Re-Imagining Unitarian Universalism: Where I started
You should read the last couple posts on this blog..... Like everybody of my era, I started thinking about Unitarian Universalism by thinking about the problem of how to define what we believe. The b
Loyal Heretics
Many people gravitate to Unitarian Universalism because they are heretics. They dissent from established religious dogma, disavowing a revealed truth. For many of us, that dissent began while saying t
Religion general
Meditations on the Good News: Awe Came Upon Everyone
Yesterday, Pentecost was celebrated by Christians worldwide as the birthday of the Christian Church, and so I wanted to share with you this Pentecost reflection from my book Meditations on the Good Ne
"There are two opposite ways by which some men make a figure in the world; one, by talking faster..."
“There are two opposite ways by which some men make a figure in the world; one, by talking faster than they think, and the other, by holding their tongues and not thinking at all.” - Washington Irving
responsibility thinking Washington Irving
"The substance of power is that which sways the minds and hearts of the people; all else is the show..."
“The substance of power is that which sways the minds and hearts of the people; all else is the show of it.” - Thomas Starr King, Substance and Show (1890) p.26 (Universalist, Unitarian, clergy, refor
Morning Prayer May 21, 2013
Good Morning, Wisdom! On our way today, may we be steadfast to the principles that guide us, to the promises we have made, to how goodness calls us to create, to aid mercy, to live generously all our
Religion
Evening Prayer May 21, 2013
In the garden of life, may we cultivate Wisdom, that wonderful flower with sharp lessons as well as soft and gentle ones. In the garden of life, may we care for and nourish the wholeness of life, atte
Religion
A Mozarabic prayer in the Hymns of the Spirit
So, why is there a prayer from medieval Spain in the “old red hymnal” (Hymns of the Spirit) ? See page 139, under the heading “Prayers for Righteousness of Life”: Grant us, O Lord, to pass this day in
Worship History
The Rev. Jack Morrill For KnoxVegas
On my Facebook page the other day I noted that some wag on Twitter had announced that New York City was so “over” as America’s greatest city. I heart New York forever and I personally found the sugg
irreverences
Those Who have Influenced My Present Thought
First of all, I am inspired by the Deuteronomist historians. At a time when the old ways of the ancient Hebrews had come to naught -- their kingdom defeated, the Temple fallen, their religious and po
What is Worth Saving? (sermon)
Village Church, Cummington, MA May 19, 2013 Karen G. Johnston Candidate for the Unitarian Universalist Ministry Readings A Stone Jug A bulldozer digging a pond on my mother’s family’s land unearths tw
climate change Sermons dalit David Bollier Elissa Melamed Erakulapally Great Turning Green Revolution Hilltown Seed Saving Network Jamestown Joanna Macy Kathy Harrison Monsanto genetically-modified seeds Rainer Maria Rilke Wendell Berry
A DISCOURSE ON THE TRANSIENT & PERMANENT IN CHRISTIANITY: A Meditation on Theodore Parker & the Call of Liberal Religion
A DISCOURSE ON THE TRANSIENT & PERMANENT IN CHRISTIANITY A Meditation on Theodore Parker and the Call of Liberal Religion James Ishmael Ford 19 May 2013 First Unitarian Church Providence, Rhode Island
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"The poor steamer foundered because it drifted…the man who has no aim higher than himself also..."
“The poor steamer foundered because it drifted…the man who has no aim higher than himself also drifts…Do not drift, but steer.” - James Freeman Clarke, Everyday Religion (1886) p.6 (Unitarian, clergy,
The secular, conversational spirit of democracy - a meditation on Pentecost
READINGS: Acts 2:1-13 It Matters What We Believe by Sophia Lyon Fahs Some beliefs are like walled gardens. They encourage exclusiveness, and the feeling of being especially privileged. Other beliefs a
Parliament liberal Christian tradition incarnation Unitarian and Free Christian Churches Pentecost Whitsunday Holy Spirit Sophia Lyons Fahs Doctrine of the Trinity Hegel
Prayer during Pentecost (Marc Carson, Syria)
Spirit of Peace, God of Many Names, and One Transforming and Abundant Love, We gather again in community, In song and in quiet, To lay down our burdens for an hour, To ease the pain of our neighbor, T
UU faith prayer peace violence Mission politics gay Pentecost hate crime marc carson need outrage syria
Compassion and Connection
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has graced New Orleans with his presence this weekend. Prayer flags are fluttering from balconies more accustomed to Mardi Gras beads and brass bands are sharing the scene
Uncategorized spirituality relationships grief prayer care social justice peace gratitude connection compassion healing Story diversity resilience Faith Development World Community hospitality sustainability
"When people are in danger…everyone has a duty to speak out. No one has a right to pass by on..."
“When people are in danger…everyone has a duty to speak out. No one has a right to pass by on the other side” - Kofi Annan, Interventions: A Life in War & Peace
responsibility Kofi Annan
Re-Imagining Unitarian Universalism
The pieces are coming together in my mind to reimagine Unitarian Universalism. First of all, we need to really, actually and truly shift from belief to practice as the core of what the spiritual life
"Perfection is not reached by a sudden leap; nor hopeless wickedness by a sudden fall"
“Perfection is not reached by a sudden leap; nor hopeless wickedness by a sudden fall” - Marion D. Shutter, Justice and Mercy (1894) p.30 (Universalist, clergy, theologian)
