I’d like to draw on a “Circles of Trust” program for Courage and Renewal facilitators called “Souls on Deck” which I’ve participated in this past year, as a jumping off point for considering sources of spiritual inspiration which nourish us. How do you develop and sustain spiritual resiliency? How will you continue to grow in … Continue reading From Blossoms We Taste Peaches
In June worship services, I will offer concluding reflections about the two-year interim period which is coming to a close. Today let’s consider the Gifts available to us through religious community and how both our inner and outer worlds can be transformed by building positive community. Let’s include reflection on our spiritual deepening program, “Circles … Continue reading The Gifts of Community
When “Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center,” how does curiosity and respect help us learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning? Come together with multiple voices across multiple generations to experience faith formation in action. Wear your favorite color(s).
Today we recognize the many volunteers who have participated in shared ministry to UUFD this year: leaders of governance; leadership and members of teams and committees; teachers and students in Faith Formation; and more. Our congregation is a Voluntary Association, in the words of James Luther Adams. Volunteering is essential to the stewardship of this … Continue reading Celebrating Our Volunteers
On Mother’s Day we remember all the Love and gifts we receive from our Mothers. Nurturing can come from our biological Mother or another Mother figure. We also are nurtured from Mother Nature and Mother Earth, without whom we cannot exist. From all our Mothers, we receive blessings and Love that nurture our spirits, our … Continue reading Our Nurturing Mothers
Our Judeo-Christian heritage offers up some good advice: to take a day off from time to time. Modern life seems to get busier and busier, and social media invites us to be constantly ‘on.’ As UUFD looks forward with a new minister and ministry starting August, let’s make a case for Sabbath rest and renewal, … Continue reading On the Seventh Day, God Rested: What About You?
A new day is dawning among Unitarian Universalists in our world. We are called to live our values and principles courageously and boldly in our communities. As a community that says YES! to life and YES! to the future, what dreams do we cherish as we move our faith into action, changing the world with … Continue reading The Hope and Promise of Our Faith
Unitarian Universalist communities continue to change and transform in response to a world daring us to meet it with love, care, justice, and compassion. How might a sensibility and practice of deep collaboration support us in being the beloved community? What might we learn about ourselves and each other – what do we need to survive and … Continue reading Deep Collaboration and the Balance of Things
There is a newly identified healing practice called “Ecotheraphy,” based on a principle many of us have known for years: that spending time in nature makes people healthier. That is, dirt has healing powers. This recent therapy is being applied intentionally to populations such as veterans of combat with PTSD, victims of sexual assault, and at-risk youth. … Continue reading Honoring Mother Earth’s Healing Power
In a culture that continually reinforces independence, we can easily forget our connectedness and act as if we live in vacuums. Our theology of interdependence invites an ethic of social change. Liesl Dees described herself for many years as a member of the church of the “big blue dome,” and her love of the outdoors led her to … Continue reading Interdependence in Real Life
