To search for resources that support March's Soul Matter theme of Transformation, toggle the red arrow below and search for Spiritual Themes of: Transformation, Change, Endings, Beginnings, Searching.
Toggle to filter resultsAvailable filters:
Changing a filter will refresh results (and remaining options) immediately. Searching by keyword or changing the number of items per page requires use of the "Search" button.
Displaying 1 - 50 of 77
-
In an era when it is becoming clear that industrialized nations under a system of global corporation-controlled capitalism need to change quickly and dramatically for the benefit of all life, we will be called to experience generosity, gratitude, and hope in new ways.Quote | By Sheri Prud’homme | April 25, 2024 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #UUAGA, Change, Generosity, Gratitude, Hope, UUA Bylaws, Vision for UUism -
Remembering the proposed Unitarian Universalist Association's Article 2 values is as easy as counting on your fingers!Time for All Ages | By Emily C. Jones | April 19, 2024 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #Article2, Equity, Generosity, Interdependence, Justice, Love, Pluralism, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism -
Make sure, both at Christmastime and in other times, that you ask for that which you really want.Homily | By Megan Foley | December 1, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Advent, Belief, Children, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Discernment, Generosity, Humanism, Listening, Meaning, Secular, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Part of being in community is noticing what's needed. Part of being in community is doing what is necessary but unclaimed.Reflection | By Christine Slocum | September 16, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Caring, Community, Conscience, Generosity, Humanism, Interdependence, Nature, Responsibility, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Worship -
Once upon a time there was a family. Maybe this family had not quite enough to eat. Or maybe they had just about enough. Or … perhaps they had MORE than enough. You might not have been able to tell. THEY might not have been able to tell. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you have enough or not.Story | By Dawn Star Sarahs-Borchelt | April 3, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Abundance, Family, Generosity, Home, Hospitality, Humanism, Inclusion, Secular, Stewardship, Thanksgiving, Unitarian Universalism, Wealth -
The tree stood in the middle of the village. Its trunk was so large that it took six people holding hands to reach around it. The roots were strong and wide, and its branches spread out over the village square, offering shelter from the rain, or shade from the summer sun....Story | By Lynn Gardner | March 4, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Abundance, Canvass/Pledge, Caring, Commitment, Earth-Centered, Generosity, Humanism, Interdependence, Nature, Stewardship -
With a single generous gesture from my older child, her sister's belief in Santa stayed intact that year.Reflection | By Karen G. Johnston | December 4, 2019 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Family, Generations, Generosity, Parents, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Tradition -
Let us imagine for a moment that our lives are like the baskets that our children will use after the service to collect colorful eggs and candy. And as we welcome that imaginative connection, let us pause for a moment to accept a blessing....Blessing | By Lucas Hergert | May 27, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Awe, Beauty, Community, Compassion, Easter, Family, Generosity, Gratitude, Happiness, Joy -
Spirit of Life I find you In those humble places. The quiet, still spaces where I am held in A love greater than myself. You are the wind in my breath; The fire in my soul; The subtle Heartbeat of creation all around me....Prayer | By Alex Jensen | May 27, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Arrogance, Brokenness, Caring, Commitment, Failure, Forgiveness, Generosity, Inclusion, Love -
North, South, East, and West, Angel, visible, ahead of me, Angels hidden by forests around me, And everywhere God....Prayer | By Paul Oakley | March 17, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anti-Oppression, Caring, Challenge, Compassion, Connections, Empathy, Generosity, Hospitality, Interdependence, Kindness -
A white woman pulled over and ran over to me with a shopping bag. As I looked down at the bag, I had very mixed emotions.Reflection | By Rayla D. Mattson | November 14, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Caring, Connections, Contemplation, Direct Experience, Faith, Generosity, Grace, Gratitude, Kindness, Parents, Race/Ethnicity -
“There’s a hunger beyond food that’s expressed in food, and that’s why feeding is always a kind of miracle. It speaks to a bigger desire.” Note: one version of this quote, quasi-attributed, appears in Take This Bread (p. 23) by Sara Miles.Quote | By William E. Swing | June 1, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Abundance, Body, Communion (Christian), Direct Experience, Food, Food Justice, Generosity, Hospitality, Humanism, Searching, Secular, Stewardship, Table Grace, Thanksgiving -
We light our chalice as a symbol of gratitude as we celebrate the abundance of our lives together. In this sanctuary we harvest bushels of strength for one another, and offer our crop with the hands of compassion and generosity....Chalice Lighting | By Katie Sivani Gelfand | May 31, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Christianity, Communion (Christian), Community, Generosity, Grace, Gratitude, Stewardship, Strength, Table Grace, Thanksgiving, Unitarian Universalism -
