Sunday, 09 March 2014, 11:44 am PDT
Unitarian Universalism: The Institution of Spiritual Freedom
Promoting Spiritual Liberalism
Featured Ministers
Solar Ethics - Don’t hide, come out like the sun. Pour yourself out. Burn!
Today's evening sun on Christ's pieces, opp. the church Readings:“Exaltation” by Linda M. Underwood All this talk of saving souls! Souls weren't meant to savelike Sunday clothes that give ou... [read more]
Caute
Treasures of Our Heritage: Unitarian Universalist Essentials Part 5
The story is told about the Rev. D. B. Clayton, who spent 68 years preaching Universalism to the American South. This was years before Universalism would join Unitarianism and become the combined f... [read more]
Thousand Voices
The Church of the Twenty-First Century
[This is a draft of a sermon I'm delivering in Fargo, North Dakota this Sunday. I haven't preached in ages, so I'm a bit rusty. Hope I manage to get my point across. ] Headline, UU World, Mond... [read more]
Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie
See all blogs entries from Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie
A Natural and Religious History of Compassion, Part 5
We began this series with Psalm 137, so let us return there and read those words anew. By the rivers of Babylon — there we sat down and there we wept when we remembe... [read more]
The Liberal Pulpit
Unitarian Universalism, Mission, and Nerdfighers: DFTBA & LTHOOTW
I realize that I am not the first, but only the most recent person to make this connection: Unitarian Universalists are Nerdfighters. If you do not know what Nerdfighers are, please see this ex... [read more]
Sunflower Chalice
#PublicTheology Again
Yesterday, I posted a little rant about the self-blame that progressive liberals take when talking about the persistence of things they protested 'back in the day. ' I think they blame themselves... [read more]
thelivelytradition
Giving Up Ourselves ...
I think I'm finally beginning to get the hang of this "social media" thing. I've had Face Book down for a while now, and I've been learning the benefits of Twitter. And while I... [read more]
A Minister’s Musings
Sermon: "Why Membership Matters" (Delivered 3-2-14)
Opening Words by Peter Raible We build on foundations we did not lay We warm ourselves by fires we did not light We sit in the shade of trees we did not plant We drink from wells we did not dig We ... [read more]
RevThom
Beginnings
Since I was a youth four images of The Beginning have lived side-by-side in my thoughts. All weave together fact and fiction into the mythos of the genesis of all things. I quote them here in order... [read more]
Rev. Thomas Perchlik
Today in the Michigan Same-Sex Marriage Case...
Today I went along with the Hanover-Horton High School Gay-Straight Alliance to view the historic trial going on in the federal court in Detroit that will potentially overturn Michigan's constitut... [read more]
Rev. Cyn
The Tightening Noose Around Women’s Rights
In the past several weeks the Alabama state legislature has proposed and passed ever stricter laws surrounding issues of a woman’s right to govern the trajectory of her own health. In ra... [read more]
A Unitarian Universalist Minister in Mississippi
See all blogs entries from A Unitarian Universalist Minister in Mississippi
The UU hipster?
IDEAS: A UU congregation can be the perfect place to nurture an artist even if it is not the perfect home for the art that results. [read more]
Ideas from UU World
Francis Schaeffer
‘To make no decision in regard to the growth of authoritarian government is already a decision for it. ’” [read more]
Celestial Lands
The Transient And the Permanent: Symbols and Logos
The conversation and controversy about the new UUA logo has not quieted yet. I received a very poignant message today from my dear friend, the Rev. Cynthia L. G. Kane, that has me thinking a lot ... [read more]
PeaceBang
Love is Not a Sin!
LOVE IS NOT A SIN By Rev. Kit Ketcham, Feb. 16, 2014 When I was a little girl, my family lived in SE Portland, near 39th and Steele. Th... [read more]
Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show
Spirit of Life, Coming and Going
Just what is the spirit of life? And why would I want it to come to me? While the hymn was written as a prayer I don’t think the spirit of life is code for God. I don’t th... [read more]
Rev. John Morehouse
#67 Which family comes first?
