https://childrenschalice.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/a-uu-advent-practice/
Advent is a time of waiting. It is a time of patience. It is a time of wonder. The candles on the Advent wreath stand for Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy. This calendar has them all.
Hope you find this helpful and enjoy.
Namaste,
Cricket
My friend who reposted this on Facebook commented that it does not just explain Islamic extremism. Today in class, we talked about human nature, and the service was on our tribe, our community. Part of our human nature is to want a tribe, community, order, and certainty in our lives. But when we don’t question what that community teaches us and see for ourselves, we are in danger of becoming a mob of extremists. — Lisa
Our UU minister in Colorado Springs in the news.
http://amyfreedman.net/2014/11/27/favorite-thanksgiving-poem/
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Namaste
Cricket
http://www.mtv.com/news/2270448/teen-social-media-activists/?fb_ref=fbshare_web
“A lot has changed since those early days of social networking. Beyond a noticeable reduction of glittery text, one of the most salient developments of current social sites has been their ability to create and connect communities. While in the past sites like Myspace mainly centered on one person’s group of friends (and the occasional Internet acquaintance), platforms like Twitter have given a tremendous amount of agency to users to connect — and influence the rest of the world — on important social issues.”
~Namaste
Cricket
http://www.uuworld.org/articles/child-more-thanksgiving-song?utm_source=f
Hope you enjoyed.
~Namaste
Cricket
I know a lot of us are feeling this.
One of the most difficult experiences of democracy is to watch your country going crazy, and feel responsible. In a dictatorship you could just zone out: The Powers That Be will do what they do, and your opinion doesn’t matter anyway. Your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers — their opinions don’t matter either, so there’s no point in arguing with them, or even letting them know you disagree. You might as well just binge-watch something light on TV, and wait for the wave to pass.
In a democracy it’s different: We are the wave.
Doug Muder has a practical (and inspiring) 6-point plan.
http://weeklysift.com/2015/11/23/in-times-of-hysteria/
(In the 90s, I was in an email UU discussion group that included Doug. It was my second church, and in many ways a better faith community for me than my local church. We discussed – argued in the best sense – a lot, and I learned so much. Doug’s weekly posts now are a great source of learning and strength for me. – Lisa)
Unitarian Universalist Minister Fulgence Ndagijimana has been arrested, and his congregation attacked on religious grounds in Burundi. Please take the actions below and in the article’s links.
Contact the Burundi Embassy in D.C. and ask for the immediate release of this Unitarian minister.
Please do it today-time is critical.
burundiembusadc@gmail.com
202-342-2574
Fulgence is also President of the International Council for Unitarians and Universalists. His congregation has been harassed and attacked for their peaceful values. Let’s be sure the government of Burundi knows the world is watching.
Use the letter in this link if you need help finding the right words.
–from Cecilia Kingman
Namaste,
Cricket
“The earth is filled with magnificent diversity of which I am a small piece. May I remember I am a part of the spectacular beauty of a diverse world dependent on that diversity—my existence—for its survival.”
http://www.uuworld.org/articles/2015-transgender-day-rememberance?utm_source=f
This article includes a prayer but also links to justice both spiritual and not. As well as a link to purchase the poster below.
Namaste
Cricket
Welcome: Welcome to this Place, by Cathy Rion Starr
Welcome to this place of peace;
May we find some moments of quiet contemplation.
Welcome to this place of celebration;
May our hearts soar with gratitude for the gift of life.
Welcome to this place of sacred love;
May we gently hold all that is broken here.
Welcome to this place of inquiry;
Here, may we be challenged to open our minds and hearts ever wider.
Come into this place of community;
May we, together, draw the circle of love and justice ever wider.
Welcome to this sacred place;
Come, let us worship, celebrate, grieve, and love together
Chalice Lighting: Legacy Chalice Lighting, by Paul Sprecher
We light this chalice to honor the memory of those who have come before us,
kindling flames of wisdom in dark times,
willing to challenge orthodoxy even at great personal risk,
giving us a legacy of freedom and a love of truth,
A legacy that warms our hearts and lights our paths.
West Fork Unitarian Universalists 