Devotional for Day Four

CZ

 

Dream A Have You Do?
By Gary Kowalski

In his avant-garde theatrical “The Last Supper At Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” New York choreographer/dancer Bill T. Jones includes a backwards broadcast of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech: Last At Free Are We. Almighty God Thank! The jumbled juxtaposition of the great orator’s words is jarring, but as a black, gay artist, Jones means no disrespect. The entire work is intended to take the audience out of their normal comfort zone, to help them confront the realities of racism and homophobia that still haunt our land 60 years after Dr. King’s famous speech.

I had an unusual chance to appear on stage with Jones back in 1991, when the show first debuted. In each city where “The Last Supper” performed, a local minister was invited to be part of the act, to join in an impromptu, unscripted dialogue about the persistence of evil and the power of faith. “Are you a person of faith?” Bill asked me. It was a simple question, but unexpected. The two of us were seated in straight-backed chairs on the proscenium, with spotlights shining down and three thousand people filling the theater, listening for my answer. It was a tense moment.

I finally responded that all of us are people of faith. Everyone believes in something. Everyone trusts in a power greater than themselves. The question is where you put your faith. Dr. King, for example, put his faith in the power of non-violent action and redemptive love. Others put their trust in the big stick, armaments and retaliation. But the philosophy of an eye-for-an-eye, King said, left everyone blind.

That particular night happened to be the civil rights leader’s birthday, and January 15 also marked the start of the first Gulf War. American warplanes were bombing Baghdad even as we spoke.

Many wars later (Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan), Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday might be a good time for all of to ask where we put our faith. In F-35 bombers and drone technology? Or do we need a change of heart? “Hatred cannot vanquish hatred,” King proclaimed, “only love can do that.” But do any of us really believe that, even a little?

Dream A Have You? In Believe You Do What? Are “realpolitick” and bigger budgets for defense actually the path to peace? The best way to celebrate King’s legacy is to risk getting out of your comfort zone. Let yourself be confronted by the tough questions that he asked.

 

 

Activities for Day Four

CZ

The fourth principle is A free and responsible search for truth and meaning or We search for what is true.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate:

As a family

Have a discussion about religion. What do your children believe? Parents, be aware that children,up until the age of 12, tend to take on the beliefs of their parents. For a lively discussion about religion you may want to let your children speak first, and play devil’s advocate.

Unitarian Universalism is a very long name, and not many people know much about it. Create an elevator, or play ground, speech so you can tell people what it means to be a UU in one minute or less.

Learn some history or do a science experiment together.

As an Individual

Talk with a friend about their beliefs. How are they different than yours? Keep an open mind; who knows, you may find something that rings true for you!

Enjoy coloring some religious symbols like this one found here.

Listen to a podcast from The Pamphlet so you can learn more about UU history.

Food

Different religions have different traditions when it comes to food and the celebration of holidays.Choose one religion and explore their winter holiday through their food. For example, you may make latkes in honor of Chanukah. Just don’t forget to learn about Chanukah along the way!

Sunday December 11, 2016

CZ

​Lama Surya Das writes about our shared values in Buddhist Voices in Unitarian Universalism: Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism value many of the same things, including experiential practice, study and self-inquiry, mindful awareness cultivation, insightful wisdom development, and loving-kindness, combined with active compassion in the world. This is the heart of sacred activism—empowering, educating, edifying, elevating, transforming, and liberating.

This Sunday John Hall will explore the histotical connection between Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism. 

 We would love to have you come worship with us.

Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse.

Our Religious Education/ Life Long Learning Class will meet at from 10am to 10:45 am with a coffee gathering before the service. More about us.

Children are welcome. There is childcare and an activity for young children during the service.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom.

Map

The schedule for the current adult religious education class is here.

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information

or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

~
Namaste
Cricket

Activities for Day 3

CZ

The Third Principle is Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations or We’re free to learn together.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate:

As a family
Pick up a game no one in your family has ever played before. Learn how to play it together.

Talk about your beliefs with each other and how they have changed and grown through the years.

As an Individual
Attend a lecture, go to the museum, see a play. Then, strike up a conversation with the people around you. If you go to school, offer assistance to a fellow student, and accept assistance as well.

Color some mandalas to practice mindfulness.

Meditate or pray.

Food
As a family, or with a friend, attempt to cook something you never have before. It might work out, or you might be ordering pizza. It doesn’t matter as long as you make the attempt!

 

Devotional for Day 2

CZ

 

The Cup Of Life
By Lisa Doege

“Why a flaming chalice?” the question comes.
It’s the cup of life, we answer.
A cup of blessings overflowing.
A cup of water to quench our spirits’ thirst.
A cup of wine for celebration and dedication.
The flame of truth.
The fire of purification.
Oil for anointing, healing.
Out of chaos, fear, and horror,
thus was the symbol crafted, a generation ago.
So may it be for us,
in these days of uncertainty, sorrow, and rage.
And a light to warm our souls and guide us home.

 

Activities for Day 2

CZ

The second principle is about Justice, equity and compassion in human relations or Being kind in all we do.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate the day:

As a family
Try to go the whole day without arguing. Focus on putting the wants and needs of your brother/ sister/ mother/ father/ husband/ wife before your own.

Make little gift baskets for the kids or the elderly in your neighborhood. One of our neighbors made our son an Easter basket (also a Halloween and Christmas basket). It made our son, my wife and me feel great. The cost of each basket was probably $5.

Donate Toys or books.

As an individual
Through Send Kids the World you can send postcards to the siblings of seriously ill children. Siblings often don’t understand what is going on and feel left out because of all the attention and cards a sick sibling receives. (Scroll down the web page and look for the link on the left side.)

“Want me to pick something up for you?” If you know someone is overwhelmed – perhaps by a new baby, family health issues, or something else – give them a call when you’re going out to the store. Ask if they’d like you to pick something up. We’ve been the beneficiaries of this random act of kindness, and it’s great.

Food
Offer to buy someone else food.

Pay for the next person in the drive-through.

Go out to eat and tip your server double.

Activities for Day One

CZ

The first principle is  believing the inherent worth and dignity of every person or Each Person is Important.

Here are some activities that can help you celebrate the worth and dignity of everyone.

As an Individual
As the principle states, “Each person is important.” That means you too! Do something special for yourself today.

Food
Gather family or friends and plan a meal where everyone’s favorite food is represented. Spaghetti with a side of jelly beans? Why not, it’s the first night of Chalica!

Gifts
The adult version of this principle states that we believe in “the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” So, what makes the people in your life special? For each person in your circle, write down what you love most about them. Then, give each person their list.