Lessons From a Wolf and Two Grizzly Bears with Dick Smythe About the Message: Many creatures with whom we share this planet, including wolves and bears, have evolved capacities and behaviors that demonstrate both intelligence and the ability to adapt to changes in their environments. This morning I will share two true stories – one […]
Towards a More Perfect Union with Rev. Ashley Horan About the Message: As Unitarian Universalist congregations, we covenant to affirm and promote “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process in our congregations, and in society at large.” How did democracy come to be central to our faith, and how are we […]
The World Shifted with Marie Luna About the Message: After two years of challenge, stress, and anxiety due to the pandemic, we have yet to know what this truly means for our lives and the world. Congregations have been trying to keep up with serving people’s needs, continuing meaningful connections, and navigating individual and collective […]
St. Patrick: Beyond Shamrocks & Myth with Pastor Dawn Volpe About the Message: I loved St. Patrick’s Day as a child, singing, ‘When Irish Eyes are Smiling’, the parades, green everywhere, classrooms decorated in shamrocks, stories of leprechauns and snake banishment. As Tomie de Paula recalled in his children’s book, Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, His Irish […]
The Art of Bridging with Dr. Kimberly Barrett About the Message: Establishing a sense of connection and belonging among people with different identities and opinions is becoming a lost art. This presentation will address under what conditions bridging is appropriate and the essential skills needed to bridge across differences. Participants will also have the opportunity […]
A Different Voice with Dick Smythe About the Message: How often do we hear a critique of the church in America from: A black pastor…Former drug dealer…Former sex worker…Former homeless queer teen…Former felon? This morning we will hear from a Lutheran pastor who combines all these attributes. I believe we need to hear what he […]
What Might We Learn From Fiction By 20th Century Black Women? with Estella Lauter About the Message: Instead of focusing on one highly accomplished person or a project such as microloans for International Women’s Day this year, we will look briefly at some novels by African American women and share the conversation that a winter Clearing […]
Buddhism: The Most Religious of the Psychologies & Most Psychological of the Religions with Mark Taylor About the Message: There is with Buddhism a unique day-to-day “nuts-n-bolts” practicality that is useful for Buddhists and non Buddhists alike. In one of his books, the 14th Dali Lama said that if there were a core Buddhist teaching […]
The Exodus Speaks across the Millennia with Pastor Jim Honig About the Message: Using the recent commentary on Exodus by humanist philosopher and social commentator, Leon Kass as our springboard, we’ll take a fresh look at the iconic story of the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt and its lessons for 21st century America. […]
Happy 213th Birthday, Charles Darwin with Dale Goodner About the Message: As the paleontologist and noted author, Dr. Neil Shubin points out… “If you think feathers arose to help animals fly, or lungs and legs to help ani-mals walk on land, you’d be in good company. You’d also be entirely wrong.” On this anniversary of […]