Guest In Your Pulpit - Rev. Kim D. Wilson

Guest in Your Pulpit

Rev. Kim D. Wilson. A life-long Unitarian Universalist, Rev. Kim graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, PA in 2000. She was ordained in 2001 and served the Shoreline UU Society in Madison, CT for 6 years. She then served the UU Fellowship of the Poconos in Stroudsburg, PA for almost 10 years. In August of 2022, Rev. Kim began serving as half time minister for the UUs of Central Delaware in Dover. When she’s not engaged in ministry, Rev. Kim enjoys gardening, nature, yoga and spending time with family.

Service Descriptions: Rev. Kim preaches on a variety of topics. Below are some examples of recent themes.

  • Two Sides of Resilience - Resilience has been defined as a strong and speedy return to the original form after being bent or compressed. Being able to bounce back after a difficult experience can be a mentally and spiritually healthy way of responding. But in the wake of a significant trauma or loss, forcing resilience may leave behind an unhealed spirit. We'll explore the idea of resilience and its place in our own lives.
  • Meeting the Unknown - For many of us, the unknown is not only mysterious, but in can feel very scary. What will happen in the future? What if I try something and fail? Yet we know that part of spiritual wisdom is learning to be open to the unknown. As we stand on the threshold of that-which-we-do-not-know, how might we accept and even welcome it into our lives?
  • Five Ways of Wisdom - A look at five kinds of wisdom that are often forgotten in our American society, and which all contribute to spiritual maturity and a life of equanimity and meaning.
  • The Power of Awe - Awe imbues us with a different sense of ourselves -- one that is smaller, humbler and part of something greater than ourselves. We explore the connections between experiences of awe and altruism, a sense of attunement with humanity and other positive effects on our mental and spiritual well-being.
  • What Does it Mean to Belong? - There is a people in East Africa who believe that each person has their own song. That our songs sing back to us something of our essence, our uniqueness. Our song is about recognizing our being and our belonging in the human family. This morning, we'll explore this idea of belonging, what it means to us and how it connects us to one another.
  • When Hope is Not Enough - Hope has been a cornerstone of Unitarian Universalism since the late 19th century. But these days it seems like the refrain "onward and upward forever" is hopelessly out of tune with today's realities. What might a more mature version of hope look like, one that can support us in our faith and carry us forward with inspiration?
  • Spiritual Tools for Tough Times - It's easy to feel depressed and defeated when we consider everything that is wrong with the world. It often seems that so much is getting worse instead of better. How do we find a sense peace and equanimity in the face of such challenging realities?
  • Are You Living Your Best Life? - No one wants to fritter away time on things that are meaningless. Yet we all do it sometimes. Just going with the flow can drain a sense of purpose from our lives. In order to live our best lives, we need to listen to our hearts and be intentional about what we value most, and to keep before us what truly matters.
  • Of Rope Swings and Letting Go: Why We Need Playfulness - We've been taught that play is for children. Even our public schools discourage playing as children get older. But the quality of playfulness is something that people of all ages benefit from. Not only is it relaxing and fun, it's a way to take ourselves less seriously and to reclaim the freedom to be creative and yes, even silly.
  • The Practice of Beloved Community - Rather than being a goal or destination, Beloved Community can instead be a way of being in the world. Beloved Community is an attitude, an orientation of the heart. It's the developing of our own relationship to other people, to others, and to every living thing.
  • Stillness: A Path to Wisdom - We all want to be wise. Sometimes we think we must take classes or get a degree or at least do extensive reading to gain wisdom. That certainly can't hurt. But we can also use quiet time to clear our minds of the clutter and open the way to the wisdom that comes from within.
  • On Listening, Politics and Racial Justice - In these polarizing times, one of the skills that we most need to develop is the ability to speak and listen in conversations that involve others whose political and social views may differ from ours. Can we ever really hope to connect to people who don't think the way we do or see the world the way we do? The answer is a qualified, "Yes."
  • Historical figures and topics: For example, the UU Black Empowerment Controversy, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Murray, The Pilgrims, The Huguenots, Benjamin Franklin, Black History Month figures such as Arthur Shores, the Pullman Porters, Antiracism, Anti-oppression and Multiculturalism topics.

Fee arrangements: Whatever your congregation standard fee for presenters is.

Availability: Virtually or in person, within two hours of Emmaus, PA

Contact: Email Rev. Wilson at uurevkim@gmail.com