We all look forward to the vibrant rebirth of a hopeful spring. But as winter begins to slowly loosen her grip, let’s pause one last time to reflect upon the hidden blessings that can only be found in the quieter seasons of life.
In 1963, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.” Today, as then, we would do well to heed his words and continue to be maladjusted to poverty, racism, and violence.
Dancing Circus Bears, a Bit of Fake Shakespeare, and the Importance of Unitarian Universalism
Mary Oliver reminds us: “To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal, to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends upon it, and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.” Living at all requires us to take a risk, loving demands our hearts be vulnerable. One message of Easter is about risking it all and finding life even so. We’ll consider what emerges when we are willing to risk.
What is it we are called to do? It’s often hard to discern what we’re meant to be doing and what isn’t ours to pick up. Do you have difficulty saying no? Or saying yes? We’ll consider the art of discernment in finding what our own work is in the world.
Leading this worship service, our youth will look at how to identify performative activism and discuss proactive steps moving towards substantive activism. This worship service led by the youth of our congregation is open to all, and all ages.
What does it mean to care for yourself. For women, we’re told to get a mani-pedi or have a hot bath, maybe indulge in a box of chocolates. I’ve never seen recommendations for men! What does it mean to be taking care of your soul and your heart?
Things seem out of balance in the human world these days. Yet nature is ALWAYS in balance. Can the natural world teach us what we need to learn to find a more sustainable way forward in our lives?
An essay in the January edition of Harper’s Magazine explored the trajectory of social change in the GLBT community. Having won the fight for marriage equality, the author seemed to suggest, had tamed the previously wild and outrageous action of the gay community. No longer employing the tactics of ACT UP, it seemed that everyone was settling into assimilation into the straight world. We’ll consider what it means to persevere, and how to keep it real.
Most people run into times when the obstacles of life seem insurmountable. Sometimes hope is gone. Sometimes life just seems to be getting worse. Sometimes, lemons are just lemons and there is no lemonade. This sermon will reflect on how people live life with grit and perseverance.
