As anxiety heightens nationally and internationally, we also see it in our personal lives. Whether identifying patterns in our relationships, in ourselves, or in the larger world, observation helps interrupt reaction and keeps us on an even keel. Noticing and naming what’s going on is not only a life skill, but also a spiritual discipline.. Our … Continue reading Audio Archive, Aug. 14 – There’s Something Happening Here: Stop, Look, and Listen

Larry Weaver and Mark Clarke guide an exploration of our universe, from the smallest of the small to structures almost too large to comprehend. We’ll discuss what we know today about the universe around us, and what we thought we knew in the past. Our convener is Mark Clarke. https://uufm.net/mp3s/sunday_2016-08-07.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: … Continue reading Audio Archive, Aug. 7 – A Matter of Size

How can a novel make its reader more empathetic? How does literary fiction expand our understanding of humanity and stretch definitions of a “holy book?” Sarah Hoyt reflects on authors such as David Mitchell, Marilynne Robinson and others who have crafted works that — as Franz Kafka wrote — serve as “the axe for the frozen sea within … Continue reading Audio Archive, July 31 – Literary Fiction

Reverend Jonalu Johnstone offers reflections. Is summertime a time for easing back and taking off a week or two? What’s the value of an extended time of leisure? How has it been captured by religious traditions? What’s the difference between taking a Sabbath and a vacation? Our convener is Dave Lambert. https://uufm.net/mp3s/sunday_2016-07-24.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download … Continue reading Audio Archive, July 24 – Vacation or Sabbath?

The village of Taizé, France, hosts an ecumenical community of monks (and sisters) who developed a worship practice including scripture, silence, and chant. Their practice has migrated across the world and inspired Taizé services everywhere. We learn about their process and experiment — in a very UU way, of course. Our speaker is Rev. Jonalu Johnstone, who … Continue reading Audio Archive, July 17 – Taizé with a UU Accent

The story of the universe is more than science and natural history; it’s also a sacred story. As Loyal Rue, philosopher at  Loyola College, has said, “In the course of epic events, matter was distilled out of radiant energy, segregated into galaxies, collapsed into stars, fused into atoms, swirled into planets, spliced into molecules, captured … Continue reading Audio Archive, July 10 – The Universe Story

With the celebration of U.S. independence approaching and the election heating up (how much hotter can it get?!), we examine how we can talk to each other respectfully and effectively. Since the beginnings of our republic, there have been struggle and controversy, sometimes resulting in creative solutions and others in violence or repression. Our speaker is … Continue reading Audio Archive, July 3 – Civil Discourse in Heated Times: The Ups and Downs of Democracy

As part of his role as Director of the Ecumenical Campus Ministries (ECM) at K-State, Rev. David Jones has helped students participate in a variety of service-learning trips. ECM is a student group at Kansas State University that encourages students to explore their spiritual beliefs through fellowship, study, and service. Our convener is Michaela Sievers. https://uufm.net/mp3s/sunday_2016-06-26.mp3Podcast: … Continue reading Audio Archive, June 26 – Searching for Truth Through Service-Learning

The “traditional” family has changed radically in the last fifty years in the U.S. Fathers spend more time with their children, and have different kinds of interactions. This morning we hear from a few of our members who are and/or have fathers with their reflections on the day. Our convener is Rev. Jonalu Johnstone. https://uufm.net/mp3s/sunday_2016-06-19.mp3Podcast: Play … Continue reading Audio Archive, June 19 – What Fathers Know Best

Respecting indigenous cultures: as UUs, we are often allies to groups and peoples to whom we may not belong. To be better allies, we examine the line between respecting and appropriating culture, and how to move forward with mutual respect. Laverne Bitsie-Baldwin, Sonya Ortiz, and Lisa Tatonetti of the social initiative Reimage MHK join us … Continue reading Audio Archive, June 12 – Respecting Indigenous Cultures