A Cup of Joe for December 20, 2024 Thich Nhat Hanh says this: When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there? The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will … Continue reading The Present of Presence
A Cup of Joe for December 13, 2024 It is spiritually restorative, healthy, and (frankly) impressive to practice being fully present to the present moment. But sometimes, what needs to happen in the present moment is to do some planning ahead! There is a lot I’m trying to keep in mind, and a lot that … Continue reading Anticipation
Dear Friends, You are all invited to bring an ornament to decorate our tree! You’ve seen the decorations going up around town. Broadway is all decked out. You’ve likely even put up a few decorations yourself lately. Bring an ornament or two or three with you this Sunday, or even during the week, and add … Continue reading Help Decorate Our Tree!
Dear Friends, Even in troubled times, we can practice gratitude. Last Sunday, we gave thanks and celebrated the success of our capital campaign and the memories and hopes of congregants from the 2013 time capsule. It was a wonderful service and potluck. It is simply so good to be together! I give thanks for you … Continue reading Giving Thanks, Looking Ahead
Dear friends, In the same way that I have been concerned about how people in our UU congregation have been doing in the wake of the election, it occurred to me that other local clergy serving congregations from historically liberal religious traditions might also be needing some support and community. Several of us gathered at … Continue reading We Are Not Alone
There are times when it feels like everything is happening at once, and now feels like one of those times. The panoply of emotions seeded by the Election continues. I treasure all the emotions and experiences that you have been sharing with me. We are here to acknowledge and bear these emotions together, and it … Continue reading On We Go
We Are A Sanctuary People An Election Message from UUA President the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt November 6, 2024 This is a time of great fear and devastation and very real risk to ourselves and our Beloveds. There is so much that we cannot yet know. Even if we know the shape and fear the … Continue reading We Are a Sanctuary People
My heart is aching. Not necessarily because of the election, though I am worried about that. But more over how the election is affecting so many in the congregation. We’re not unusual in feeling anxious. The American Psychological Association is concerned that this election cycle is a source of significant stress most people in the … Continue reading On this Election Eve: Connect
Turn my sullen sense toward marvel. Cup of Joe. October 18, 2024. One of my favorite readings about autumn in our hymnal is one (no. 485) that begins by brazenly calling out: “Turn scarlet, leaves! Spin earth!” Autumn-time can get a bit riotous. All sorts of things are happening and either changing right now … Continue reading Turn my sullen sense toward marvel.
Cup Of Joe October 4, 2024 Many thanks to the Social Justice Team, and especially Lucy Manning and Ron & Linda Giancola, for engaging us in the Climate Justice Revival event put together by the UU Climate Justice Coalition. It was a moving service and ritual, even for those of us attending via Zoom … Continue reading Dialogue, Discussion, & Dinner