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The_Work_of_the_People.mp3?_=1

I love religious rituals. That's why i love this time of year it is filled with retros. Rituals associated with hanukkah. With the solstice. With christmas with kwanzaa with the new year. I love rituals even just observing them. Because they point to the deeper meaning of our lives. And they do this in forms that are audible. Or visible or even tactile forms that speak to our senses. As well as to our hearts. And of all the different forms of rituals. Candle lighting is my favorite. To light a candle. Is to make. Hope. Visible. The hold light. Against the darkness. This is part of the work we do as a faith community we worked together to understand the deeper meaning of our life. The purpose of our lives. And we work together to live out that meaning. And to fulfill that purpose. This is one way of understanding the ritual of lighting the menorah. As you might know this rituals is rooted in the history. Of the jewish people. It goes back to the second century bce when the syrian greek empire ruled the area. And it was trying to stamp out judaism and impose its own culture. According to tradition the maccabees small group of jewish fighters had moved into the the great temple in jerusalem to reclaim it. But when they got there they realize they only had enough oil. To keep a lamp lit for one day. And that was not going to be enough. And so they sent out a messenger to get more oil. But the messenger did not return. For a day. And yet. The small jar of oil they had. Lasted. All eight days. That is the miracle at the heart of the hanukkah story. Jewish theologian mordecai kaplan points out that. This the story is not about the jewish people being victorious. In battle. Instead it is about the jewish people. Reclaiming their faith tradition reclaiming what he called a religious orientation to life. An affirmation of the supreme worth of life. The supreme worth of life. With a firm in the face of those who would deny it. It was a flame lit. Against the darkness. This is where ritual get some settling though. Ritual has a tendency to pull us out of our own concerns. And invites us to see our lives. As part. Of a larger story. And that larger story. Might ask a lot of us. That larger story might ask us to face the darkness. Of our own times. And to make it visible. By holding a light against it. This is the work that is before us as a faith community. And as a religious tradition because darkness. Is falling. Darkness falls when hatred. And hopelessness. Brief terrorism. Darkness falls when people of faith face retribution. And or borax carried out by extremist. Darkness falls when political debate demonizes. I've religious tradition and everyone who adheres. To that tradition. Darkness falls. When heart. Are closed. Biosphere. And when hatred. Is face. With hatred. Darkness. Is falling. Are we prepared to stand against it. The story of the maccabees and the oil for the lamp it's a miracle story right. Is it true. True enough. Maybe maybe it's true. But where is the miracle in that story really. Is it a miracle that the lamp stayed lit for 8 days. Is that the miracle. Maybe. I placed the miracle not in the oil but in the oil of gladness. From hebrews 19. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness your god has anointed you with the oil of gladness you have loved. Righteousness. And hated. Wickedness. It was a miracle that the faithful tending the temple cared enough to keep. It. Let. It was a miracle that they cared enough. To keep it lit. To witness its brilliance 48 days. A miracle that they cared as a war was raging outside their temple wall. It's hard to care for a candle when there is a war raging right outside your temple walls. Right. That is a miracle of human proportion. When we go out into the world we may be fighting a war we have many veterans here they have been to hell and back we leave a candle lit. For them. Or when we go out into the world we may be struggling in different trenches tending our dying parents. Leading our teenagers from the temptations of drugs and self-abuse keeping ourselves sober managing the expectations of impossibly. Demanding. Jobs. We leave a light on for us. As well. Are we a chosen people. Are we. Were we chosen to leave this light on. You can say it. Yeah yeah we were. But i still have to tell you why. The jewish people have in their scripture. Promises covenants between their god and themselves they covenant to sustain and protect that which sustains and protects them. They're god's torah. Ar reading explored this chosen nest in relation to the impossible suffering of the holocaust. We do not know why we have suffered. Concludes the rating. We only know. For what. And for whom we have. Survive. Are we a chosen people. We are a people who choose right. Some are brought up and unitarian universalist congregation has many choose it for themselves or for their children we are a people who choose. But if we suffer and if we survive do we know for what. Or for whom we have. Survive. When i began my journey to the ministry seven years ago. I had serious doubts about whether i wanted to work in the congregational setting like this. On the one hand. I loved a lot about serving at church i loved leading worship i love preaching providing pastoral care. What worried me. Wesley mundane administrative work. Attending meetings managing budgets. Doing the paperwork i had done a lot of this in my first career. And that's not how i saw myself in ministry i was looking to do real ministry the work that makes a difference in the lives of people the work that makes a difference in the life of a community. And i just saw that administrative stuff as just a distraction. But over the years. I come to see things differently. I come to see meetings in budgets and paperwork. As critical to the survival of the ministry. In the mission. Of the congregation. Far from being busy work these administrative tasks are what make ministry possible am i right reverend anya. And they're so much joy but they are community table of loudoun dinner. And i attended attended i sat with the other guests and visited. But i saw so much going on around me. And i know there was much that i wasn't seeing. It was volunteers who baked the food is lasagna that night. It was volunteers who decorated the space. It was volunteers who directed traffic in the parking lot. It was volunteers who played music who did the av. To help with the cleanup. Yeah i know there was a lot of work. That was not seen that day the work that went into planning that event. Work that involves setting up budget. Filling out paperwork attending meetings. Without all that work. Without all of that work. Some of those 120 guests. Would not have had dinner that night. They would not have had dinner that night it was truly radical hospitality. It's an example of what james luther adams called the power of organization. And the organization of power. It's a beautiful phrase i love this. What are you saying is that were best able to make a difference as a faith community. When we work effectively. As an organization. When we plan and manage the budget. When we plan events when we update the website and print the weekly insert. When we articulate our vision. In mission. How many meetings are involved in this work in the infirmary the meeting not a lot of joy. But this is the work. Of a faith community. This is an important. Part of the work. About faith community here when i arrived this morning i like to get here early. But no matter how early i get here. There's already people already here. This morning mike was out getting the hospitality area setup. Lisa put up signs in the parking lot. Kimberly was getting basically everything in the sanctuary ready you know from the chairs to everything back here it was it was just a hive of work. John kim in the choir we're practicing. The chalice the wonder box of candles all of this stuff. All of this work that happens every sunday morning. And every sunday morning. This place is transformed. It is transformed by people doing seemingly mundane work. But there's nothing mundane about it. The work we do sunday morning in the work we do throughout the week. That transforms this building. Into a sacred space. A space where a candle can be lit. And held against the darkness. So the covenant that we keep it's not written in a sacred book at least not one that i've seen yet. But it has gravity and nothing about it is mundane. So take a look at the words you'll find it and your orders a service it's our closing words. We call it closing words i call it a covenant. They're what we promised to one another the lights that we refuse to extinguish and they are i believe. For what. And for whom we survive. There is a unity. Despite time and death. And the space between the stars there is a unity. You are christian i am jewish you are white i am black you are straight i am gay you are an atheist i am a theist. You wear a hijab i wear a yarmulke. Despite time and death and the space between the stars there is a unity. This. Is. 4. What. We survived. This unity. And that extends far beyond the walls the doors of this building. Because that is the for whom we survived that unity that doesn't know that it's pop. We don't survive to keep the wars raging outside our doors we do not survive to go to a meeting. Or to set out chairs. But we go to a meeting and we set out chairs so we can survive. So we can keep a lamp lit that promises unity that speaks to a world. Broken by hatred of the other that speaks clearly and resolutely there is another. Way. More than anything else. What you have called your religious leaders here to do. Is to work to unite and ever-increasing. Split. World. Split across creed split across race split across all the diversities that threatened to keep us apart. Part of that work has been. With loudoun interfaith bridges our interface organization i know you care about this work. Because you show up. It used to be a terrible embarrassment we had regular loudoun interfaith bridges meetings. And there were more unitarian universalist from this congregation in the room than anybody else. There were ten of us and maybe ten other folks from different faith traditions you care about this work. You believe we can unite across diversity. That. It's for what we survive. Where about. To do something really good. Bridges is. We're holding this vigil called witnessing our faith in one another. Thursday the 17th. You can write that down. This is a crazy time of the year right. A crazy time to throw one more thing in that calendar right. But the war on amazon.com to get the best deals. And the war in the aisles of bestbuy to find the perfect gadget. And the war on route 7 to get into the turn lane for costco. Those aren't the only wars going on. Extremists are threatening. Both with bombs and with words to steal us body and soul from one another. A few of us may be chosen if we serve in our military to fight against. The extremists that are wielding bombs. But i believe. All of us are already chosen or have. Chosen. By virtue of the closing words that we share every sunday. And the promises we keep. We have chosen to love the stranger. To see the inherent worth and dignity in all people. We have chosen we are chosen by these promises to fight against the extremists that are wielding words of hate. Of racial prejudice of faith-based biggest street bigotry. We are chosen. Here's a line i stole from reverend scott sermon my husband sermon every once in awhile i still want to his line. You might hear his conviction his call-in this. He wrote. Of the more than 220,000 deaths by gun violence in the us since 9/11. 50 have come at the hands of people who claim to be islamic extremists. 4. Hundred. Have come from white supremacist. Christian terrorists from the good old us of a. 400. But it's hard to see that right. It's hard to see that terrorism that is homegrown hate. I hate of our nation's very own. Much easier to look at that other. And point our fingers at that. We panda lamp here. And on occasion we walk that lamp out that light out into our world to the very place of hurt and stand there and solidarity with our interfaith brothers and sisters who have brought their lamps as well. And are tending them we will gather in leesburg and stand around the courthouse with candles lit against the darkness. And you will be there too right. You'll be there too. I know some people i said they're already going to be there. You'll be there right. Right all right. Because. We are chosen. Chosen by the convictions of our souls. We are. Chosen. The holy needs us. The holy. That understands unity. It serves us. This is the work of the people. It's our holy work. Amin.

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Emersons_Influence.mp3

Selection. From emerson's journals. October. 1987. The heroic. Cannot be common. For the common heroic. Yet we have the weakness to expect the sympathy. Other people in those actions who's very excellent. Is that they outrun all sympathy. An appeal. To atardi. Justice. If you would service your brother because it is fit for you to serve him. Do not take back your words. Or falter in your purpose. When you find that prudent people do not commend you. Still true to your own. November. 1987. They do not get their importunity hinders you from being. Resist. Their windy request. Give me. Food after phone they're tough integuments and what's your secret. Character lies. And let it open. It's proud flowers and fruits to the day. People thank you. For denying their prayers. And we'll say. We have used you as a handy tool. Now. We worship you. July. There must be. And revolution. Alone. The world anew world. And perhaps the ideal would be impossible. What is the essence. Of religion. The root. Where. It lives. Does religion live in the tense of theology. Or does it live in the religious experience. Does it live in the moral code. The prescription for what to do and what to avoid. Or is it born. Of the moral indignation. When we witness an injustice. Is it in the descriptions of all wonder and beauty that our peers or our religious leaders proclaim. Or is it in the experience we have. Are our memories and caused like experiences to rise within. Does it live in the building where we gather for religious services. Where does it live in the service. That that building offers us. Sheltering our souls as they reach for truth and wonder. Does true religion live. In the minister's sermon on emerson. Or on your own. I hope both. Emerson found the essence of religion in the religious experience. And direct experience of. The understanding that comes afterwards with reflection. This was for him a revolution that wendy shared. I believe. Transform the revolution in our understanding of. Shared with us but i believe there is still much more to learn. In a few days. I learned a bit more. I had the opportunity to share a childhood religious experience with our lifespan faith development council. And i'd like to share it with you. My exact age. Outside playing alone i grew up as an only child i had a lot of. Alone time. And i was on the side of my house in an area where i rarely played. Hanging tree branch. It was long enough. It wasn't that heavy it was pretty light. Easily moved. And i started dancing with it. With the tree branch. And i will get right back down. I was lifted up. And i was. I felt the air underneath my feet. I was flying. I have no idea how long this last. Stretched on to infinity. I knew how to fly in that moment. What it felt like. To fly. In that moment. I was lifted up. I knew. I played my rationality against the eye. But no strain of reason has had the power to dismantle my off. The experience still rises within me and recollection by that memory. This was my earliest. Emersonian conversion experience. And by conversion i don't mean i'm turning towards salvation understanding what i once called truth. Emerson council transcendent conversion because he understood how humans personally shaken. Into a new religious framework. Emerson counseled. Use me and his experiences were not so different than our own. The 20th. Was a time of tension and a time of social alienation. Characterized by. On material progress at the cost of human dignity. Regardless. The young idealistic emerson. How tightly. The manifest destiny. He trusted that the universe was rolling towards justice. Sherpath. And he trusted that reason logic and common sense would. Tune human morality and the good. It was this idealistic emerson who surprised his family. By entering harvard divinity school and choosing the path to ministry. It was also this year. Who fell madly in love with alan. A surprise to himself. Before alan he confided in his journal. What is called a warm heart. I have not. And halo. The journal entries turner. Corner after her arrival one simply states. Oh allen how i do dearly love you. A spark as he would later call it was born in his breast a powerful and a faces for. That caught and enlarged. Love for emerson as it is for so many great revelator. I profoundly individual experience that in the whole world. Or at least how he experienced. What was once cold moral progress. Was suddenly imbued with a warm emotional possibility. When i first read about the immigration debate. Making the rounds a few years back i was drawn into the fray. But added. I sent a moral call. But my arguments were timid. At least. Until i walked shoulder-to-shoulder with children families seniors with white faces and brown smiling and singing in the streets of san jose california. Steps. I walked into the debate. No longer an observer. I felt the human urge to be wanted. Respected. Deemed worthy. And this infused my arguments and strengthened my call the direct. Experience changed everything. Regulations are the stories of our latin american brothers and sisters were pulled over and asked who their id. Brown. Or the stories of violent deportations that split families are the tales of treacherous border crossings that none would endure if the situation in their homeland was not utterly dire. When i hear these stories i feel. Because i have felt. The law. Emerson also knew the love. Then experienced the ache. When his wife of only a few years. Ellen tucker.. As a minister emmerson held hope in the church has potential to assuage his remorse. The opportunity to experience rich emotions and a safe space the chance to. The church that he later called. The icehouse of unitarianism. Did not fulfill his expectations. And he rejected it. For its failure. Betty. But it was his bold asking his comfort with unsettling all things that birthed a revolutions spinning out today. At the time the unitarians and protestant sects were deeply engaged in a theological dispute regarding the miracles of jesus. Some believe the stories. If they weren't the whole religion was fable. Others like thomas jefferson wanted to reject the miracles wholesaling. Hold on to the ethically based parables. Summer using science to rationally explain the fantastic miracles and emerson was confounded by all the blathering. Is this what they want to worship. Amused. An intellectual exercise. What we worship. We are becoming. So be careful what you worship. Emerson did not find god in the cold creeds are philosophy. Inexperience. And reflection. In a motion mixed with rationality. He ground his moral compass in this simple assertion. I know that i. And that part of me as essential as memory or reason. Is a desire. Another. And from this is the most conception of character that can be formed in the mind. It is the individuals on soul carried out to perfection. It was for emerson. A god in us. Which worships god. Emerson didn't want to simply state his beliefs. He didn't believe that this would produce a religious experience. When he left the ministry which he did. He saw a new method transcendentalism. The scholar embraced poetic prose and has ever known. Have you tried to read them. Some of emerson's essays. They're not easy. Emerson came to worship the poet's art. And he took it on as his own he saw genius and metaphor. Illustration. While a scholarly writer might pull a piece of reality down from the shelves for scrutiny. The poet revealed the world. And its full glory. It was the poets that emerson called. Liberating god. Liberating the godlike nature's trapped in all of us. His essays. We nestled in nature. And draw our living as parasite. From her roots. And we received glances from the heavenly bodies which. Call us to solid food and foretell the remotest future. The blue zenith is the point in which romance and reality meet. I think if we should be wrapped away. Into all that we dream of heaven and should converse with gabriel and uriel. The upper sky would be all that would remain. Ivar furnace. Words that liberate us from the common. Words. To lift us up. The scholar peter millar called emerson's transcendentalism. A protest of the human heart against emotional starvation. Writing for the bard was a sacred act. A call to know divinity directly. Lifting us up. And the oversoul emerson explains a wise old proverb says god comes to see us without a bell. That is is there is no screen or ceiling between our heads. And the infinite heaven. So is there no bar or wall in the soul. The walls are taken away. We lying open on one side. To the deeps of spiritual nature. To all the attributes of god. Again. Lifting us up. I read these lines now and say yes i've heard so many in our congregations illustrate similar truths with their own poetic from within the unitarian church and praise. Edward norton president of rejected emerson poetic prose as obscure. Ambiguous words. And false and mischievous speculation. An article in the boston courier protest. Harsh criticism. But none so much as later critics gave him when they looked back over his career. Between his glorious image. Images. And the wreckage of the world that he inhabited. Did his revelations work themselves out into any concrete reform. Emerson himself struggled to bring himself. To confront the most heinous injustice of his time. Slavery. He stayed out of the fray. Liberated from the chains of religious dogma he was none the last chained to his upper-class sensibilities. Which may be why he found the crowds at abolitionist rallies. Describing them. This part really cracked me up. Quakers abolitionists. And philosophers. His tracks were always as profoundly moving. Grabbing. Lifting us to a new understanding. I wonder. But he sustained early in life. After losing allen tucker. He lost his son waldo. And there's something about feeling that love and then feeling that a kit is tough to walk. Back into the middle of love. Have an experience. You want to teach other people how to do it. Emerson. To lift us up. Are any more than a poet. Trick. They produce an ephemeral momentary experience with no stain. To this day when i speak of the low-hanging tree branch. If only for a moment. I feel that moment. Again. I remember the awesome sense of flight and i know without a doubt that it is possible. Not ephemeral. Not. Somewhere else here. I believe. Is the root of religion. The religious experience. I wondering closing if we can all reach back into our path. And locate an experience that we had. Either as children or as adults and experience that we might call spiritual. Or religious. Or transcendent. An experience of all wonder or profound depth. Let's call that experience back to us now. Butthole. And retrace it. Where we were how we felt. For a few moments inside. Hold on today. There is great. Richness. Before emerson enter divinity school he confessed to himself how strange it was that he should choose the allen. Which is from everlasting to everlasting debatable ground. A ground that was most commonly tried by reasoning machine. Like the great philosophical thinkers. Emerson was not a reasoning machine. But a man with a moral imagination. And it is astounding where we can go with this imagination. That he sought to teach us. We can be lifted up. Again. And again. This may not be enough alone. But i agree that these are religious experiences are the essence of religion. Without them. I dare not imagine. I'm in.

