Sunday, 05 February 2012, 01:36 am PST
Featured Ministers
Saturdao 11
Dao De Jing, verse 6 16 translations 1. James Legge (1891): The valley spirit dies not, aye the same; The female mystery thus do we name. Its gate, from which at first they issued forth, Is ca... [read more]
Lake Chalice
Life of Work, Part 5A
On April 22, 1999, the phone rang in my Denver home. I had been expecting the call---Margaret Beard, Extension Director at the UUA, was phoning me to let me know that the congregation I'd been ho... [read more]
Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show
Update
Sandy Dog started a fancy designer drug for dogs in heart failure. The first 2 days on the drug her condition was unchanged. Her resting respiratory rate was twice what it should be, and she ... [read more]
Carrots and Ginger
Another spin out into the fens
As Britain enters a proper cold spell, today turned out to be a perfect winter day for a ride - sunny, dry, fairly still and refreshingly cold. So I thought I'd take the Guv'nor out on the 31 mil... [read more]
Caute
six-word teaching descriptions
We owe a great deal to our teachers. Students First is holding a contest, to describe excellent teaching in just six words. The finalists are below; you can vote for your favorites online. Encourag... [read more]
the yes church
Out of the Wilderness
I believe that 1968-2008 was a 40 year wilderness period for Unitarian Universalism, a long period in which cultural, religious and political conservatism were aggressive and dominant. What happene... [read more]
thelivelytradition
Of Meetings and Meaning, part 3
And so the question -- did the "experiment" work? I think that there are several ways of answering this. I've heard many people say that they really appreciated the way the m... [read more]
A Minister’s Musings
Of Meetings and Meaning, part 2
Note: what follows is the Order of Service for our Congregational Meeting/Communal Worship service. The full text of certain sections have been included as end-notes to help give some of t... [read more]
A Minister’s Musings
What's a Unitarian Universalists
1. Technically, a Unitarian Universalist is a person who is a formal member of a UU congregation. 2. Popularly, a Unitarian Universalist is anybody who calls themselves a UU, whether or not they be... [read more]
iMinister
Christianity Without the Crucifix
Growing up Unitarian Universalist, I didn’t spend much time looking at images of Jesus since we don’t use or display crucifixes or crosses (mostly) in our worship spaces. I saw them ... [read more]
timesunion.com
A shocking solution to the student loan crisis
After a recent posting on the student loan crisis, someone sent me the following note. S/he requested anonymity since s/he felt that the special interests that control this country would do e... [read more]
thelivelytradition
Funeral Break
I am working on a funeral for a dignified English-American woman for tomorrow. I think I will have to wear eye shadow, and stockings, and something will have to happen with this unruly hair. I... [read more]
Auspicious Jots
help them grow
We all want and expect different things from our church. Some of us come here to find peace and healing; some come to get informed and energized to go out and fight against injustice. Some want cla... [read more]
the yes church
Underwater Cathedral
Although I come from a long line of beachy people, I am not a beachy person myself. I burn too easily to worship the sun. Instead, I wear broad-brimmed hats and scurry to the shady spots along the ... [read more]
The Reverend Dr.
