

10/03/2026

Join us this Sunday in spiritual exploration as we discuss the sermon “Eco-Buddhism: A Buddhist View of Our Interconnected Earth” from The Rev. Stacey Mitchell.

Nineteenth-century environmentalist John Muir is known for saying ”When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” How do Unitarian Universalist thought and Buddhist religion support this view? Rev. Stacey will explore the ideas behind the current eco Buddhist movement and honoring our interdependent world.

Services are Sundays at 4PM, 305 W. 26th St in Merced. Hope to see you there!

09/13/2026

Joins us this week as we discuss the sermon "Dolly Parton and the case for Unitarian Canonization" by Rev. T.J. FitzGerald from UU Dallas

In this sermon from the (2025) Artists Who Inspire series, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald celebrates the life and work of Dolly Parton. It explores her life, values, and good works, recognizing her deeply human acts of compassion, creativity, and courage. From her support of science and literacy to her unwavering belief in self-expression and dignity for all, this reflection honors Dolly’s legacy through the lens of Unitarian Universalist principles. It includes stories, songs, poetry, and humor, all offered with deep respect for the joy, justice, and love she brings into the world.

Regular services are Sundays at 4PM, 305 W. 26th Street in Merced. Hope to see you there!

09/12/2026

PRIDEfest is about community, connection, and creating space for everyone—and we’re excited to welcome the Unitarian Universalists of Merced as a PRIDEfest 2026 vendor! 🌈✨

Rooted in values of love, justice, equity, pluralism, generosity, transformation, and interdependence, their community works to build a world where people are celebrated for who they are and where everyone belongs. 💛

Stop by their booth, say hello, learn more about their work, and connect with a community committed to putting love at the center.

📍 Central Valley PRIDEfest 2026
📅 Saturday, September 12
⏰ 2 PM–7 PM
📍 Bob Hart Square, Downtown Merced

Image Description: Colorful PRIDEfest 2026 vendor graphic with a rainbow gradient background. Large text reads “PRIDEfest 2026 Vendor: Unitarian Universalists of Merced.” The graphic includes photos of the congregation’s building, a colorful Unitarian Universalist shared-values graphic centered around the word “LOVE,” and the Unitarian Universalists of Merced logo. Text describes the Unitarian Universalist Association and its shared values of interdependence, transformation, generosity, pluralism, justice, equity, and love. Event information at the bottom reads “Central Valley PRIDEfest 2026: Sat. 9/12 2PM–7PM @ Bob Hart Square.”

09/06/2026

Join us this Sunday as we begin a new church year, which we'll celebrate with our traditional Water Communion. Bring a small bit of water from home, a place that holds meaning for you, or from your summer travels. We combine these waters as a symbol of our shared faith coming from many different sources.

We'll also continue our discussion about process theology with the sermon “Unitarian Universalism and the Crises of Life | Part 2 of 3: Finding Meaning & Purpose” from the Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon

Unitarian Universalism has sometimes been accused of failing to provide sufficient comfort & guidance during the crises of life. This sermon series will refute that view, providing both theists and atheists with a (not the!) Unitarian Universalist approach to these common human struggles. We will draw from the ways “process theology” aligns with UU principles of relationship, interconnectedness, love, and ongoing revelation/evolution. This week we’ll consider the questions “Why are we here?” & “How then shall we live?”

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

07/12/2026

Today we celebrate the birthday of Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862), Unitarian, naturalist, writer, and philosopher.

Thoreau's life reminds us that spirituality can be found in the quiet of the woods, that conscience calls us to stand against injustice, and that a life lived simply and intentionally can be a profound witness to our deepest values. His words continue to inspire Unitarian Universalists to cultivate wonder, care for the Earth, seek truth, and live with integrity and compassion.

We'll be celebrating and reflecting on Thoreau's life and legacy in our 4PM service this week. We hope you'll join us as we explore what it means to "live deliberately" and to answer the call of conscience in our own time.

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

06/09/2026

Hope to see you at Pride at the Park this Sunday! Stop by our booth to say hello and spin our prize wheel!

Merced Pride at the Park is this Sunday! 🌈✨

We’re super excited to tease some of the upcoming vendors we’ll have at our pride event at Applegate Park! You’ll be able to shop locally, gather community resources and find support! 💖

Sunday, June 14th, 10AM - 3PM
Applegate Park, Merced CA

Don’t forget to wear sunscreen! We’ll have hydration and cooling stations for anyone who needs them!

See you there! 👀🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

05/14/2026

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