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WaterService2010.mp3

I want to invite you for a moment. Of what it feels when you go around a corner. In your car. Maybe when you're driving a little bit too fast. Take a tight corner what happens to your body. Here. Your portal. Flash. A little bit. Feels a bit like a. Flash to the side. The more profound effect of the sloth is. The earth 70%. Your body is 70%. Water. It is difficult to tune into this reality effect helps. We are strapped into the experiment. The teachers are something more about our essential nature. That we are not as solid. An inflexible as we might feel. We can move like the earth's oceans. Move. We have a watery nature. And a part of the level. Parents. A picture of water. Pour the carrot into a large vessel. And it will look very much like a carrot. In a large vessel. Its environment won't alter its form. But take the water and pour it into a large vessel. And it will find its on level. A new level. That conforms with the shape of its container. Water responds to its environment by creating a new. Normal. Think of how difficult changes for us. For us humans. Last year we moved into this new space. And for a month every time that i wanted a cup of coffee or a glass of water. I would walk from my new desk. Into our old kitchen. What am i doing here. I started storing glasses in there just. Help myself out a little bit at least what i was looking for in the wrong place. Aren't they remember pattern. They remember the old shapes that we once asked ourselves to fill. Everytime returns to my father's old neighborhood and visits with his brothers and sisters. This man that we knew. Turns into someone completely out. Jester's words he uses it changes. He seems younger. Farm again. A farm he hasn't worked on for 50 years. Recognize this in your family members. And yourselves when you return to places that you haven't been that you once called home. There's a part of us that refuses to find a new level. And when given the chance we revert. Back to the old patterns. But there is a watery part of our natures as well. I'm from connecticut. My mother was an english teacher and instructed with a vehement saint proper pronunciation. Climbing with pride. But it was the people from connecticut who spoke correctly. This summer when i returned to connecticut for a visit total strangers that i met into different circumstances. Where are you from. You have such an accent. Are you from europe one asked. You sound like you're from the south. Maybe virginia. I'm beginning to feel this container. Beginning to take the shape of this space. The space that you have called me. Pizzelle. Are water adventures service. Constant change is unnerving. We need the consistency of bone and skin the gift of stability but if we could not. Develop film new containers we would sores of inflexibility. Universalist. Begins. Universal stand for. The only true answer to this question. Is that we do not stand. We move. Like to add. We are willing to move. Being together and religious community is not only about intellectual stimulation do that is important. It is about opening our hearts to one another. It is about letting the spirit catch us off-guard. It is about feeling the music. Embracing one another's hands and sensing there is love in that space where they touch. It is about spilling tears and sharing. Our brokenness. As well as our strength. It is about trusting that this community. Cradle are watery nature. So we will again find our level. Religious communities through time have trusted this metaphor of water. I want to share some of their wisdom as provocation for us. And i have chosen pieces from the jewish. The christian and the muslim scriptures. Especially for their relevance in this hour. On this morning after september 11th. In this time of national unrest. From genesis. In the beginning god created the heavens and the earth. The earth was a formless and empty void. Darkness was over the surface of the deep and the spirit of god was hovering over the water. We are made of water in this mess. Or if you prefer the source of creativity drew life out of the water. In the beginning there was the deep. In the hebrew the deep is. Sounds like home. Maybe like a womb. We are of water. We cannot stay there for long. Always. From john speaking for jesus. Whoever believes as the scripture has said. Jesus followers were water was a sign of hope. If you walk. If you have deserts of despair or loneliness or grief. Or desperation. You to know how the first. Hope. Feels like the living water itself. From the quran. Every living thing out of water. And. Among his water down from the sky so he may revive the earth. With it following its death. I lived in california for a year. There the whole land would go from green. To brown. And then to green again. The rains in the fall would revive the dead land. Water is a force of resurrection. Keep close to your heart. This year these images of water. When you are called to change. Defined a new level. On your watery nature for wisdom. We are pulled around so many sharp curves. Many that we did not expect. Health concerns changes in our relationships the loss of dear ones to death financial circumstances to name just a few. Sometimes we need to be firm. And trust the shapes that are bones hold. There is wisdom there we have built strong values and they deserve our vigilance. At other times we would serve to let our bodies. Around those curves. And take the shape that will serve us. Sometimes we need to find a new level. One that are new circumstances. The man. Especially here. As we grow our church community. And as individual and spiritually. As we grow collectively. As who we are as a congregation develops with each new participants. Making our circle. More complete. I welcome you to trust your watery nature. As we grow and these two ways together. Attention. How are you responding to the. Centrifugal force. I've changed. Are you gripping tightly to that steering wheel. Holding yourself tightly in place. Or are you letting yourself sloth. I bet. And discover what change has to offer. In a moment we will learn what it looks and feels like when we do trust this community. To hold us to help us find a new level. We begin this year as we begin all our years together by adding water. To this picture. Water that we have collected from our summer experiences. We on it. Here into this common vessel. Use this water and many different ceremonial weigh-ins as we dedicate children. With naming ceremonies and as we celebrate our youth and their coming-of-age has. When you come forward to share at your water please share a simple phrase. That will help us understand where this water is coming from a stream maybe your. Sink in your kitchen. Or if this water symbolizes for you. Something special something that you found this summer. I welcome you to share that. Maybe you might say enjoy. For wholeness. For restful contemplation. Of course you're also welcome to add your water and sun. We have some vessels up here that hold water. If you did not bring water please feel welcome to come forward and speak a bit of that water in. Speaking symbolically of where your water is from. Will form one line will go around. Underwater. And there will be a microphone over here for you to tell us where your water is from. Or how it has moved. So let's form that line. Going back. And around on the side rosalie will be here with the pictures. Here with a microphone.

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The_Spirituality_of_Food.mp3

Monster toddy food we'll have two reflections and then we'll have a food meditation and then the final two reflections so i'll begin. My family. Food is love. Everyone who walked in the door i was welcomed with a beverage invited for dinner for lunch for snack even if it wasn't a meal time. Table talk with us break bread. Before you know it friendships were stone community was cultivated through hospitality. Left on the table to share from great-grandparents to great-grandchildren. We heard stories about parents of his uncle's farm spending summers there and knowing exactly where their meals came from. The unspoken message was. Eat with us. And you're welcome just one of us. Even if for a brief time. And it's often a sentiment that lasted for decades. I've also observed and experienced that in some families food is about control. Everything on your plate. Don't touch anything in the fridge or the pantry between meals. The kitchen is closed for somebody like me. In my twenties. And a holiday visit with my then boyfriend's family in connecticut and i brought my mom's famous banana bread. Walk the door with this. Great offering i knew it was famous on my friends loved it they demanded it whenever we had gatherings. And she took one look. Boyfriends. Mother one look at it instead. We don't need. You can take it home with you when you're after the weekend. I should have turned around and walked out right then but. And culturally we're so tied for food ritual of our recipes and it's unspoken sent that if you reject my food you reject me and my culture my community. When we break bread we create community this is a sacred space that we share. Two years ago we learned that one of our children has food allergies. And need to eliminate the cars. Meant that she was excluded from communion of meals and it also stressed out many people who had invited us to their homes even though we always travel with safe foods so. Illuminating differences in her ability to be part of. Her community in her school and her social. Her social life no birthday cake. No cookies. I know what they all they want is just to have what their friends are having. So. Also understand exactly what names of ingredients mean and code words for what manufacturers don't want you to know that they've added into their products. Is heightened awareness of what we are putting into our food and our bodies begin to change the way we view nutrition and how we eat our food. If we are what we eat are we fuel or are we poison. Are we stubstad or we filler. The food allergy has been a blessing in disguise because while i would not wish this on anyone ever we are so thankful to have been given this gift of awareness. Consciously about how important food is to me to my family and to my community. Where are places in the world's food chain from business agriculture and health perspectives. The exercises homework we had we're just. Torturous we had to eat. Prayers before meals. I brought two like connections if i'd not seen the before between creator and creation. The growth of a seed and the earth to the infinite varieties of forms of soil and climate in the miracle of that sliver of green can nourish power and heal the human body. I love food. Strong fibrous greens. Rich creamy and sometimes stinky cheese. Crusty bread sweet fruits and decadent chocolate. Yes i am what i eat. The first joint spiritual help me with my relationship with food. It seems like i was regularly berating myself over my weight. And i have sensed it if i did not take a hard look at my relationship with food network. Not long after i. Doctor suggested to me that i lose 10 lb. And cut up fatty meats. After talking about this with my brother. Impart. It's not complicated. You have to burn more calories than you eat. There are many ways to accomplish this. None of them are easy. Simple rules. Eat only healthy low-calorie foods and. Exercise enough to sweat. For at least 20 minutes at least three times a week. I started forming strategies as to how i might lose the weight. I decided i had to go grocery shopping. So one sunday afternoon. And bottle of food. After some thought much discussion we came up with a list of breakfast lunch snack. And dinner. We vowed to ourselves. And prepare these food options during the weekend. So that we can have these breakfast lunch snack and dinner options available throughout the work week. Some of the options we have on our list are from the spirituality of glass. The secret of the incas. Is one of them. It's versatile. It has a very high protein. Tastes good and is pretty easy to prepare. I need to manage my cravings. It would be nice to think that my body craves what is good for me. It's much more like my body craves what it's used to. That i need to avoid. Because resisting them now. Means it will be easier to resist them later. For a while i didn't see any results. My weight fluctuated in a way that i couldn't tell from one day to the next how i was doing and cindy and i both have a sweet tooth which seems to have a mind of its own. But i have. Since i took my baseline measurements. And my relationship with food has undergone a positive change. With the support of my fellow classmates and many others. I hope to continue to refine and improve my relationship with food. And live a long healthy life. Meditation that we're about to do river 9u open one of our class meetings with the tangerine ritual. And it was designed to help us be more mindful of foods higher purpose. To provide for our health and well-being. And today. We're not going to do tangerines since unfortunately they're out of season. But we are going to use cherries. Please take one. Anyone. And. And a napkin. A short silence. And a reading by tick nat han. That reverend anya. Found for us and it's from the heart sutra. And i invite you to sit so that you can breathe deeply relax your muscles. This will allow you to be free to focus on your cherry. And please hold them until we we begin. Give the solid ground for making peace with ourselves. When you produce peace and happiness in yourself you begin to realize peace for the whole world. With the smile that you produced in yourself you can change the world. To sit. To smile. To look at things and really see them. These are the bases of piecework. Buddhist meditation do not struggle. For the kind of enlightenment that will will happen five or ten years from now. We practice so that each moment of our life becomes real life. The same kind of mindfulness can be practiced when we eat. Or when we hold a child in our arms. When you hold a child or how your mother. Or your friend. Breathe in and out three times. And your happiness will be multiplied. By at least tenfold. When you look at someone really look at them with mindfulness and practice conscious breathing. You will. Yes. You should practice conscious breathing when you're doing that. At the beginning of each meal look at your plate and silent night. My plate is empty now. But i know that is going to be filled with delicious food in just a moment. While you are waiting to serve yourself. Breathe deeply. And look at your plate depot. And say. At this very moment many many people around the world are also holding a plate. But their plate is going to be empty for a long time. When we see the good in the bad the wondrous and the deep suffering. We have to live in a way that can make peace between ourselves in the world. Understanding is the fruit of meditation. Understanding is the basis. If everything. Hold your cherry in the palm of your hand. Come into awareness of your breath. As you breathe in what do you notice. As you breathe out. What do you know that. Now bring your awareness to the charity. Feel the skin. Notice it's indentation. Its blemishes. It's perfection. Look at the fruit. Roll it around in your hands. Feel its texture. Breathe deeply as you observe its qualities. Fruit came from a tree. That rooted in the soil. And stretched up into the sky with bark and branches and leaves. It was a roost for birds. Rock by the wind. They drank water from the earth and lived off the sun. This fruit grew from a blossom. With delicate pink pedals. Almost weightless in your hand. Let the scent come deeply into your awareness. Now take your finger or fingernail and make a small indentation in the skin. Peel away a bit of it and smell it. Be aware of your breath. What you are sensing. What you were feeling. Now eyes open. Bring the fruit to your mouth. Slowly taste it. And sing. Smelling. Feeling. In awareness. Eating this fruit. Sensing. Smelling. Doing. Breathing. Fencing. Smelly. Chewing. Breathing. The earth. You are of the earth. This food is one of god's creations as you are. There is a connection a nursing connection. Circle and spiritual between us all. Go in peace eden love. I am a sous designated reader. Inspired by the spirituality of food. Unfortunately. In fact from baby food on to adulthood. And we did to show it to. A problem. other health problems. Hi-health carson even early death. Fortunately we are we sort of are what we eat. Lacrosse when sue signed up for the class she expected a survey of cuisine around the world. Or maybe the old standby from the 60s poverty. Undernutrition. Hunger malnutrition even starvation and death. Of course these problems are with us still. But i can't help thinking that good food is all around. And sometimes the cheapest foods are the best. For example here is some foods in our pantry. And refrigerator from around the world. Bananas from guatemala ecuador. Pasta from italy. Rice from thailand. Lentils for the middle east spices of all over. Potatoes from maine and idaho. Citrus in florida and california. Also the class suit. Who got to reading some old ethnography she'd heard about. But i never read like chichi constant mango. Another about panajachel in in guatemala. The first was in part about having spirituality carries through the whole agricultural round. Ceremonies for selling. Ceremonies in the house. In front of the granary. In the mountain ceremonies in the church. Also offering of candles incense roses and. Aguardiente whiskey. The other book about panajachel reminded steals guatemala spocket place. Super bowl show you a list of. Goods in three marketplaces. Cloverfield area 1969. Sous vide cooking style happens to be new england. What's up. Jesus grandfather. Give us our bread. Give us update. Give us our daily food to eat. Help us to the hostility. So thank the giver. For the gift. She's ever getting older she gets google last and just things. Eating. Growing up in west africa in the 1940s and 50s. That was always made obvious to me. Through customs. If not always. Through words. A run-through summer. Those practices for you. Food was made to be shared the family always ate together. Children. And where man is with.. People with generous with strangers often routinely giving them food.. They was saving for special occasions. Food was concern at least. A variation of the conventional saying was. Streetside neighbor better than thyself. Food pusher with the spirit of god with small g as we called him. The offering of rice a staple. Turmoil the symbol of wealth or festivity. A symbol of. Any source of food that had to be born. And colin.. Representing all fruits was routine at happy occasions and especially at harvest time. To thank the gods. And let them know that they have not been forgotten. Netflix connection between the gods and foods that gives you life and sister. Was always clear. Food was hard to get. A certain times of year in my part of west nile because where i grew up. 2 meals every 3 days was not uncommon. But fruits like pineapple papayas and guavas. Bringing the wild what are available. A limited quantity. Because they were organic. You ate healthy even if you didn't know what i meant. Nature made up for your lack of scientific knowledge i have a very hard time. Eating pineapple in this country is just doesn't taste like band eiffel. More generally fertilizer and other chemicals were not available. Do all food was grown organically. Hunting for food was done in two ways back then. With guns that have to be recharged. With powder and bullets after each firing. And traffic. Nice you. Ever hunted with such guns. Once you fire by the time you reload. Long gone. So you don't get a second chance. Prepping was similar. Animals are very good at feeling. Human presence. So when you set a trap. Your pasta is detected. They smell that you've been there. And they avoided especially if one of them has been caught. This maintain a salutary equilibrium between. For such meat. Who said colibrium unfortunately was broken up later. When modern gun were introduced but that's for another sunday. Indian garment that i've just described we were always conscious of the fact that nature was providing for our existence. And we avoided abusing it at least one purpose. The food closet we had reminded me of all these again. The injunction to eat responsible environment was easy-to-understand. Even if not always easy to practice in the western world. And abundance that we have here. I think we can try though. The community building parties very easy. I still take for mendes flesh pleasure. In cooking for others. Need a family friends members of a community. Tamparo. Kroger's. The simple act of slicing mushroom my my daughter calls me fastidious when i. But sliding slicing mushrooms. Improvising a new recipe or even more. Gives me enormous inspiration and peace of mind. It is my most common form of meditation and chosen way to give forms for the many blessings in my life. I also understand the feeding of strangers part of it. In the present context. Eating. To eat. By being intentional about. And therefore i try to buy food that is going to responsibly fairtrade food. And food has grown. Heinous sustainable manner. While i do not always know how the animals are treated that provide to meet at in the market. I tried to stay true to maya bringing by buying free-range meat. While i hunted for food while growing up. I could never run for fun or sport. Even in cases where the animal is not killed like fox hunting. Because even in those cases 200 present to me anyway. That has to feel like your life is about to end. But i like to conclude by admitting that the police was around food and not always easy. This became clear to me on a recent trip to ivory coast. Where they were farmers producing fresh. Produce in remote parts of the country. But they have no way of getting you through the big cities. They don't have vehicles to transport is there's no refrigeration. And so far. Get spoiled. A lot of money for the same produce. There's not enough of it even to go around. Dilemma. Which is worse. Defender is that this creates. Or using chemicals. That would make it possible. The food to the people who need it. Risk. Today health. I don't know the answer to that. But it is my wheel saying issues. Alright well easy-to-understand. I'm not so easily solved individual response in my view. Must be to do our best that's really all we can ask anybody. Well as a community. We must strive together to make a bigger contribution. Is it healthy. As well as the area's women ever set eyes on. It is our religious responsibilities are too as well. Our. Him his number.

