Saturday, 18 May 2013, 11:42 pm PDT
Unitarian Universalism: The Institution of Spiritual Freedom
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Featured Ministers
Musings on Money
Last Sunday, Mother's Day, I noted that I'd much rather preach the annual canvas sermon to my congregation than the annual Mothers' Day sermon. (I said, "Nobody wants to talk about m... [read more]
A Minister’s Musings
Unitarian Universalist Pentecost – Living into the Missional Shift
Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is celebrated in western Christianity as the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus fifty days after Easter. The story is recounted in Act... [read more]
Sunflower Chalice
After Each Storm
We hardly need reminding that life is precious and fragile. On Friday I attended the funeral for 43 year old man who died from a staph infection. He left behind his wife and th... [read more]
Rev. John Morehouse
Afraid to lose ourselves
Be the change you want to see. What we need is a world that operates by the values of liberality: openness, reverence, honesty, humility, gratitude and generosity, self-possession, solidarity. We ... [read more]
thelivelytradition
Sermon: "Spirituality & Motherhood" (Delivered 5-12-13)
Call to Worship[Inspired by the lyrics to hymn #311 “Let it be a Dance. ]Welcome partners, welcome dancing partners,welcome to this dance of life, this dance of spring,this dance of the human fam... [read more]
RevThom
A Minister With A Tattoo, For God’s Sake?
The guy who did my tattoo was stunned when I told him what I do for a living. Maybe that’s not surprising. He’s an inked, pierced, race car driving tattoo artist who thinks ministers onl... [read more]
Just Wondering
Beloved Community?
My mother, who lives in a senior community which is a ministry of the United Methodist Church, told me today that she had a religious question. What, she asked, was the meaning of the term ... [read more]
iMinister
A quiet revolutionary
IDEAS: Laura Matilda Towne devoted her life to a school for former slaves. [read more]
Ideas from UU World
A meditation on the death of God for Ascension Day
Click on the picture to read the 1966 article This address has come out of a number of things. The first is that my father has been seriously ill in hospital for nearly two months. On a couple of o... [read more]
Caute
Welcoming Tsarnaev home
People are quite adamant that the body of Tamerlan Tsarnaev not be given a burial ground. Even people within my faith community are questioning why any Unitarian Universalist might offer a grave... [read more]
A Unitarian Universalist Minister in Mississippi
See all blogs entries from A Unitarian Universalist Minister in Mississippi
A Place At The Table: A Homily from the Welcome Table, to the Phillips Theological Seminary community
A Place At The Table Homily by Rev. Ron Robinson at Phillips Theological Seminary Tuesday, May 7, 2013 Noon Chapel Acts 2: 43-4743 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and ... [read more]
Planting God Communities
What It Takes To Discourage A Second Grader
I don’t know how old I was — maybe second grade? I had gotten really good at reading and spelling and was feeling very proud of myself. Then one day my mom or my teacher corrected my pr... [read more]
PeaceBang
Community AND Faith
Even in the secular, market sphere, greed, unconstrained, backfires. Gordon Gekko, in the sequel to “Wall St. ” has come to recognize the problems of extreme greed: “It’s greed that makes m... [read more]
Lake Chalice
Minister in Residence
Ever since I agreed to serve the little Pacific UU Fellowship by doing pastoral care as needed plus a sermon every month or so, for a small honorarium, I've been puzzling about what we should call... [read more]
Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show
Resources for Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day
Every year, I receive requests from ministers and worship associate teams from across the United States, and sometimes across religious denominations, asking if I will help them to plan a Memorial ... [read more]
Celestial Lands
Parenting in an Age of Fear
I used to experience the occasional horrible events of terrorism and gun violence without a strong personal reaction of fear. After September 11, 2001, I was greatly saddened, I was worried ... [read more]
Rev. Cyn
A UU Theology of Community Organizing by Matt Meyer
The attached PDF is a paper written by Matt Meyer sharing a “Unitarian Universalist Theology of Community Organizing. ” It begins: Social justice work and Unitarian Universalism are... [read more]
UU PLANET Ministry and Media
Another Darn Transformation Experience
Transformation is this month’s theme at UUCF. Thanks for reading. And for all those folks affected by yesterday’s events at the Boston Marathon–our hearts are with you. *** Transf... [read more]
Drink from the Stream
banish that earworm
Got a song stuck in your head? Are you driving yourself to distraction because you cannot stop singing “All the Single Ladies,” or “Seasons in the Sun,” or maybe some jingle from a commerc... [read more]
the yes church
High Holy Week
Down the street from us sits a quaint neighborhood pub in the Irish tradition, and by tradition, I don’t mean the pouring of green beer in March. Its name is a jumble of words from the Irish Gael... [read more]
The Reverend Dr.
