Sunday August 2, 2015

CZ

Join us on Sunday, 2 August, for a celebration of the summer at Audra State Park — pot-luck picnic, hiking, and perhaps swimming in the Middle Fork River. We will have a small discussion/devotional about looking for guidance and wisdom led by Cricket.

The Middle Fork River at Audra State Park

The Middle Fork River at Audra State Park

We will meet in the picnic area at eleven.

Email westforkuu@gmail.com for more information or to carpool.

Directions to Audra State Park:
(http://www.audrastatepark.com/)

From Rte. 33.
Turn on Talbot Road. At the first Y, stay left. At the next intersection, turn left and travel approximately six miles. You will reach Audra State Park. This route is approximately 13 miles from Rte. 33.

From Belington
At the only stoplight in town, turn on to Audra State Park Road and stay straight. This route is approximately 10 miles from Belington.

South on Interstate 79
Take Exit 115 (Stonewood/Nutter Fort exit).
If traveling south on interstate 79, take exit 115 (Stonewood/Nutter Fort exit). Make a left on to Rte. 20 south. After 4 miles, you will need to make a right to stay on Rte. 20 south. Stay on Rte. 20 for approximately 10 miles. Then make a left on to Rte. 119 north. Follow Rte. 119 north for approximately five miles. Turn right on to Audra State Park Road. Follow for six miles until you arrive at Audra State Park.

Hope to see you there.

~Namaste

Cricket

Taking Care of our World

CZ

There is a difference between environmentalism and environmental justice. Check out this video from Alex Kapitan, the UUA’s Commit2Respond

What is Commit2Respond?

Commit2Respond is a coalition of Unitarian Universalists and other people of faith and conscience working for climate justice.

Unitarian Universalists and other people of faith and conscience have been on the frontlines of environmental justice for decades. United in collective action, connected through partnership, we will change the world.

We are diverse in spiritual belief, yet united in faith that a better world is possible and that our collective power can create change.

~Namaste

Cricket

Common Reads aren’t just for Colleges anymore

CZ

A Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book in a given period of time. A Common Read can build community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared experience, shared language, and a basis for deep, meaningful conversations. The Unitarian Universalist Association has a special committee to help chose the common read for the year: This year’s book.

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I personally am looking forward to reading this book. What do you think?

~Namaste

Cricket

Gratitude

CZ

Gratitude  by Max Kapp

Often I have felt that I must praise my world
For what my eyes and ears have seen these many years,
And what my heart has loved.
And often I have tried to start my lines:
“Dear earth,” I say,
And then I pause
To look once more.
Soon I am bemused
And far away in wonder.
So I never get beyond “Dear Earth.”

Source: Kathleen Montgomery, ed. Day of Promise: Collected Meditations, Vol. 1 (Skinner House Books, 2001).

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Coloring Meditation

CZ

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Earlier this week, we posted about the importance of play. Coloring is an important part of play. I just colored this mandala with the colorfy app. It was very soothing.

So I found an article by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum titled Chalices, Doodling, and Meditation about her spiritual practice of coloring and drawing.  Here is a quote: ” Spiritual practice is still not an everyday thing for me, but during the last year I’ve made one hundred Zentangle chalices. I find it remarkable that restricting the format—always a chalice, and always in a box or in a mandala—doesn’t make me feel that my creativity is restricted.”

Hope you enjoy.

~Namaste
Cricket

MLK Day for the 21st century

CZ

This is a podcast from Sky Island UU Church. “Rev. Miller is visiting us from the San Diego area and will give the sermon today. MLK led a deeply meaningful movement firmly rooted in his faith in the era of his life. The question is, what are we doing, grounded in our faith, for the needs of the 21st century?”

[Sky Island UU Church] MLK Day for the 21st Century => http://skyislanduu.org/sermons/2015/jan_18_2015.mp3 via @Podcast_Addict

This may seem late, but with all of the turmoil going on in our country I thought this was important.

~Namaste
Cricket

We are a growing faith

CZ

A new article in USA Today describes how Unitarian Universalism is growing.

“Although they remain small in total numbers with about 211,000 adherents nationwide, Unitarians believe their open-minded faith has a bright future as an alternative to more exclusive brands of religion.”

Come join us. See what this growth is about.

~Namaste
Cricket