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Confessions_of_a_Religious_Bigot.mp3

Good morning. All the things that you've been dealing with here. In terms of. Samantha. Have a concern that our brother here with sharing. When we talk about being community. The thing i'm going to be talking about today has to do with. How community is addressing. Some of those. Evil forces that are out there but. There are times when. 1 is. Caught up in that that. You're just. Hug by the roadside to just pause a little bit because. We're dealing with. Other kinds. Horses that come into our lives and so it's never an either-or. About what. A radical community of faith it's all about. It's always a. And. I came i don't dress up like this every sunday. I used to. When i was a lutheran. Pastor. But really don't do that that much anymore. But i thought it would be a significant thing to do today because the. I don't know whether i know. Dresses up any differently maybe she's got a road but some kind but maybe not. But it's all in the context. What we might think of as liturgical symbolism. And. Liturgical symbolism. That. Sometimes evolve into. Structure of worship that's really very formal. It's important that we would recognize what that word liturgy is really all about. It comes from a. Greek word lighter gaya which brings together two words laws and aragon and. It really is the work of the people. And. Originally talked about the kind of public service that was rendered in a particular community. That everyone had a shared responsibility and that was their liturgy. So it's a word that was very much. Related. To a horizontal reality. It got co-opting. By official in organized religion somewhere along the way. And so liturgy. Got translated from pet kind of horizontal thing into it almost purely vertical. Experience. Always. Something going on between god and. People in people and god mainly. In its worst form its. Not the people but it's always me. And god a very individualistic kind of thing. And so. That's really a corruption at a. Co-optation of a very good. Possibility. Some of the other things about that vertical experience. And i have to go back into my own background then. I don't know how many of you. Have come out of another faith traditions especially one in which. The emphasis was very vertical. Extremely vertical. And when i talk about the convect confessions of a religious bigot. My upbringing even. To the times when that kind of conditioning was getting reinforced in a seminary experience. That i'm coming out of there with an attitude. That would never have made this day possible. I might have considered coming here. If i were going to take the time. Because i felt that you all needed to be converted. To get your lives in order. Is that what. Then my only concern for you. That. Someday. You might die. And. Go to hell. At my job in life to see to it that you're going to. Go to heaven someday. And. That's where all this. Liturgical symbolism really gets off. Crap. I have to. Confess. Westie. Sorrow. That. What i'm coming through seminary i spent five years in a seminary process. I basically was trying to manipulate people. To ask the questions for which i had all the answers. And when you're dealing with children like we were before. If a child were asked the wrong question. It's not fair. Until you would train children from the beginning to ask only the right question. And then you can respond with the. Answering. And what happens then. In life. When. You run into different question. We. The runaway from him we can avoid him. But if we begin to face up to him and deal with them honestly. Then. We begin to. Open ourselves up to the possibilities. Now. In the liturgical year. That. Still. Is meaningful to me. This is called the season of epiphany advent before christmas than the christmas season and the epiphany season and your anthem this morning was right on as it as an epiphany kind of anthem about setting life because that's what it's all about. The lights. Those major i who saw a light in the sky and came. To work. And so the whole emphasis of this season is about. Enlightenment. Opening ourselves up to new and different possibilities. Well. I had already had some experiences that were opening me up but. I still wasn't sure. Where. I was going in life in terms of converting this vertical experience into something. On a horizontal level and that's. But i happened to come to pittsburgh back in the sixties. To a congregation in the inner city. We're because of white flight because the neighborhood had changed to an almost. Totally african-american community in. In the space of the. Couple of years. Here was a congregation of 350 people. In which 90% of them fled to the suburbs. But there were a handful of people who were willing to. Stay around to say we're going to serve this community. And the larger church said. If if you're committed to do that then we'll. Provide you with some financial help so you can carry on a ministry there. And. Because i had been involved in something called the lutheran human relations association which was dealing with issues of race. Back in the fifties and. Early 60s. I was recommended for this. Roll but it was to be a pilot project. We had no experience. In the life of the lutheran church-missouri synod how to. How to deal with it a new situation. Alice shirley on a hunt. Just a hunch. But i said let's look at our form of worship. Our liturgy. Because we're going to be reaching out to people. Who have a different cultural experience than ours a different kind of liturgical experience and if we don't even understand what we're doing how are we going to engage and bring people. Into a meaningful experience. And so we spent 15 weeks. Sunday by sunday reflecting on various components of the. Literally on the most significant thing that happened during that. of time. Was that. When we were celebrating communion and we did that once a month. Communion as the memorial meal. Jesus death resurrection. I said you know. You only do this once a month but. Where to be talkin about it for 4 weeks. So how about during this four-week period of time we celebrate communion every sunday. At the end of that period of time someone at a congregational east why did we do this before. But i found this a very relevant thing because. We weren't just emphasized in communion. The way they had. Thought of it in the past. Send you always had to protect. Communion to make sure the wrong people didn't common things like that. What happened was a change in thinking. In this congregation. Instead of a focus on receiving the body and blood of jesus. And at this stage of my life. I just think that's a horrible distortion at everything that jesus was talking about. When this meal got perpetuated. In what we call communion. People began to think of themselves as. The body of christ. Broken. Forget community. And that's what christmas and. Epiphany are all about, what surgical context. That. Christmas. If we celebrated the important thing is not just celebrating the birth of jesus. But the whole christmas spirit is that god becomes incarnate and indeed is incarnate in every human being. And now it's listening. Tells us how we live this out well that was a sort of things going on. Another a lot of other things happening in the community. The civil rights demonstrations were. Beginning. And here's where my own. Conversion. Took place. And this day january 25th is important liturgical day because it remembers the conversion of someone named saint paul. Who started out at saul. And he had a really vertical. Understanding. Have his religious tradition. And he didn't just. Look at some other people. As the people who might be going to hell. He was out there sending them to hell he was out there. Persecuting and killing people because they had become part of a jesus movement. That's how religion. His. Religious. Experience what i think that. You know he he would have been one of the original zionist. That was how tall. Understood it's like that. Sahara. An experience we're not sure what it was but. When it's described. He first of all says he was blinded by the light. And then he met. Someone who is part of the jesus movement someone named ananias who. Put his hands on him and it was like. Scales fell and now. He could see and now paul is a completely different person. In the book of acts for this story is told you have us succeeding story about peter. Who also had that vertical thing and considered anyone out his tradition unclean and untouchable. But then he had a vision one night. And god shows him all this. Food. That he wouldn't have eaten before because it wasn't kosher. And i would never touch anything unclean. And in that vision god says. Don't ever say that anything i have created is unclean. And so he went to the house of a roman centurion. Hammond. When he finally had the experience of. Leading and getting to know one of those unclean impure person. He was converted and he said the truth i've come to realize is that god doesn't have any favorites. But everyone. Who's. Struggling to serve god is acceptable to god well. There's all that background of conversion. Pittsburgh in august of 1963 was having its first major civil rights demonstration. And i think i might have told this story at a bridges meeting and some of you may have heard me tell it. But. On that day. There were masses of people walking around a city block in downtown pittsburgh they were protesting at the duquesne light company. Because african-american folks had to buy electricity but they couldn't work for the company. That was. Producing the electricity. The pittsburgh post-gazette and describing the scene the next day said. There were more spectators than demonstrators and they estimated the demonstrators be doing between six and eight hundred people. This was a few months after i'd come into the community and i've been going to ministerial meetings with. By african-american brothers and. On that particular day. Hold on. Was a spectator. Watching. And. Across the street. Was. Wd parrot. From the nazarene baptist church and he saw me. He came over to where i was. He reached out his hand. He said brother don. I believe you're on the wrong side of history. Wow. It was. Not. A conscious decision on my part i would lived. Infirmity a logical perspective i say i was led by the spirit and crossing the street that day was my asphalt jordan. If people want to talk about being born again and a change goes on well change took place. In my life. And. Yeah i. I began to shed. Some of those trappings. Official. Religion. And. One of the reasons i. Started out with this today is that i could. Symbolically. Go through the motions if i can untied if not here. Things got a little naughty. But. We're going to do it here. I'll work on that later. When you. Have an experience like that. Your hope respect. Against. Change. Your. Perspective. Against the change because now. You see things. From the perspective of people on the other side of the street. And wherever it might be that we begin to express solidarity with oppressed. People. It changes how we see things. This morning over at st james. They're singing to him that the. Anya had suggested do you hear. Are you familiar with that hymnal that him in your handle. Do you hear this. i don't know. Wow we might say you know not only do you hear do you see. Especially. Bethany. So. No ipad that. It was time not just a shed but. The whole idea. Of what the work. The church. And the work and being a minister. Completely. Change. For me. Annie. I look back. All those experiences. And i can only say. Well i think about. What went. On this week. When we began. With remembering the birthday of martin luther king jr.. I was going to bring along some pictures this morning and i. Got away in a rush. I took pictures at. The lincoln memorial back in 1963. I was lucky to have someone come up and give me a ticket so i can get a ringside seat. And i got a great picture of. Al gore's father. Sitting next to mahalia jackson. Someday i'm going to find someone who can. Get me a personal. Meeting with algor i say i've got something. You need hair. But also you know the whole sweet down the mall. But. Yeah i can't forget kings words. Because. They were speaking so much to me. That he was. Talking about that old. Negro spiritual hymn about free at last free at last thank god almighty. Realized. And so it was. A moment of. Heading. So many burdens and so many. Blocks and hindrances to being the kind of person that i think god. For me to be and. To work. Could. Help do some organizing of the life of the church. And. Never 5 concept liturgical concept. And even though you don't have really a heavy formal liturgy i recognize that you have those concepts here too. And i have to do with confession. In celebration. Conversation. Commitment. Community. Those are elements of. Worship that. Becomes a real communal experience. A real horizontal experience to recognize that god is here. God spirit is in all of us and god spirit is out there and people. Some people who don't even know it. We reach out to each other at sisterson. But. The time went on. I had actually burned a few bridges. In pittsburgh. And. There were people. From. Well almost. As soon as i got there people in my church body were calling for my expulsion from the whole church by. And the. Went through a graduate school stands at the university of pittsburgh. It's really kind of a public. A political science. Major. And ended up being asked to go to rochester to work with a community organization and. Described in your bullet this was a community organization spawned back. Someone named saul alinsky. And if you want to google him sometime. Call. Was you know what tremendous tactician. But in terms of ultimate community organizing as i understand it and what needs to be done. And how those. Symbols. Confession. Change for me to a capacity for critical appraisal. Celebration not just. Celebrating god in our lives but. Expressions of solidarity when people are in revolution. And being able. To celebrate those. Who are critical of the united states of america. Being able to celebrate someone like jeremiah wright. It's one of the saddest things in the world that. Barack obama had to disown this. Mentor who really helped shape who barack obama is today but for political expediency and i understand that. But it's sad. That's. One of the sad stories. That goes with this week. And the third thing about conversation it's not this conversation but that we enter into critical dialogue with each other. Testing some of the assumptions. That we might have. Critical dialogue that. Martin luther king. Was engaged that you know people really think. The i have a dream speech. Was he on that was. The panhandle fast fantastic thing he did but i don't think so. I think it was his speech out at riverside church. In april of 1960. 7. When. Martin luther king began to connect. Some of the oppression going on in this country. Among black folks. To the worldwide depression. But our government was engaged to. And i would encourage you if you've never read that speech you can google it easy beyond vietnam a time. To break silence. And he was saying how in the world. When our country had become one of the greatest purveyor of violence in the world. How could one be silent. And those are the kind of questions that i think we still have to be asking today so. Critical dialogue. Examine. And test out some of the myths. Anyone ever remember reading the book back in the 60s called up against the american myth. I was doing a trading session with some students and someone stole my copy back there. That i keep looking for it and used bookstores but. The myth. The number one. The superpower. One of the real. Positive things that. I think. King was saying in that speech out there. In. Riverside church and by the way that's the church where harry emerson fosdick was once a pastor. And he's the one who wrote that him. We sang before. I remember when i was in seminary he was pointed out as one of the real heretic's in this country. And i think you know this him is wow. But anyway. Martin luther king talk about a need for maturity. And. If there's any hopeful sign right now. It's at. We have. A president in the white house. Who has a maturity. Judgment. Nada. No panacea of a tendon problems by any stretch of the imagination. He needs to be challenged. But people like us. I think. It's about time we have a little maturity after 8 years of adolescent. Behavior. That have gotten us into. Hey. Real. So. I believe some of these things out for you. Today. You get to know me a little better i get to know you a little better i think we got a lot of organizing to do here. In. Loudoun county and beyond. If i were to go onto those other two seas. Following critical. Dialogue is a. Capacity for risk-taking. And certainly we cannot celebrate the life of martin luther king jr.. Without. Opening ourselves up to the possibility. Have everything that he. And when we're talking about. Organizing community it's not just. Community organizing but it is organizing community. The need for us to. Come together and be engaged. In that. Critical. Sharing. So what. I leave that with you this morning and i hope they're going to be other moments. When and some of the community organizing. Set gets done in loudoun county. We're going to be able to do things to.

