We live a lot of our lives in boxes, coloring inside the lines and following the rules. We all need moments of creativity and imagination, though. In fact, we are more truly living in those creative moments than in the serious and efficient “working hard” moments. There’s value in doing our work and chores well, … Continue reading Creativity – Special Music Sunday
Late civil rights activist John Lewis called us to: “Not get lost in a sea of despair and to never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” Week after week, Unitarian Universalists strive to build beloved community and safe space for those of us on the margins. How … Continue reading Toward the Beloved Community of Unitarian Universalism
Many have pondered or joked over the years, “which comes first … the chicken or the egg“? Which should come first, work or rest? Cindy Lee, spiritual director, urban explorer, PhD in practical theology and spiritual formation, DMin in transformational leadership, and adjunct faculty at Fuller Theological challenges us to look at the ways we orient our … Continue reading Which Comes First?
Shame, that deep feeling of badness and unworthiness, holds hostage the energy we need to be our most loving and powerful. What if we understood shame as pointing us to where we are called to bring our UU radical love and compassion? What if shame points us in the direction of celebration? Worship leaders: Rev. … Continue reading Shame, Power, and Celebration
“Pride was a riot” is a phrase repeated to invoke remembering that the jubilation and “fun” of many queer pride celebrations was and is an act of resistance and riot– against all the powers pushing us into square boxes of easily managed identities. What are you riotously proud of? The music of Melynda Rodriguez will … Continue reading Riotously Proud- Special Music Sunday
Sometimes in order to build the life that is most right, to build the new relationships you most desire, you have to break old ones. How do we most gently and lovingly hold all the ways we might need to break, all the breaking we see around us? Worship leaders: Rev. Darcy, Tricia G, Magdalene … Continue reading Sometimes You Have to Break
In a recorded sermon originally delivered to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Susquehanna Valley, PA, UUA President the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt explores what it might mean for Unitarian Universalists to be a people guided by a love that frees. She affirms that “choosing to live one’s life guided by what love asks of … Continue reading A Love That Frees
Surviving the heaviness of the world requires us to experience enough joy and pleasure to buoy us through– that’s one theory anyway! By popular request, we will celebrate the (arguably) Unitarian origins of the Ice Cream Sundae and buoy ourselves for our annual congregational business meeting after worship. Worship leaders: Rev. Darcy, Sharon A., and … Continue reading Ice Cream Communion
On this mother’s day, we celebrate how mothering (broadly understood) is fundamentally about creating someone or something other than oneself. Depending on the mother’s level of support, maturity, and insight, it can be more or less difficult for that being or entity to become a true “other.” Worship leaders: Rev. Darcy, Brian W., and Melynda … Continue reading Can’t Spell Mother Without Other
As police are being quickly called on student protesters around the country (even non-violent ones) and brazenly illiberal presidential candidate’s popularity persists, what does it mean to dedicate ourselves not just to tolerating difference but relishing it? Worship leaders: Rev. Darcy, Robbie E, and Melynda R.
