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We are an angry and beautiful people.Reflection | By Laura Solomon | June 1, 2022 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Brokenness, Connections, Direct Experience, Disaster or Crisis, Fear, Humanism, Love, Suffering, Unitarian Universalism, Worship -
Help us feel at home with ourselves and with one another so there is no need to pretend.Prayer | By Molly Kliment-Jenkins | May 22, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #COVID19, Caring, Change, Fear, Growth, Hospitality, Transcendence, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Safety is not tied to our capacity to watch our neighbors, but rather based on our capacity to truly look out for one another.Reading | February 16, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Activism, Caring, Community, Fear, Solidarity, WorshipWeb, Worship -
We can’t run from ourselves. The answer to safety is always closer rather than farther away.Reading | By Zach Norris | February 16, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Activism, Community, Fear, Justice, Solidarity, WorshipWeb, Worship
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I learned that love and support can be expressed in many different ways by different people.Reflection | By Ndidi Achebe | July 7, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Brokenness, Community, Compassion, Direct Experience, Fear, Humanism, Limitations, Love, Relationships, Worship -
It’s through our shared interdependence that we are sheltered and saved.Reflection | By Karen G. Johnston | May 10, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Compassion, Connections, Fear, Interdependence, Relationships, Service, Worship -
"As people become more afraid and insecure, they do not know how to access their own soul, move to prayer, or toward their better instincts. At that point, the easy and comforting response is to quote some Scripture, some authority, or some legal principle. It takes away one’s anxiety rather...Quote | By Richard Rohr | February 25, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Arrogance, Authority, Christianity, Fear, Power -
In these days of so much uncertainty, may we choose honesty over comfort, love over complacency, and truth over convenience.Reflection | By Rachel Lonberg | September 30, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: #COVID19, Children, Direct Experience, Discernment, Fear, Parents, Secular, Trust, Truth, Worship -
One day, I’ll have to care for my mother as she once cared for me. I’m not ready to handle the truth that our relationship must change.Reflection | By Erica Shadowsong | September 9, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Caring, Child Dedication, Children, Coming of Age, Coming-of-Age, Direct Experience, Fear, Generations, Growth, Humanism, Love, Mother's Day, Mothers, Parents, Secular, Worship -
We kindle this flame, Honoring the doorways in our souls: The windows through which we gaze at one another The balconies where we catch glimpses of sky The thresholds we stand on this morning Wondering, hoping, fearing, dreaming.Chalice Lighting | By Florence Caplow | May 1, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Fear, Hope -
A new disease, without any cure, is pushing us apart. And, yet, we cannot escape one another. We need one another. Whether I acknowledge it or not, the guarantee of safety does not exist.Reflection | By Manish Mishra-Marzetti | April 15, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: #COVID19, 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Body, Coming Out, Direct Experience, Fear, Humanism, Illness, Interdependence, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Relationships, Secular, Shame, Vulnerability -
I’m confident in our human ability to together muscle our way into renewing our world.Reflection | By Aram Mitchell | April 1, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: #COVID19, 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Community, Direct Experience, Doubt, Fear, Hope, Humanism, Interdependence, Searching, Secular -
“Game” is no longer the proper metaphor to guide my thoughts and actions. We are—all of us—in liminal space, at a threshold confronting immediacy, shrouded in fog.Reflection | By Rita Capezzi | March 25, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: #COVID19, Doubt, Fear -
Years ago, I did one of those mud run obstacle races. There were eight physical obstacles on the course, but my biggest learning was that we all had a ninth obstacle.Reflection | By Laura Solomon | March 18, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: #COVID19, Community, Compassion, Disaster or Crisis, Fear, Relationships, Self-Care -
In this community, we hold hope close. We don’t always know what comes next, but that cannot dissuade us. We don’t always know just what to do, but that will not mean that we are lost in the wilderness. We rely on the certainty beneath, the foundation of our values and ethics. —Rev. Theresa I.Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | March 11, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: #COVID19, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Caring, Community, Direct Experience, Disaster or Crisis, Fear, Humanism, Interdependence, Leadership, Relationships, Responsibility, Secular -