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Partnership_Transylvanian_Unitarians.mp3

Good morning. If you will indulge me i would like to open with a short prayer in hungarian. I really good service in a transylvanian unitarian church would certainly include this prayer. I thought field appropriate for me to say it here at the service about partnership. Melike young ikea menu denver. Sentel tech deck mega panera bread. Yo-yo onala taylor fargo. Legend mega palkia told. I mean the men been beautiful denise. Mindanao pecan you didn't get all its potash meg they came. Mckamey's made bachchan ghazal integrated. It's levied mean cat t-shirt eastbay. There's nobody tomato going to stole a hot alone make a dj. Window decal. That prayer which i think some of you may know and others may have guessed is what is known in english. At the lord's prayer. It is one virtually all transylvania unitarians know by heart. They recited every week in church thank you for indulging me and saying it. I hope at least it was interesting to hear the resume beauty of hungarian even on the lips of the foreigner such as myself. Now i want to talk and thank the little bit about this concept of partnership what is partnership. Ultimately it is about love. Being in loving relationship. So that we can learn from one another support one another. Grow as individuals and as communities. But there is a key ingredient i believe partnership to be true to the name and to live up to its potential. Must be a two-way street. It is essential that the partner church movement not be mistaken just for some kind of charity or development work in which we members of more economically and materially privileged churches give aid to those less privileged unitarians around the world. Of course that is a part of the goal. And it is valuable work we who are blessed with so much should reach out to help others. And doing so is unmistakably an important part. Apartments. But it is not all. Wii u use must gain something to. The relationship must be reciprocal. In order for the word partner to have real meaning. So i'm here today to talk. About issues related to the other side of partnership. Mouthy of giving. But the receiving. That may sound selfish. But i think it is important for us to think about not only what we have to give. But we have to gain. Not just about what we may have to teach but we may have to learn. I don't unfortunately have any profound wisdom to share from our transylvanian brothers and sisters. I have only the knowledge that a loving relationship requires openness and understanding. Until i offer my perspective on the people. I lived and worked played and worship with for 2 years. By learning a bit about who they are. I hope. To shed some light on what we may have to learn from them. Before i go any further let me tell you a little bit about myself to put my experiences in some kind of context. I was raised unitarian universalist right here in northern virginia do you congregation of fairfax. I went to ariana and off and became a regular participant services when i joined the choir and high school. But i wandered away from uuism during college and by my mid-twenties i was identifying as a quaker. Quakerism still speaks to me in important ways. But now went out my religious affiliation i call myself unitarian universalist. So what brought me back to do you fold. That's right. A trip to transylvania. After years of hearing about transylvania from my parents who first went in 1992 i finally had a chance to go in the summer of 2000. Others of you here. It was dare i use the phrase. A religious experience. The land the people the spirit of the place touched me deeply and i felt i had to remain connected to them somehow. So i did it again. With a youth. Tripped up from the union congregational fairfax in the summer of 2001. And then in july of 2003 i went to live there. I returned to the united states in 2005 info hard as it is for me to believe. I've now been back in america long as i lived in transylvania. While i was there i was working at the protestant theological institute in kolozsvar. It is the only unitarian cemetery seminary in transylvania. It's where all the unitarian ministers get trained. It's not only a unitarian seminary as its name indicates it's a protestant cemetery seminary and it trains ministers in three protestant faith. The lutherans. Companies that are called calvinist or reformed and english and the unitarians. I was hired specifically to teach the unitarian. And i did that for two years. Seminarian transylvania is a five-year undergraduate program. So my students rhian ranging in age from 18 to 25. In addition to my work at the seminary twice a week i went to the unitarian nursery school kindergarten. Where i taught english by singing songs and english latuda five-year-olds. And i also had the fabulous opportunity to become a member of the choir of the llanos used when unitarian high school. Which some of you may have heard when they didn't east coast tour concert tour here in 2003 and then performed at dia in boston that year. The rest of the singers in that choir were all teenagers. No one seemed to mind having one older member. Oh and i also served frequently at the shop around on the mini choir trips around transylvania and i became good friends with the director. So i spent most of my time those two years in college bar and got city that beautiful city in which i lived and where david parents first preached his unitarian vision in 1568. That's the place. I know that. But in addition to my ties to kolozsvar. Especially to the young unitarian minister isn't raining at the protestant theological institute their elsa have strong connections with the people of the village called cent kitty say. Does unitarian church is partnered with the fairfax congregation. I live in cauliflower but spend a good deal of time also and cengage they mostly for weekend visit but also to help with the grape harvest in the fall and one january i thought. A two-week intensive english course for interested villagers. When i think of transylvania my heart grows full. It is hard to know what to include. 2 years experience are hard. Synthesize. Should i tell you about the mundane details of life. The large gas or wood burning heaters in the building. Using outhouses in the villages. Communicating via text message on cell phones or ultimately in-person when stopping by friends houses unannounced and without a specific invitation. Rarely on the phone at least not for long conversations. I can tell you is shopping in the large outdoor market overflowing with fresh fruit and vegetables. And just about everything else one could imagine for sale shoes to brooms to toilet paper. I cannot share two years of life in just a few minutes. So let me share some snapchat memories of my life there. To give you a series of pictures of unitarian life and thought in transylvania. I remember a class discussion. I asked the students how would they characterize transylvanian unitarianism to an american who didn't know much about it. And a small plaza for students. I get for responses. They readily agreed that unitarianism it's hard to describe because there is no creed no dogma one must believe. When i press for more details. I get different response. And they agree to disagree and that that. Agreement to disagree is part of the essence of their face. None of the differences among the four students would sound that far apart 2uu ears. But it is interesting. To see them listen to one another and say no that's not what i believe. And also say it's okay. A student who graduated after my first year and is now a young minister made a comment about not understanding why you use are so eager to learn from all the world's religions with he felt. The notable exception of christianity. When unitarianism grew out of christianity. And as you may know in transylvania unitarianism is christian. For transylvania unitarian unitarian. Kristen. Does not mean acceptance of the trinity. Or belief in the divinity of jesus. Neither of those things are part of their face. But they follow the teachings of jesus. They are a bible-based religion. They read the bible at every service. And they identify. Another student made a comment to me one day she said american unitarianism had such leaders and wider than the 19th century william ellery channing theodore parker ralph waldo emerson. What happened. Yet another student expressed to me his belief that the only reason transylvanian unitarianism identifies as christian. Is that it would not be taken seriously as a religion in that part of the world otherwise but that's a term christian actually had little practical meaning. Classmate vociferous. We disagreed with him. And said that they are christian. Because they follow the words of jesus. As outlined in the bible. And that the bible. Is the word of god. Agree to disagree. The minister of the fairfax partner church in century city. Said that was very odd to him when he visited america to realize that he was being perceived as a representative of a traditional conservative and he sometimes sense maybe close-minded face. When in his own world. He's radical. I'm outside the norm. His religion status as a real religion is even question sometimes by members of other religions. Because he does not accept the trinity. And does not pray to jesus or in jesus name. And does not believe that jesus. God. Then there was the day i arrived at the nursery school in which i taught english before the teacher was finished with the lesson. To teaching the kids today so we can hungarian. And they were doing it by saying the days. And if they said each day coming up with some mnemonic and a visual association to help them remember. In most cases they came up with something that started with the same letter that the given day started with. And drew a picture of it to jog their memories as they recited the days. When they got the sunday which is the last day of the week is it is usually recited in hungarian. The teacher had them remember it by saying sunday is the day we go to church. And as she prepared to draw a church. What does a church look like. The kids started describing it enthusiastically, building kits big power and the teacher drew the basic shape of a classic church with a steeple. Then one of the kids said on the steeple. And the teacher stopped and said. Yes. Churches have crosses. In pennsylvania one can tell the kind of church by what is on the speed least up to a point romanian orthodox churches have a distinctive elaborate cross. Catholic churches have a simple cross. Churches have either a ball. A rooster or star but never across. Not sure why those pretty things i don't think most transylvanians are either. Doing a little boy made his statement about crosses. The teacher said. What about this church right here the unitarian church what does it have on topping and what about the reformed church up the street. And i thought about what the different churches have on their seats. And the teacher said so some churches have a ball and some have a rooster and some have a cross. We hear some of us are unitarian and some of us are reformed and some of us are catholic. So i'm not going to draw anything on top of this church. And you can imagine whatever you like it's up there. Her impulse to be inclusive in this way. Struck a chord with me and its essence. She didn't draw anything on top because she wanted to include them all and i thought. That's what we try to do. But in america. We can't even draw the church. Another memorable day i went to check out an apartment with a friend a woman from hungry. Who is studying at the seminary know she was hungry hungarian as opposed to transylvanian hungarian. So she didn't speak romanian. The young woman who showed us the apartment that my friend was considering moving into was an ethnic hungarian. But had gone to romanian language schools and now live and work in a romanian world. This young woman had a hard time speaking in hungarian. Which had been her mother tongue. She kept using words that my hungarian friend hungry hungarian friend didn't understand. And then the other one would pause and say oh i'm sorry it's that romanian. Don't remember hungarian that well. It made me understand in a new way the urgency i sent them on church leaders to hold on to the unitarian youth. To give them a strong sense of self with the hungarian identity otherwise. The world may one day soon be a thing of the past. Two more remembrances. Unitarian minister who told me not long after we met. It actually hits really believe in god. He said he had become a minister because he wanted to be involved in community leadership. But community leadership that wasn't painted by government politics given all the distrust and negative association. Which remain from arab communism. However a few years later that same minister by then married. Related the gist of a sermon he gave at a wedding and which. He told me. He talked about seeing the face of god in the face of one. And his son. But god and love. Are inextricably bound. Another young minister had become friends with expressed some exasperation when i asked him to tell me what he meant by god. Americans always ask that he said. But i don't think about it that way. God is a mystery. We don't need to understand him. I can't put it in words. These memories these snapshots of i've as i've called them give a glimpse of the two years that i'm for my perspective on transylvania the hungarians there. I'm particularly unitarianism there. What can we learn from them. What do they have to pee. I said partnership is about love and since love is about understanding. Let me share with you my understanding of who are transylvanian partners are. And some thoughts on what. We may have to learn from them. First and foremost. They are hungarian. They are romanian citizens yes. But they are hungarian. And it is very important to respect that. And our identity. Secondly they live in a diverse world. In addition to the hungarians and the majority romanians are roma commonly called gypsies. There are still a few jews and members of a german-speaking group known as saxon. And that world hungarian unitarians are an ethnic and religious minority. But one with a 400-plus year commitment to toleration and respect for difference. We are alike. In more than just our name. There are course important differences to. Between us there strong tradition. Which serve to give them a base of strength may make their church services seem too narrow in focus to be appealing to some you use. Transylvanian unitarianism is as i said a bible-based religion a minister may quote from other sources. Other than the bible on occasion. But there is always the bible passage red. And as i noted at the outset virtually every transylvanian religious. Unitarian religious observance includes a recitation of the lord's prayer. They identify. Unitarians in transylvania. Are more certain of their plate. The most america you use i've encountered myself included. They know they come from a history which goes back over 400 years on the land where they still live. They aren't searching the way many of us are in a very basic way to figure out who they are they know who they are. Their challenge. It how to survive as who they are. How to maintain their culture their language ensure that the next generations know their own history and language. How to ensure that the villages which are the lifeblood of the larger community even the cities everybody has relatives in the villages and gets food from them. How to ensure these villages survive. Is romania struggled to meet the standards of eu. Standard which involve regulations about things such as slaughtering pigs which. May irrevocably changed the village way of life. They're struggling to win back land and buildings which were taken under communism. And have yet to be returned or have been returned but in name only. They are working to create strong and vibrant communities. To make them places where there is good education and healthcare. So that the hughes will stay in the villages or return after a university education at any rate stay in transylvania and continue the life. They're teaching the youth about their own heritage to give young unitarians there a strong sense of self. So that their identities are not lost. In a society in which they are a double minority. The one of the things. I believe we have to learn from transylvania unitarianism. Is that they are so clearly defined by what they are. I'm not by what they aren't. One of the reasons i think i drifted away from my home church even though i was raised you you. Is that i didn't find it engaging to be part of a movement whose members seemed overly concerned with. They weren't. Transylvanian unitarians has something to teach us about permanent. And survival. And acceptance of mystery without needing the certainty of intellectual agreement with every word in the hymns they sing. Bears. Is an older. And yet they do not blindly accept dogma their religion may look traditional and old-fashioned to some you use but it is radical and its insistence. On the right of individual conscience. We as a worldwide movement have any important of critical method. To bring to the world. Part of what we are the world movement have to teach. It's something we are still working to learn i believe i kind of synthesis of the common threads of unitarianism everywhere. And some of the particular teachings different parts of the movement have to provide. But in order to go forward and carry that message out. We have to have strong vibrant community. This is true on both sides of the atlantic. Our communities here can be strengthened by the spiritual historical depth and solidity. Transylvanian unitarianism. Even if we help strengthen their communities. To help ensure their continued survival. What we all have to teach each other is not static it is a message. Of openness. Respect for all. It is one we are constantly learning to live and living as we learn. It is a message we learned about from one another. I must try to teach. To the world.