Odds & Ends
The First State
With a weekend at the First Unitarian Church, Wilmington, Delaware, a tour of the beautiful and history filled campus, and camping at Lums Pond State Park just southwest of the city, Austin and ... [read more]
traveling tUUsome
Tell ESPN Anti-Gay Is Not Christian/Support Jason Collins
NBA Basketball Player Jason Collins inspired so many — including me — with his courage in coming out as a gay man and citing his Christian faith as a core reason for being public about his se... [read more]
Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
See all blogs entries from Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
What It Takes To Discourage A Second Grader
I don’t know how old I was — maybe second grade? I had gotten really good at reading and spelling and was feeling very proud of myself. Then one day my mom or my teacher corrected my pr... [read more]
The manic mind of the minister
Friday Kittehs: 4/5/13
Here's a sleepy, snuggly Sherwin working the Qte (as always). Just because it's Friday doesn't mean the HKC kittehs take a break. Well, okay, so they're all taking a break right now, getting a ... [read more]
Educated & Poor
What's Your Real Religion?
Take the Test
UU News
Afghan Parliament Tables Bill Protecting Women After Objections From Islamic Legislators
Today's Deutsche Welle reports that in Afghanistan's Parliament, lawmakers have withdrawn a bill that would have instituted a number of protections for women. The action came afte... [read more]
Religion Clause
Unity Temple, All Souls (DC) win big grants, and other UUs in the media
Churches win big grants for restoration The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Unity Temple UU Congregation in Oak Park, Ill. , won a $10 million grant that will pay for major restoration work on the hist... [read more]
UU’s In the Media
‘You are not the center of the universe,’ and more UU conversation
Living with vulnerability Rebecca Hecking’s forty-seventh birthday brings reflections about mortality. Mortality is our companion on the human journey, whether we acknowledge it or not. . . Lat... [read more]
the interdependent web
Beacon Buzz: How “Snob Zones” keep out affordable housing
The latest news about Beacon authors and books. [read more]
Beacon Broadside
UUA President’s Statement on Marriage Equality in Minnesota
The Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, issued a statement applauding the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota. It begins, “Last November, M... [read more]
Unitarian Universalist Association: Top Stories
See all news results from Unitarian Universalist Association: Top Stories
Featured Podcasts
"Making Peace" by Rev. Natalie Fenimore & Denise Brenner
May 12, 2013 - During this family service, Denise Brenner presents Time for All Ages: "Making Peace in My Corner of the World" about how we work to help the hungry through our donatio... [listen to the episode]
DMUUC Message
On Blessing, A Mother's Day Service, May 12, 2013.mp3
This podcast features two reflections. The first offered by Hallman Ministerial Intern Mae Gibson Wall. The second offered by Unity's Co-Minister Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs. [listen to the episode]
Unity Church-Unitarian of Saint Paul, MN
See all podcast episodes from Unity Church-Unitarian of Saint Paul, MN
Small Group Ministry at UUSF: On Covenants & Covenant Groups
Reverend Stephen Furrer and members of the SGM celebrate a key ministry of our congregation and how it resonates with not only in the hearts of many current members, but with the heart of histori... [listen to the episode]
First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco Podcast
See all podcast episodes from First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco Podcast
"Now is the Time: Stewardship Sunday" - April 10, 2011
Come celebrate the gift of our beloved community as we reflect on what this moment in our congregational history calls us to do. We'll also have a child dedication at this service. [listen to the episode]
Bull Run Unitarian Universalists
See all podcast episodes from Bull Run Unitarian Universalists
Featured Blog Posts
Transform Education? Challenge the Governance Model!
