Rev. Mark Skrabacz is our Minister. He received a BA from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley. After 25 years as a corporate officer, as well as director of social service, educational and environmental non-profit organizations, Mark was ordained as a UU Minister. He served the UU Church of the Hill Country in Kerrville for 5 years, and is now our called Minister in Georgetown. He is involved in the leadership of several organizations that affirm and promote issues of religious freedom and expression, as well as justice and equity.
The best possibilities often involve planning. Planning is about making decisions. That’s always fun, right? Choices do have to be made about what to pursue and what to leave behind. These decisions give our journey shape and aim. They help us say “Yes, this is US!” and “That’s one of our priorities”. Good decision-making brings … Continue reading What’s a Community of Possibility?
I left the US in 1968 for a year of study abroad. It was a time of great duress here with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F Kennedy, as well as the riots of the Democratic convention in Chicago, and throughout that time the terrible conflict in Vietnam. Our country was filled … Continue reading A Word That Transforms
Many of the symbols we have come to associate with this winter holiday season have their roots in pagan traditions — things like the burning of the yule log, the decorating of the Christmas tree, and kissing under the mistletoe. However our modern celebrations of the Christmas holiday find their sources in two stories, one … Continue reading A Unitarian Christmas
This month of December we explore the theme of Mystery. I often in my spoken prayer address as “Great Mystery” that God of our Understanding, which some call the Universe, Great Spirit, Father/Mother God, Allah, and all those many Names that attempt to describe the Nameless. In fact, many UUs begin prayer with: “Mystery of … Continue reading What’s a UU Mystery?
Today we celebrate the Wedding Anniversary of Peter and Clarice Geiger — their 70th. This is a milestone not often achieved and one that we can all learn from as memories of many kinds will be shared. The Geigers will welcome their children and family members as they give tribute to this marvelous couple. All … Continue reading Remembrances to Celebrate
Our memories can be experienced as a repetitive story that can keep us stuck in the past — that can give to that story a power over our freedom. Memory can be selective and result in our feeling of isolation. Today let’s examine these kinds of experiences in order to seek a deeper truth — … Continue reading Minding Our Memories
The Jewish Torah is filled with examples of providing hospitality for “the stranger” and society’s most vulnerable. The Israelites are continually reminded that they were once strangers in the land of Egypt and therefore should not harm the “foreigners” seeking refuge in their communities. In the Christian Bible, Jesus reminds us of stories like these … Continue reading What is Sanctuary?
Czech Poet and Statesman Vaclav Havel wrote that “Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” Join with us today in a multi-generational Service of Hope to celebrate our convictions and values. We welcome our Children to participate and … Continue reading This is a House of Hope
What is the Vision to which we give ourselves at San Gabriel? Why do we choose to come together with this aim? How are we doing in making our Vision real? Does a democratic process that honors all for their contributions help sustain our purpose and meaning? Let’s engage these questions today and enjoy one … Continue reading San Gabriel’s Vision
Each September we celebrate our In Gathering to our Spiritual Home. We bring and bless samples and symbols of water from places that nourished us during the long hot Summer. In blending these waters in a common bowl we visually combine our lives in mutual solidarity and trust. Let’s welcome each other back to San … Continue reading Our In-Gathering Water Communion