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Nurturing_Community.mp3

Is it nature or nurture that makes us who we are. Nature or nurture that gives us the strength. To love. Or the capacity. For empathy. I like to take a few steps back when i consider these monumental questions. And in this case. Many years of steps. Back. I remember this pond where i used to live. Near my home as i was growing up and it was one of the only places i was allowed to go to alone. It was safe. And i do there and i would. Pebbles. In the water. I'm sure that many of us did this and we have probably some early memories of tossing those. Pebbles. Into a puddle. Or a lake. Or a pond. And watching. As that tiny little pebble. Created ring. That grew larger and larger and larger. I remember being astounded. This pain that to me was like an ocean that young. Would be covered. With ripples. From one. Little. Tiny. Stone. It is definitively nature. That creates an environment where ripples ken. Abound. But what about the stones. I threw them. We all through them. We set ripple. In-motion. The life i touch for good or ill will touch another life and that in turn another. Until who knows where the trembling stops. And then what. Fireplace. Mytouch. Will be felt. Frederick bruckner said the. And i find reason to remember it again and again and each time i moved. He uses the word trembling. And it speaks to me of fear or discomfort. The discomfort that rises when we recognize the extent of our capacity to affect. The world. We are powerful indeed. Nature the interconnectedness of all makes it possible for us. To do what we do affect one moment and have that one moment affect millions more but it is nurture. Our drive to affect change. Where change is born. Save. You teach yoga. I would imagine that yoga is a very individual pursuit. That each person achieved in their own individual way. But you're an instructor. How do you work with individuals specifically to nurture them on their own path. Everything about yoga and how early music. It's a it's at the same time a completely personal experience. And not about you. I'm the whole point of practicing within yourself. Presence. That will. Transform the people around. And in yoga the only app that it's worth it. That sounds great how do you how do you nurture people to work with him as an instructor. Seaway's first of all. Person to be exactly where they are. I never try to get anywhere. That in and of itself. Definitely is. We invited you go past the edge. Standing out of your own body. And then thirdly is dialogue. Say something.. Paypal app. What's going on inside them. I'm doing this. That's great thank you very much. A few weeks past the number of community members gathered to usher in our new year of working together. The event was called a ministerial startup. At one point we asked. What is our history. And what can we learn from this history as we go forward. We heard some trembling. A timeline was constructed meaningful events in the life of this community were added joyful events abounded. But lost was mixed in with the definitive presents. When staff left. When members left. And we heard some worried did we send them away. What did we do to make them want to leave. Did we throw stones that rippled in waves of law. Later in the workshop we were talking about how we want to work together to sustain our community. The word. Caring nurture and compassion a rose. We heard a definitive call to make this community a place of understanding. A place where people can come not only to heal. But to be healed. Not only to work but to experience the pleasures of human understanding. And as a friend to this community joey pullen puts it. To celebrate life. These are lofty and worthy goals they are how we work together to do this thing called. Religions or community. But before we move forward from here. I want to rest. A little bit longer with those feelings of loss. This congregation is probably read as many or more books and experience as many workshops on church leadership. Maintenance and gross as most seminary students. You beat me. If there's a community that knows how to do church. The way the experts say is right it is the unitarian universalists of sterling. You should write a book yourself. There is one thing however that none of the books or teachers are willing to admit. If they did they would become obsolete. There are no right answers. There is no way to predict where the trembling stops. Orin what far play. Our touch will be felt. There is no way to judge that kind of ultimate success. There is only experience. Attention. And learning. And being. With yourself. Where you are. The ripples that begin here trail far and wide beyond these doors. Through the lives of those we know. Barely. Not at all or very well. Into the lives of those we support with our donations. Answer the people we work with. Who may come to know vicariously that we are sustained by something awesome. In the simple way. That we offer kindness. For understanding from time to time. This is a community of astounding. Success. And intermingled are some experiences of law. What do we do with these. A community is ever-changing someday i will do something true to my nature and understanding that ticks somebody off. So much that they may decide to leave maybe they won't even tell me why. Maybe they will just fade away that would be. Painful. But what can i do. I can judge myself for that law. Or i can do two things. 1. Recognize the part that nature plays as well. I'm powerful but not omnipotent. Thank goodness. Not a requirement for the unitarian universalist ministry. A community is apt to change it is its nature. And to revisit my role. I threw a rock. And that rock has since traveled to the bottom of a pond now the surface is covered with ripples. I cannot unsee throw or rescue the rock. But i contend. To the ripple. Deb. I can imagine that your work with children and families. With disabilities challenges you. To experience a very deep level of empathy. To pay attention to those ripples. And try and understand them as best you can. Can you share an experience that you've had of. Empathy. And how this affected you. Thank you for that picture of the ripples you can actually help me understand better i was supporting us evening it was a young man who was about 9 years old classroom there were a lot of ripples going around i don't want you to do whatever you have to do to make him okay and. I have right now if i talk to her about it she'll get really sad and so he had conversation talked about well it is very sad and how do you feel about talking to your mom and. Thank you. Empathy informs the way that we sustain this community as well. Our membership committee is considering instituting exit interviews ways to engage individuals who choose to leave. In this way we might better understand the law. Begin that conversation. And hopefully in the process. Tend to the hurt. Our committee on ministry is charged with paying attention to the way that we do ministry ministry to individuals to our community and to our wider world. They're working to establish a roast or toast. On our annual auction. A chance for new community leaders to acknowledge the work of their predecessors. We do realize that our volunteers do amazing work and this needs to be recognized. Our worship committee is working to write up definitive instructions for how to make coffee. Set up the hospitality area and take out the trash. Many of our members. Me and cluded don't know how to do these things. By riding up instructions we level our community we welcome each and everyone to participate. Let's all go take out the trash. And that's just the beginning. Our board is working to understand what right relationships in a community are. How do we fast engage with one another to show our respect. And our empathy. Are many musicians inquired an our music director and mary our company has. Work together each week. To provide music that gives us time to breathe. Time to rest. And time to celebrate life. Our finance committee will soon present a forum so that we can all communicate about pledging. And money. And other tender topic. Our religious exploration leaders are working with deb rose to nurture all children. A new men's group is forming and the leadership is working to make it a place for open honest and meaningful connections. Thank you tony. Are covenant group leaders meet monthly to discuss the way that covenant groups 2:10 our community and how they can better serve our diverse needs. And i could go on. I could name every group. That meets here. And every individual. That means. To honor. The unitarian universalist of sterling vision and mission. It's an honor to work with you all. As we live out these lofty aims. We are tending those ripples. We know what nurture is and we embrace our responsibility. And many who come here and who are here will feel this. As a new visitor exclaimed it's a palpable warm. Others may not. That is the nature of community. Even inclusivity allows for some exclusivity. Not all will find warm here no matter how many roasts we throw or how. Often we invite others to take out the trash. Yet this is not our downfall. Rather knowing it and honoring it. Is our greatest opportunity. A nurturing community thrives on honesty and rebels and its acknowledgement that it is not and cannot be all things to all people. But that what it is. Is beautiful. Unnecessary. Clara. The gardens that surround your home are gorgeous no matter how much you protest. And it is obvious that you tend them with great care. Have you ever tried a plant that did not take. But no matter the care you gave it it faltered. What was that experience like for you and what did you do. Well. Accumulated i've been working. I'm sorry i didn't expect a lot. But i was very careful i tried to pay attention to the plan and what it was going to need before i quit. Because if you just put it somewhere and you stay outside water it'll be fine that's not the intention intention is for the plan to be able to finance place and grow by itself. Put out as refined enough sunlight so it can be on its own children do you know if you pay attention and get them on the right track whatever you think is going to be good for them. Can you hold this in the synagogue.. And sometimes no matter what you do. A dog might come by a deer the deer microphone and top it all off but. The main thing for me is trying to give it a good start with the idea that is going to be independent and. Give me back something like a prayer. The psychiatrist in rider m scott peck. Planes. There can be no motor ability. Without risk. There can be no community. Without vulnerability. There can be no peace. And ultimately no life. Without. Community. The vulnerability is key. We are reaching out with time energy and hope. This is something we all do together each time we walked through these doors. We risk. Together. The greatest hope that i have. For this community is that we will work together to share what must be shared. And here in our joys and discomforts. The vulnerability. That underlies our beauty. That sustains our meaningful commitment to one another. May we continue to toss pebbles and watch as the ripples. May we serve one another with open and honest communication. Knowing that no right answers for how to do community have been ripped. But that by being. Community. We right together. As perfect. An opportunity. As has ever been. May it be so. And i believe we have a little bit of time to hear some more from.

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Not_Knowing.mp3

So have you have you heard this story before. I've certainly heard this story before. This was one of my mom's favorite. I think that for her it was in the. Canon of the best. The best stories ever the best stories that ever were and i like this one particularly because i could find myself in the story. I've been afraid just like that. Before we go into the homily i want to invite karen to come on forward she's going to hand out some pipe cleaners. To those who are young abadi are young. That's what happened. My homilies not here. It's here. Collectible tradia rizzoli. Hey go. The wizardly that wasn't and the homily that wasn't. So thinking of times when i have been afraid. A great gift of my childhood was that we had many rescue animal. We had rescue animals that were small and that were large we had a skunk once we had a turtle. We had a seagull that i'd found on the road and luckily my mom was kind enough to let me take this animal home and care for it while we nursed it back to health we also had rescue horses. Rescue horses are hard to take care of it takes a lot of work and for the most part my dad was the one who took care of the rescue horses. But one night he was away and my mom and i had to bring water to the horses. And it was a frozen night all of the horses trial was completely frozen in the hose was frozen so we couldn't just run water out to the horses we had two in the dark dark knight. Boil water on the stove. Put it in buckets and carry it out to the horses and my mom and i had this task. So we left. Raven ready to bring water to the horses that needed it most. And when we were halfway there we both started to shake with fear my mom and i both i don't know who started it but i started imagining that there were monsters in the trees. And then my mom started imagining that there were monsters in the trees and pretty soon we were holding onto one another and moving as fast as we could with these large buckets of water by the time we got out there we threw the water on the horses trial and ran all the way back home screaming as we went. Yes my mom was an adult at this point. But this is the way it is. With not knowing not knowing what's out there in the darkness. Sometimes not knowing is enough to terrify us children and adults. And when that not knowing is shared it can loom to outrageous proportions fear moves through us just like laughter or a yawn. It has psychological even physiological connection between humans the interconnection that is normally a blessing that holds us in community and mutual care that same interconnection can foil us with a wave of fear. Unitarian universalist we tend to be a people accustomed to not knowing. Where others shunned out we revel in it there are jokes that the unitarian universalist symbol should be a?. Just a big?. There is no faith without doubt you might hear one of us quote or perhaps i know that i know nothing. In the socratic fashion. But our intellectual embraced does not mean that we are spiritually adjusted to uncertainty. To not know. I had a wonderful opportunity to speak to a new member the other day and when we were talking she voiced her calling. The calling that she had that she follows. Almost out of habit that is so deep in her being. That everything else. Everything else just falls into place when she is following this calling. This inspiration it moves through her and helps her move through uncertainty. Because as long as she's on that path. She knows she can handle anything. This is quite an inspiration. Abraham joshua heschel who is writing before our age before the internet age already saw that we had an overabundance of information. But not enough inspiration. Too much information not enough inspiration. Calamitous overabundance. Of information. Humans do not run on. Information alone. We seek the emotional even the spiritual experience of inspiration. And it's so lacking in our lives that i'm afraid i need to give some examples what is inspiration. It's when we pause in meditation or prayer and sense that we are suddenly not alone whether it is the universe or what we understand as holy that is somehow joined us in revelry and praise and gratitude for life. Inspiration it's when you celebrate with tears. The accomplishment of someone you love. Moved beyond mere celebration to revelation of a force that moves in and through life. Inspiration. It's when you look back at all of your days and suddenly realized that every single one of those days even the darkness. Even the dark. Have moved you to a place you are today. Or you can finally. Follow your dream. That's inspiration. There's other forms. You could. Don't do it right now. You could pick up your smartphone. And download. More information. Then you could digest in a year. But would you find inspiration. Would your heart be set on fire. Would you know what you needed to do. Please download a way if that's true. Please do. But my guess is. That you would at best be stated with a dull sense of a comp accumulated knowledge. And at worst you would just ache with a weight of it. The media knows this. And so do the. They know how much information is out there they know that we can't ingest at all. All the information that is out there. But they need you. They need us all. For their purposes. To read and to ingest what they wish to sell us. So they have learned how to hook us. They know that there is something that feels very much like inspiration. It has the same emotional 10 or even a pseudo. Spiritual feel and you know what that thing is. It's fear. Fear surges through us. Just like inspiration does. Inspiration calls us to action fear does as well. Inspiration capitalizes on our drive to serve that which is beyond. Fear capitalizes on our drive to avoid that which is beyond. That which is unknown. What do you feel when you hear these words. What do you feel when you hear the word. Fatwa. What about sharia law. What do you feel when you hear. Part of me shakes. Nearly every time i've heard these words spoken they have been conveyed in a tone somewhere between aggravated uncertainty or aggressive alarm. Fatwa. What is it. It sounds foreign. Isn't that what muslims do when they're about to commit acts of aggression or terror. If we all we had to consult where headlines. That's what we would assume. Well here is a fatwa. One that there was no headline for. Like other faith communities we see no inherent conflict between the normative values of islam and the us constitution and bill of rights. Contrary to erroneous perceptions the true and authentic teachings of islam. Promote the sanctity of human life. The dignity of all human. And respect of human civil and political rights. That's a fatwa. Surprise huh. I thought it was just something that. Muslim leaders say. And a lot of them. Are beautiful. This demystifies. Di fara faiz the word fateh for me for sure. It changes how i respond when i hear it. We are apart of an attention economy attention account. Gaining our attention. When's our media and our politicians points and internet wins than power. Both will try to capture our attention. And the war that happens in the land of uncertainty. Is this war. The capture our attention. If the word fatwa. Or how about this one. Zika. If these words become boogeymen. Boogeyman. They have one. And we have lost the opportunity. We've lost the opportunity the other possibility that lurks in uncertainty. We've lost the opportunity for inspiration for wonder. For wondering what might that mean. In phone. So piglet and pooh let's return to them. They went off in search of a woozle. And it first that weasel search it was full of excitement and wonder. What do you think pooh and piglet excitement and wonder. But when they started circling around and around uncertainty became fear. Uncertainty became fear and fear amusingly of the tracks. But they had tried. Fear of their own journey. So the next time that you feel fear flood through you. Remember the attention. The economy of attention. That we live with. I know that fear is a poor substitute for inspiration. Here's a good trick. Meet pooh and piglet again at the beginning of their journey. And wonder aloud with them. Say i wonder what it might be. What it might be. Beyond this glade of trees. I wonder what it might be in the dark. I wonder. What we might find. If we listen. Until something called us. And lettuce on. I wonder. Almond.

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?download=%2F2018%2F10%2FHow-Tos_and_We_Got_This.mp3

How do you walk into a new space. Let's say today was your very first day in this face. You don't know much about unitarian universalism. And you've decided that today is the day. That you will do as you have been. Thinking about for a while. And visit. Maybe like me you like your old face. But wanting something more. Maybe like many of you. You didn't have a church ever. Or at least not as an adult. Maybe you rejected your old face. As a matter of principle. Maybe like me your friends kept telling me you that is telling me 20 plus years ago. Siri you you and you don't know it. A dear friend said that to me and urged me to check out some local uu congregation.

