http://www.questformeaning.org/event/vuu-2016-02-04/
The VUU is our weekly live online talkshow specifically geared for Unitarian Universalists. A new episode is broadcast Thursdays at 11 am Eastern (USA) on YouTube or Google+. We invite a wide variety of guests to discuss religion, spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, multi-faith issues, social justice, and whatever else seems interesting!
Another excellent sermon from James Ishmael Ford.
Transcendentalism called us to examine our own hearts and the world through that faculty that can be called either “reason” or “intuition.” I find it really important how for them there was no particular difference between the two, reason from this angle, intuition from that. This is a much richer understanding of how we actually come to know things than many of us tend to notice. So, itself a great gift.
And when applied to life, it brings a new way of living in the world. Parker himself, in that sermon sorting the transient from the permanent, proclaimed, “Christianity is not a system of doctrines, but rather a method of attaining oneness with God. It demands, therefore, a good life of piety within, of purity without, and gives the promise that whoso does God’s will, shall know of God’s doctrine.” And with this Parker articulated a radical doctrine, declaring we are our true selves when we have nothing between God and us, between the ultimate and me, between the world writ large and you.
A Meditation on Theodore Parker and the Call of Liberal Religion as a Compass in Hard Times
“The Black Lives Matter movement is the leading struggle for racial justice of our times. It is a movement led by Black people who are women, queer, youth, working class, including Black UUs around the country. It is a movement to end institutional racism and to respect the inherent worth and dignity of all people. It is a movement for collective liberation.”
This article by Chris Crass is about why the Black Lives Matter movement is so important to UUs. It also has some great ideas on how to support the movement towards the end of the article.
Namaste,
Cricket
This is an experimental 8 week worship program. For more information http://www.sundaysoul.org
Namaste,
Cricket
From a mainline Protestant Millennial, but some interesting points. Thoughts?
Dear Church: An open letter from one of those millennials you can’t figure out
https://childrenschalice.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/februarys-faith-formation-calendar/
This is a calendar of holidays in February. It also has links to ideas to celebrate them.
Have fun.
Namaste,
Cricket
“It was thanks to Shinto that I was able to resolve this “science versus religion” conflict that had stopped me from becoming a practicing Pagan. The Japanese have a great respect for science and technology – just look at their contributions to the global field (I believe there are currently 16 Nobel Prize winners from Japan in the fields of physics, chemistry and medicine).”
This beautiful blog post is about the marriage of science and religion and how they can both be good for the soul.
Namaste,
Cricket
Not by making the worship service into a consciously “kid friendly” entertainment, or by shunting the kids off to “Sunday school” during the worship service, but by modeling your services so that families are totally included.
“‘Traditional’ shouldn’t imply ‘old.’ It should include both old and new elements in an expression of faith that is rooted in history, supported by the historic liturgical framework, but always looking forward.”
www.patheos.com/blogs/ponderanew/2016/01/18/making-worship-kid-friendly/
Prelude: Let Her Go – Passenger
Welcome
Chalice Lighting May We Look With Gratitude Upon This Day – Michael R. Leduc
May we look with gratitude upon this day, for the beauty of the world, for the first radiance of dawn and the last smoldering glow of sunset.
Let us be thankful for physical joys, for hills to climb and hard work to do, for music that lifts our hearts in one breath, for the hand-clasp of a friend, and for the gracious loveliness of children who remind us of the wonders of life.
May we be appreciative above all for the concern and love of those around us; for the exceeding bliss of the touch of the holy which suddenly awakens our drowsy souls to the blessed awareness of the divine within us and within others.
For all of this, and for the countless other blessings present in our lives, let us be grateful. Amen.
General Assembly 2016
June 22-26, Columbus, OH
The theme for GA 2016 will be Heart Land: Where Faiths Connect. The faith world is increasingly multifaith. People are crossing borders of religion and spiritual practice to create wholeness in their lives individually and collectively. The labels—Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, theist and non-theist—no longer define who or what we love, or how spirit moves in our lives.
This is exciting and close.
Namaste,
Cricket
West Fork Unitarian Universalists 