I will never forget the moment. It was the third and final Wednesday Vespers for Peace and Justice service, crafted to support the UUFM community through the election. The previous vespers service, just the day after the election, had been essential for those who came, … read more.
The mutuality of deep listening
Most mornings, I spend about 15 minutes on the phone with my Seattle friend Erin. This rhythm of mutual listening gives us compassionate accountability for setting intentions each day – and keeping them. Over the past few months, Erin has been … read more.
“meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in”
As I sat down to reflect on our monthly theme of Invitation, I immediately thought of the poem Guest House. Coleman Barks wrote the poem in the 1960s, inspired by a much longer text by the … read more.
I emailed the following letter out on July 4th and received beautiful responses. I share people’s response below.
Dear hearts,
I’ve heard from several of you that the state of our nation and the world weighs heavily on you. I’ve heard the word despair. I … read more.
All Kinds of Justice
The 18th century Rabbi Elijah of Vilna wrote that “What we create becomes meaningful to us only once we stop creating it and start to think about why we did so.” In addition to thinking, let’s also feel the impact of our … read more.
Renewal
As a community, we were renewed on May 4th at the Initiation of Called Ministry and Installation of Yours Truly. It was an afternoon like no other: a ritual and a party, profound and playful. Many UUFM members have told me it truly “felt like … read more.
Pluralism as play
In the picture book A Common Thirst by Gary Boelhower, a mixed group of kids and lambs playing together during a devastating drought uncover a solution that saves their communities. Though the adult goats and sheep had previously sought help from each other, … read more.
Choosing interdependence
Our Soul Matters themes this year are following the values articulated in the UUA bylaws proposal: generosity, justice, equity, pluralism (next month), transformation (last month), and this month interdependence. What’s different about March and April is that these values are not just practices but … read more.
To transform and to be transformed
What is the difference between a human being and a flower being? Flowers are born, blossom, and fade just like us. Like us, they influence the world around them and live on in the ecosystem even after they die. But … read more.
In many UU congregations, ministers of color can preach about racism no more than twice a year before they are criticized for being “hyperfocused on race.” When I heard this in seminary, I resolved to mention racism in every single sermon. It was a way … read more.