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Summertime_Summers_Promise.mp3

But something i really like. About the hymns of summertime. More thoughtfully. All seasons spring. Summer pool. And winter. All nature's seasons. They were not invented. By us. All biopic. In our imagination the four seasons. Have been toretto sized romanticize. From time immemorial. At least in the northern hemisphere. The greasy. In the seasons of feel. What may or may not. Be there. The beautiful colors of fall. I said never ever even. That is a value address. But the feelings. The seasons event. May fall transcend what we actually see. Hope you. I gave him the scene and nature seasonal pictures of beauty. Maverick a mood of sadness. Call joy. Quite unrelated. To the season itself. I repost to remember that the sadness and joy we feel or mayfield. Are not in nature. Itself. This is elementary. I prefer. What we read into the four seasons via poetic sympathy. Missy more about ourselves. Then about the visible face of graphical pictures. The changing year. I remember. Miles in paterson. The first real argument. I had with anna my fiance at the time. As we walked along the banks. Ability license river. In oxford. On another spring day. I'm very much in love. She said. Spring. The loveliest. Time of year. And with my usual exquisite act i said no. Awesome is the loveliest time of year. A soundboard cheated but pointless argument infused. But something was at state. If i'm writing a book on pop psychology. I might use the four seasons. As expressing. Different psychological or emotional types. For we do a call to nature seasons. Auto nudes. And meanings. Those are not objectively. Damn. How deep is responses to nature seasons at any given point. May say more about us. The dubai to the seasons themselves. About the state. About own emotional. And spiritual life. But you disagree and think that the seasons are just there. Are purely botanical or climactic scenes. I'm sorry but you're going to have the parts from shakespeare to amazon. To argue with. Hertz. Painters. Poses. Intermingled. The seasons. And their own emotional lives to the most beautiful. He fat. And this has been true. About. Generally. Nachos poetry but. Music. Vivaldi's. Four seasons. Truman's. Spring symphony. Beethoven's autumn sonata. All the summer songs and madrigals. We sang. On the banks of the isis. Nature seems uncomplicated. Summer shakespeare. Rights to a lover. Shall i compare thee to a summers day. Now optimal temperature. And welfare. Of awesome 4. John keats road famously. And obviously. Which being the season of mist. And mellow fruitfulness. No ogden. Rupert brooke. Route. The complexity of the season. The pain. Springtime is he on the student. Suddenly he said so suddenly the wind blows soft. And spring is here again. And the hawthorne bob's with bugs of hope. And my heart. About to pay. T.s. eliot. Speaks chillingly. I'll be unimaginable. 0. Another pirates is talkin photographic today. But emotionally. Intuitively. Out of the beauty love and pain and longing. I'll go to in life. No wonder we avoid the poet's for the most part. They take us to another level. Which is not just there. But auto. Toggle seasons with alden on a diet of beauty and drama. In the moods we think we long. To them. Aurora call. To think meditate reflect. On that delicate balance in our lives between hope. Anti-anxiety. Between sadness and joy. What maybe i may not be going on. In our lives at any given point. Renewal. May or may not come with the first flowers of spring. Tama may not bring with it a sense of fullness of nature. Inside. All right side auto. Call. Awesome. May i mean i'll bring with it any sense fruition. Windsor mayor may or may not. Be the ending of life. All the year itself. The seasons have the functions. Not just in nature. But you're not really emotional and spiritual lives. Each. Season. Is a wake-up call. School. Robertsons flooring and decay. Has winter. Brought any sense of the death of life and death with in life. Springtime truly brought that lovely sense of you use. And renewal. His summer brought is the feeling of the spaciousness of life. A bowl that brings life. To a point of mature. Thoughtfulness. In this classic. , pause. Coming up on. Good mix for poof. Recreation. And recreation. Are we ready to evaluate where we've been this past year. Emotion recollected in tranquility. And where we might wish to go. Nature does just doesn't go in circles. Moves us forward. This leads me to some hurtful faults on my salmon type of the uses of summer. Enjoy walking casually about summer we often talk about vacations. Perhaps too exciting far away or exotic places. Trips to the show. Time to do things about the house. More time for golf or tennis. Winning. Quality time with the kids. Yes i'm so many other good things for which we might be grateful. Including a time to relax. With friends. Oh yes. We call it useful a thief and robber utilitarian fashion. Change of pace. As the prophet said. You ain't just flipping your lip. Read some books. Listen to some music. Stay up late. It's not that most of these things can't be done at any other time of year. But somehow the relative expansiveness of summer particularly american summer. In a special way. Elijah special quality. Thoughtfulness. It is this deep into mode. Quiet faultless refreshments. And resolved. It speaks. Three uses of summer. In my own psyche. Rich long summertime's belong to the us. East coast. Cambiata banks of north carolina. Two main and texas in between. I wrote this one letter to an english friend. Early on when i've accounted the temperature. In philadelphia. Where are you taking my first job. And i told him. The temperature. Had reached. 90 degrees. Always comfortable. Kind of somewhat romantic and exhausting. We didn't have any fans in the ceiling whitaker movies you know. At least it approved that i've been abroad and i was tempted to reach for my thoughts in my head helmet. Scotty summers. Tended to be. Today. Went. And short. Famous story of them of course we want to scotsman. Says to another. Did you enjoy the summer. I don't know he said i was having a cup of tea a good time. Certain times of the poetic imagination. There were memories of long long summer days. He's gotten which only ended after midnight. In the middle of two. Assaulted. As a child i was safely tucked in dad. When i shoot has been playing with my friends. Cholesterol so safely tucked in bed. Shedding my frustration. This image of eternal summer time. I have to send. Oh memories we want to go sing. What's the unbelievable. Aesthetic the duty of the light. In these northern places. In this continent who have to go pretty far into canada. Quality. But it wasn't america. Understands it in vallejo.. But i began to feel in the spine. Another meaning of summer. I spent a month or more on cranberry island some of you may know it in maine. It was kennedy to the scottish islands with their northern assembly of subtlety. Allied. I didn't pause. I was a resident minister pronounce. Between the episcopal church. And unitarianism. It gave me time for thought. The critical turning point in my life. Almost. Too much time. But it was here for me that i found. We usually it's. All summer. As american. Beginning. Eminem. Or is it in our lives and end. And a new beginning. I picked up and read. Earlier on and model lindbergh gift from the sea. And there are other books i know that. People write lovely things from distant islands. And summer is perhaps the best opportunity for sustained reflection. Home depot in a flow and direction. About airlines. All the longer time. Half-assed. Half answered questions. Where am i. And. Who am i. Am i online. In my perceived girls and friendships. In the longitude and latitude. Of the precious time. This is my life. And yours. Relieved. In our business and even in our emotional lives. Too much in school. Tuatha de motte. Too little time. I truly feel the deep album flow of these lives. Please analyze. Where the truest riches about own self understanding. And beauty lie. Awesome.. In three questions. Where have i been. Where am i. And what will my true tomorrow. Bring. Every thought. About are true. Tomorrow. Or. Is there nothing new. Under the sun. Oh this isn't a day of reckoning topic penitentiary. All this isn't the day of reckoning with regard to proceed successes or failures. In my life. It isn't a visit to the confessional. Is is renewed timely reflection. Home depot promise of love. And duty. You know they're nice. So. Heigh-ho. Perhaps take an opportunity. To read a read anne morrow lindbergh gift from the sea. Awesome mother. Treasure talk. Which sirius. And finding some of solitude. Edepot graciousness and hopefulness. How about sunday. But at least. Renew it. Pornography. From this sam from this sacred inwardness in word ness. We become alfred bond. The others. So. Today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow today. Is the past day. And the rest of our lives. Perhaps these thoughts might come. At any point in the year. But summer is useful. And helping us remember. I'm going to reach you in conclusion. Because the words are more eloquent than and if not i go to vote. But it's an old him. But used to be in our hymnal. And it's gone. I just wanted the best. What were they doing. Actually this is not a bad book but it's not. So here's this. And it has to do with. You are. I walk amidst i beautiful. My joy by praise declares. I bless thee with i blooming us. I drink laverna lares. There's an old eternal hills irvine. What my teacher bay breeze. Cartoonist of the light divine. Nice all them stars. The queen. Frontier and strength. My heart don't lack. Guy glory makes mijo. Amidst isomer. I went back. The summer. Oh my soul.

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Processed_Cheese_Food.mp3

Honestly i love saying it. Processed cheese food. There's something so sneaky about the way that the words were. Together. So lawyer lee. No offense to the lawyers in the congregation?. So american. Are we talkin about. Or food or neither. The funniest thing about it is that i'm not the only one so bemused. Unbefuddled. There are whole website. Dedicated to the stuff. I know. Nowadays there are whole websites dedicated to just about anything. But i didn't expect processed cheese food. One is wallpapered with the bright visages of velveeta boxes. Another outlines the cheese product family. Process cheese processed cheese food processor slices pasteurized pasteurized prepared cheese product and the same in places. Which i have indeed captured. And brought here today. This is the great american pptp. Or pasteurized prepared cheese product. A common breed. Pasteurized prepared cheese product. Processed cheese food. In both instances adjectives are added. It's common knowledge that adjectives describe either a noun or a pronoun. And these phrases nouns like cheese. And food. Let's look at my favorite. Processed cheese food. You might expect that the adjectives serve a reader or shopper and helping them to better ascertain the nature of the noun described. But. These adjectives only serve to confound or confuse. Are we talkin about cheese. Or food. Does the additive cheese relate to the non-food why would that be necessary isn't cheese food. And am i really meant to believe that processed cheese anything retained the quality of honest and true food this is been out of the refrigerator for almost a week. It's the same texture and color. And wait. Food. The material that provide living things with the nutrients they need for energy and growth. This is the basic definition. The ancient indian philosophers compiled the erg veda. A religious text. From as early as 1500 bc. And they imagined a deeper relationship between food and life. They begin with the simple platitude that without food there is hunger and death. But for the vedas. Food is not only the condition for life. It is the stock. Of life. We might say you are what you eat but for these ancient. This would be a course. Simplification. The vedic primordial god prajapati produced an offspring agni. The first consumer. A food. Well prajapati with self-sufficient agni needed to replenish his life. With life. Since there was no other food source available. Save the being of prajapati. Prajapati had to reproduce himself. And sacrifice. The second self. The agni. It helps to think of this metaphorically rather than the bloody alternative. Aveda text explained. Sacrifice is the food. Of the god. For this reason with invaded culture food was highest offering. Go to their gods and to each other. It was considered a sin to eat alone. By eating and sharing humanity reenacts the first primordial sacrificed they give life. To sustain life. Staring in the highest commerce. The act of creation. For these ancient food meant much more than energy and growth. A person being is created and sustained by food not simply their bones and their tissues. But they're ontological or their metaphysical being. Not only those food sustain a body but it sustains. The closest western words might be soul or the interconnection to all that is. Joining in the deep fellowship of the shared table they join in the deep fellowship of life. By eating we take in. We assimilate. That would have been on the periphery of our being. We make it our own. Food. The representation of shared life the chance to partake participate and acknowledge our connection to all. Let's return to the processed cheese food. And see how it stands up. Milk. Way milk fat milk protein concentrate salt calcium phosphate sodium citrate whey protein concentrate sodium phosphate sorbic acid as a preservative. Apple cardinal annatto. Enzymes vitamin d3 and cheese culture. I'm not feeling that connection to all. If this food is a sacrifice of life for life it happened somewhere in a test tube in. Kraft foods global incorporated northfield illinois. Global. Well that smacked of connection. But what kind. Best when used by date stamped call with comments. Keep refrigerated. Kraft foods. There's a connection someone is taking the time to speak to me. And tell me how to best enjoy my processed cheese product. And they go on. Kids need more calcium alone to build strong bones only kraft singles has the taste kids love with kelsey 3. An exclusive blend of three essential nutrients calcium vitamin d and phosphorus to help build strong bones. Excellent source of calcium good source of vitamin d good source of phosphate sensible solution. Loss of words. Almost convincing but should i need to be convinced. This is food right. Oh wait no. Indeed this is the american pasteurized prepared cheese product. Slices. With kelsey 3. All these words take me miles away from that connection to all. Somehow i'm being made to believe that this block of orange goo chemically solidified and folded into individual serving size packets is indeed the salvation. The way the only way to keep my kids happy and sustained by the three essential nutrients without which they will surely perish. And to top it off these are single. I don't even get the pleasure of slicing my cheese from a larger block and thereby recognizing my place in the universe of sharing i can pluck my very own single and eat in the privacy of my own cheese product. But i have to admit. I have partaken. I have participated in the act that the ancient vedas would call the most. Heinous. 10. I have eaten alone. And i have eaten products that require a string of adjectives to justify their distant relationship to food. A friend of mine tells the story of a trip through the american south. And i'll paraphrase his words. I've been traveling for miles i was exhausted and hungry so hungry. At the time i was a practicing vegan meaning i didn't eat meat or dairy or eggs. And i made it my purpose to consume only those things that were produced in an ecological and sustainable way. Starving. I landed in a convenience mart attached to a gas station. The only source of food for miles. I started reading all the packages the ingredients where they were made. I thought if i was diligent i could find the one right item. The clerk was watching me. Suspiciously and probably laughing. After about 10 minutes my pace became more frantic then suddenly i stopped and stood absolutely still staring out into all the aisles. There was nothing there i could eat. But i was starving. Still. And staring. My stomach growled. I choked. Then why. Grabbed a few of the closest items paid then tore into them still laughing. My friend had met his match. A convenience store somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Our best ethics are kept in balance by our simple human needs. We have to constantly re-evaluate how tightly can we hold to our principles. When do we simply need to eat cheese. In any of its manifestation. Regardless opportunities abound when we can satiate. Both our bodies and our spirits. With one bite. What a time saver. I developed a religious exploration class that i intend to share here in the spring and titled the spirituality of food. Most participants agree that their favorite part is baking cookies and learning about each of the ingredients. I asked everyone to bring in one ingredient. Enter research that ingredient. Where is it produced. How far did it travel to get to this batch of cookies. What's in it. How many hands do you think touched it before your own. What is the history of this product how long have we produced it on earth. Some more scientific minded folks research the elemental components. I've had participants bring in 20-plus pages of information. We eat the cookies as we read. The results are complex but as we learn we dive into an avenue of understanding that is essentially. Simple. Life is interconnected. An intricate and astounding. Waze. The scientist george walled-in are reading earlier. Explain how the caterpillar. The maple leaf. And the human brains are basically the same in structure and components. That their difference is the result of how the basic elements have an organized through time to accomplish different functions. Get even with this scientific understanding it's easy to imagine one life. As wholly separate from another. We may live in our own homes. Drive in passenger cars work in single walled-off spaces and these physical realities. Are compounded. By the ways that we are called to organize our lives mentally. There's a recent recurring column in the local loudon paper. One of the local adam papers. We're five individual capture the workings of their lives and biographical pros. One is a single young professional woman. One is an older retired divorce a man. One is a single male parent. The faces of the portraits. Are blacked out. These adjectives help readers form a mental picture. Of the person that's talking to them in their mind. I can't help but revert to our discussion on processed cheese food. Where the adjectives processed and cheese did not further explain the nature of the word food. But rather served as confounding inhibitors. While life is interconnected the adjectives we use to define our particular slice of it. Can cloud. This awareness of interconnection. Single professional female life. Older retired male divorce. Life. Author and minister frederick bruckner explained. The life. Itouch. For good or ill. We'll touch. Another life. And that in turn another until who knows where the trembling stop. Or in what. Far place mytouch. Will be felt. Our days may be defined by who. Pacifically we are. And how we live. But are alive. Participate in all that is. The first long hike i ever took with my father we've climbed up a mountain in upstate new york. Oh my god to the top. I saw that there was an edge. And i didn't want to go anywhere near it. My father was standing on the edge telling me to come forward come forward you can do it. No way. I wasn't going an inch further and i was probably about 20 ft away. He stood there. He started pretending that he was shaking a little bit. And then he jumped. Backwards. And then i only thoughts head. He landed. 4 feet down. On another ledge. At that point. I walked forward. And i could stand there. At the edge. I remember i put my arms out and i felt the wind push me back. I felt the wind wrapping around all the trees there. And the wind that has gone through the deep valley below and was rustling the top of the lake making waves. And that same wind was up there. On the edge. Wrapping around me. I welcome you to call out places. Where you have been. Or short phrases that explain a situation. Where you too. We're assured. That you were a part. Of something. Much. Much. Bigger. That you are connected. To all that is. Places. Short phrases. Many of these places are experiences or individual. But the feeling. Somehow. Flo's. Between all of us. Interconnection is amazing. An ever-present. It runs through this room and across limitless space. Regardless. In our modern life of processed cheese product and cubicles. We must endeavour to sent it. We must cultivate. An awareness. And a willingness. To recognize ourselves. As life. Within. Share meals. Talk to a farmer at a farmers market and taste his life's work. In the flesh of an apple. Got plenty of opportunity to do that today in fact us. We have a congregant who went apple picking. Sit down to a meal and before you begin recognize all the earth. Light. And labor that ref. On your table. Use these precious experiences of food. Sustain. Not just your body. But that precious. Send. Of interconnection. To all. That is. And they all that we have shared today. Encouragement. To this holy work.