Coyote, the parable of MetaK and the future of liberal religion
Click on the following link to hear the podcast of this post and/or download an mp 3 (see bottom left of the page): Coyote, the parable of Meta K and the future of liberal religion - 29 Januar... [read more]
Caute
The Center of a Liberal Faith Movement
What it means to be a Unitarian Universalist has been on my heart this last week. Not surprisingly, considering that many UU’s are currently thinking about similar things in reaction to the re... [read more]
Celestial Lands
Our Sandy Dog
It looks as if our dog Sandy is coming to the end of her life. The vets tell us she is in heart failure, and she is on a series of medications to help her heart work and to help keep fluid out of h... [read more]
Carrots and Ginger
Freely Following Jesus, a sermon preached in Austin, TX Wildflower Church
Freely Following Jesus Wildflower Church Austin TX Jan. 22, 2012 The reading from Mark 1:14-20…a part of the weekly lectionary, a way churches of different traditionsall read and comment on the s... [read more]
Planting God Communities
Whatever Mantra Gets You Through the Day
Did you get a look at the bodyguard for the Australian Prime Minister today? I want to be that guy. The Australian PM, Julia Gillard, was surrounded by an angry group of aboriginal protesters and s... [read more]
Auspicious Jots
Union Busting And UU Values
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 will someday be remembered, either as the day the citizens of Indiana received their wake-up call, or the day on which the decline of worker pay and workplace safety b... [read more]
Just Wondering
Practice Makes IMperfect.... Week 15-ish of sabbatical
Well, I am counting down the weeks LEFT in my sabbatical now. Not altogether with trepidation, because I am actually feeling energized and ready to get back to work. I love almost everything about ... [read more]
A Jersey Girl In Kentucky
Practice Makes IMperfect.... Week 15-ish of sabbatical
Well, I am counting down the weeks LEFT in my sabbatical now. Not altogether with trepidation, because I am actually feeling energized and ready to get back to work. I love almost everything about ... [read more]
A Jersey Girl in Kentucky
A Life of Work, Part 4
During the four years I spent at Iliff School of Theology, in Denver, I had many opportunities to experience ministerial responsibilities. The required curriculum at Iliff gave me some of those bu... [read more]
Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show
Thoughts on "Congregations and Beyond"
The UUA President, the Rev. Peter Morales published a working paper titled "Congregations and Beyond" last week. It's available in its entirety here. In it he says, ... [read more]
Rev. Cyn
Strangers in the Land of Egypt
My heart had a visitor this week. Knock, knock. "Yes? " "Hi, I’m anger. " "Oh, yes. I recognize you by the tightening I’m feeling. You’re here about t... [read more]
Lake Chalice
3 of 4 UU's Don't Belong to Congregations. Why?
Of course, it is technically true that all UU's belong to UU congregations, because technically, there is no way to be a UU unless you belong to a congregation. But don't tell the peop... [read more]
iMinister
What Emerges Out of Silence
The Buddha taught again and again: Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anythin... [read more]
timesunion.com
Key West: A PeaceBang Review
I have spent the past five days vacationing in Key West and I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up. Peace Bang’s Top 6 Reasons To Vacation in Key West, Florida: 1. Although it has a reputation a... [read more]
PeaceBang
The More Things Change…
I am currently reading W. E. B. Dubois classic "The Black Reconstruction in America. " In a section describing the treatment of the African Americans in Louisiana shortly after the Civil... [read more]
The Latest Form of Infidelity
Our Responsibility to those Beyond Our Walls
Break not that circle of enabling love, Where people grow, forgiven and forgiving, Break not that circle, make it wider still, Till it includes, embraces all the living. –Hymn 323, Singing th... [read more]
Celestial Lands
The Most Hated Girl in America
In 1964, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, founder of the American Atheists, was called "the most hated woman in America. " Judging from the response to Jessica Ahlquist, the love of atheists ... [read more]
Rev. Cyn
wrapped in a blue cloud cloth
Langston Hughes writes. .. "Bring me all of your dreams, You dreamers, Bring me all of your heart melodies, That I may wrap them in a blue cloud cloth Away from the too rough fingers of the ... [read more]
help create peace now...
America’s Unfinished Business
the unedited text (i. e. it has some typos) of my January 15, 2012 sermon preached at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Cleveland I have ambivalent feelings about the celebration of ... [read more]
The Latest Form of Infidelity
The empowerment tragedy
IDEAS: Unitarian Universalists remain unreconciled four decades after controversy over 'black empowerment' nearly tore the UUA apart. [read more]
Ideas from UU World
Of the 1%, By the 1%, For the 1%: Economic Justice in America
Reading before the sermon is available here. ** “What can we say,” asks economist and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, “about the [Occupy Wall Street] protests? First things first: The protesters... [read more]
Thousand Voices
In search of an Honest Person
In search of an Honest Person by Rev. Fred L Hammond Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tuscaloosa January 15 2012 © In our story for all ages, we heard the story of Clementine Hunter, an a... [read more]
A Unitarian Universalist Minister in Mississippi
See all blogs entries from A Unitarian Universalist Minister in Mississippi
January 15 - A New Birthday for my Father...
