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 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?
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.
Four hundred and fifty years ago, the Edict of Torda established religious freedom as the law of the land in Transylvania. We’ll celebrate this anniversary year with a little history, and a lot of reflection on this inheritance we share with Unitarians around the world.
We gather on Christmas Eve to tell stories, sing songs, and to light candles. We celebrate love and wonder and joy and hope in the world. Please join us!
Our pageant without preparation this year celebrates the Solstice and offers many opportunities for taking part. As always, there is a role for animals, so anyone who arrives in an animal costume can take part. Other roles will be assigned on the day and appropriate props will be provided. Come to watch, come to share in the fun, and celebrate the season of returning light!
This time of year is filled with lots of strongly worded suggestions. My favorite is “Behold!” How might it help us through this season and lift our hearts with hope?
This week the Supreme Court will be hearing arguments in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Along with 1,300 other clergy, Rev. Linda signed on to an amicus brief supporting the Civil Rights Commission. We pause to consider religion’s role in the marketplace, the meaning of freedom and liberty.
In her book *Braiding Sweetgrass*, indigenous author Robin Wall Kimmerer describes the morning practice of recognizing all that we have been given and offering thanks in return. Through her descriptions of the rituals of gratitude that she practices and knows, we’ll consider our own rituals of thanksgiving through the whole year.
Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, spoke at the UUA’s General Assembly this year and outlined four ways that we can be part of building a different future. Over the year, we’ll spend time on each of his suggestions. The first is the invitation to get proximate — close to — people on the margins. After the service, there will be an opportunity to explore some ways to do that.