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Wild_and_Precious_Life_2009.mp3

Hi anna is our first speaker today. And anna was asked by her parents. Nikki and brian george. To respond. To what will you do. Your one wild and precious life and you've had a lot of great ideas. And i want to go through some of these with you and maybe you can tell us a little bit about him. There's something about monkey bars. What's that about well the reason i. Chose i wanted to. Well. I like to do a lot of stuff. Balls climbing through anything that. About five or six speed up from the ground. Kind of dangerous. Gallaher. Yeah my friend. Does my okay wonderful. Alright. We're going to save this one for the end. But okay i hate see something about a railing. What do you like to do with that railing. I want to swap a downham. What does it feel like when you're sliding down. Well. Feels like something is rubbing against you. A lot different if you're going fast. Yeah. It gets kind of exciting right like where the heck am i going to land. Dance with the little bumps on my railing that can be tough. Okay if there's even a note here from i believe from brian or nikki that says it's a tough trick if you've seen our railing. Okay and what do you do at brent's playhouse. Well it's not really. Adams friends playhouse. I came up with the idea because i saw his friend. And what did his friend do. Climb up on the roof i'm so far there are three things that get your pretty high in the air. The next one i know in this is the one of your favorite ones. What's up what do you want to do what you going to do well. You have to watch eric and i will find that i think you must belong on american idol alright okay and also see something here to sell 175 boxes of girl scout cookies. The furniture to the bahamas. It's a good one now a little more than 50 and i've already made $200. Wow but you know what nikki's got the order form today. Okay how about this one something else that involves flipping yourself around olympic gymnast. And the last one. And i also want to be a concert pianist. That's a lot of stuff to do with one wild and precious life. The last one. And something about getting in a candlestick position do you want to sit show us what that is. Will you tell us what it is. How do you do a candlestick. Well personal you i'll around and then you put your feet up in the air. Okay. Then i got her. How long you can okay. Where to find the day. I'm trying to break a world record well at least make one. I think. We're all going to have to keep watching you anna. Caesar some great things you got planned to do. Thank you for sharing them with us. All right and you're welcome to stay in the service if you would like to. Okay thank you. It's tough not to clap i know so we'll do this this is a this is a way to show appreciation. I guess the most. Fundamental problem with thinking about what i want to accomplish with. Smione. Precious life. Is the age return currently. At my current standing i have nearly my entire life ahead of me. And this can be viewed by there at 10 so optimism or hesitation. Two weeks ago i turned 18. And i think in retrospect of everything it is hyped up to be. I look back on my 18th birthday with a sense of indifference. I just to say what people consider the importance of turning 18 varies depending on their age group. Adult tell me it is a window of opportunity for new responsibilities. Well i i sleep in until noon. I still play with action figures and i still lack of potty humor. Responsibility thing i don't want anything to do with it and i'm going to be in college next year. This can only end in tears. Notes make a 180-degree turn and consider what my peers consider the importance of being legal. Chances are the two things they'll say is i can now buy cigarettes in p***. Well i don't smoke and i don't necessarily grasp the concept of buying pouring when i have at my disposal this wonderful thing known as the internet. Hi mom. So i still get to see the. This wonderful thing about being a team from other people's first. For me being an adult memes. I am not going to have my handheld through life anymore. It means i can't rely on my parents to kick me an action when i myself have zero motivation. For the first time my future truly is in my hands and like i said before this can be viewed with either sons. Of optimism or hesitate. I think my enlarge however i view the future of the sense of. Excitement. At this point in time my only real wish for the future. Is i'll have the foresight and knowledge to make the right choices. I hope that fall into a good group of friends at college she won't let me stay away from who i am. I hope i have the knowledge to date the girls i get along with more rather than one who is better look. And i hope to have. The. I guess so take courage to pick the profession because it is what i want to do in my life not because of the money it prove. I feel that up until this point. Through church through school through various other activities. I have acquired a good sense of morals and ethics. And if i'm able to apply them properly. I will be able to accomplish seemingly anything i want with my one. Just a few short years ago when my only plan was not to have a plan. They would have been plenty of time to wander through the summer grass. I'm pondering where my precious life was headed. But now. Now time for change. I have kids to care for their bills to pay more responsibilities at work on increasing. And then i have to find time to sleep eat exercise and i have plenty of things to plan for. Kids schooling in college retirement investments and tomorrow night's dinner. These days it's almost as if my summer days are spent sitting on one end of a sea star. Has heavily weighted with the basic things that i must do just to maintain my existence. But then again maybe now is the perfect time to ponder. Question. As i look up at the other end of my metaphorical seesaw i wonder if there can possibly be a balance. Between the more practical elements of life and the things that lend meaning and purpose to life. Of course this form of balance is complicated some talents of our lives don't necessarily adhere to the basic lawson. Physics. Put to continue the analogy i do not believe that this type of balance is achieved by simply placing. Two objects of the same mass. At points of equidistant from the fulcrum. Which tumi would imply a separation of the practical from the meaningful. Brother i believe that a better solution is to place objects all along the entire length of the sea salt plank that's creating a situation. Where's some of the practical elements of life are positioned closer to the meaningful side of the sea salt plank. This can be achieved. By adding meaning and purpose to even the most basic everyday elements of life. So the answer the question posed in the poem achieving balance is something i will strive for in life. I'm still discovering things that lend meaning to my life and i'm learning how to modify elements of my life to give him more purpose. I imagine and hope that this process will continue throughout the rest of my life. So maybe the continual struggle for balance is all that awaits. But that doesn't mean i won't stop trying. Through the exercise of creating this response i did manage to define for practices that may. Help me to attain balance at some point down the road first of these practices is create. And maintain meaningful relationships. The people around me can help me to achieve balance and it would be nice to be known as someone. Who can lend a little bit of stability feel lives of others. The second practice is to pay closer attention to detail. Just as mary oliver examines fine details and the grasshopper i might also learn to pay attention so i can retain. And appreciate elements of my life that promote balance. And be able to change those elements that foster instability. The third practice means that i must realize and understand interdependence. The relative position of the objects online seesaw playing. Should determine the overall stability of their arrangement. But their specific position certainly will not be fixed or time. Modifying details of the position of one object will cause every way a repositioning. Or we waiting of the others. Finally i must be able to appreciate constant motion. Changing aspects of my life will cause the seesaw playing to sway. Remind now is you balance does not. Imply an absence motion. In fact some sway should be allowed. Or even desire. After all these songs are designed for enjoyment. As much as i detest. Pledge of allegiance. As unadulterated brainwashing. Words from it must have resonated with me early on. Liberty and justice for all. Pravana as i can remember the concepts of liberty and justice have been extremely important to me. In grade school i was very unpopular and picked on by other kids. This had the effect of making me angry. But it also gave me a deep sense of compassion for others who were not treated respectfully by their fellow humans. And that only increase my desire for justice for all. For many years i was too wrapped up in my own life to actually take any action. School work marriage children. But in 1991 two things propelled me into political action. First i joined the libertarian party. Which attracted me by its deep commitment to liberty. Second someone in my neighborhood came knocking at my door he was seeking the republican nomination. To run for the county board of supervisors. And i would persuaded to attend the meeting and leesburg to support him. Never been a high priority for me up to then i felt lost in the numbers as if i couldn't make a difference. But when i attended that republican meeting and learned that several hundred people determine the entire slate of nominees for the general election in an 85,000 person county. I realized it becoming active in a political party actually could make a difference. So there i was a member of a political party that valued individual liberty above all else and with my newly gained knowledge of how being politically active could have an impact. The following year i was contacted by the libertarian party and asked to help collect signatures to get the presidential candidate on the virginia ballot. That was my first action for the libertarian party. Over the next decade i serve the libertarian party in a number of ways. I served on county and state committee. And helped out on a number of campaigns for various candidates. I passed out campaign literature. Put up signs. And wrote newsletters. I hope staff there's and recruit new members. I also served as a campaign treasurer and a campaign manager. In 1996 i became the state ballot access coordinator my biggest job the party i headed up the petition drive in virginia for the presidential candidate in 1996 and again in 2000. In between time. I advised and assisted various state and local candidates with valid access. And when i wasn't working on petition drive. I worked on lobbying for changes to virginia's election laws. Especially the ones dealing with valid access. This work was rewarded with a successful significant reduction to the signature requirement to statewide candidates in virginia. Libertarian party and i have gone our separate ways. But my interest in election law reform continues. And i'm now a member of the league of women voters. I would like to see an end to our so-called two party system. The system disenfranchises minority voices and creates a divide-and-conquer atmosphere. It sets people against one another rather than encouraging the building of coalitions. One of the things i most enjoy about my lobbying effort. With the opportunity to work with members of other third parties. The former coalition to lobby for better ballot access laws. So now we work on passing election law reform. Such as choice voting system and verifiable ballots. I have always had a desire to fix root problem. And i feel that fixing or election systems will support the ability to fix many other problems. By making government more responsive to the electorate. So what do i plan to do with the rest of my one wild and precious life. Whatever i can to increase liberty and justice for all in some small way. Next month i will tell break my 70th birthday. Most of my hopes dreams and aspirations are behind me. Most of it you look up here you see an old grey-haired man. However not that long ago i was physically fit running 325 mi days a week. Running free 25 miles 5 days a week. I can do 20 pull-ups do 80 sit-ups in less than 2 minutes. And before i retired for the wrinkle i could beat most younger brains in the physical fitness test. Not here at my age i have lost my physical strength. I cannot run a block without my knee's killing me. My knees ache at night preventing me from sleeping well. I have a difficult time getting up out of a chair climbing stairs and i have a hard time getting up from any position on the floor. I have a stiff lower back from arthritis. And i can't do the physical chores like i used to be able to do. My life changed drastically in july of 2007 when i was told by doctor that had a i had aggressive prostate cancer. I had to make appointment immediately for a bone scan chest x-ray and pelvic cat scan. I knew i was in trouble and i thought i was going to die soon. I had known a couple of other acquaintances who had aggressive prostate cancer and had died within six months. All the tests showed that i had showed that my cancer had not mustache ties. Which was very good. Butthead going outside my prostate capsule which was not good. I had my treatment for prostate cancer a little over a year ago and i am very positive about those results. No i didn't think i could live forever. But i thought that since i taking care of myself physically. 8 well and exercise. That i can live into my late 80s. Both my parents lived into their early eighties and i did not have a good lifestyle because. Go smoke a heavily and it neither exercise. Getting the cancer and thinking i was going to die spoon started me thinking back over my life. I haven't i have really had a good life and don't even money the things that i aspire to do when i was younger. I am married to a great loving wife who i've been with robot 20 years. And i have fun with doing activities at the square dancing garden and traveling. I have three children two stepchildren and four grandchildren all of whom i love. How it going before the start of world war ii. As a child of mine formative years were spent reading newspapers and magazine articles of wwii battles. Which had a big influence on me. Do this influential wwii always wanted to be a soldier in a combat situation which happened to me while i was serving in the marine corps. I had two combat tours in vietnam with 105 mm artillery batteries. And these two tours in vietnam with the best two years that i had with with the marine corps. After i retire from the marine corps i got job with you virginia department of taxation as an auditor. I love this job because it gave me a great deal of independence. I found the work challenging finding additional revenue for the commonwealth of virginia. About three months ago i retired from the department of taxation after 24 years. I don't have any big ideas as to what i'm going to do with the rest of my life. Because everything i really want to do is probably behind me. I want to enjoy retirement. I want to be able to travel read and do the things i want to do on my own time schedule. I really don't want to be committed to anything at this time of my life. Are getting old takes a strong person. When you get to my age you attend more funerals than anything else. And i will finish also with this quote for that mike berger said to me last sunday and i quote. Everyday you wake up is a good day. You're still a kid on 81 in a quarter. I'm going to tell you a true story. Which has a lot to do with the way i have led my life. I was married in 1950 the timing is important to understand how things were back then when most of you were not yet born. My husband. What is an ensign in the navy. And he was stationed in norfolk virginia. So we were establishing our first home. Being eager to be a good wife. I had change my voting residence. Remind home in massachusetts to his home in new jersey so that we could be together. We both applied for absentee ballot. So that we could vote in an upcoming election we did not plan to vote in norfolk because. Navy residences. Can you be notoriously temporary. He received his absentee ballot. I was refused an absentee ballot. The explanation was. Said he had to be in norfolk because the navy said so but i didn't have to be there and so therefore i could return to new jersey to vote if i really wanted to. Well i saw a red. I was so angry. Such blatant sexism. That's your personal put down i was curious so i wrote a letter to the editor of the newark paper. And it was published. The word scarily quivered from the passage although i was very polite. And after that without explanation i received an absentee ballot and for a long time as we moved up and down the east coast. And three times to california and off to japan i voted absentee. But eventually we settled here in virginia. We bought a house. And it looked as if we were settling down. Why didn't time we had five children in the public schools. From kindergarten to high school. And i realized that i had no say in the schools because i could not vote locally. So i changed my residents to virginia and i have voted in every election since. Little did i know that i would still be voting in virginia 40 years later. I told you this story because it affected the whole course of my life it made me become a social activist. A crusader for social causes and ultimately a unitarian. I used to be more physically active that i'm able to be now but my heart is still there. But there is another side of me. I love you to do cruel embroidery. And i have made pieces for two of my nine grandchildren. When they married. All of my grandchildren are in their twenties. So i am reasonably sure that they'll be more weddings to come. So i have given myself the loving task. Of making seven more embroideries. For the rest of my grandchildren. And so i need at least a couple of years to get those embroidery done. And who knows what the future holds. So i'll be kicking on as long as i can. Sputtering and spouting. When i feel the urge and embroidering as long as my fingers hold out. And that is what i'm doing with the rest of my wild and precious life. I'd like to end this with a prayer. Friend gave me to speak my mind better than i can myself. I call it and trading. Lorde. No no it's better than i know myself. That i am growing older. And will someday be old. Keep me from the state of habit of thinking i must say something. On every subject. And on every occasion. Release me from the craven to straighten out everybody else's affairs makes me feel awful but not moody helpful but not bossy. With my vest. Store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all. But found no us lord that i want a few friends at the end my mind free from the recital of endless details. Give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my ex and pain. They are increasing in love of rehearsing them. Is becoming sweeter as the years go by i dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others pain. But help me to endure them with paige. I dare not ask for improved memory. But for a growing humility and a lesson cocksureness. When my memory seems to class. With the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally i may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet i do not want to be a thing some of them are so hard to live with but it's our old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things. In unexpected places. And talents in unexpected people. And give me oh lord the grace to tell them so. Amen. There was a second poem that i shared with. All the folks to who shared so beautifully today. And it's called the journey by mary oliver. I'd like to share this with you as a benediction. One day you finally knew what you had to do. And began. Do the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice. Do the whole house. Began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. Men's my life. Each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do. Do the wind pride with a stiff fingers at the very foundations though their melancholy was terrible. It was already late enough. And a wild night. And the road full of fallen branches and stones but little by little. As you laugh. Their voices behind the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds. And there was a new voice. Which is slowly recognized as your own. That kept you company. As you strode deeper and deeper into the world. Determined to do the only thing you could do. Determined to save. The only life. You could. Save.

