Past Services

There’s so much suffering and injustice in our world that urgent action is desperately necessary. At the same time, moving too fast makes it more likely that we’re unconsciously replicating some of the oppressive patterns we’re trying to stop. How can we ensure that our work isn’t just transactional, but truly transformational?

All Souls music and arts program welcomes all who are masked and vaccinated to join in the music making. A super pickup choir will rehearse that morning starting at 9am and will be accompanied by an amazing band and soloists. Please join us, even if you are not a regular part of the music ministry at your home congregation!

Religious Education: Preschool & Nursery in Room 5 with a story and activities. All children and youth in K and up will start in the service for the Story For All Ages. After the Story, join local juggler, Daniel Riker, for “The Spiritual Practice of Juggling.” Juggling scarves provided, but feel free to bring your passion and your own (safe) juggling supplies.  

What Good News are we called to embody in times that continue to test our faith? What questions and what answers in Unitarian Universalism will abide? We will join Rev. Bill Sinkford and the worship team from First Unitarian as they offer Opening Worship at the UUA’s General Assembly in Portland.

We will gather in the All Souls Sanctuary to watch the recorded GA service, followed by a discussion led by Traci Hughes-Trotter and Rev. Louise Green. Please join us as we talk about the good news of Unitarian Universalism and the future of All Souls and our denomination.

From even our earliest days as infants, the dominant culture tries to label us–and limit us–with assumptions and stereotypes. Some of the resulting expectations are easy to recognize and escape; others are lifelong challenges. How can we help liberate ourselves and each other from these constraints?

Join us for an ASL interpreted worship service with amazing music from Jen Hayman and the All Souls Choir! Then stay after service for fellowship in Pierce Hall or outside on the church grounds. If you are joining us virtually, stay on the same link as worship for virtual coffee hour! Then, in the afternoon, check Facebook for the day’s #ASCProvocativeQuestion and post your thoughts to start a discussion related to the sermon.

In August 2020, I came to you as your Interim Senior Minister with the belief that our Covid lock-down would end in 2021 and we’d be back to “normal.” Much has changed since then – and yet there is much that will continue. I’ll share my State of the Union remarks, we’ll recognize the internship of the A. Powell Davies Intern Ebony Peace and dedicate children! It will be a full service of music, song, reflection, and hope. Join us for this ASL-interpreted service that will feature some amazing music!

Afterwards, join All Souls members and friends for the all-church picnic at Rock Creek Park, or online via the same link as worship. Then, in the afternoon, check Facebook for the day’s #ASCProvocativeQuestion and post your thoughts to start a discussion related to the sermon.

Please join us in-person or online for our Vespers service this month!

Our Vespers worship service is modeled after the traditional Taizé worship service, which uses silence, scripture, prayer, and repetitive singing of short chants and rounds to quiet the mind and promote deep meditation. The Taizé Community promotes peace and justice through prayer and meditation. Our Vespers service mirrors Taizé-style attention to silence, holy words, prayer, and singing, but has also evolved to include other meditative traditions such as yogic singing and Buddhist chanting. Followed by a time for community gathering. Every second Wednesday of the month.

Click here to log in to Zoom.
Dial in: 301.715.8592; meeting ID: 997 7201 2495; passcode: 927624

Joy does not save us from the inevitability of hardship. As Archbishop Tutu is quoted as saying: “In fact we may cry more easily, but we will laugh more easily, too. Perhaps we are just more alive.” Our culture encourages denial. Our faith calls for wholeness.

Join us for this ASL interpreted service that will feature some amazing music! After service, join us in Pierce Hall for socially distanced fellowship or online via the same link as worship. Then, in the afternoon, check Facebook for the day’s #ASCProvocativeQuestion and post your thoughts to start a discussion related to the sermon.

How might we step off the relentless production demand so present in our culture, and into cyclical renewal with intentional actions? Reclaiming rest is an important way to maintain endurance. A sermon about the spiritual practice of rest, and the wisdom of taking time out.   

Join us for this ASL interpreted worship service with some incredible music! After service, join us for virtual coffee hour online (same Zoom link as worship) or in Pierce Hall for socially distanced fellowship. Then, in the afternoon, check Facebook for the day’s #ProvocativeQuestion and post your thoughts to start a discussion related to the sermon.

Unitarian Universalism endures because it empowers every participant to grow and develop our Living Tradition. There is little that brings our tradition alive like the voices of our youth, who have planned and will lead this special service. Accompanied by a special Bridge Choir of older youth and adults, the high school Coming of Age class will, instead of a single sermon, will present their Credos (belief statements) before ritually “coming of age” before the congregation.

Join us for this ASL interpreted service that will feature music from the Women’s Eight ensemble and the Bridge Choir! After service, join us in Pierce Hall for socially distanced fellowship, or online via the same Zoom link as worship with Ebony Peace, our A. Powell Davies Intern. Then, in the afternoon, check Facebook for the day’s #ProvocativeQuestion and post your thoughts to start a discussion related to the sermon.

“The prayer of our hearts is a petition for persistence.” W.E.B. DuBois understood the role of endurance. He called for “deed on deed, and thought on thought,” for staying the course. Does liberation call us simply to be long suffering or could change “go viral” in our lives?

Join us for this ASL interpreted service that will feature some amazing music from Jen Hayman and the All Souls Choir! After service, join us in Pierce Hall for socially distanced fellowship, or online via the same Zoom link as worship. Then, in the afternoon, check Facebook for the day’s #ProvocativeQuestion and post your thoughts to start a discussion related to the sermon.

Please join us in-person or online for our Vespers service this month!

Our Vespers worship service is modeled after the traditional Taizé worship service, which uses silence, scripture, prayer, and repetitive singing of short chants and rounds to quiet the mind and promote deep meditation. The Taizé Community promotes peace and justice through prayer and meditation. Our Vespers service mirrors Taizé-style attention to silence, holy words, prayer, and singing, but has also evolved to include other meditative traditions such as yogic singing and Buddhist chanting. Followed by a time for community gathering. Every second Wednesday of the month.

Click here to log in to Zoom.
Dial in: 301.715.8592; meeting ID: 997 7201 2495; passcode: 927624

Each culture has its own expectations on what constitutes a “good mother”. Our faith tradition calls us to act on the inherent worth and dignity of every person and affirm justice, equity, and compassion in human relations – yet in practice, many mothers of color experience disparate treatment. Regardless of which culture they identify with, history is clear that when mothers get angry, things change. This sermon will reflect on the pressures and cultural construction of motherhood and how a mother’s rage is often the catalyst for social, political, and meaningful change.

Join us for this ASL interpreted service that will feature some amazing music on Mother’s Day! After service, join us in Pierce Hall for socially distanced fellowship or online via the same link as worship. Then, in the afternoon, check Facebook for the day’s #ProvocativeQuestion and post your thoughts to start a discussion related to the sermon.

Children and youth have played an important role in various civil rights movements all over the world.  From the Birmingham Children’s Crusade to the March for Our Lives, to Climate Justice, children have much to teach us about courage, resilience and endurance in the face of overwhelming opposition.  This service will feature the voices from our children’s and junior choir as well as a Story for All Ages.

Join us for this ASL interpreted worship service in-person or online! After service, join us in Pierce Hall for socially distanced fellowship or via Zoom by staying on the same link as worship. Then, in the afternoon, check Facebook for the day’s #ProvocativeQuestion and post your thoughts to start a discussion related to the sermon.