Monday, 12 May 2008, 05:43 am PDT
Featured Ministers
Florence Nightingale
Today is Florence Nightingale's birthday. The International Council of Nurses has been marking this day as International Nurses Day since 1965. An English Unitarian within inclinations that antici... [read more]
Monkey Mind
Beautiful Chaos!
Mother's Day started out awfully early this morning, as most mornings do. But I'd gotten to bed quite late last night after spending the evening at a local bistro listening to a couple of friend... [read more]
Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show
Contemporary Worship
We have to start a third service next year. Gulp. Many UU churches have successfully made the transition to two services, but few have tried three services, so we're making this up as we go alon... [read more]
iMinister
Pentecost and the Geranium Festival
What follows is just about the most fun I’ve had with a sermon in some time. When I told a good friend I was going to give a sermon on Pentecost, he suggested I deliver it in tongues for add... [read more]
Just Wondering
A Bird in Church for Pentecost
The moment we opened our church doors this morning, a curved bill thrasher flew in. Her(? ) mate stayed outside and fussed, but she was confused by our big windows and couldn't find her way out, ... [read more]
iMinister
Happy Mother's Day!
I was once again in an airport today, traveling back from a few days off with my spouse. I was missing being with my children on Mother's Day. I wished the woman who checked us in "Happy... [read more]
Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
See all blogs entries from Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
All Through the Night
Happy Mother's Day, y'all. What a hard holiday to sermonize about. I gave it my best. I hope you enjoy. All Through The Night Rev. Dr. Michael Tino Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of No... [read more]
The Arc of the Universe
A New Blog by a Zen Master
I've just learned that my old Dharma friend, the Zen teacher Dosho Port has started a blog, Wild Fox Zen. I just took a peek, and it's barely under way. But I recommend setting up a link and chec... [read more]
Monkey Mind
(a) poet, (b) philosopher; pick one
This judgment of Ralph Waldo Emerson is reported by Julia Ward Howe in her Reminiscences: 1819-1899: “Theodore Parker once said to me, ‘I do not consider Emerson a philosopher, but a po... [read more]
Yet Another Unitarian Universalist
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Why I Publish Sermons On the Internet
This just made my day: Hi Rev. Weinsten, My name is [D. W. ] and I am emailing you from ____, Idaho. I just wanted to let you know that you were an absolute lifesaver last week at the ______ Uni... [read more]
PeaceBang
A Mother's Day Proclamation for Peace
Julia Ward Howe Unitarians and Universalists have a strong heritage of leadership by women--in ministry, in lay leadership, and in the community. In case you weren't aware, here is a very incomple... [read more]
Keep the Faith
In Memorium - a funeral address for Clive King, family man, botanist, musician and organist of the Memorial Church (Unitarian) for fifty-two years
Whether as a husband to Margaret, father to Helen and Robert, father-in-law to Graham and Tatiana, grandfather to Morgan, Marcus, Ewan and Ethan or as a friend or professional colleague, Clive's p... [read more]
Caute
Footprint Reduction: Paper
In conjunction with many of the members of the Fellowship I serve, I'm trying to reduce my impact on our planet. I've long used compact fluorescent bulbs (E and I use them almost exclusively), an... [read more]
The Arc of the Universe
Repertoire for a Folk Choir
We have a Folk Choir here at First Unitarian in New Bedford, and I’ve been searching out repertoire for this group. My general criteria: songs that are easily singable, songs that are good fo... [read more]
Yet Another Unitarian Universalist
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Nightmare Ticket
Can we stop now with the whole “Dream Ticket” nonsense? When I first heard about it many, many months ago (when Clinton was conceived as a veritable shoo-in as the Democratic nominee... [read more]
Parsonage Life
Good Friday!
No, I'm not several weeks late. Today is---or will be---Good Friday in a very personal way: the various workmen who have visited my property in the last three days have determined that the leak ... [read more]
Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show
Omens and Synchronicity
There are supercool aspects to being human and I like to keep tabs on them. When having a bad day, I like to run through my little list of the supercool and remember why I am here. Some examples:... [read more]
Auspicious Jots
Mission
I'm a UU and a Virginian which can be a tough cohabitation at times. The Commonwealth has been known to trample over basic tenets of Unitarian Universalism. Making marriage a civil right for all? ... [read more]
Auspicious Jots
Better Never Than Late?