When you’re the only black man in a sea of whiteness, purses still get clutched, and people still cross the street, and hellos still get lost in the void.Reflection | By Adrian L. H. Graham | January 15, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Anti-Oppression, Direct Experience, Fear, Identity, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Race/Ethnicity, Relationships -
This ritual begins by lighting a candle from the chalice, and placing it in position. A list of supplies is at the end of this resource. One: Fire. Source of warmth and life for our ancestors; and for humans still today....Ritual | By Amy Brooks | January 3, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Direct Experience, Disaster or Crisis, Earth, Fear, Grief, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism, Climate Justice -
It was disruptive and strange to know that someone had died to bring this hope, and to wonder how the donor’s family mourned at the same time we rejoiced.Reflection | By Elizabeth Bukey Saunter | December 11, 2019 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Body, Direct Experience, Family, Fear, Interdependence, Mystery, Relationships, Vulnerability -
Do not fear agitation, for agitation is the rhythm of life itself; to be put into motion, to be stirred. Do not fear the movements that decenter what you always thought permanent. You carry within the center of your understanding, the compass to show you the way. Carry with you the love that will...Blessing | By Tania Márquez | November 4, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Activism, Conflict, Courage, Direct Experience, Fear, Humanism, Justice, Solidarity -
As a hospital chaplain, I often listen to painful stories. We call it compassionate presence, but I may be crying inside. When words fail, I pray and sing.Reflection | By Yuri Yamamoto | June 12, 2019 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Arts & Music, Brokenness, Challenge, Despair, Direct Experience, Faith, Fear, God, Presence, Unitarian Universalism -
Deeper than DNA, more fundamental than molecules or quarks, at our living core, we are wholeness and transfiguring love. We often forget that power, becoming lonely or resentful, comparing ourselves to others, acting out of our fears rather than our living our glory....Invocation | By Chip Roush | February 11, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Faith, Fear, Growth, Humanism, Love, Mystery, Sacred, Spirituality, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness -
Surrender is the last thing, often the only thing, available. And so we give ourselves to it. We fear it is our end. Sometimes—with grace or luck—we find it is our liberation.Reflection | By Karen G. Johnston | January 23, 2019 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Fear, Freedom, Imagination, Interdependence, Ministry, Nature, Salvation -
My beloved people, I cannot pretend, And so I will not tell you, That everything is okay right now. That there is no reason to be angry, That you must be optimistic Or at peace. I cannot pretend these things, And so I won't tell them to you. But now our chalice is lit, And so all I ask in this...Chalice Lighting | By Rev. Molly Brewer | October 10, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anger, Disaster or Crisis, Fear, Love, Transcendence, Universalism -
Who are the angry birds in my life? What are the sticks I carry in my heart so as not to be hurt again?Reflection | By Yuri Yamamoto | September 12, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), America, Animals, Anti-Oppression, Community, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth-Centered, Fear, Inclusion, Nature, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Race/Ethnicity, Self-Respect -
This is a story of in-the-middle for those wondering how their story ends.Reflection | By Robin Tanner | August 29, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Choice, Direct Experience, Fear, Hope, Humanism, Illness, Limitations, Parents, Psychology, Searching, Secular, Solidarity, Worry -
This is a prayer for when words fail, for when they are not big enough or small enough to slip into the little cracks left in our hearts by life’s unbearable pressures....Prayer | By Leslie Takahashi | July 17, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Challenge, Community, Disaster or Crisis, Fear, Hope, Power, Suffering, Transcendence, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
We call forth the life of our faith by igniting our chalice. This spark of new beginnings invites us into a sacred space to reflect where we have been and where we are going. Even knowing that this particular flame will intentionally end with our ritual extinguishing, we fear not its end… For we...Chalice Lighting | By Katie Sivani Gelfand | May 31, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beginnings, Challenge, Courage, Direct Experience, Divorce / Separation, Earth-Centered, Ending, Fear, Humanism, Job Loss, Journey, Leaving Home, Letting Go, Life Transition, Mystery, Secular, Unitarian Universalism -
