Topic: Transformation

The Inward Journey: Psychology, Spirituality, and Spiritual Metaphor

Kevin O’Brien, MSP ACSW, now retired Director of Catholic Charities, Director of Caleo Center outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Clinical Director at Conifer Park, and private practice psychotherapist in the Adirondacks, reflects on what he learned over 40 years and how that might help us, as the bareness of our personal “winter” transforms into the “fullness … Continue reading The Inward Journey: Psychology, Spirituality, and Spiritual Metaphor

Beginning a Story

We explore beginnings, famous and not-so-famous first sentences and paragraphs, as a way of beginning to explore story and story-telling as a spiritual practice. Nourish beginnings, let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest. The blessing is in the seed. –from “Elegy in Joy” by Muriel … Continue reading Beginning a Story

What Listening Does

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

Inviting Change and Imperfection

Change is a constant in our lives, bringing both challenges and opportunities for growth. Perhaps this is especially so because no change is perfect. This service will delve into the spiritual practices that help us navigate transitions with grace and resilience and an openness that welcomes imperfection.     Inviting Change and Imperfection, Looking for … Continue reading Inviting Change and Imperfection

Making Ready for Transformation

Transformation is our religious exploration theme for March. We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect. Sermon audio Sermon Making Ready for Transformation Rev. Joe Cleveland March 3, 2024   The … Continue reading Making Ready for Transformation

What If Heritage

It is important for us to recognize and honor our heritage. However, sometimes we can wish our heritage was a little different than it was. We can wish that at certain moments our ancestors had made different decisions than they did. We can often wish this of ourselves. To live with a sense of wholeness, … Continue reading What If Heritage

Listening for a Change

Listening for a Change Rev. Joe Cleveland Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs October 11, 2020 May we “pray without ceasing.”   In Unitarian Universalists I have often encountered a resistance to prayer.  This tends to be because we tend not to think that some supernatural force is going to enter into the world and … Continue reading Listening for a Change