One hesitates to even whisper the name Jeremiah Wright now that it has become a faint echo from, lo, a whole week ago. I'm sure most folk in the Obama camp hope they never hear it again. But the s... [read more]
Isten Aldjon
Focused Goal for A Special GA
A few days ago, Transient&Permanent started raising the issue of having a special General Assembly, called by 50 congregations in three different districts. I didn't get an exact f... [read more]
PolityWonk
Beginning the Long Road Home
I sit in the very same room, 219, in the Victoria Hotel that I began my trip. But this time I am blissfully alone. I can enjoy the quiet and maybe for one night sleep without earplugs. It would... [read more]
timesunion.com
together in our common faith
" When the day of Penthecost came, they were together in one place. " Acts 21,1 It seesm that one of the most diffucult thigs would be how to find a place were people can be together.... [read more]
Good will
Looking Forward/Looking Back–YOU are invited
This weekend is the culmination of something I’ve been thinking about and planning since I arrived at my congregation six years ago. Starting tomorrow, we spend the weekend celebrating Sout... [read more]
ministrare
Where’s The Emerson Bio-Pic We’ve Been Waiting For?
Could someone please make it their summer project to write a great screenplay about Mr. Emerson and his buds? We’ve just had this great HBO series on John Adams, so why not Waldo, HUH? Car... [read more]
PeaceBang
Is it lawful to do good?
All three synoptic gospels in the Christian scriptures (Matthew, Mark, Luke) include the story of Jesus healing a man with a "withered hand. " Matthew 12:9-14 Mark 3:1-6 Luke 6:6-11 I... [read more]
Keep the Faith
I’m Back…
…did I miss anything? My silence as of late has come from a variety of sources. First, I have been spending a great deal of time in front of my computer lately with my doctoral program ... [read more]
Parsonage Life
Ascension Day
Today is the least-known and most confusing Holy Day on the formal Christian calendar. At least, that's been my experience. Officially it is called The Feast of the Ascension. ... [read more]
PolityWonk
An Evangelical WHAT?
This morning at the National Press Club, a group issued what they called "The Evangelical Manifesto. " You can read it here at http://www. anevangelicalmanifesto. com/ It is a call ... [read more]
Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
See all blogs entries from Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
coffee and ministry
I learned something about the Starbucks approach to customer service yesterday that seemed like good advice for the ministry as well. I was at a Starbucks store and a group of employees came in and... [read more]
One More Step
Celebrating John Paget’s 200th Birthday
I had another terrible night dealing with my sinuses. I meditated for an hour from 1-2am then for another 45 minutes at 6:00am. The stress (and some milk I found out later was in the soup last ni... [read more]
timesunion.com
Spring Fever
Suddenly I feel everything has to happen in the spring. No time! No time! Even as we celebrated Earth Day at the end of April, I still had a sluggish winter sensibility. But in 2 short weeks of ... [read more]
Carrots and Ginger
Homily: "Beauty We Did Not Create" (Delivered 5-4-08)
Opening Words[This morning’s opening words were read by two children in the church. They stood on either side of a table holding baskets over-flowing with flowers for the Flower Communion Ceremo... [read more]
RevThom
message on the side of the road
For my dog, Sabrina, a walk is an occassion of maximal stimulation. She reads the world like a book: smelling, looking, pawing at the ground here and there. I try, as well, to read the world, as... [read more]
One More Step
Basics, round two
Had another one of those discussions the other day where the first question, automatically it seems, was "how many members do you have? " I don't think it is really a question of lik... [read more]
Planting God Communities
Listening to Experience
The UUA has been doing a remarkable job of getting exciting resources around growth and leadership into the hands of the people who need them the most–the leaders of our congregations. The ju... [read more]
Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie
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Rebop at the Memorial Church
Rebop at the Memorial Church (Unitarian) on 2nd May. Left to right: Chris Ingham (piano); me (double bass); Kevin Flanagan (alto sax); Roger Odell (drums); Paul Higgs (trumpet); Colin Watling (teno... [read more]
Caute
“Pewless” by Martin Marty: re: Barack/Wright
I don’t usually quote things in their entirety, but I want Martin Marty’s essay to be read far and wide. It was originally published by The Christian Century. Thank you! Thank you! ... [read more]
ministrare
For today
For all of today here is my favorite poemfound in an old Starr King Catalogue. It is written by Holly Horn. To surrender oneself willing to truth,to earn it,in every sense, to allowa voice to the g... [read more]
Carrots and Ginger
UU Sri Lankan Minister Coming to America!
