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Displaying 1701 - 1750 of 3104
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“Look, look!” The strangers around me were shouting and pointing. I spun around. From my position halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge, I could see a large circle of light on the Verizon building, prominent in the New York City skyline. Inside the circle were three symbols that would have meant...Reading | By Annie Gonzalez Milliken | June 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Activism, Change, Courage, Economy, Hope, Joy, Justice, Love, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
“Hope” is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops—at all— And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard— And sore must be the storm— That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm— I’ve heard it in the...Poetry | By Emily Dickinson | June 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Hope, Listening, Nature, Secular
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Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime; Therefore, we are saved by hope. Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; Therefore, we are saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; Therefore, we are saved by...Reading | By Reinhold Neibuhr | June 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Ethics, Faith, Forgiveness, History, Hope, Limitations, Living Our Faith, Love, Salvation, Work
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Ah, it’s true. When our ancestors spoke of heaven, they were speaking of this moment. When they went on about nirvana they imagined a time like this. When they sang of paradise, it was this morning they imagined....Poetry | By Mark Belletini | June 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Community, Generations, Imagination, Living Our Faith, Love, Mystery, Presence, Silence, Truth -
You get up in the morning, you brush your teeth, and you help another human being.Quote | By Paul Eisemann | June 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Activism, Caring, Character, Choice, Meaning, Purpose, Relationships, Service
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This charge was written to be led by several voices: one person says a line, and then all in attendance respond, “We charge you to engage.” Because your congregation is located in one of the poorest cities in the nation in the richest state per capita in the country We charge you to engage...Litany | By Cathy Rion Starr | June 19, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Activism, Faith, Humanism, Installations, Justice, Oppression, Ordinations, Privilege, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Race/Ethnicity, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism
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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,...Opening | By Cathy Rion Starr | June 19, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Community, Contemplation, Gratitude, Justice, Unitarian Universalism -
Leader: Today we mark the turning of a season. We mark it with the ritual exchange of flowers. We mark it with the election of new leaders and our annual business meeting. And right now, in this moment, we mark it with celebration of outgoing leaders. [Invite outgoing leaders forward] There is a...Litany | By Cathy Rion Starr | June 19, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Change, Commitment, Ending, Gratitude, Leadership, Letting Go, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Teamwork, Unitarian Universalism
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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 -
This is a house of reflection and contemplation, of joy and sorrow, friendship, sharing and laughter. We light this chalice in remembrance of what we have been and in the hope of what we may become.Chalice Lighting | By Dale Hudson | June 19, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Community, Connections, Direct Experience, Friendship, History, Hope, Joy, Reconciliation, Relationships, Sorrow -
Dear God of Sorrow and Love— Are there no places of safety from hate? Are there no sanctuaries from racism? Are there no walls fortified with love that can withstand violence? We pray this day for the nine members of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston who were senselessly...Prayer | By Sarah Lammert | June 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, Anti-Oppression, Character, Direct Experience, Humanism, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Race/Ethnicity, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Dear great lathe of heaven, O foundry of souls, You churning, burning cosmos which has wrought me on the infinite loom of your celestial body. Spinning stars and indifferent stones: hear my prayer. Do not curse me to perish with all my dreams fulfilled....Prayer | By Kelly Weisman Asprooth-Jackson | June 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Calling, Challenge, Failure, Imagination, Letting Go, Limitations, Success, Vision, Work
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Is the fire going out? Not in your belly, for you are still alive, but in your soul, that place where dreams fuel commitment where longings shape action where meaning flames purpose where passion ignites and rekindles your life fire. If your soul smolders dream on till you flame like a chalice of...Poetry | By Stephen M. Shick | June 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Courage, Despair, Hope, Meaning, Purpose -
Here we are: children at the Big Party, having our moment in the sun, our piece of the action, till our bodies give way and we are called home. We’re one big, not-always-happy family, given life and breath by an eternal parent we dearly long to know....Meditation | By John Corrado | June 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Birth, Challenge, Choice, Death, Family, Friendship, Living Our Faith, Purpose, Relationships
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The Birthday Circle is a ritual that shows children that they are loved, known, and appreciated in our families and communities....Ritual | By Teresa Honey Youngblood | June 16, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Child Dedication, Children, Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, Coming-of-Age, Community, Direct Experience, Growth, Humanism, Prophetic Words & Deeds -
Sometimes I offer to make a deal with God. “I’ll tell you about my resistance to prayer,” I say, “If you’ll explain the Holocaust.” God declines to comment, and the lawyers make their prepared statements on his behalf. I kind of hate when he does that. I love God best, I confess, when I...Poetry | By Bob Janis-Dillon | June 15, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Doubt, Forgiveness, God, Playfulness, Searching, Spiritual Practice, WorshipWeb
