Meditation on Ally

CZ

In November of 2013, Jamie Utt wrote an article for Everyday Feminism called “So You Call Yourself an Ally: 10 Things All ‘Allies’ Need to Know” as an affirmative response to Mia Mckenzie’s September 2013 article on BGD called “No More ‘Allies'”. Both articles are reviews of the word ally and what it means in out culture today.

Here is the definition according to dictionary.com:

verb (used with object), allied, allying.
1. to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usuallyfollowed by with or to):

2. to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblanceor friendship.
verb (used without object), allied, allying.
3. to enter into an alliance; join; unite.
noun, plural allies.
4. a person, group, or nation that is associated with another or others forsome common cause or purpose:
5. Biology. a plant, animal, or other organism bearing an evolutionaryrelationship to another, often as a member of the same family:

6. a person who associates or cooperates with another; supporter.
I hope that these will help us all work out what it means to be an ally.
Namaste,
Cricket
#UULent
PS: I really like this song by Rev. Meg Barnhouse and I think it speaks to this as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MM8yOS-btE

Meditation on Engagement

CZ

Definition of Engagement according to dictionary.com:

noun
1. the act of engaging or the state of being engaged.
2. an appointment or arrangement:
3. betrothal:
4. a pledge; an obligation or agreement:
5. employment, or a period or post of employment, especially in theperforming arts:
6. an encounter, conflict, or battle:
7. Mechanics. the act or state of interlocking.
This TEDTalk from Dave Meslin is titled “The Antidote to Apathy”. Here is a time for all ages by Maryah Converse.
May focusing on the definition of engagement, listening to the TEDTalk, and reading the time for all ages help us all to zoom in on what we need to do in our lives and how we can engage in the world around us.
Namaste,
Cricket
#UULent

Meditation on Sanctuary

CZ

Today is the day of rest. Today is the day to focus on what heals us and makes us feel safe. Today is the day to lift up and celebrate Sanctuary. This article from positive news focuses on the need for sanctuary in our busy lives. I have also shared our church’s mission statement as refuge is a synonym for sanctuary and the lyrics to a song. I hope you find all three benefitial in your search for sanctuary today.

Namaste,
Cricket

#UULent

Our Mission
Be a beacon and a refuge for all
Worship joyfully
Grow in spirit
Touch our community

“Make us aware we
are a sanctuary
Each made holy
loved right through
with thanksgiving
we are a living
sanctuary a-new.” – Christian Praise Song with words rewritten by one of the UU Churches in Boston.

Meditation on Wonder

CZ

 

I hope that you are able to get out in the world today and wonder at it and everything in it.

“Like the cosmic dust following after a great Perseid meteor, we are the living remnants of time and all that has come to pass in its wake—briefly shining lights on the way to eternity. We are only visible to the naked eye for an instant. Take this moment to shine like the start dust you are. May the light of our time on earth shine to bless the world and each other. Shine. Shine. Shine.” by Mary Edes

Namaste,
Cricket

#UULent

 

Sunday March 19, 2017: The Doctrine of Love

LdeG

Prelude: Mango Thoughts in a Meatloaf Town
Rev. Meg Barnhouse, First UU, Austin, Texas

Welcome

Hosea Ballou said “Man, being not only a religious, but also a social being, requires for the promotion of his rational happiness religious institutions, which, while they give a proper direction to devotion, at the same time make a wise, and profitable improvement of his social feelings.” And so we gather here, not only to practice our religion, but to support each other.

Chalice Lighting Drawn Together – Jennifer Leota Gray

We come together every week bound not by a creed,
Or a mutual desire to please one God or many Gods
Yet we are drawn together by a belief, that how we are in the world,
Who we are together matters.
We light this chalice, together in the knowledge
That love, not fear, can change this world Continue reading →