The title of this sermon is taken from the title of the book by Paul Hawken (Viking Press, 2007). This expression gives voice to Harris’s heartfelt ruminations about this pivotal time in history, taking note of dramatic events such as: the murders of nine innocent victims doing Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC; and the extraordinary act of courage their loved ones made in pronouncing forgiveness for the murderer, precipitating the removal of the Confederate Battle flag from the State House grounds in Columbia, SC; and Pope Francis’s explosive new encyclical on the environment entitled “Laudato Si.” Harris will make the case that these are indeed times of “blessed unrest” when the Spirit of God is moving through the land calling us to bring forth love, justice, and transformation.

Lyndon Harris, a former Episcopal priest, is currently Co-Director at Tigg’s Pond Retreat Center, in Zirconia, North Carolina. He will be presenting a special workshop on forgiveness at UUFH on September 26.