“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.
http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/ourstories/the-revolution-towards-gender-justice
“Every day, many of us define people according to a whole host of binaries: If we are male or female; If we are white or a Person of Color; If we are able-bodied or disabled; If we are cisgender or transgender and on and on.”
Namaste
Cricket
So, what about us? You know, you and me, faithful and faithless, quintessential religious liberals. Many of us are caught up today more than most with the questions of peace and war, of terror and response. Us. How can we encounter pilgrimage as our spiritual practice, and use it to help us find where to stand, and how to engage? Well, I suggest we can, each of us, claim pilgrimage as part of our spiritual lives. And it’s not that difficult.
The horrific terrorist attacks in France fill all good people with the deepest sadness. May we all rededicate ourselves to waging peace based on compassion and respect. Hatred must not triumph. – Rev. Peter Morales
http://www.uua.org/news/press-release/message-following-attacks-paris
Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with Paris at this time.
Namaste,
Cricket
In my mid 30s I decided I was missing something by not having a religion, and I found Unitarian Universalism, which doesn’t require adherence to any one set of beliefs. In UUism, we may define God as we decide to or reject the idea of God altogether, as long as we take our beliefs seriously, remain open to change, and encourage each other respectfully along our various paths. Or at least that’s the ideal we strive for in our congregations.
Whatever the cause, I know that I feel that need — to be part of something sacred.
— Mel Harkrader Pine
This Sunday we will be graced with the presence of the Rev. Donald Rollins. He has served many Unitarian Universalist churches and is currently residing in Ohio. Rev. Rollins plays both the guitar and the harmonica. The sermon this week is a one-man presentation called “Thanksgiving on East Point”. It’s a story I adapted from a colleague that traces one man’s journey to gratitude.
I hope you will join us on this journey.
After the service on Sunday we will be having a potluck dinner at the home of Robert and Lisa. There will be a vegetarian soup made which will be a delicious main course. Please bring a desert, salad, or other side dish to share. If you cannot bring a dish, don’t worry there will be enough to spare.
Namaste
Cricket
RE (Religious Education) will be at 10 am. Adults will continue Building your Theology and Children will focus on Relationships in What do you Stand for?
During our service this week, we will focus on forgiveness and reconciliation. It has been said that forgiveness does not mean reconciliation and this is true. Our service will focus on the forgiving capabilities of our hearts and the act of reconciliation. Our service leader will be Cricket Hall.
Have a good week. Hope to see you on Sunday.
~Namaste,
Cricket
The racial profiling, police brutality, voting restrictions, and mass imprisonment of African Americans and other people of African Descent not just in the United States, but around the world, is a moral outrage. As Unitarian Universalists, our dedication to global justice, equity, and dignity leads us to join hands across lines of race, class, age, and geography and work for an end to the injustices faced by black people in our communities, so that every person is treated equally.
This UN Event is important to us all. For those who cannot go there is a link on the page to Live stream on Tuesday November 3, 2015.
~Namaste
Cricket
https://m.soundcloud.com/davidkent-1/sets/the-chalice-meditations-guides
In our busy world it is hard to find time to meditate. This can help. Sit down and listen to these words. Take deep breaths.
Have a Blessed day.
~Namaste
Cricket