Theistic religions ask us to put God’s law—a higher, universal law that applies to the human family—above the needs of …Continue reading » [read more]
The Naked Theologian: stripped-down theology
See all blogs entries from The Naked Theologian: stripped-down theology
Breaking Legos
I loved legos as a kid. I had this huge tub of those classic multi-colored blocks in my bedroom. I’d pull them out and root around with my hands as the legos made that crashing sound that onl... [read more]
RadicalHapa
Divine Strangers: The Marks of The Missional Church"
“Divine Strangers: The Marks of The Missional Church” by Rev. Ron Robinson, delivered January 19, 2014, Turley United Methodist Church. see www. lifeonfire 14. com or www. lifeonfire... [read more]
Planting God Communities
UU Social Media Year in Review for 2013
Here are a some thoughts in response to Rev. Daniel Harper’s The year in review: UU social media in 2013. I’ll share more thoughts when I have time. Thanks for kicking off the review, D... [read more]
UU PLANET Ministry and Media
Queering Paul and Jesus: Wrapping It All Up
The Bible queers itself. Because it is both an inspirational spiritual document and an historical text covering thousands of years, it sets up social norms then knocks them down. The Pentateuch exc... [read more]
Just Wondering
The Grace of the Christmas Pageant
A long time ago, and a long way away, when i MInister was Young Minister, she learned a lesson at Christmas which she never forgot. ... [read more]
iMinister
Odds & Ends
Travel and me
Chris Walton, editor of UU World magazine, knew that sometimes I would take the train or drive rather than fly to General Assembly. He asked me to explain why in 500 words, and the result is publis... [read more]
Yet Another Unitarian Universalist
See all blogs entries from Yet Another Unitarian Universalist
30 of My Best Adventures
One of my favorite Word Press blogs is Bucket List Publications by Lesley Carter. She has the right attitude and the get-go to live a full life that she’ll never regret. Recently, Lesle... [read more]
traveling tUUsome
Coop’s Childhood Part 4 – Boys, Bushes, Baseball & Beyond
The brooding and mostly repressed sexuality of America in the 1950s that I was born into, was being transformed by a sexual revolution that was taking form in the early 1960s. The seeds of this ins... [read more]
Lefty Parent- Living and Parenting Without The Rule Book
See all blogs entries from Lefty Parent- Living and Parenting Without The Rule Book
We Are All Gay Ugandans Now
I can't sleep tonight because my heart is crying for the LGBT people in Uganda. .. and the other countries in Africa where homosexuality is illegal. But tonight mostly for the people in Uganda, an... [read more]
Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
See all blogs entries from Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
What's Your Real Religion?
Take the Test
UU News
Malaysia Bans Comic Book That Refers To Super Hero As "Allah"
Time reports that in Malaysia last week, the Home Ministry banned distribution of the Malay language issue of Ultraman the Ultra Power comic book for its use of "Allah" in describing ... [read more]
Religion Clause
Dropping love bombs, and other UUs in the media
UU youth get their congregation involved in random acts of kindness Youth from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse, Wisc. , are leaving handmade gifts around their community as a way... [read more]
UU’s In the Media
Observing Lent, winter’s lessons, soul-searching, and more
Observing Lent The Rev. Tony Lorenzen loves Ash Wednesday’s Universalist message of acceptance. If there is anything that’s missing sometimes from the contemporary Unitarian Universalist worsh... [read more]
the interdependent web
The Harkin Plan and the Retirement Crisis
Retirement expert James W. Russell finds much to critique in Senator Tom Harkin's USA Retirement Accounts plan. [read more]
Beacon Broadside
UUA holds farewell ceremony for 25 Beacon St.