Dear friends,In just a few days, it will be a year since my dad's health crisis. A year ago, on January 15, he was rushed to the hospital for emergency, life-saving surgery and then began a harrow... [read more]
help create peace now...
WEIRD LITTLE WAYS. 14 weeks in...
By Pema Chodron WHAT IT IS TO BE HUMAN"Although it is embarrassing and painful, it is very healing to stop hiding from yourself. It is healing to know all the ways that you shut down, deny, ... [read more]
A Jersey Girl In Kentucky
WEIRD LITTLE WAYS. 14 weeks in...
By Pema Chodron WHAT IT IS TO BE HUMAN"Although it is embarrassing and painful, it is very healing to stop hiding from yourself. It is healing to know all the ways that you shut down, deny, ... [read more]
A Jersey Girl in Kentucky
Revival/Retreat sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship: Welcoming the Feminine in Christianity, and much more worship and workshops
Come experience the power of progressive Christianity and the free religious spirit and participate in our 10th Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship Revival/Retreat. Share this exciting... [read more]
Planting God Communities
Choosing Your Obsession with Our Annual Fire Communion with the Rev. Bret Lortie
Emerson wrote that a “person will worship something, have no doubt about that…That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. ” In ... [read more]
Bytes of Grass
What size are Unitarian Universalist congregations?
IDEAS: Most congregations have fewer than 100 members, but most UUs belong to larger churches. [read more]
Ideas from UU World
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: The Prophets
The voice of Isaiah, one of the classic Hebrew prophets: In the year that King Uzziah died [probably 738 BCE. ], I beheld my Lord seated on a high and mighty throne; and the skirts of His robe fill... [read more]
Thousand Voices
Unitarian Universalism as One Big Codependent System
Yesterday I wrote about a new insight I am exploring in which the anti-Christian sentiments found throughout Unitarian Universalism can be seen and understood as aversion addiction. This post ha... [read more]
Sunflower Chalice
Unitarian Universalist attitudes towards Christianity as Aversion Addiction
This week I am reading the book Addiction and Grace by Gerald G. May for my training course in spiritual direction. A new concept for me in reading this book is aversion addiction. I had neve... [read more]
Sunflower Chalice
Living Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. The civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 60’s... [read more]
A Unitarian Universalist Minister in Mississippi
See all blogs entries from A Unitarian Universalist Minister in Mississippi
Homily: "Poetry for the New Year" (Delivered 1-1-12)
First Reading“A Change in Plans” by Tony Hoagland *It’s tiring, this endless revisionof our idea of a worldwhich is continually revised –as the painter good-naturedly lengthens th... [read more]
RevThom
The Facts of Fast Friendship
Each of us needs wise counselors in our lives, and I was blessed to meet one of my wisest as a teenager. My best friend from high school and I had an awful lot in common. For instance: we both ... [read more]
The Reverend Dr.