Spirit of Compassion, help us draw strength from all that we are. Give us new language with which to claim our wholeness, a new litany of joy built out of words that wounded.Reflection | By Lindasusan Ulrich | December 6, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Acceptance, Body, Direct Experience, Fat Liberation, Fear, Honesty, Humanism, Secular, Self-Respect, Truth, Vulnerability, Wholeness -
Fire consumes, and casts a bright light. May our chalice flame consume our regrets for the past, our fears about the future, and our worries about today. May it light for us a path of joy and peace.Chalice Lighting | By Debra Burrell | November 21, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Beginnings, Direct Experience, Ending, Fear, Joy, Letting Go, New Year, Peace, Presence, Regret -
Life is full of seesaws: it offers us moments of extreme wonder and moments of fear. Sometimes you have to live through the fear for the wonder to arrive.Reflection | By Elizabeth Harding | September 27, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Awe, Death, Direct Experience, Fear, Humanism, Joy, Secular, Wonder -
When the angel Gabriel brought to Mary the news that she would give birth to a son, Luke records that “she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” The angel said to Mary, [response:] Do not be afraid. When an angel appeared before the shepherds living...Responsive Reading | By Andrew Millard | August 18, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Christianity, Community, Despair, Direct Experience, Faith, Fear, Hope, Solidarity, Tradition, Unity -
As we enter another week of uncertainty in the world, let us remember that there is only one side – that of humanity, and planet Earth. May we pray for peace; may we raise our voices with our elected officials and engage as we can in acts of resistance; and may we remember to take very good care...Closing | By Debra Haffner | August 12, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Activism, Direct Experience, Fear, Hope, Living Our Faith, Love, Secular, Unitarian Universalism -
He phoned more than an hour ago to say he was on his way home. But I have yet to hear the scrape of the iron gate, the rattling keys, so I worry. Most married women fret about a tardy husband: black women like myself worry more....Reflection | By Rosemary Bray McNatt | March 29, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), America, Anti-Oppression, Direct Experience, Family, Fear, Home, Humanism, Multiculturalism, Oppression, Privilege, Race/Ethnicity, Secular, Unitarian Universalism -
This prayer is for all. For all who are fearful about the economy; about the fate of our country; health care for yourself or your children. For all whose heart aches at the injustices being done to others in our name. For all who fear for the survival of the planet. For all who fear whether they...Prayer | By Maureen Killoran | March 14, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Fear, Hope, Presence, Spirituality, Trust -
What's going to happen? Will everything be ok? What can I do? In these days we find ourselves, too often, Stuck with these questions on repeat: What's going to happen? / Will everything be ok? /What can I do?...Opening | By Gretchen Haley | March 4, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Community, Courage, Fear, Hope, Humanism, Integrity, Living Our Faith, Presence, Purpose, Secular, Unitarian Universalism -
Give voice to sorrow and fear — the wracking sobs at family betraying family the shock at the chasm separating neighbors “What will you do in the days ahead?” one asked. “Hide in an attic,” another replied, her eyes as wide and dark as Anne Frank’s. Already the assaults on bodies have...Meditation | By Lindasusan Ulrich | January 19, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), America, Anti-Oppression, Community, Courage, Direct Experience, Dissent, Fear, Hope, Living Our Faith, Politics, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism -
In times like these, we may seek a new word. But perhaps, in times like these, more than new words, we need old words. We made the journey back to Bethlehem; to the old story of a young, unwed, pregnant girl and her fiancé, Joseph, a poor, young carpenter. The Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus,...Reflection | By Teresa Schwartz | January 18, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anti-Oppression, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Courage, Fear, Journey, Tradition, Twelfth Night / Epiphany -
Our whole life is a series of signs. Any slight action: a dim semaphore. Our redemption, if it happens, will mean somebody tried.Reflection | By Jake Morrill | September 21, 2016 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Anger, Belief, Brokenness, Caring, Direct Experience, Fear, Humanism, Redemption, Secular -
O God who gave us life and death, you hold us in your hands. You cradle us in our need, and you push us into growth. We confess to you that all is not well, that we grieve the loss of many things and people....Prayer | By Beth Merrill Neel | August 24, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Brokenness, Christianity, Despair, Disaster or Crisis, Fear, God, Healing, Unitarian Universalism -