NEWS: Beacon Benediction guests look through contents of 1926 time capsule. [read more]
News from UU World
Featured Podcasts
Some Guidelines For Wise And Safe Gold Storage
Now days everyone looks out for ways to gold storage in a safe and protected way. Many people are not familiar of ways to store gold in modern ways. Following are some of the tips and ways to store... [listen to the episode]
The Pageless Book
Beyond Repair, Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs, March 2, 2014
Unity Church-Unitarian of Saint Paul, MN
See all podcast episodes from Unity Church-Unitarian of Saint Paul, MN
Resting in the Neutral Zone: Revs. Heather and Cathy Rion Starr
Jan. 12, 2014 - Between one ending and another beginning lies what William Bridges describes as the “neutral zone. ” Once we have accepted that there has been an ending in our lives, we... [listen to the episode]
DMUUC Message
"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
quick thoughts on Heroes, Arrow, and Agents of SHIELD
Emma and I tried the first episode of Heroes a few years ago and only liked one character, Hiro. I'm not sure why we decided to try it again, but now we can't understand why we didn't like it. T... [read more]
it’s all one thing
Paganism in Israel: Where the Modern meets the Ancient
Ever since the dawn of [humanity], even stretching back to the exits from Africa, people of different cultures have passed through this tiny country. There are places of worship to the Canaanite de... [read more]
The Wild Hunt
Taras Shevchenko bicentennial
Thanks to Stefan Jonasson I learned that today is the 200th birthday of Ukrainian national hero and poet Taras Shevchenko. Since I live very close to the Shevchenko memorial here in Washington D. C... [read more]
Boy in the Bands
UU Time Capsule
Am I the only one a little disappointed in the Time Capsule contents? I suppose it is my over active imagination, but I was super excited when Headquarters had announced they found it. How c... [read more]
Everyday Unitarian
Podcast Episode 64: Sex, Drugs and Frustration
Podcast Episode 64: Welcome back, this is Daily Buddhism audio show number Sixty-Four recorded March 7th, 2014. My name is Brian Schell, and I am the your host for the show. You can find the text a... [read more]
Daily Buddhism
Out of the Ruts
Michigan weather and a county with little remaining plowing budget have found me driving in ruts. My street, a narrow slip that, with a car parked at the edge, allows only single-file traffic, is c... [read more]
Finding My Ground
In Order to be Prophetic, You Actually Have to Say Something
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has until Saturday to veto a bill that would make the nullification efforts in the South back in the day look like child’s play. The UUA has been eerily silent abo... [read more]
east of midnight
The Transient And the Permanent: Symbols and Logos
The conversation and controversy about the new UUA logo has not quieted yet. I received a very poignant message today from my dear friend, the Rev. Cynthia L. G. Kane, that has me thinking a lot ... [read more]
The manic mind of the minister
Is there a torch in the new UUA logo?
Thinking about the UUA's new logo (which was announced last week; I was not involved in developing), I was struck by the torch-like image in its center. I've heard people express dismay that it... [read more]
Philocrites
So the UUA has a new logo?
Again? Yawn. So what else is new? Although a few thoughts do occur to me: (1) It's only a logo. For letterhead and brochures and such. It doesn't mean anything. ... [read more]
the Socinian
Breaking "Blog Silence" - In Memoriam
On January 8th my mother passed away. She was 88 years old, and had lived a full life. I've written about her before, and decided some time ago that I wanted to give a eulogy for her when the t... [read more]
Earthbound Spirit
Being on the Internet (this is not a How-To)
The eldest daughter (can no longer call her child) has already returned to the town where she works and goes to college. This afternoon we take the middlest daughter back, as well. Last night as we... [read more]
uuMomma
Yes, the Wolf has Inherent Worth and Dignity.
My good buddy Christine has a blog up that calls us to the age old question – do even bad, even evil, people still have inherent worth and dignity. Quoting her great piece, The Wolf’s Inherent ... [read more]
Spirituality and Sunflowers
Ready or Not in the Land of the Dying
I was sure he'd have died by now. He was sliding fast last spring. I hoped he'd see his birthday in late June, but was positive he'd be gone by August. Positive. Come his birthday and he ... [read more]
Wandering Monk, Reluctant Gyrovague
See all blog entries from Wandering Monk, Reluctant Gyrovague
Laborem Exercens: the liberal legacy of Pope John Paul II
Recently I was telling a friend about a post I wrote on Daily Kos several years ago, and I noticed that software changes over the years had wrecked the formatting, so that it was now hard to read. ... [read more]
Free and Responsible Search
Back in the Saddle?
So it goes a little something like this. I put Chutney to bed because I got a job working for my church. And I was afraid I would offend people. And I was afraid Chutney would get me into trouble (... [read more]
Making Chutney
Repost: gulfnews : Kfar Owaid massacre will haunt Syria
Reposted from December 2011gulfnews : Kfar Owaid massacre will haunt Syria An organized slaughter. .. no survivors. وذبح نظمت في كفر عويد، ولا ناجينUpdate: WARNING as it'... [read more]
Pfarrer Streccius
To Be Seen and Known
This sermon was given to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green on July 28th, 2013. A similar version that used the Galatians 2:15-21 was given at First Christian Church of Bowling Gre... [read more]
Elizabeth’s Little Blog
Roundup: Media coverage of 2013 General Assembly
In addition to early media coverage of last Thursday’s clean energy rally—the public witness event of the 2013 UUA General Assembly—GA also attracted the following news coverage: The. .. ... [read more]
General Assembly Blog
Midsummer behind bars
I facilitated several Asatru Midsummer rituals in several prisons the last couple weeks, but this one in particular will stay with me, because of the efforts and creativity of the inmates. Check ou... [read more]