Promise Keeping
All of us have moments when life is wonderful and inviting, magnetic with promise. But, of course, there is also the other foot, life of trouble and pain. How do we move from one to the other? What... [read more]
Rev. John Morehouse
Sermon: "Miracles for People Who Don't Believe in Miracles" (Delivered 12-18-11)
Something very much like this actually happened. A decade ago I did my internship at a church in suburban Dallas. At this congregation there was an ongoing discussion group that met midweek to co... [read more]
RevThom
Follow the Grain
Seems like one of the most popular episodes of Ally Mc Beal was ”Theme of Life,” the one where her therapist (played by Tracey Ullman) tells Ally that she needs a theme song. I mean I ... [read more]
Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie
See all blogs entries from Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie
#56 Ode to the “Little Way”
Powerless and powerful? At the same time? You’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer and told you have two months to live. Powerless, right? The message of Reinhold Niebuhr’s serenity prayer is ... [read more]
The Naked Theologian: stripped-down theology
See all blogs entries from The Naked Theologian: stripped-down theology
An Echo of the Divine
In preparation for writing the introduction to the spiritual practice of Yearning, this week’s small group ministry session based on resources from spiritualityandpractice. com, I decided to ... [read more]
Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie
See all blogs entries from Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie
Bearing Our Gifts: A Christmas Story
Dear friends, I’ve just come from a ministers’ get-together where we all shared some of our favorite holiday stories with each other. It inspired me to share with you all a story I wrot... [read more]
Drink from the Stream
Mississippi Remembers Governor Waller
As a new Mississippi resident, I am saddened to learn of the death of former Governor William Waller. He bravely worked for justice, particularly in the murder case of Medgar Evers. La... [read more]
Our Inherent Worth
Brave New Roads of Thanks
The story is told of the first few years of the pilgrim’s residence in the wilds of New England. Camped precariously on the edge of the great woods, this little band of white settlers had lost mu... [read more]
Rev. John Morehouse
Grateful Life, Joyful Life
Dear friends, I’m a bit behindhand posting this sermon from last weekend…but I suppose that’s OK. Grateful for the retreat with colleagues that occupied my mind and heart most of ... [read more]
Drink from the Stream
Purpose
I was reading some articles on Universalism and found an article written about the Schuylkill Unitarian Universalist Church. [STAFF WRITER, MARK GILGER JR. m MGILGERJR@REPUBLICANHERALD. COM)Publish... [read more]
Rev. Thomas Perchlik
#55 iHeroes, iReligion, and iHistory
Who, among those blessed with extra cash, doesn’t remember their first Mac? Or first i Pod? Or first i Phone? Or first i Pad? Or, for that matter, their first visit to a sleek, modern... [read more]
The Naked Theologian: stripped-down theology
See all blogs entries from The Naked Theologian: stripped-down theology
Pro & Con: Should Congress pass the DREAM Act for immigrant children? | ajc.com
Pro & Con: Should Congress pass the DREAM Act for immigrant children? | ajc. com Interesting take! What do you think? [read more]
Rev. Daniel’s Blog
Woe, Woe, Woe: When Did Jesus Get Rich?
Jesus has been kidnapped. His captors are dressing him as a CEO, in pinstriped suits and Italian leather shoes, using him to ‘inspire’ the poor. Others, reacting in anger to this gussie... [read more]
Just Wondering
The Wright Stuff
I have had the pleasure of being part of study group with a great group of clergy, mostly Baptist. We have read some wonderful books and talked about them, mostly encouraged each other that we were... [read more]
Rev. Thomas Perchlik
Thanks to P.J. Crowley for Speaking the Truth about the Abuse of Bradley Manning!
PJ, Mike, Marie Joe SestakP. J. Crowley, Assistant Secretary of State and retired Air Force officer, resigned under pressure for speaking his conscience about the foolish a... [read more]
Our Inherent Worth
This is the old blog…
…it’s not the same as the new blog. You have reached the old version of this blog, which was updated from February 23, 2005, through December 31, 2010. Click here for the current versio... [read more]
Yet Another Unitarian Universalist
See all blogs entries from Yet Another Unitarian Universalist
The year ahead: Good things to watch for in Unitarian Universalism
I’m a Universalist at heart, and Universalism is a hope-filled faith, so as I look ahead to 2011 I can’t help but seek out signs of hope within Unitarian Universalism. Here are some of ... [read more]
Yet Another Unitarian Universalist
See all blogs entries from Yet Another Unitarian Universalist
No More . . .
I’ve been working on a sermon collection for several months now. My talented wife has spent the last several weeks putting the finishing touches on the layout, and we’re getting ready t... [read more]
Returning . . .