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Spirit of life and death, Thou who art as present to us in our suffering As in our wellbeing, Abide with us in this permeable time Between dusk and dark. Soothe the secret pains we carry. Bless us with the courage to move toward our grief And not away. When all is hidden— When we find ourselves...Prayer | By Celie Katovitch | June 12, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Brokenness, Christianity, Direct Experience, Doubt, Faith, God, Good Friday, Grief, Hope, Mourning, Shadow, WorshipWeb -
Chalice Lighting #434 in Singing the Living Tradition: May we be reminded here of our highest aspirations, and inspired to bring our gifts of love and service to the altar of humanity....Image | By Ellen Rockett | June 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Community, Connections, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Mystery, Relationships, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Wonder -
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 -
This Buddhist metta meditation is the text of hymn #1031 (in Singing the Journey), put to music by Ian Riddell and Mark Hayes.Image | By Ellen Rockett | June 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Buddhism, Kindness, Love, Peace, Relationships, Self-Care, Spiritual Practice -
Later there were mutterings at the bar, and throughout the law courts, that Jesus only showed at the gay pride parade to love the jewel, but not the quality, to love the potluck, but not the food, to love the vessel, but not the wine, to love the hot rod, but not the driver, to love the baby, but...Poetry | By Bob Janis-Dillon | June 9, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Anti-Oppression, Christianity, Inclusion, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday -
They will march, walk, wheel, dance, shimmy and shake Block upon block of undulating color, flesh, banners, signs, clothing or lack thereof Hands raised, hands linked, apart, together Singing, shouting, chanting, silent, Joyous, tearful, nervous, afraid, proud, defiant, angry, happy, delirious,...Reading | By Lois Van Leer | June 9, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Anti-Oppression, Direct Experience, Inclusion, Joy, Justice, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Sexuality, Transgender Day of Remembrance -
This quote, from Peter Mayer's hymn "Blue Boat Home" (Singing the Journey #1064) was created for use & sharing on social media.Image | By Ellen Rockett | June 9, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Connections, Journey, Joy, Relationships, Wonder -
This image, containing words from Peter Mayer's hymn "Blue Boat Home" (Singing the Journey #1064), was created for use on social media.Image | By Ellen Rockett | June 9, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Earth, Earth-Centered, Stewardship, Wonder -
Your body is welcome here, all of it. Yes, even that part. And that part. And yes, even that part. The parts you love, and the parts you don’t. For in this place we come with all that we are All that we have been, And all that we are going to be. Our bodies are constantly changing, cells die and...Opening | By Sean Neil-Barron | June 5, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Body, Connections, Direct Experience, Diversity, Intimacy, Joy, Sacred, Self-Care, WorshipWeb -
These words, by composer Sarah Dan Jones, are from hymn #1009 in Singing the Journey.Image | By Ellen Rockett | June 5, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Direct Experience, Humanism, Love, Peace, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Secular, Spiritual Practice, Unitarian Universalism -
We light this chalice for our children and youth, and for us: celebrating the flame of faith lit in each of us, honoring the light each of us bring into the world, rejoicing in the community we create together.Chalice Lighting | By Christian Schmidt, Alexis Capen | June 4, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Child Dedication, Children, Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Community, Direct Experience, Faith, Family, Generations, Inclusion, Interdependence, Reverence, Worth, Youth Sunday, Youth/Teens, WorshipWeb -
A line from hymn #346 in Singing the Living Tradition: "Come, Sing a Song with Me" by Carolyn McDade...Image | By Ellen Rockett | June 4, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Connections, Hope, Humanism, Relationships, Secular, Unitarian Universalism -
“It’s hard to know when to respond to the seductiveness of the world and when to respond to its challenge. If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between the desire to improve the world and...Meditation | By Richard S. Gilbert | June 4, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Activism, Balance, Guilt, Individualism, Joy, Justice, Salvation, Service, Suffering, Wholeness -
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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“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 -
For the sound of bow on string, Of breath over reed, Of touch on keyboard; For slants of sunlight through windows, For shimmering shadows on snow, For the whisper of wind on my face; For the smooth skin of an apple, For the caress of a collar on my neck; For the prickling of my skin when I am dee...Meditation | By Richard S. Gilbert | June 4, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beauty, Body, Fall, Friendship, Gratitude, Growth, Nature, Spring, Summer, Winter -
In the midst of the whirling day, In the hectic rush to be doing, In the frantic pace of life, Pause here for a moment. Catch your breath; Relax your body; Loosen your grip on life....Meditation | By Richard S. Gilbert | June 4, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Acceptance, Balance, Direct Experience, Letting Go, Limitations, Mindfulness, Peace, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Self-Care, Stress, Wholeness, Work
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Night has its own kind of beauty, different than the beauty of day. Night is a time of sleep and dreams and inward visions, A time of pause within activity. Darkness is an invitation to imagining and storytelling, And to using ears instead of eyes to listen to the world in its stillness....Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | June 3, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Balance, Beauty, Death, Earth-Centered, Imagination, Listening, Mystery, Searching, Silence, Solitude, Summer Solstice, Vision, Winter Solstice / Yule -
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 -
It is the day before the election as I write these lines, and whatever the outcome, I will be glad when it’s over. Some will be elated by the results, and others will feel dejected, but regardless of who wins or loses, our world will still be broken and suffering from ills that government is...Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | June 3, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Brokenness, Character, Freedom, Generations, Governance, Living Our Faith, Politics, Power, Responsibility, Suffering
