Displaying 251 - 300 of 342
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We create a web of life. This is finally the time to let go of that crazy notion that we can live separate and aloof from one another We create a web of life. This is the time at last that we can come home to each other, to our mutual belonging. We create a web of life....Reading | By Sarah Lammert | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Responsibility -
Praise the sun, the moon, the stars,...Reading | By Kathy A Huff | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe
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We covenant with one another and do bind ourselves together in the presence of this religious community To express our deepest and most cherished convictions, as they are borne by each person to find a common vision for a better world; To seek the life of the spirit, as it is known by each person...Reading | By Michael W Hennon | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Covenant
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(From the East:) Brothers and sisters in creation, we covenant this day with you and with All creation yet to be; With every living creature and All that contains and sustains you; With All that is on the earth and with the earth itself; With All that lives in the waters and with the waters...Reading | By Sydney A Morris | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Earth Day, Paganism
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We come into one another's presence seeking some part of ourselves, knowing that we do not live alone, knowing that we cannot live fully if we are for ourselves alone. We come as ordinary people, each with strengths and each with weaknesses, aware of our shortcomings. Our lives set before us many...Reading | By Calvin O Dame | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Brokenness
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We are here because we are people of faith. Within each of us lives the conviction of a saving faith that could restore our broken planet and illuminate the lives of our sisters and brothers. Ancient wisdom teaches that we who would save the world must first save ourselves....Reading | By Kendyl L. R. Gibbons | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), Brokenness, Faith, Healing, Mystery, Service, Unitarian Universalism, Wisdom
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We are bogged down by the details of life. We are smothered by detail. Our bodies fill up with knots of anxiety. Our throats are dry. We would weep, but our eyes have no tears. We could cry out, but we have no passion. Who has done this to us? We confess the pain we cause ourselves....Reading | By Richard F Boeke | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Searching, Silence
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To be human is to be aware of our separation. We want to love and to be loved by our friends, our parents, our children; but often we feel alone, not knowing the right things to do or the right words to say....Reading | By Thomas Fritts | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Grace
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Thou who are the heart of being, we come together but often feel alone. We come for fellowship but we hold back. We are certain -- in our uncertainty. We are sure of ourselves -- in our utter doubt. We are full of answers, but not to our real questions....Reading | By John H Robinson, Jr | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Immanence
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O Spirit of life, let us resolve to move on with our lives in spite of whatever troubles may befall us. We know that we're imperfect, prone to mistakes, often so concerned about ourselves we're blind to others. We are prone to sin and, in our best moments, we know it. Let this knowing not fill us...Reading | By David G Sammons | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Transformation
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Let us pause now to look inward, exploring, if we dare, the secret places where motives are made and intentions live. Beneath appearances, what kind of persons are we? Is the inner self congruent with the one that rejoices with friends, assists the infirm, comforts the crying child? No....Reading | By Michael A Schuler | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Discernment, Humility, Integrity
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Knowing that we do not always live up to our best expectations of ourselves, let us in quietness seek the good within, which some call the inner light, and some "a spark of the divine." Knowing that we live in a society which falls far short of the ideal, let us in quietness resolve to do one thi...Reading | By Maryell Cleary | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Calling
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I wonder if the river ever despairs of its downward destiny, and harbors a secret desire to flow uphill. I wonder if winter yearns to be summer, or if a flower wishes it could bloom out of season. I wonder if silence would like to shout, or if the sky wants to fall down and become the earth. I...Reading | By Burton D. Carley | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Humility
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Enter with me that still place within, the center, where we find not only our inmost selves, but also our connection to the farthest reaches of the universe. Here we confront our aspirations and our failings. Though we seek always for our lives to be full of goodness, we sometimes lack courage to...Reading | By Linda J Hoddy | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Calling, Redemption
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With faith to face our challenges, With love that casts out fear, With hope to trust tomorrow, We accept this day as the gift it is— A reason for rejoicing.Reading | By Gary Kowalski | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Challenge, Faith, Fear, Hope, Trust, Unitarian Universalism
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We gather here to seek unity of spirit in the midst of diversity,to heal the wounded and confront the oppressor,to instill joy and confidence in our children,to grow in mind, body, and spirit ourselves,and to bear witness to the transforming power of lovebeyond which not a single atom nor soul is...Reading | By John C Morgan | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Unitarian Universalism
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A person is a puzzle. Sometimes from the inside, it feels like some pieces are missing. Perhaps one we love is no longer with us. Perhaps one talent we desire eludes us. Perhaps a moment that required grace found us clumsy. Sometimes, from the inside, it feels like some pieces are missing....Reading | By Mark Mosher DeWolfe | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Acceptance, Diversity