Alone No More
We know how powerful having vision, a positive attitude, and progressive goals are. We know to look for assets in ourselves and our communities. We know change comes when people work not alon... [read more]
RadicalHapa
Prayer and/or Meditation, some thoughts
I would like you to make a decision about whether or not to practice prayer and/or meditation, either or both, might aid you on your spiritual journey. Spiritual practices are about growing our h... [read more]
Faith Talk
Three prayers and a meditation
Below are three prayers and one meditation. I encourage you to read them and notice how you feel as you read them. Then go on to the sermon in the next post on this blog. The following meditation... [read more]
Faith Talk
Climate Change Books
Just the other day I got another request to post a bibliography of some of my climate change readings and recommendations. Below is the list of books along with some comments. If you're going to ... [read more]
Calling Ministers - Examining and interviewing for UU ministry
See all blogs entries from Calling Ministers - Examining and interviewing for UU ministry
Not All Who Wander Are Lost
I’ve been on a path far from the circles of Unitarian Universalists the past 3 years. Today I was out and about wearing a T-Shirts I bought off a C*UUYAN (young adult ministry) Steering Co... [read more]
RadicalHapa
Twitter quick tip: Set profile image before following
If you are going to launch a new Twitter account for your congregation, make sure you set a profile image. You should have something other than the default little twitter bird before you start f... [read more]
UU PLANET Ministry and Media
10 tips for producing your own church welcome videos
Now that we’ve hit the end of the church year, it is a great time to start thinking about whether you would like to add a welcome video to your website in the Fall. Start thinking now so y... [read more]
UU PLANET Ministry and Media
On losing my vision
Today is Friday. On Monday, I will have the cataract in my right eye removed. In its place, a plastic lens will be placed in my eye. The surgeon tells me she will be correcting... [read more]
MACRO MICRO AND VICE VERSA
I don't mourn its passing
Youngstown, Ohio is featured in this month's Inc. magazine. Youngstown! The city with poisoned air, in the heart of the Steel Valley. Famous for nearly a hundred unsolved bombing murders (which... [read more]
MACRO MICRO AND VICE VERSA
I Should Have Thunk It: Creationists & Deniers
Ever have one of those moments when you either literally or metaphorically hit your forehead with the palm of your hand thinking "Of course! " When I saw this blog post (link) by Ste... [read more]
Calling Ministers - Examining and interviewing for UU ministry
See all blogs entries from Calling Ministers - Examining and interviewing for UU ministry
new blog location
I've now moved my blog to a personal website: Rev Ricky. com. Click on "blog" from the menu on the welcome page. You will be able to comment on blog posts, subscribe with an RSS f... [read more]
One More Step
February music
I made a new year’s resolution this year to write a new piece of music every month. Before I became a minister I worked in Human Resources with AIDS Project Los Angeles. And before that I was a... [read more]
One More Step
New Court, New Jester
Eight months? Eight months? Really? The stage is empty for eight months. That is truly a pathetic showing-- or non-showing, I guess-- even for the regularly irregular jester. My apologies to the co... [read more]
UU Jester
UU convicted of littering while supplying humanitarian aid
Title: uuworld. org : uu convicted of littering while supplying humanitarian aid You try and do something nice, and what do you get for your trouble? The threat of a $10k fine and a year in jail. C... [read more]
Rev. Daniel’s Blog
7 and 1/4 inches per day
Meditation delivered at the services on January 18th, 2009. Today, I’d like to suggest something specific for our meditation. Quiet your minds, settle your bodies, and open your hearts. Today’... [read more]
UU Jester
Beyond Black & White
We can rebirth our country. Indeed we are blessed to have these powerful brains. We can create a new reality, new myths to live by on what it means to be truly human. And we can absolutely chang... [read more]
Rev. John Crestwell
Ingathering Sunday
Last Sunday was Ingathering Sunday at First Unitarian Church of Wilmington. Let me say, it was impressive. It was probably the most fun I have ever had at Church either as a minister or as a lay pe... [read more]
Kuan Yin’s Chalice
I am Back...
Today feels like the first day of school! I am officially the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington Delaware. Let me tell you, I wrote that on the bottom of an e-mail this aft... [read more]
Kuan Yin’s Chalice
Review of the Large Church Conference in Louisville, KY, March 13 – 16, 2008 Loehr to Sinkford
Since the annual SXSW music and film festival in Austin, TX is one of my annual pilgrimages, I was much chagrined that it fell precisely on the Large Conference dates. Thankfully, part of Austin s... [read more]
The Rev’s Review
YOU WERE MADE FOR SO MUCH MORE!
You are an innovator, and just as this expansive, growing universe creates each and everyday, you have the capacity to expand beyond your present place to a much more purposed existence. You can ov... [read more]