Spirit of life and love, light within and without, mystery from which we have all emerged, within which we live and die: be with us now as we allow ourselves to drop into the silence and stillness at the center of our being. As people of faith, we seek to live in a spirit of love, a spirit of...Prayer | By Laura Horton-Ludwig | August 15, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Brokenness, Compassion, Courage, Evil, Fear, Healing, Love, Mystery, Searching, Unitarian Universalism -
Each person (mostly children but some adults will have brought their backpacks too) comes forward with their backpack and stands in a group. The prayer follows, then worship associates give each person a “luggage tag” bearing a flaming chalice logo. Spirit of Life and Hope and Love, for many of...Blessing | By Maureen Killoran | August 1, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Backpack Blessing, Beginnings, Caring, Challenge, Children, Community, Courage, Fear, Friendship, Joy, Love, Unitarian Universalism -
We are about to enter sacred time. We are about to make this time and this place sacred by our presence and intention. Please turn off or silence your phones… and as you do so, I invite us also to turn down the volume on our fears; to remove our masks; and to loosen the armor around our hearts.Welcome | By Chip Roush | March 23, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Body, Fear, Forgiveness, Inclusion, Vulnerability
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Through the windy night something is coming up the path towards the house. I have always hated to wait for things. I think I will go to meet whatever it is.Poetry | By Elizabeth Coatsworth | February 8, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Fear, Hope, Mystery
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Out of the flames of fear We rise with courage of our deepest convictions to stand for justice, inclusion and peace Out of the flames of scrutiny We rise to proclaim our faith With hope to heal a fractured and hurting world Out of the flames of doubt We rise to embrace the mystery, wonder and awe...Chalice Lighting | By Sara Eileen LaWall | January 11, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Awe, Courage, Doubt, Faith, Fear, Fire Communion, Healing, Inclusion, Justice, New Year, Peace, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism, Vision, WorshipWeb -
Any time, Friday evening, Sunday morning, Monday afternoon Any place, Paris Beirut Baghdad West Bank Chad Cameroon Lebanon Syria Somalia Sinai Charleston Any number, 132 19 2 43 1 228 10 Fear invites new participants to its dance of death But every time, In every place, Numbers beyond counting ri...Meditation | By Randolph Becker | November 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Faith, Fear, Hope, Humanism, Love, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Terrorism -
When we are overwhelmed with the world And cannot see our way clear, When life seems a struggle between tedium and apathy Or frenzy and exhaustion; When today seems a punishment and tomorrow a torment, May we find the courage of patience. May we recognize courage in ourselves and our companions;...Meditation | By Richard S. Gilbert | June 4, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Courage, Despair, Direct Experience, Fear, Pain, Patience, Solidarity, Strength, Stress, Suffering
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Ever since I graduated from college, I have had a recurring dream. My wife has had it, too, as well as a lot of other people I know. In my dream, it is time to take an exam and I am unprepared. I have not gone to classes all semester. I failed to do the reading....Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | June 3, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Calling, Choice, Commitment, Fear, Freedom, Identity, Purpose, Responsibility, Stewardship, Worry -
Our locks tell us a lot about our lives. Locks of all kinds hold my attention because of a dream I had when I was thirteen. In the dream a gray-haired woman in a white coat sat behind a desk. I knew she was me, far in the future. Behind her on the wall was a cross-stitched sampler with a motto. I...Meditation | By Meg Barnhouse | May 28, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Class, Courage, Fear, Meaning, Purpose, Race/Ethnicity, Relationships, Trust, Vision, Vulnerability -
Wear God like a cloak / and stride forth with confidence.Poetry | By Rabbi Rachel Barenblat | March 24, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Courage, Fear, Freedom, Judaism, Letting Go, Passover (Pesach), Tradition, Transformation -
We are all dying, our lives always moving toward completion. We need to learn to live with death, and to understand that death is not the worst of all events. We need to fear not death, but life— empty lives, loveless lives, lives that do not build upon the gifts that each of us has been given,...Poetry | By Mark D. Morrison-Reed | March 23, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Commitment, Death, Direct Experience, Fear, Living Our Faith, Playfulness