I recently read Michele Mc Neil’s piece in Education Week, “Rifts Deepen Over Direction of Ed. Policy in U. S. ”, and was heartened by what I read. The piece begins with this overview… ... [read more]
Lefty Parent- Living and Parenting Without The Rule Book
See all blog entries from Lefty Parent- Living and Parenting Without The Rule Book
Saturday Video
Pull the string and I'll wink at you,I'm your puppet I'll do funny things if you want me to,I'm your puppet I'm yours to have and to hold Darling, you've got full control of your puppet Pull ... [read more]
Comrade Kevin’s Chrestomathy
Canada’s 25,495 Pagans (and 7.8 Million ‘Nones’)
On May 8th data from Canada’s 2011 National Household Survey was released, including data on religion. The big headline from this data is that people claiming no specific religion, often call... [read more]
The Wild Hunt
if Abrams hired me to do a pass on Star Trek Into Darkness
If you just want the quick advice about whether to see the movie: if you liked the first, you'll like the second, but don't think too much about the plot. Here be spoilers. If I was revising the ... [read more]
it’s all one thing
Moving up to two cents a day
Hubby and I are visiting Philadelphia. I consider visiting the National Museum of American Jewish History and when I looked at the website noticed a coin savings box. The two-cents-a-week rate remi... [read more]
Boy in the Bands
Just Keep Swimming
I keep waking up with this song from “Finding Nemo” going through my hed. I know I often say it to students where I work and to my very own children–especially this time of year w... [read more]
uuMomma
40 and Beyond
Yesterday was my fortieth birthday. I can not believe that I am actually 40. Not because 40 is really old, but because time is going by SO FAST. Wasn't I just 25? ! I st... [read more]
Everyday Unitarian
A Letter to My Father: Agnosticism Explained
On the morning of April 19th, the day after a night of gunfire and fear in Watertown, just four days after the Boston Marathon shooting, two days after the explosion in West, Texas, and two days af... [read more]
Finding My Ground
When You’re Cutting Staff, Spending $100,000 on a “Marriage Counselor” Makes No Sense
Ok friends, here’s the dirty little secret nobody wants to acknowledge in this whole Policy Governance debacle…. . The UUA is NOT in policy governance. The reason why the UUA is not in ... [read more]
east of midnight
Podcast Episode 62: Hatred, Ignorance, and Looking to the Weekend
Podcast Episode 62: Hatred, Ignorance, and Looking to the Weekend Welcome back, this is Daily Buddhism audio show number Sixty-Two recorded April 28th, 2013. My name is Brian Schell, and I am the y... [read more]
Daily Buddhism
The Web of Privilege
a talk given at the annual men's dinner at First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 30, 2013 As Pat mentioned in my introduction, I'm a writer, which means that I... [read more]
Free and Responsible Search
Grief, Joy, Rest
I'm learning yoga nidra. This is the yoga of deep relaxation and complete self-acceptance - the exact opposite of throwing your body into extreme poses - as "yoga" so often means in... [read more]
Wandering Monk, Reluctant Gyrovague
See all blog entries from Wandering Monk, Reluctant Gyrovague
Love is persistent
It cannot be locked in, or locked out; this has been something I've learned in the course of prison ministry. Colleen (founder of Indianapolis Pagan Prison Ministry) and I experienced that once ag... [read more]
Cuumbaya
Teaching and Writing and Update
Ah, I am in the last minutes of my dissertation adventure and just taking a moment to breath and appreciate! As I wrap the dissertation up and also finish up my second year teaching, I am so thankf... [read more]
Elizabeth’s Little Blog
College Students Behaving Badly - in 1832
In November 12, 1832 the postmaster at Williamsburg Virginia sent a letter to the editors of the Southern Pioneer in Richmond Virginia explaining that there was a fair number of subscribers w... [read more]
SC Universalist
Thanks and a bathtub...
Hello to any who (and I would be astonished if its anyone! ) may still get this post. I loved posting as Boston Unitarian and am very grateful for those who checked in now and again. Life has take... [read more]
Boston Unitarian
Ready For $7.00/gallon Milk? The Price of Milk as a Moral Issue Revisited
If the Farm Bill issue does not get resolved by next week, like the tax side of the fiscal cliff, there will be another crisis in America. $7. 00/gallon milk. Hello liberal religionists, where are ... [read more]
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere
Prayer after the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut
". .. A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. " ... [read more]
Earthbound Spirit
Life Lessons from Curling
So for the first time in my life on Friday I went curling. In Atlanta. This is something of a miracle, and I only found out about it from friends on twitter. In 2002 during the Winter Olym... [read more]
Spirituality and Sunflowers
Reverend Lizard Eater and Little Wren say Goodbye
It was just supposed to be a little blog where I could vent about being a Unitarian Universalist student in an evangelical seminary. And along the way . .. Well, along the way, my baby daughter got... [read more]