I am so excited to report that one of my mentors and good friends from my student ministry with the UU Church of the Philippines received his Visa to travel to America this summer. He will be at GA... [read more]
RadicalHapa
Co-Ministers
My generation is stepping up into the co-ministry. Congratulations! [read more]
RadicalHapa
Allow Your Minister to Speak From the Heart
Here’s an excerpt from Theodore Parker’s 1841 sermon “The Transient and the Permanent in Christianity. ” It was delivered at the ordination of a minister. Here, Parker speak... [read more]
Just Wondering
target demographic
Last week's service was on cults and mind control. A member shared her story of 19 years in a group that started out spiritual and ended up controlling and vindictive. The scariest thing: learni... [read more]
the yes church
National Day of Prayer
On this national day of prayer I offered this prayer during an ecumenical gathering in our church’s neighborhood of Dellview. I was asked specifically to pray for our troops and those waiting... [read more]
Bytes of Grass
2008 District Assembly
2008 District Assembly in St. Louis Was great! We got lots of good comments on the Friday night opening celebration. Thanks to the UU ministers of St. Louis. And Eliot’s choirs, including Inner V... [read more]
Rev. Daniel’s Blog
Green Congregation
I had the good fortune of visiting our congregation in Duluth, Minnesota a couple of weeks ago to do a workshop on youth ministry. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth has moved into a... [read more]
Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie
See all blogs entries from Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie
STRAIGHT FROM THE Press Conference.. yes, that one!
Here I am in Washington, DC. .. meeting with leaders of local affiliates of The Interfaith Alliance, who've gathered from across the country to share ideas and to learn. If you don't know about T... [read more]
Isten Aldjon
Poetry Sharing in Seattle
A week ago, I got to travel to Seattle to attend and speak at a retreat for all the Unitarian Universalist ministers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. We stayed at a beautiful Ca... [read more]
RevThom
dreaming big - wake up
I appreciate the "Dreaming Big" initiative (see below); I agree that we need to focus on large-church ministry as a separate specialty; I respect all the ministers leading the effort.... [read more]
the yes church
Racism in Kirkwood
Racism in Kirkwood On Saturday morning, April 12, there were a couple hundred people from Kirkwood and surrounding areas at the Kirkwood United Methodist Church. I saw about 10 or so folks from Eli... [read more]
Rev. Daniel’s Blog
Proving Our Worth
I turned 30 this week. I had anticipated that such a turning point would feel at least a little bit unsettling, but it hasn’t really freaked me out at all. After all – I spent my 25th bir... [read more]
Nancy McDonald Ladd
The Basics
I will be speaking about organic, incarnational, missional faith communities in a few places and mediums coming up soon so I have been revisiting the basics, at least through the prism of The Livin... [read more]
Planting God Communities
Words from the Woods
WORDS FROM THE WOODS Like the Lorax of Dr. Seuss we like to speak for the trees, to protect them and affirm their verdant lives. In another way that the trees also speak for us, reminding us of who... [read more]
Rev. Thomas Perchlik
Belonging
The pull to belong and connect is as primal a need as eating, for when we gather and are recognized we have a better chance at feeling safe and affirmed. Belonging also takes commitment, and in the... [read more]
Bytes of Grass
Ah, Spring in New Mexico . . .
70 degrees one day, snow the next. I’ve lived in a lot of communities that have taken strange pride in their weather quirks. They’re all lightweights compared to northern New Mexico. ... [read more]
Returning . . .
The Doctor Delusion?
Worlds collide! (Things that my congregants love to talk about and things that make me a big big geek, specifically) Slashdot announces that Richard Dawkins will appear in a later episode of the cu... [read more]
Returning . . .
