In her book, “The Art of Gathering,” author Priya Parker writes, “”In a world of infinite choices, choosing one thing is the revolutionary act. Imposing that restriction is actually liberating.” That is to say, setting group expectations and being clear about who and how we are can be an expression of radical love and welcome. Let’s … Continue reading Widening the Circle Through Covenant
In the last 18 months, many of us have radically changed our daily lives to help combat an unprecedented pandemic. This already difficult time has been made more troubling by a wave of misinformation — online, on TV, and in the minds and mouths of family and friends. This week we investigate how we respond … Continue reading “Love in the Time of Misinformation”
On May 12, 1961, the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America merged to form our combined faith and the Unitarian Universalist Association. On this, the 60th anniversary of that merger, we will remember that history, reflect on how far our faith has gone, and explore a vision of the next 60 years … Continue reading “Looking Forward, Looking Back”
Unitarian Universalism is a relatively new approach to religion, and also has ancient roots. What is the thread that connects us to our past and informs how we approach our future? And how does being aware of this thread help us live our lives today? Rev. AJ van Tine is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and … Continue reading “The Progressive Religious Impulse”
Unitarian Universalism covenants around 7 principles that guide our lives and encourage us toward spiritual deepening. In 2013 Black UU leaders and theologians proposed an 8th principle to guide us toward more intentional racial justice work in our congregations. Let’s learn and reflect together on this new principle and how it might bring our congregation … Continue reading “An 8th Principle for Unitarian Universalism”
How are you feeling? How is your heart? With the election just around the corner, many of us are anxious and uncertain about what will happen next for our communities. As we prepare to live into our fifth principle, “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in … Continue reading “Election Anxiety”
When Martin Luther King, Jr. claimed that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,” he was borrowing from Unitarian Minister and Transcendentalist, Theodore Parker, who expressed the sentiment a century earlier. Today, as we contemplate our place in the Global Community, these words still offer a perspective of hope. … Continue reading Our Covenant With the World
Unitarian Universalist Theologian and Social Ethicist, James Luther Adams, reminds us, “the covenant is for the individual as well as the collective. The individual is brought out of separateness into covenant. We are responsible for individual behavior but also for the character of society.” As we continue to explore our September theme of Covenant, we … Continue reading Faith, Love, and Loyalty
