|
Upcoming Online Services
June 13: Play as Spiritual Practice and a Way Through, Rev. Tandi Rogers Creator, creation, creativity. I think of the creative process as worship and prayer, as my time out of time flowing with the divine, the Ultimate Creator. And these are the times for it. In a pandemic we don’t have access to our full cerebral cortex, that meaning-making part of our brain. We go down to limbic and reptilian as a way to keep ourselves alive. Emotions, sensory processing, instincts, memory… those are all limbic. Play was made for these times! Rev.Tandi Rogers is multi-vocational: teaching at both Meadville Lombard Theological School and Seattle University’s School of Theology & Ministry, spiritual director in private practice, and having served the Unitarian Universalist Association for almost 20 years, is a learning strategist and coordinator of a new initiative helping congregation practice covenant and engage in faithful conflict. She lives in Tacoma, WA with her wife Rev. Sue Phillips. Click here for login information to use Zoom Webinar. Click HERE for past services on our church Youtube channel! 
We are a compassionate, thoughtful, and diverse religious community who nurture and challenge each other to deeper understanding, meaning and purpose in our lives. We use our hearts and our heads (and a good deal of humor) to make a difference not only in our lives, but the lives of those beyond our doors. Learn more about our beliefs, our services, and our history in the About Us tab.
|
June Minister’s Column:
What Does it mean to be a People of Play? 
It’s June! And that means Pride Celebrations! Pride is about being your authentic self and loving who you love. Its about lifting up the rainbow of human sexuality, gender and affection as the sacred, precious and delightful gifts they are. It is about Love overcoming fear. Always.
June also means Juneteenth. Juneteenth celebrates the earliest known observance of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army rode into Galveston, Texas in final execution of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. As they did in the past, today’s festivities raise up heritage, powerful voices, and the possibility of this nation truly becoming a land of the free. Both Buffalo Pride and Buffalo Juneteenth are going to be virtual this year for safety’s sake, but the celebrations are still on. Check out the following websites: https://buffaloprideweek.com/pride-2021-update/ and https://www.juneteenthofbuffalo.com/ . June also brings us the Flower Communion Ceremony. We will still be worshiping online this month, but that won’t get in the way of this important living tradition. Come to the church Garden Entrance between 12:30pm and 2:30pm on Sunday, June 20 and receive a beautiful living plant for your garden. A symbol of vibrant church life for your home. At the same time, you can bring in donations for the Evergreen Health Food Pantry. The wish list includes, toiletries (such as : feminine hygiene products, soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, body wash, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, disposable razors, etc.) and non-perishable groceries. Please note that items should be new and unopened. Or you can bring a financial contribution for the Pride Center of WNY, payable to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo. Looking forward to seeing you! Continue to read ... |
Our Vision
We will gather in loving community, creating a shared vision of compassion and dignity for all,
to radically transform the world in which we live.
We will gather in loving community, creating a shared vision of compassion and dignity for all,
to radically transform the world in which we live.
May Share-the-Plate: Literacy Buffalo Niagara
Since our inception, the Pride Center has been at the forefront of advocacy around issues relating to LGBTQ health, drawing on our close connections to community to identify emerging issues and create dialogue around these issues with policy makers and researchers. Over the years, we’ve developed support groups to help those who are struggling with issues around sexual orientation, gender identity, substance use and trauma. We organize events and activities to help foster a sense of community and to reduce social isolation faced my so many of our LGBTQ+ elders.
Throughout the pandemic, we remained opened, moving many of our services to virtual spaces and continuing to address the epidemic of HIV by providing at-home HIV test kits. We checked in with community members, provided meals for seniors during the holidays, and amplified our efforts to identify LGBTQ+ affirming mental health providers to meet the increasing requests for support.
Pride month approaches and we’re slowly reintroducing in-person programming at the Center. We will continue virtual programming and plan to host outdoor events throughout the summer. To learn more about us, visit pridecenterwny.org or find us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Throughout the pandemic, we remained opened, moving many of our services to virtual spaces and continuing to address the epidemic of HIV by providing at-home HIV test kits. We checked in with community members, provided meals for seniors during the holidays, and amplified our efforts to identify LGBTQ+ affirming mental health providers to meet the increasing requests for support.
Pride month approaches and we’re slowly reintroducing in-person programming at the Center. We will continue virtual programming and plan to host outdoor events throughout the summer. To learn more about us, visit pridecenterwny.org or find us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.