Rev. Wright in a Different Light
The following was written William A. Von Hoene Jr. and published in the Chicago Tribune on March 26, 2008. I think it needs a wider audience. As a preacher myself I know that I've said a few thin... [read more]
A Minister’s Musings
Being Born All Over Again
By Rev. John Morehouse Yogi Berra, one of my favorite commentators on the duplicity of the English language, once said upon his Yankees winning yet another World Series. “Wow, its Déjà vu a... [read more]
Rev. John Morehouse
More on Pure Land and Zen
Now that the search process is done (mostly--I still have candidating week), I have found that I can now read things for pleasure once again and not feel guilty about it! For so long I could not pi... [read more]
Kuan Yin’s Chalice
The Wisdom of Willie Nelson
A while ago I had the idea of preaching a sermon series called "The Wisdom of . . . " with each week focusing on the wisdom of another figure. The idea came to me one day while I was... [read more]
A Minister’s Musings
Athiests With Open Hearts
I’m not an atheist. Only among UU’s would a minister need to make such a confession with a tiny twinge of fear and a little sadness that someone might truly be alienated by my lack of un-be... [read more]
Nancy McDonald Ladd
Review of the Large Church Conference in Louisville, KY, March 13 – 16, 2008 Loehr to Sinkford
Since the annual SXSW music and film festival in Austin, TX is one of my annual pilgrimages, I was much chagrined that it fell precisely on the Large Conference dates. Thankfully, part of Austin s... [read more]
The Rev’s Review
Appologies and Big News
I must apologize to the readers of this blog (assuming I still have some) for not posting in the past six weeks. I initially created this blog, which recently celebrated it's one year anniversary,... [read more]
Kuan Yin’s Chalice
Sermon for tomorrow at huumms
We sit in a place of history. On this land, in these halls walked legends of our faith. Those superstars of yester year who shined so bright that they are like the Bono, Madonna, or Cher of today. ... [read more]
Post Modern Preacher
A Gun in My Hand
When I was ten years old my father and mother made it clear that they did not like guns, but they also made it clear that knowledge was a better defense than avoidance. Knowing I might someday e... [read more]
Rev. Thomas Perchlik
A Divine Push
by Rev. John Morehouse First in a Series on the “Five Smooth Stones of Liberalism” I begin with a story. Ellie walked cautiously into the neo-intensive unit. The machines were beep... [read more]
Rev. John Morehouse
YOU WERE MADE FOR SO MUCH MORE!
You are an innovator, and just as this expansive, growing universe creates each and everyday, you have the capacity to expand beyond your present place to a much more purposed existence. You can ov... [read more]
Rev. John Crestwell
Finding Meaning in The Madness
You know it’s amazing how hospitality works when you drive your car. You let someone over when there’s traffic, then a few moments later, when you need to get over, someone let’s you over. ... [read more]
Rev. John Crestwell
Playing Poker and Ministerial Presence
I enjoy playing poker, but as a grad student my income doesn't support gambling with any considerable stakes. A minister friend introduced me to some of his congregants who host a low stakes tourn... [read more]
Post Modern Preacher
Further on Communion
I included Levertov poem in the UUCF communion (previous post) for a reason: because it speaks to the skeptic in all of us who questions the morality of God who allows the innocent to suffer etc. I... [read more]
thelivelytradition
Denise Levertov's Poem about Thomas
There has been some discussion on blogs and email lists about this poem that I read at the UUCF communion service in Portland, OR this spring. Much has been said about its content and tone. Read ... [read more]
thelivelytradition
Returning Home Again...
The leaves are changing here on these hills and the geese are flying above and calling out their dramatic songs. We remember our roots in the Jewish tradition in the celebration of the Holy Day, Yo... [read more]
help create peace now...
Unplanned Absence
The few regular readers I have out there were probably not surprised by my recent absence. I'm not as regular a poster as I'd like to be or as I ought to be. But this time, the absence wasn't b... [read more]
UU Jester
Just Curious
A Semi-Imaginary Conversation Fellow Human Being: Excuse me? Me: Yes. Fellow Human Being: I enjoyed the service. It was very interesting. Me: Thank you. Fellow Human Being: Do you mind if I as... [read more]
UU Jester
balancing change and constancy...
There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. ... [read more]