Many of us may have deep visual and spiritual appreciation for trees, of all shapes and sizes and smells. New ideas about how trees communicate with one another, such as by Suzanne Simard in Finding the Mother Tree, go beyond aesthetic benefits to what trees can teach us about interpersonal relationships. Consider what you can … Continue reading Cultivating Relationships Through Wisdom from the Trees
As the earth awakens from winter cold and darkness, we experience many renewals, many paths to new life. In this multi-generational service, we celebrate seasonal renewal through music, story, and spoken message. We also celebrate the centennial of the traditional UU Flower Ceremony, created by Unitarian Capek. Bring flowers to create community bouquets and take … Continue reading Easter Sunday: Many Resurrections, Many Renewals
When I hear congregations express a desire to grow, this usually means growing in membership. However, congregations cannot just will growth in numbers. Greater numbers is nurtured by other types of growth: spiritual deepening, organizational maturity, and outreach to the community. Sometimes growth in number is met by either explicit or implicit resistance. Growth of … Continue reading Whether to Growth?
Unitarian Universalists enjoy a proud heritage of women who, inspired by their liberal faith, broke social, political, cultural, and religious boundaries. During this month when we recognize Women’s History, let us also meet several courageous women in our liberal religious history.
“Stewardship” means “the managing of something entrusted to our care.” Because each of us is a steward of our free church, stewardship is all that you give to support UUFD: financially as well as through time and talents. Considering stewardship as spiritual practice may expand your perspective on your participation in UUFD’s stewardship drive. Stewardship … Continue reading Celebration Sunday: Stewardship as Spiritual Practice
Our ancestors in liberal religion are often identified as “rebellious” or “heretical” in their resistance to orthodox theology and practice. As a modern Unitarian Universalist, how do you live out your heritage of risk and vulnerability as articulated in liberal theology and lived practice in the world?
Many UUs are more acquainted with Unitarian than Universalist origins of this denomination, even as Universalism was one of the most popular American denominations in the early nineteenth century. Countering Calvinism’s threat of a “hellfire and brimstone” God, our Universalist ancestors understood God as Love. Today, how can we live out our Universalist roots of … Continue reading Universalism: A Love that Will Not Let Us Go
Here during Black History Month, let’s consider origin stories. There has been much press the past few years about identifying the founding date of the United States not as 1776, instead as 1619, the year the first African slave ship arrived on the shores of Virginia. This view acknowledges the slavery and racism which has been … Continue reading 1619, not 1776
Unitarian Universalism is grounded on common values, not common beliefs, values defined in Article II of the UUA Bylaws, last revised in 1985. All UUs are encouraged to learn about the proposed revision of Article II. The revision statement places Love as the central, core value on which the other six values — pluralism, interdependence, … Continue reading Putting Love at the Center
As part of a congregational book group during January, some congregants have considered the theme of “Trusting Change.” Trust is essential to authentic personal relationships as well as to thriving communities and congregations. Trust enhances centeredness, that feeling of wholeness, focus, and mission. Today’s reflections on trust as centeredness also paves the way for the … Continue reading The Centering Power of Trust