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if we show them at all most of us who write our secrets down and call it poetry prefer to slip it under the door and run, and if we must be present at the reading, disguise ourselves in sotto voice and pale monotone but here was one who could take us into his personal life and show us around as i...Poetry | By Ric Masten | June 3, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Home, Honesty, Hospitality, Humility, Intimacy, Relationships, Solidarity, Vulnerability, Wholeness
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My wakeful nights are fewer now that my children are growing older. A recent event reminded me of what I am missing. After a tremendously exciting weekend in another state at a family celebration, my young son and I found that our sleep schedules were no longer in sync....Meditation | By Jane E Mauldin | June 3, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Aging, Calling, Children, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Intimacy, Mothers, Sacrifice, Service
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Torn and confused, lonely and enraged, I greet the new day with suspicion. Spirit of Life, show me the gate to healing. May I find in my hands the tools to craft a way through the pain. When even those tools fail me, may other hands reach out....Prayer | By Jane E Mauldin | June 3, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Healing, Pain, Solidarity, Strength, Trust, Weakness -
I am frequently astonished by monarch butterflies. Delicate beyond belief, they fly thousands of miles each year from all parts of the continent to settle in the forests of South America. To my delight, their migratory route takes them along a bridge near my home. A few days ago, I was driving on...Meditation | By Jane E Mauldin | June 3, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Animals, Beauty, Connections, Environment, Interdependence, Kindness, Nature, Purpose, Responsibility, Stewardship -
We speak to the god, the goddess, the spirit of life, the eternal. We speak to the mysterious thread that connects us one to the other and to the universe. We speak to the deep wisdom at the center of our beings. We embody the yearning of all people to touch each other more deeply, to hear each...Invocation | By Susan Manker-Seale | June 2, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Community, Connections, God, Interdependence, Justice, Mystery, Service, Solidarity, Wisdom
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Let us join hearts in the spirit of meditation and prayer: Juntemos corazones en el espiritu de meditacion y oracion: Mysterious Presence, Presencia misteriosa, God, our Father and our Mother, Dios, nuestro Padre y nuestra Madre, Spirit of Life whom we struggle to name in our joys and our sorrows...Meditation | By Susan Manker-Seale | June 2, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Faith, God, Hope, Justice, Peace, Presence, Service, Silence, Unity
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(The prayer was written to be read by three people, as indicated by the typefaces.) Peace is more than the absence of worry. It is the creation of safe havens for all; It is the building of security for everyone; It is the forgiveness of self, as well as one who would harm you. Let us seek...Prayer | By Annie Foerster | June 2, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Choice, Forgiveness, Justice, Letting Go, Listening, Pain, Peace, Reconciliation, Relationships, Worry
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Great spirit of life, We pray today for our animal friends, Grateful for their companionship and devotion. By our kindness to them, May we be worthy of their love. We pray also for pets who are gone from us, But who brighten our days And who comforted us by night....Prayer | By Kim K. Crawford Harvie | June 2, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Animals, Caring, Friendship, Gratitude, Interdependence, Kindness, Love -
Each moment of our living brings us closer to our dying. Young or old, the knowledge of life’s end is with us, growing more real, more familiar through the experiences of time and of loss. Yet what is to keep us from frittering away what time is left to us, Making it almost a matter of...Meditation | By Helen Lutton Cohen | June 2, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Birth, Death, Journey, Joy, Limitations, Living Our Faith, Meaning, Purpose, Wisdom
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(adapted from the original) If, on a starlit night, with the moon brightly shimmering, We stay inside and do not venture out, the evening universe remains a part of life we shall not know....Meditation | By Marni Harmony | June 2, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Beauty, Courage, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Journey, Mystery, Nature, Reverence, Transcendence, Wonder
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I will lift up my voice and sing; Whatever may befall me, I will still follow the light which kindles song. I will listen to the music Arising out of grief and joy alike, I will not deny my voice to the song....Meditation | By Robert T Weston | June 2, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Beauty, Beginnings, Despair, Grief, Healing, Hope, Joy, Mindfulness, Pain, Reconciliation -
All this talk of saving souls. Souls weren’t made to save, like Sunday clothes that give out at the seams. They’re made for wear; they come with lifetime guarantees. Don’t save your soul. Pour it out like rain on cracked, parched earth. Give your soul away, or pass it like a candle flame. Sing...Meditation | By Linda M. Underwood | June 2, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Activism, Empathy, Forgiveness, Playfulness, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Work
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In between, liminal, that space where we wait. Between moments; events, results, action, no action. To stand on the threshold, waiting for something to end, And something new to arrive, a pause in the rumble of time. Awareness claims us, alert, a shadow of something different....Meditation | By Kate R. Walker | May 29, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Agnosticism, Bridging Ceremony, Change, Coming of Age, Humanism, Letting Go, New Year, Revelation, Summer Solstice, Transformation, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb -
We traveled long We traveled far To be right here Where we are Reach out a hand No need to fear 'Cause all we need Right HereMusic | By Sam Turton | May 28, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Community, Connections, Direct Experience, Hope, Humanism, Love, Purpose, Relationships, Strength, Unity