To offer hospitality, we first have to identify ourselves — sometimes in inconvenient or uncomfortable ways — as helpers; as willing to offer kindness or connection to someone we might disagree with.Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | March 7, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Abundance, Acceptance, Connections, Direct Experience, Diversity, Generosity, Hospitality, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Every day in our world, people are feeling vulnerable, frightened, and heartbroken. For those [of us] who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color, the effects of racism and oppression are an everyday lived reality — and these feelings are not new....Offering | By Lena K. Gardner, Susan Frederick-Gray | October 25, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anti-Oppression, Generosity, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity, Stewardship, Vision
-
As we approach the time for our offering, give what you will: for the church that has meant so much to you, for the church that meant so much to those who came before you, and for the church that will mean so much to people you will never know. Give what you will, for you are a generous people.Offering | By Michael Hall | August 11, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Abundance, Generosity, Humanism, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism
-
Light We Seek, wherever I am on the journey toward wholeness for all of us—that is, toward racial equality—help me to forgive myself and others for missteps and missed opportunities, and guide my efforts to build up the relationships where love, justice, and understanding grow.Reflection | By Teresa Honey Youngblood | June 21, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Abundance, Direct Experience, Earth, Food, Food Justice, Generosity, Humanism, Nature, Race/Ethnicity, Stewardship, Work -
I come on Sunday feeling weary, having worn out the snooze button on my alarm clock. I come on Sunday feeling frightened, having seared my eyes reading the latest news. I come on Sunday feeling burdened, having fretted about my work day worries....Offering | By Jessica Lin | April 6, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Direct Experience, Faith, Generosity, Living Our Faith, Money, Responsibility, Unitarian Universalism
-
A religious community is like a river formed from the many streams of our lives that meet and merge and flow to the sea....Offering | By John Saxon | April 6, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Generosity, Money, Stewardship -
The light of our chalice would soon flicker and die without the oil that nourishes its flame. And just as this flame cannot burn without oil, this religious community cannot survive or thrive without the financial, as well as personal, support of its members and friends—the oil that keeps the...Offering | By John Saxon | April 6, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Generosity, Money, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism -
Dearly beloved, the story is told that a man named Jesus dined nearly two thousand years ago among his disciples on the eve of his arrest and crucifixion. Some say that Jesus took bread, spoke of it as his body, broke it into pieces and passed it among them to eat....Blessing | By Barnaby Feder | December 8, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Christianity, Communion (Christian), Community, Earth, Faith, Food, Generosity, God, Gratitude, Hospitality, Spiritual Practice, Spirituality -
This ritual provides an opportunity for people to bless one another, look into other's eyes with respect and acknowledge the sacredness within. People may participate while seated or standing or may choose to sit in silent meditation or prayer instead. We travel together on a search for meaning,...Blessing | By Lyn Cox | September 25, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Abundance, Community, Connections, Diversity, Generosity, Gratitude, Inclusion, Journey, Presence, Sacred, Unitarian Universalism -
For the blessing of animal companions we give thanks. For the beautiful ones, those whose fur is silky and whose tails are long; whose feathers are brilliant or whose voices are splendid... we give thanks. For the frantic ones, the runts and the hungry, who run for a food bowl or a pat as though...Blessing | By Maureen Killoran | September 18, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animal Blessing, Animals, Caring, Direct Experience, Family, Generosity, Gratitude, Interdependence, Love, Nature, Relationships, Responsibility, Secular -
Within each of our hearts there is a most glorious light....Benediction | By James Morison | April 4, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Generosity, Healing, Hope, Humanism, Love, Secular, Strength, Unitarian Universalism, Wisdom, Worth -
Love is the aspiration, the spirit that moves and inspires this faith we share. Rightly understood, love can nurture our spirits and transform the world....Chalice Lighting | By Maureen Killoran | February 26, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Body, Challenge, Community, Direct Experience, Faith, Generosity, Healing, Love, Mourning, Power, Spirituality, Transformation, Valentine's Day, WorshipWeb -
We are hungry We are eating our daily bread and bowing our heads and yet we are hungry We are thanking the farmer and the farm worker and yet we are hungry We are speaking in spaces for food that is healthy and still we are hungry We are tiring of slogans that say Feed the Children and mean feed ...Meditation | By Debra Smith | February 11, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Christianity, Communion (Christian), Democracy, Direct Experience, Food, Food Justice, Generosity, Human Rights, Humanism, Justice, Justice Sunday, Poverty, Prayer Practices, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Spiritual Practice, Table Grace, Thanksgiving, Transcendence, Transformation, WorshipWeb -
This script is intended to take place over the arc of a worship service or children's chapel. People Needed: Narrator (can be Worship Leader) and Five Villagers....Script | By Tiffany Sapp | January 11, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Abundance, Community, Food, Generosity, Gratitude, Stewardship, Thanksgiving, Unity, WorshipWeb -
Are we a people of holding on or of letting go?...Chalice Lighting | By Jay Wolin | October 29, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Connections, Direct Experience, Generosity, Growth, Hospitality, Identity, Integrity, Letting Go, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness -
To prepare for this activity, place umbrellas in the pews. Instruct people to open the umbrellas when the man in the story receives the umbrella. Today we have a very special item in our very special Mystery Box. This item is going to teach us more about sanctuaries....Story | By Tim Atkins | June 19, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Caring, Character, Children, Empathy, Generosity, Interdependence -
These words are taken from "We Need One Another," by George Odell: Reading #468 in Singing the Living Tradition.Image | By Ellen Rockett | June 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Compassion, Connections, Generosity, Humanism, Relationships, Secular, Service, Unitarian Universalism -
“Each morning we must hold out the chalice of our being to receive, to carry, and give back.”—Dag Hammarskjold Each morning we hold out our chalice of being To be filled with the graces of life that abound— Air to breathe, food to eat, companions to love, Beauty to behold, art to cherish,...Meditation | By Richard S. Gilbert | June 4, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Beauty, Generosity, Grace, Self-Care, Service -
When we take fire from our chalice, it does not become less. It becomes more. And so we extinguish our chalice, but we take its light and warmth with us, multiplying their power by all of our lives, and sharing it with the world.Chalice Extinguishing | By Amy Zucker Morgenstern | May 28, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Activism, Calling, Christianity, Community, Generosity, IllUUmination, Imbolc / Brighid's Day / Candlemas, New Year, Paganism, Seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb -
All that we need is here now. From the ages of the earth we have gathered energies in wood, coal, oil, and other remnants of life. And the air, it is here too, and it need not be pure. All is ready, here, in the dark. Will you strike yourself against life’s hard surfaces and let the flame out, or...Meditation | By Stephen M. Shick | May 27, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Choice, Commitment, Despair, Generosity, Service -
I sit alone, planning the rest of the day. Last night, I was joking and smoking, in broken Pashto, with the resident contingent of the AUP.* I introduced them to the beauty of Dominican tobacco, hand-rolled and perfectly aged. They all seemed to enjoy this symbol of Western democratic values, the...Meditation | By George A Tyger | May 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Connections, Direct Experience, Diversity, Generosity, Gratitude, International, Islam, Kindness, Military, Military Service, Peace, Unity, Veterans Day, War -
In one church it was meals, prepared and frozen to be shared with those in need. Food was handed out at the door, or taken to where it was needed. In another church it was casseroles, brought to families whose strength was consumed by illness or disaster....Meditation | By Mary Wellemeyer | May 13, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Activism, Caring, Community, Food, Food Justice, Generosity, Service -
This was created as a Message for All Ages for a service honoring Yom Ha’Shoah, the Jewish holiday for Holocaust Remembrance. In 2016, Yom Ha'Shoah begins on the evening of Wednesday, May 4th and ends on the evening of Thursday, May 5th. Once there was a place that was very bleak and dreary. All...Time for All Ages | By Martha Dallas | May 12, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beauty, Connections, Direct Experience, Food, Generosity, History, Holocaust Remembrance / Yom Ha'Shoah, Hope, Judaism, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Secular, WorshipWeb -
Give all to love; Obey thy heart; Friends, kindred, days, Estate, good-fame, Plans, credit and the Muse,— Nothing refuse. ’T is a brave master; Let it have scope: Follow it utterly, Hope beyond hope. It was never for the mean; It requireth courage stout. Souls above doubt, Valor unbending, It...Poetry | By Ralph Waldo Emerson | April 26, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Family, Friendship, Generosity, Love, Relationships
-
Once upon a time, most folks used the offering plate to fulfill their pledges of financial support. Nowadays lots of folks click on their church websites or set up automatic transfers from their checking accounts. Some still write a monthly check, paying their "church bill" along with all the...Offering | By Paul R Beedle | April 24, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Direct Experience, Generosity, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Spiritual Practice, Stewardship
-
Based on a folktale from Africa and China. Printed in Doorway to the Soul, ed. Elisa Davy Pearmain (Pilgrim Press, 1998). Themes: cooperation, gratitude, sharing, generosity Roles: 5* for rehearsal; 9 more characters can be briefed by phone or email Preparation: moderate This humorous folk tale...Complete Service | By Erika Hewitt | April 16, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Connections, Generosity, International, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Relationships, Responsibility, Stewardship, Water Communion -
Once upon a time there was a teacher named Sophia. Sophia had been a teacher in the town where she lived for so long that the kids she first had in her class grew up and had kids of their own and sent them to her class too....Story | By Becky Brooks | April 15, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Abundance, Generosity, God, Home, Hospitality, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism -
Once there was a little girl who worried about a very big problem—world hunger. She read in the newspaper about children all over the world who did not have enough to eat. She wanted to do something about it, but she was only a little girl and this was a giant problem. What could she possibly do...Story | By Christopher Buice | April 14, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Generosity, Power, Service, Stewardship, Strength
-
Leader 1: This is a special night – Christmas Eve, the night before we celebrate the birth of a Jewish leader whose life and words have changed the minds and hearts of many to the side of goodness, generosity and caring. Leader 2: In honor of that birth, tonight we tell the story of a man whose...Script | By Tess Baumberger, Cindy Clarenbach | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Compassion, Conscience, Dignity, Generosity, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism -
We ask blessings on this, our church home. May this building be a tool to continue the good work of our helping hands, our loving hearts, and open minds. May this home be safe harbor for all who sail upon the sea of Life, and a beacon of hope to those on rough waters....Blessing | By Jennifer Stokes | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Building/Space Dedication, Commitment, Community, Empathy, Generosity, Gratitude, Home, Responsibility, Reverence, Stewardship, Vision, WorshipWeb
-
We call this light before us in hope that we may always remain a strong community, working together to make the world a better place. When we are grieving or sad, When we are challenged, When we need help, This flame guides us out of the darkness. When we are cheerful, When we celebrate, When we...Chalice Lighting | By Atticus Palmer | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Challenge, Community, Generosity, Hope, Joy, Playfulness, Responsibility, Sorrow, Strength, Unity -
Let us join hands and hearts in gratitude on this wondrous day, where we have the abundance of our lives before us. We remember, on this day of bounty, all those who do not have enough, who are afraid, who are lonely, and who suffer....Meditation | By Naomi King | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Abundance, Commitment, Compassion, Connections, Fall, Food, Generosity, Gratitude, Poverty, Secular, Spirituality, Thanksgiving, Unitarian Universalism -
We light this chalice to kindle the fire of commitment to spread our beloved faith, proclaim the Good News that all are worthy and all are welcome, that God is Love and none shall be left behind. May we carry this flame to all we encounter, letting our lives shine with its glow.Chalice Lighting | By Paul Sprecher | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Commitment, Community, Faith, Generosity, Hospitality, Inclusion, Kindness, Living Our Faith, Love, Universalism -
Happiness is a deep, persistent and universal obsession for humanity. As one of my correspondents asked, "Why isn’t happiness the only thing that matters?" From the very beginning Americans (in particular) have made happiness a central piece of their national quest....Sermon | By Scott W. Alexander | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Generosity, Happiness, Psychology, Purpose, Relationships
-
An Austrian millionaire was in the news this month for giving away all of his fortune. Why? "For a long time I believed that more wealth and luxury automatically meant more happiness," he said....Sermon | By Vail Weller | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Generosity, Money, Responsibility, Stewardship, Transformation
-
The journey was a long one. We started on an airplane, a 16-hour trip crossing the international date line. A van for an hour, then another hour’s plane ride. A pedi-cab trip, and a four hour van ride. Then another hour’s drive up a windy mountain road, turning off the road onto a rocky, bumpy,...Sermon | By Vail Weller | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Direct Experience, Generosity, Globalism, International, Justice, Poverty, Privilege, Unitarian Universalism, Universalism
-
Leader: It is a miracle that no one is ever empty-handed; there is enormous power in having no possessions but the self to give and to receive what can be and become.Reading | By Ma Theresa "Tet" Gustilo Gallardo | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Generosity, Humility, Simplicity, Unitarian Universalism