Stephen M. Shick

Stephen Shick is Minister Emeritus of the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson, MA, he also served our congregations in Haverhill, MA and Portland, ME.Stephen was founding director of the Unitarian Universalist Peace Network and former director of U.S. programs for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and help to establish Community Ministries with in our association. Stephen has taught the art of public speaking to UU ministers and social activist for over 25 years He is the author of Speaking by Heart: The Spiritual Practice of Unscripted Public Speaking andJustice Seekers Consider the Lilies, a collection of meditations .

From Stephen M. Shick

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Teaches to practice the art of public speaking without a manuscript by transforming your preparation and presentation into a spiritual practice...

Book | By Stephen M. Shick | From inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop

This collection is designed to inspire and sustain activists and others who are working for a better world. Brimming with poignant and inspirational quotations and verse from Jesus to Shakespeare to Edna St. Vincent Millay, Rachel Carson and Maya Angelou.

Book | By Stephen M. Shick | From Skinner House Books
Tagged as: Activism, Change, Justice, Personal Inspiration, Social Justice

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 WorshipWeb
Tagged as: Commitment, Courage, Despair, Hope, Meaning, Purpose

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 WorshipWeb
Tagged as: Abundance, Choice, Commitment, Despair, Generosity, Service

On this green bank, by this soft stream, We place with joy a votive stone, That memory may their deeds redeem, When, like our sires, our sons are gone. —Ralph Waldo Emerson A green heron stands motionless on the bank of Emerson’s soft stream. In its beak it holds a fish, just the right size for...

Meditation | By Stephen M. Shick | May 27, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Death, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Environment, Generations, History, Nature, Reverence, Sacrifice, Stewardship

It is not old, Yet it comes through the wisdom of the ages. It is not young, Yet it comes through the passion of innocence. It is not revolutionary, Yet it comes proclaiming change. It is not solitary, Yet it travels alone, seeking the open heart. It is not lonely, Yet it seeks relationship....

Poetry | By Stephen M. Shick | April 27, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
Tagged as: Connections, God, Reverence, Sacred

It hurts to let go of intensity that zapped like electricity yesterday. It hurts to disconnect arcing power, watch it ground and vanish. What was it that surged through us to lighten gray, indifferent skies? What was it that connected our hearts to hope?...

Poetry | By Stephen M. Shick | April 27, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
Tagged as: Forgiveness, Letting Go, Pain, Power

We float on a sea hidden beneath dry surfaces covered by stones. Isn’t this why we drink and dive so deeply go down to the sea in ships risk drowning, again and again? Isn’t this why Moses parted the waters to begin his journey? Why Jesus crossed the waters to comfort and challenge us? We were...

Poetry | By Stephen M. Shick | March 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
Tagged as: Abundance, Awe, Nature, Reverence, Sacred

A good anger swallowed clots the blood to slime —Marge Piercy But what is to be done with it, this anger that dare not be swallowed? Should it be diluted with denial, cooled with indifference? Should it be sweetened with good intentions, softened with lies? Should it be spewed out red hot over...

Poetry | By Stephen M. Shick | March 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Acceptance, Anger, Direct Experience, Salvation

Nature provides ready metaphors for peace and justice. Jesus' peaceful kingdom is described as a mustard seed that grows into a large bush, providing shelter to all. the Hebrew prophet Amos cried for justice to roll down like water, and we sing, "I've got peace like a river" and "strength like a...

Reading | By Stephen M. Shick | March 17, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
Tagged as: Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Justice, Nature, Peace, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Vision, Climate Justice

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