Spiritual Practices and Climate Justice

Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

"Spiritual Practices and Climate Justice"
Sunday, July 7, 10:50 am, 2024

"We can never return to innocence, but we can move forward with integrity."
- Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman

The 20th-century spiritual leader, Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman, loved San Francisco. A mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Pauli Murray, Thurman found in this city a special dynamism, a variety of people, and chance interactions that could be a gateway to transformation, individually and collectively, to resist racism, classism, and hardness of heart. In a time of climate crisis, what is love asking us to do? Spirituality and activism are not opposites—Thurman would often say they are complements. To sustain long-term work for change—whether challenging air pollution health risks, adapting to rising sea levels, cultivating food forests and community gardens, securing safe, affordable housing, or preparing renewable energies—requires vision, community, and time to "center down." Let's explore how personal spiritual practices may help inform our work for climate justice.

Rev. Daniel Lawlor, Guest Minister; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Jessie Nucho, flautist; Nancy Munn, songleader; Wm. García Ganz, pianist

Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos, Camera, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher