Last week, we went to the Follen lot and – as we always do – purchased our tree. I was excited to put it up and recognized that on December 16, we were already participating in this ritual later than many folks.  When I was a kid, I used to go to a field near … Continued

In his writing, “Auguries of Innocence,” the poet William Blake (1757-1827) wrote, Joy and woe are woven fine, A clothing for the soul divine, Under every grief and pine, Runs a joy with silken twine. It is right it should be so, We were made for joy and woe, And when this we rightly know, … Continued

I am one of those people who – despite current disturbing news about him – has loved the stories woven by Garrison Keillor on the old Prairie Home Companion…particularly his stories about the mythical town in which he grew up, Lake Wobegon, where “all the women are strong, the men are good looking, and the … Continued

This has been a tough week from a number of perspectives:  my cousin passed away, and I traveled to Florida to eulogize and celebrate and mourn her.  She was a smart, incisive, funny person, much older than me, who had a career as a teacher and then philanthropist.  A person who spoke her mind, she … Continued

Our Theme for December is Promise. This exercise is an opportunity for reflection. Has anyone ever broken a promise to you? Have you ever broken a promise to someone else? When you look back on the broken promises in your life, what did you learn from them? How have these broken promies affected your faith—in … Continued

I’m writing this piece on Monday, November 20th – a couple of days earlier than usual — because of the Thanksgiving holiday.  Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance – a day to honor all of the transgender individuals we have been lost this year and in the years prior to this one. Transgender Day of … Continued

When I was growing up my father would tell me stories about his parents. They were Russian immigrants (or maybe, Polish – it seems to have depended on where the border was at the time anyone was relating family history). My father’s parents came to the U.S. speaking no English and they learned about the … Continued

I’ve been in Denver, CO at the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) Fall Conference, immersed in learning along with more than 200 Religious Educators and 30 UUA staff members, on how to build brave spaces in our lives and how to encourage brave conversations among children, youth, and adults we minister to.  The original idea … Continued

Perhaps you know the beloved hymn that begins:  “For all the saints, who from their labors rest; who thee by faith before the world confessed.  Thy name most holy, be forever blest, alleluia – alleluia.” It was a British school hymn written by Ralph Vaughn Williams, now used in Unitarian Universalist ceremonial occasions to honor … Continued

Our Theme for November is Balance. I suggest you try a physical approach to this spiritual topic. Choose one or both of these activities: Balance on one foot for as long as you can—try to get to at least one minute. Or, balance a pencil or something small on the tip of a finger, for … Continued