Presence as a spiritual practice is challenging, perhaps more challenging than we might expect. As soon as we focus on presence as a practice, as something we do, we become aware of a fundamental truth: it is impossible to be present alone. And when much of what is around us is difficult, when much of … Continue reading Being Present to What Is Present
“The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence,” wrote Trappist monk and peace activist Thomas Merton. “The frenzy of our activism neutralizes our work for peace…. It destroys the fruitfulness of our own work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes … Continue reading “The Peace of Trees” with Rev. Fred Small
Today’s multigenerational service explores the discovery of abundance through sharing, using a stoneless variation on the stone soup story. Following the service, all are invited to join in a potluck lunch. Please bring your own place settings, if you can, in addition to whatever you feel you can bring to share. If you can’t contribute … Continue reading Thanksgiving Soup Communion
Order of Service for November 17, 2024 Bayo Akomolafe, a Nigerian writer and professor of psychology, shares as an African saying: “The times are urgent; let us slow down.” Today we explore the wisdom of that saying and how we might lean into–and lean on–our values as we navigate a complicated, confusing, and difficult time. … Continue reading Urgent Slowing
We are in a time of risk and fear and grief for ourselves and those we love. We gather together to be present to one another and to create sanctuary for one another. We can feel all these feelings. As “Black Liturgies” author Cole Arthur Riley has written: “INHALE This is too much to hold. … Continue reading We Hold It, Together
Voting Ancestors Rev. Joe Cleveland November 3, 2024 Today is the last day of early voting. The early voting sites that are open right now in Saratoga County will close today at 5:00. Just out of curiosity, how many of you have voted already? Wow! That’s a lot! I’ve put in a bunch … Continue reading Honoring Our Ancestors, Voting as Ancestors
Member Effy Redman will be the featured speaker for this service exploring the experience of spiritual healing. In March of this year, Effy published a memoire called Saving Face. Her publisher describes the book this way: What’s in a smile? Or the absent smile? Saving Face is Effy Redman’s thought-provoking answer. Born with … Continue reading Spiritual Healing
In this unique service, we learn from Ayudha Puja, the ancient tradition in which Hindus honor their tools and machines. We reflect on the ways technology serves our daily lives and explore our responsibility to use these tools for the greater good. If we listened deeply to the machines in our lives, what might we … Continue reading Whir, Buzz, Click, Beep
Today we explore listening as a spiritual practice and as a liberal religious practice. What is it to listen? What does listening do for someone? What does listening do to us? Sermon audio Sermon What Listening Does Rev. Joe Cleveland October 13, 2024 On one of his walks, the poet William Wordsworth happens … Continue reading What Listening Does
Our theme for the month of October is the practice of listening deeply. Today’s service honors the wisdom of the Jewish High Holy Days and introduces us to Tashlich and the ritual of casting past missteps symbolically into flowing water to let them go and commit to a renewed path. We consider listening deeply to … Continue reading To the End that All Souls Shall Grow into Harmony