Who doesn’t wake up wanting to feel good and feel good about who we are and how we are in the world? The meaningful living, spiritual practice, social action and well-being we seek begin at our own table. “Time to eat” is more than a reminder that the food is ready. It’s time to be […]
A sermon by the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Hardies. Delivered by the Rev. Jim McKinley This year, Rev. Rob Hardies immersed himself in Thoreau’s life and writings and surfaced in June with an especially insightful sermon which he graciously agreed for me to share. “Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience”—his ode to the prophetic power of […]
What form does the wisdom of courage take in the teachings of each of these religious exemplars? How have they and their followers embodied it through lives lived well? Their teachings and sayings move in parallel paths and call for similar practice. Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh imagines them as brothers; Jack Kornfield says “they […]
That’s a frequent critique of our UU worship and spirituality. It’s always personally legitimate for the speaker even as they identify with our religious orientation. How might I hear it as well? Both Unitarian and Universalism evolved from Christian tradition, with Jesus as exemplar and model, now one among many. As he is one of […]
The world is full of conflict and massive human rights abuses. Many societies have realized that abuses must be confronted and addressed, not swept under the carpet. They have turned to the concept of transitional justice, as the criminal justice system is not adequate to address the scale of the abuses, much less “get at” […]
Courage: that is the theme for October. It’s not always a word for the heroic, but for the difficult ordinary that makes a society loving and holds it together. To have courage is to live from the heart, to stand up in the face of normal in order to “witness to the radical possibilities of […]
September 24 – 10:30am Rev. Jim McKinley The white nationalist rally and violence in Charlottesville happened during my news blackout. The peaceful response by UU clergy the next week took place while I was traveling. I was missing in action, and have a lot of catching up to do. When it comes to our active […]
September 17 – 10:30am Rev. Jim McKinley A lot happened on the political stage in July and August, or so it seems from the news. Yet little really changed while I was “out of touch.” At the same time, along the Pacific beach where I stayed, sea turtles nested and little turtles hatched as they […]
Here. Love Welcomes All. And at the same time you are welcome in your uniqueness, your particularities that make you, you. We say you are welcome in response to thank you. But it also speaks of appreciation for being, belonging, and being here. Bring your touchstone, your summer water, for our Ingathering Ceremony to gather […]
What is empathy? What are its requirements and obstacles? What is at stake in a world bereft of the capacity for empathy? Dr. Pedro Sandin is a native of Puerto Rico, where he was professor of French until his retirement in 2006. Between 2008 and 2015, he was a Spanish lecturer at UNC-Asheville. He currently […]