Susan Langer says the “driving force of the human mind is fear, which begets an imperious demand for security in the world’s confusion…”. Fear can be a good thing. It can keep us safe, secure, and can even save our lives. It is wise to be afraid of a mother bear robbed of her cubs. But what about the fear of […]
Healing is to make whole or sound, to become well, be recovered. In our pressured society, we demand a quick fix for everything. We are an impatient patient, whether in illness, grief, injury, emotional troubles or societal problems. We demand cure. And yet, healing—true healing—not just covering over the wound and moving on, takes its own time. “Cure takes […]
Imagine what it would feel like to lose some of the weight of guilt, anger, hurt, regret, failures, the heartache of broken relationships, etc. you’ve shouldered forever. En-lighten-ment. Freedom and goodness refreshed. Each year during the Jewish High Holy Days, Jews seek forgiveness for wrongs against God and against others in order to begin the year anew – […]
Lina and Mohamid Abuadas own and operate the Pita Express restaurant. She and her Muslim family were from Bait Nateef, near Jerusalem, but fled to the West Bank of the Jordan River after the 1948 war. Lina will share her story as a Palestinian refugee and eventual immigrant to the United States. Recently Lina has taken an active role in finding peace […]
Of me. Of us. Of everyone. But it always comes back to the particular lives of each of us. Today’s title comes from an essay by author, legal scholar and civil rights activist, Michelle Alexander, written after the shooting deaths of two black men by police and the killing of five police officers by a […]
Yes, we feel and think of ourselves as individuals. But we inter-are with all that is: personal, familial, organizational, political, ecological, spiritual relationships—all those connections that are not ours alone. We are part of a crowd, in a crowded world. We struggle with both over-connection and isolation. This month’s theme is covenant: “A covenant [a promise to be […]
Yesterday my friend, Steve, sent a picture of a strawberry rhubarb pie with a lattice crust made by his friend’s wife. All those separate ingredients brought together and transformed with love and care into a perfect balance of sweet and tart just waiting to make the day feel that much more right. Yum! Every year, really every Sunday, […]
Joy would be a good name to have, wouldn’t it? It practically embodies itself. If someone approached you, extended her hand, and said “My name is Joy,” wouldn’t you smile and maybe even feel a little joyous yourself? I’ve been thinking a lot about Joy. Our mission states, in part, “Celebrate Life in all its […]
The Deep Within August 28 – 10:30am Revs. Roy Reynolds and Jim McKinley It is not the first phrase that comes to mind when we’re desperately searching for what to do in these troubled and troubling times. And yet the wisdom of every religious tradition affirms a need for creating intentional space for pause and stillness from […]
The accent is on “Works.” The title is not a wish but a statement. We’ll share an understanding of hope for right now; hope that makes a real difference and brings true joy into every day whether in the face of climate change, illness, politics or the simple overwhelm of too much. Last April, Dr. Marc Mullinax […]