Note from Pastor Isa
Ida B. Wells, 1862-1931, an African-American journalist, brought intense focus on the history of gender, race and class discord in the United States. She devoted much of her life to the empowerment of women and racial justice issues. She met defeat with the kind of resolve that is hard to imagine. She never lost faith in this countrie’s potential … Continue reading Doing More Good Work…
“Bad as all slave holders are, we seldom meet one destitute of every element of character commanding respect. My master was one of the rare sort. I do not know of one single noble act ever performed by him. The leading trait in his character was meanness; and if there was any other element … Continue reading Do No Harm
In these short days and long nights many people I know move into a funk zone. I am especially grateful for the birds as winter takes over. I can depend on their flight, chat, antics, grace…to bring a glow to a dim day. When one lands in the midst of crimson crab apples, I’m lifted into a good place in the … Continue reading Picking Winter Fruit
The following quote can be found on the Unitarian Universalist Association web site: “Unitarian Universalist Association has filed a shareholder resolution asking Walmart to add Gender Identity or Expression to its non-discrimination policy. Last week we were notified by Walmart’s Office of Diversity that they were adopting this policy and were disseminating it throughout their … Continue reading UU’s Impact Walmart” Diversity Policy
“A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.” -Saul Bellow We need vital activism in this world as we need those who move deep into contemplation. Hopefully the result of both lead to a living out of a larger truth. Some of us are called to … Continue reading OCCUPY YOURSELF!
“When progressives achieved success in the past, whether at organizing unions or fighting for equal rights, they seldom bet their future on a politicians. They fashioned their own institutions — unions, women’s groups, community and immigrant centers and a witty, anti-authoritarian press — in which they spoke up for themselves and for the interests … Continue reading When Progressives Achieved Success In The Past
As I was leaving the Fellowship this afternoon I passed by children giggling on the couches in Cory’s office. I felt their sparkle as I walked Poppy on the prairie. The angle of the sun sharpening—bringing depth and brightness of tone—lulling the memory to mingle in the last of this year’s sunflowers. A rich moment living…
This morning glory grew from compost we shoveled along the porch. Its ascendancy surprised us and continues to surprise. Who knows from which flower and seed this vine sprung? The compost did not come from our pile. It is a mystery we are happy to live with. In this inferno summer it’s appearance has been especially welcome. … Continue reading Unexpected Glory
You can barely see me. I am holding the key to the church of my ancestors. Inside this church, built in 1100 A.D. my grandfather was baptized in 1901 and sat with his parents as the church shook in an earthquake. The bones … Continue reading The Secret and Abundant Nature of Love
While in divinity school I coined the phrase ” The Theology of the Awkward.” It opened a way for me to live more creatively with our noble Unitarian and Universalist ancestors. I needed a theological perspective that understood and held up how mistakes often lead to discovery. One of my favorite dance songs of this period was … Continue reading Magic Pony: Theology of the Awkward