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Here in this church, human beings have gathered for centuries seeking a higher purpose and deeper life than they could find alone. We are grateful today for each one of you, that you have found your way here, and that you have decided to make a commitment to this faith community. We hope that as...Reading | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: New Member Ceremony
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I pledge allegiance to the earth on which I stand, and to the environment of which I am a part, one planet in a Process, with soil, water and air like one body, indivisible, with resources to be cherished and protected by all.Reading | By Vern Barnet | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Environment
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The most important thing that I’ve learned in traveling to more than twenty countries is the art of being a guest. And I’m a particularly fine visitor at the supper table. I’ve consumed live fish in Inner Mongolia, not-quite-coagulated blood sausage on the Tibetan plateau, shredded pig’s ear...Reading | By Jeffrey A. Lockwood | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Body, Direct Experience, Food, Home, Hospitality, Interdependence, Kindness, Prophetic Words & Deeds
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Looking at the overflowing cup, Seeing from another perspective, Witnessing life in all its fullness, We share from a place of hope and dedication And put our love into tangible form.Reading | By Susan Karlson | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Love
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Congregation starts, reading the words in italics. They say I am “illegal”; But so is anyone who ever rolled through a stop sign, jaywalked or threw trash on the ground. Not having a visa is a civil infraction, not a federal crime. They say I am here to take your jobs; But the jobs are often...Reading | By Julia Hamilton | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), America, Anti-Oppression, Immigration, Justice, Race/Ethnicity, Immigration -
Leader (L): When there was a need, you came forward. Congregation (C): And so we thank you. L: In the nighttime or daytime, on weekends and even in the coldest, darkest part of the year, you helped. C: And so we thank you....Reading | By Jay Libby | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Service
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When we scale, at last, the walls...Reading | By Jeffrey B Symynkywicz | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas
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On Mother's Day, one expects to read about the wonder and glory of motherhood....Reading | By Jane Rzepka | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children, Direct Experience, Generations, Mother's Day, Mothers, Parents, Relationships
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We covenant together to share hope with each other and with the world.Reading | By Lucas Hergert | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Covenant, Hope, Justice, Love
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Setting ourselves to the task of Greening our Congregation, together we promise these things: Most simply, we will each do our small part to care for the earth around us. We will start with one step forward toward the thriving world that we envision....Reading | By Molly Housh | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Earth, Earth-Centered, Environment, Ethics, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, Climate Change, Climate Justice
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Please speak the response when you hear: "...this season brings forth many feelings" Response: We find comfort in naming these feelings; we find some peace in being together All around us are bright lights and merry messages Yet in our heart not all is joyful There is grief with the loss of...Reading | By Debra Faulk | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Despair, Grief, Pain, Peace, Sorrow -
If you're new to Unitarian Universalism, one of the things you will learn is that we are extremely proud of our history. In truth, our history is full of great things but it also has its share of shameful moments and embarrassing episodes....Reading | By Thom Belote | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Activism, Caring, Commitment, Compassion, Courage, Justice, Living Our Faith, Love, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism -
Somos una gente del arco iris. We are a rainbow people. The rainbow is an arc of light brilliantly displaying all the colors of the visible spectrum, all the colors that combine to make the astounding beauty of our world, all the colors that combine to reflect the astounding diversity of human...Reading | By Naomi King | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Diversity, Inclusion, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity -
Each week we take up an offering for the support of this congregation, and often, for the support of others who are working for a better world. To be honest, we need your support—especially in todays economy, when pledges are down and the future appears uncertain. But there is another truth here...Reading | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Brokenness, Generosity, Privilege, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness
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About The Author: The author self-identifies as Afircan American and psychology professional. Frequently I am asked, ‘Why should the UUA [Unitarian Universalist Association] spend money, time, and resources on racial and cultural diversity?’ I sometimes feel burdened with the expectation that I...Reading | By Anonymous | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), All Saints Day, Anti-Oppression, Diversity, Identity, Justice Sunday, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity, Responsibility, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness, Multiculturalism
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includes quotations by bell hooks In conversations about the initiative for greater diversity, our Unitarian Universalist Association-wide commitment to become more inclusive, one of the questions that inevitably arose was, ‘What do we want diversity for? What is our motivation?’... Perhaps it...Reading | By Tracey Robinson-Harris | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Anti-Oppression, Diversity, Multiculturalism, Transcendence, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness, Multiculturalism
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The human race is a vast rainbow bursting into view of white and black, red, yellow and brown. Yet for all blood is red, the sky is blue, the earth brown, the night dark. In size and shape we are a varied pattern of tall and short, slim and stout, elegant and plain....Reading | By Richard S. Gilbert | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Body, Diversity, Inclusion, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness
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For religion to be significant, it has to provide more than the comforts of community. It also has to provide opportunities for deepening, for what I call spiritual growth, and for the casting down of false images and stereotypes, which hurt us all. A good religion has to open us to the real...Reading | By Mark Belletini | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 6th Principle (World Community), Diversity, Unitarian Universalism
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Why should we intentionally work for diversity? The responses to this question vary widely. Of course, hard demographic realities suggest much. But for me, beyond any demographic or sociological justification, there is a theological imperative....Reading | By Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Anti-Oppression, Diversity, Growth, Hospitality, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness, Multiculturalism
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My father asked if I am gay I asked Does it matter? He said, No not really I said, Yes. He said get out of my life. I guess it mattered. My friend asked why I talk about race so much? I asked, Does it matter? He said, No not really I told him, Yes. He said, You need to get that chip off your...Reading | By Mark Hicks | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Coming Out, Direct Experience, Disability, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Vulnerability, Youth Sunday, Anti-Oppression
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Frances, an African American woman: To be African-American in this country is to face racism throughout life, however subtle. The love of one’s family is paramount in reducing the damage of racism on one’s wholeness. Unitarian Universalism is splendid as an affirming church family. Its primary...Reading | By Mark Hicks | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Anti-Oppression, Black History / Whitney Young / James Reeb, Diversity, Kwanzaa, Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity, Unitarian Universalism, Multiculturalism
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Someone told me once that Einstein thought time is a variable. That is to say that time is not a constant. Are you following this? I think Einstein was right. When I was a child, a year was a YEAR! Now a year is a week....Reading | By Ken Nye | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Acceptance, Aging, Balance, Direct Experience, Humanism, Patience, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Wisdom
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A knock at the door, late morning. The dog makes a racket, but the two stand their ground. They are on God's business. I know before I open the door what they have to say—that God is the answer. I pull the door open, try to be pleasant, (but, please, don't talk too long). Two women, earnest,...Reading | By Ken Nye | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Peace
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My dad died 28 years ago. I still have some of his things: A red plaid Pendleton bath robe. (I look like Dad in that thing now.) An old Sears table saw bought used in 1950. I still use it, (but for rough cuts only). An old grinding wheel, noisy as sin, but sharpens mower blades in no time....Reading | By Ken Nye | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Generations, History, Integrity, Parents
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As years go by and passions cool, we make love in places that young lovers only dream about. We make love at the kitchen table, a Scrabble board the mattress and hints to help the other our passionate kisses. We make love in the car, thrilling to beautiful scenery or a rarely seen wild animal. We...Reading | By Ken Nye | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Aging, Love, Marriage, Sexuality
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If I should die, (and I will some day), I won't be far away. You will see me. When the big golden retriever ambles in and lies down under the kitchen table, he's lying at my feet. I'm in the chair....Reading | By Ken Nye | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Death
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"Christ is born! Alleluia!" "Only ten shopping days until Christmas!" We lament tying one to the other, but this is not naked materialism. There is religion in the ribbons. A wintry night. A tiny baby, a cattle stall, a bed in the hay, two thousand years ago. From hundreds of miles Kings come to...Reading | By Ken Nye | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas
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The tree is all set Packages piled at its base. Telephone calls from the kids confirming the times of dinner and church. Nothing much left to do. The Fed Ex guy just delivered the last late order. I'll wrap it, and then what? Time on my hands. Time to think. What is this all about? Christmas is...Reading | By Ken Nye | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas
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Please join me now in a litany for the season. I invite you to respond with the words, “We remember. We forgive. We love.” For gifts we yearned for, but did not receive… For things we received, but never wanted… For those who offered us cheer when what we needed was comfort… For those who...Reading | By Peter Friedrichs | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas
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Listen! This is a noisy world. You may have heard of the story of a dispute in the student union of one university. It seems "the presence of a juke box...disrupted conversation. Conversationalists petitioned for removal of the offending machine....Reading | By Richard S. Gilbert | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Listening
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Last Sunday morning I picked up the phone in the office at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, LA. After I said, "Good morning, Unitarian Church," a woman's voice said, "Good morning! Can you tell me what the topic is this morning?" Uh-oh. I thought real fast and said, "The topic is, "COME TO...Reading | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Commitment, Connections, Direct Experience, Faith, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Relationships
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I grew up as the heavily-committed eldest child of an American Baptist minister in the 50's. Committed, that is, to self-preservation, staying out of trouble with our small town and my family, and having fun within safe parameters, namely, church activities. I never felt particularly committed to...Reading | By Elizabeth Ketcham | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Christianity, God, Playfulness, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Reason, Revelation, Reverence, Unitarian Universalism
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Leader: Spring, the triumph of light over darkness, Response: Victory of newness and growth, and warmth vanquishing cold, Leader: We, too, know coldness and darkness within us, as it is in our world....Reading | By Charles F Flagg | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Vernal Equinox