Many UUs—probably most—struggle with what to make of Easter, with its talk of resurrection and redemption. Many of us, including me, would just as soon ignore it. But it’s here, and it’s tremendously important for millions. Does the Easter story offer anything to those who don’t resonate with the story of crucifixion and resurrection? Or … Continue reading The Easter Curmudgeon
Wayne leads a deeply reflective service for Holocaust Remembrance, not by recounting history but by grappling with the searing spiritual aftermath it left behind. Drawing on the wisdom of thinkers like Elie Wiesel, Viktor Frankl, and Wendell Berry, we explore how faith is tested—and sometimes lost—by unbearable suffering. What does it mean to believe in … Continue reading Faith in the Shadow: Wrestling with God After the Holocaust
Especially in challenging or difficult situations, our responses to the need we normally have in less troubled circumstances for a measure of kindness can be shunted aside. Today we take a closer look at what role kindness can and does play in our lives. Six-year congregation member John Fisher is a retired Episcopal priest and … Continue reading A Meditation on Kindness
We gathered in love, laughter, and a few tears to celebrate a remarkable milestone: ten years of inspired leadership and deep connection with our beloved minister, Rev. Joe Cleveland. The service was both a celebration and a heartfelt farewell as we prepared to bless him on his journey forward. Through music, story, and shared … Continue reading A Decade of Love, Leadership and Song: Celebrating the Ministry of Rev. Joe
Joining together in solidarity for justice, we discover our power. What important lessons might we learn from the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s practice of partnership around the world? All are welcome as we explore the expanding circles of connection that create a vision of justice and thriving for our human family and for our shared … Continue reading The Power of Solidarity
“We hold a love greater than we know between and among us, born from all that we hold holy.” –Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt Moving Forward, Centered in Love Rev. Joe Cleveland March 16, 2026 All that you feel is welcome here. All that you are is welcome here. Humans have an incredible capacity for … Continue reading Moving Forward, Centered in Love
Be Wise as Serpents We’ll explore the interplay between strategic wisdom and compassionate action in our striving to maintain our democratic society. The biblical exhortation to be “wise as serpents” brings challenges to the companion exhortation to be “innocent as doves” – a paradox touching on a principled response to the recent changes in our … Continue reading Be Wise as Serpents
Living Love through the Practice of Trust: Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky Sitting under the Bodhi tree on the verge of enlightenment, the one who would be Buddha was confronted and challenged by the god Mara, the threat of violence and domination and delusion. Needing a witness, and left on his own, he reached … Continue reading Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky
Living Love through the Practice of Inclusion: Including Religion There are such egregious examples of doing religion badly, hurtfully, abusively, that even if we participate with a religious community, we can tend to avoid identifying as “religious.” What if we leaned into it instead? Including Religion Rev. Joseph Cleveland February 23, 2025 Like a … Continue reading Including Religion
Call and Response Singing out and singing together is part of the creation story of humanity. When our ancestors felt worried or alone, they called out into the darkness with song, and their community would respond in harmony. Join us for a service of song and silence, and an exploration of call and response. When … Continue reading Call and Response