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Service_of_the_Living_Tradition_2010.mp3

Two weeks ago one of you asked a great question. And i only gave you a maybe an ace. Eres now. Sort of question i like to return to again and again. Births in essence all of these questions. Why are we here. Why do we come here on sunday mornings. Return again and again. Why do we dare open that door for the first time. For the first time again. The question that one of you asked was. What is the difference between an religion. First of all i was a philosophy major. My heart swims in the great works of the great philosophers i read philosophy books. What we do here on sunday. + 3. Philosophy. Is entwined with. And it speaks a truth of its own. Sears. Has had a great question. What is our calling why should i be grateful is there such a thing as grace and what is its nature. Shall i let go. Can i let go persistently from my. Can we find. And how. If answer the question. Would have been engaged in a philosophical exercise. Defining religion. Is difference. It's difficult. But albert einstein who went earlier. It's so well. He says. It was the experience of mystery even if mixed with. A knowledge of the existence of something. Manifestations and their most elemental. The mystery that we plum here is only accessible to our reason and its most elemental forms. What we do here. And what our forefathers and foremothers have been doing for millennia and what are stars. Is itself necessary. And i daresay good. It is religion. Because search for answers and maybe more importantly what we do with our dow. It is what we do with that has no answer. It is what we do with our hands when they have the power to move some of the world wrong. To write. It is what we do with our tears when there is nowhere else we can shed them. It is what we do with our lives when we are bursting. With the need. Teixeira. It is what we do not because we know it is right. Or because we fully understand why. National explanation. It is because we must. Because we could do no other. Servatus in early unitarian. He found all in the pages but became greatly disturbed listen to the century preachers interpreted its pages. So he wrote a book on the errors of the trinity. And he sent it. John calvin. Cervantes challenging calvin's interpretations. Calvin calling servatus a dirty rotten heretic. Sirvaitis was intractable. This man called heretics were burned. It was illegal in most realms deventer. Move to speak the truth as he had funded. Socalgas. Put out a warrant for his arrest. Even though he was so desperate. Truth. And even when the flame. Frame. He held to his convictions. Recognizing with the last word to escape his lips. Jesus as a son but not a god as servatus believed. He said with his last words. Yaesu thou son of the eternal god. Have compassion. Upon me. Because this is what he held as true. This is what he lived. To his end. Because being true to his conscience. Was services. Religion. This proud authenticity rises through the flames of survey. Death. And embolden. Our religion. Just as the universalist convictions do that origin the scholar who lived in the second century held. As he said if. Just as the life of theodore parker does this early american unitarian this man before his time who harbored slaves and prayed each sunday for emancipation in front of a congregation that did not understand or. Just as the life of forest church does. Unitarian universalist minister who died this past year but not before teaching another generation of unitarian universalist that death. Panna. Concur. Love. This proud authenticity rises through the years and in bolton's what we can come to hold. As our religion. Religion as some might have you believe it is not adherence to a creed. Tradition perhaps a trust that those who came before wearing them. Wrestling with the mystery they encountered so in such a way that their lives were imbued with meaning. And religion also involves a relationship to the future. Perhaps a trust. But somehow the wrestling that we do here. With the mystery we encounter. Will imbue our lives. With meaning. Meaning those who come after may discover. May i understand. Meno as they're on. This is religion. It has a past. A present. And a future. It's here. It's here. It's here. It's here. It is why we spend time with the questions of gratitude. Grace. Salvation and all the others. To connect us one to another. Through time i missed the mysteries. But never die. Religion is in our songs it's in our tears it's in our answers. It's especially in our doubts. It's what we do with our all. It is what we do. Because we could do. No other. Amen. To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born. And a time to die. The poet whose voice echoes in this well-known and often quoted piece from ecclesiastes. What it means to be human. That we are mortal that we are born that we die. The poet speaks the facts. But it is not the facts that our lives meaning but what we do with the facts. In the service of the living tradition we remember we on our way more exalt we do this because we are not willing to see our days. And the burdens and the joys they contain as facts. But as integral aspects of our lives. But give our lives. Meaning. And we begin with our litany of deaths. We're counting the deaths that touched us over the past year. I'll start with the unitarian universalist ministers. And then i will welcome you. To share. From your own experience. And your own ha. The reverend joseph ira craig. The reverend polly. Langland. Gil. The reverend suzanne. The reverend james marshall bank. The reverend doctor. Hammy's madison bar. The reverend forest. Church. The reverend jean-louis. Whitman kilpatrick. The reverend kenneth. Hawks. The reverend steven davies. Howard. The rev dr. timothy ward. Jensen. The reverend h. Kyle. Nagel. The reverend arnold. Pharaoh. Westwood. Now as you are moved. Please share the deaths. That touched your life. Over the past year from last june to this june. Please standing as you are comfortable. Please share your own name. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to pluck up. That which has been planted. A time to kill. And a time to heal. A time to weep. On a time. To laugh. And no one more than the youngest. Live this last line to its fullest. Giving time to both. And laughter. Often one right after the other. Has your life been touched by a birth. The birth of a child this past year. Are you newly a mother a grandmother a father a grandfather a brother are you family. Are you from. As you are moved please share the births that touched your life this past year. Please share your name. And a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance. Time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to lose. And a time to see. A time to lose. And a time to seek. We have lost much this year. And yes. Loss is balanced with seeking. We seek answers. We. Help. We seek. If there is a time to lose maybe this past year was. This time. I will recount some of the losses then ask you to add to our litany. The continued loss of life and security. And iraq and afghanistan. The mourning families of soldiers the mourning families of civilians. The. Seemingly irreconcilable rage of the suicide bombers. The lost that comes of hatred. End of war. The loss of life and livelihood in the haitian earthquake. The venezuelan earthquake. The china earthquake. And so many more. The loss of life again and again in the minds of our country recently in west virginia at the upper big branch mine. 429 minors. The loss of life and the madness of a situation that seems out of our control as the oil spill leaks into the gulf. As natural habitats are marred. As we've placed blame. Has anger mounts. As losses are counted. Has no answers. Take away the pain. Please add losses. To this litany. Please add the losses that you have known this past year. Personal or with regard to our world at large. Please stand. Please share your name. A time to learn to love. And a time to hate. A time for war. And a time for peace. The last two lines of our poet from ecclesiastes are some of the most difficult. But also the most hopeful. Our poet mentioned both hate and war. Is there ever really. A time for hate. 44 war. It seems our species. Thanks it's. But in the same lines are poet makes room for. And for peace. Seeps in. The cracks. That are and everything. Hope simpson. And we have much to be hopeful for. When the earthquake in haiti toppled port-au-prince the world respond. We at the unitarian universalist of sterling contributed. To the unitarian universalist service committee. And they collected from the riches of unitarian universalists over. $2000000. For aid. It seems we are beginning. If only beginning to crawl out of this economic crisis. Not everyone not everywhere but some and maybe now we have a better understanding of what matters in our lives. Not the stuff that we surround ourselves with. But the connections we make with loved ones. Who will be there to support us. When we do struggle. What are some other homes. I welcome you to add your hopes to the litany hopes that have come to you over this past year as you engage with your world both far and near. And when we finish i'm going to invite you to stay standing a bit longer. As we share a prayer. This church and dedicated to the proposition that behind all our differences and beneath our diversities. There is a unity that binds us together and makes us one in spite of time and death. And the space between the stars. We pause now and silent witness. To that unity. Please join me now in a spirit of prayer or of meditation as you are moved. Over this past year. As the real. As you reach out with your hair. To your spirit let them call to your soul this is how we become human. To know and to trust. That we are a part of something so much wilder than our own imagination. So much more complex than our minds. So much larger. In our arms can insert. We are a part of something that fills us. And may this be. Enough. Comfort you. May it comfort. May it be so. Anomaly. Can we close with a postman.

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To_What_Give_Our_Lives.mp3

The quiet and exacting poet. Emily dickinson. Provides a metaphor. To help us can contemplate the way of life. Isabel. Here is her untitled poem. The props assist the house. Until the house is built. And then the props withdraw. And adequate. Iraq. The house support. Itself. And cease. To recollect. The auger and the carpenter. Just such a retrospect. The perfected. Life. A past of. And now and slowness. Then the scaffold. Drop. Affirming it. A soul. And our second reading is also about life but it is. Less quiet. This is. Men's health living. And here are some of the wonders that it promises inside. About a life lived well. Build your perfect life. Smart and stylish rules for guys. A home she'll want to come to. Be the king of your kitchen. Upgrade your ride in 10 minutes or less. Once again this is build your perfect. Life. 100 best places to live. The new american man 137 ways to find happiness at home. 137 exactly. And this is this is my number one favorite. Jason statham this well-dressed man on the cover. Jason statham's rules for living. Number one. Even tough guys know where to put the ottoman. If you need to find this i think that they're still back issues available somewhere. So. Even tough guys know where to put the ottoman. Well thank goodness. I was worried about that. I wonder what emily dickinson would say. Is the strategic placement of the ottoman a scaffold. Will it one day drop to affirm a life well-lived. To affirm the tough guys soul. Maybe i shouldn't judge. I may not worry about my ottoman. But i spend an inordinate amount of time reading cookbook. Really i go to the library and check out new ones every few weeks. I choose the ones with the biggest and the most succulent looking pictures. I once worked as a chef. But even then when i spent full days cooking i would spend my lunch hours flipping through cookbook. I am a vet a bit like a vegetarian hunter. Scanning the pages and weight of that one recipe that will surprise. You might guess having looked at. Hundreds and hundreds of cookbook. I've seen just about every combination of fruit herb and protein. But the one that i have not yet discovered makes all the papercuts and confused looks from my friends in from you right now. Worthwhile. Of course i wonder about the time i give to cookbooks. But it doesn't make a bit of sense until i asked. What does this activity yield. Where does it take my life. I may never make any of the dishes exactly but the recollections live in the rusty recipe trap of my brain. And they still out from time to time and birth. Of creativity. They funnel enter hospitality. An imagination. They helped me be a bit more of the human that i hope to be. As emily dickinson poem affirms the scaffold are every bit as necessary as the house. That is built inside. But in due time they must fall away. And as life changes so rapidly as we age we learned to utilize different sorts of scaffolds. I watched a beautiful documentary on a group of women all over 80 years of age. Who i decided late in life. To move in with one another. They gave their days to playing bridge and telling stories. Indeed the stories seemed the scaffold. To their souls. Stories of angry and kind husband. I've lost children. Of operations and sickness. Enjoy. And as they told them more and more to one another. Revealing more and more of their interior constellations. The scaffold dropped. And they were to one another like moons to each other's son. Reflecting the beauty of their common. Understanding. I learned a lot from watching these women unveil their lives but i know that i am not where they are. Now. We are again with dickinson's analogy. Our own houses. And left somewhat to our own devices in determining how to build. Men's health living. Proclaims that we should build our perfect. Like. And which as i might that they're smart and stylish rules for guys. Would lead us to the promised land. I prefer instead to turn to our quieter thinkers. Who come across equally sure of their hopes but less assured of their potential. 46s. Saint teresa of lisa was a carmelite nun in the 19th century. Who desired more than anything else to be a priest. And if not that. Phenacite. A woman of small stature the youngest in her family theresa learn quickly that she would not always be able to perform. All the great deeds she dreamed. When her father's illness brought him to an insane asylum. Teresa wish to visit and comfort him. But nineteenth-century decorum forbade it. As with this example some of her longing saddens me. As i know that our modern society would have been kinder to her wants. But it is not only society that places limits. Sometimes limits come purely from our humanity. As in the story that linda shared. We cannot buy the limits of time and space and mortality fling all the starfish back. Or invite all the stray cats and dogs into our homes. We cannot always save all. That must be saved. But we can do. Saving work. Saint teresa of lee so long first to be a priest and second to be a saint. And she wrote. Love proves itself by deeds so how am i to show my love. Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way i can prove my love is by scattering flowers. I need flowers are every little sacrifice every glance and word. And the doing of the lease. Actions. For love. Indeed she named her vocation love. And she continues. In a way that unitarian universalist could theologically abide. She explains. I will spend my heaven. Doing good on earth. I am moved by these considerations and they helped me to pause and reflection do i crave a bit more practical advice. Am i doing good on earth when i take out the trash. Am i spending my heaven when i check email. What about the countless hours on route 7 or the beltway. There seems no way to tally up the tasks and weigh them to determine the quotient of time we spend on heaven. And frivolity. And anyway if we wanted the bear percentages we would find that we spend more time sleeping than any other activity. And eating is up there too. That's what all the cookbooks are. So i returned to dickinson's analogy of the house. And to take us further into the metaphor. Hear something from the art and architecture critic. John ruskin. Ruskin spent many of his hours studying the architecture of times past and of his 19th century europe. You might say that he studied houses. And became increasingly critical. He longed for the expression of an integrated and spiritual civilization that he found in the sweeping high arches and deep. Caverns of the gothic style. Any long for the beautiful hints of corruption and paganism that he found in the bright column. And lifted domes of the classic. Dial. Any what. As the architects of his day for soak these techniques and instead use iron supports to erect. Where's. And rectangle. He lamented the time when home or building was built not for the functionality of it ceilings and walls but for the reward of its beauty and grace. And what rock band saw and architecture he saw and humanity as well. He writes. The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it. But what they become. Buy it. We are building houses. Wrapping scaffold around are tender products. All the tasks the to-do list the honey do list. The office emails and letters from dear friends the car payments. And the college savings. The sobs in the songs and the starfish. All of this. We are giving to our project. A building. Ally. And we. A diverse community are at many different stages in our building process. Some may feel they are just. Securing their foundation. Or securing their foundation again. Some might feel that their scaffold are ready to fall away. But each of us might ask. To what. Are we giving our lives. What architecture are we creating. What will we become by building in the way that we are. Our lives move so quickly. One reason we gather in the space is to pause and to gain perspective to ask questions like these. Let's take a few moments now to pause. In consideration. And you'll find in your order of service a wheel of integral living. If you do not have an order of service or if you did not have. A writing implement please raise your hand and an usher will aid you. This wheel is a tool from a school of philosophy that seeks a more universal or holistic approach to understanding life and the universe. It provides a simple mechanism for reflecting on our very complex lives. Each piece of the pie represents an aspect. Of our life. The outside of the circle has the value 10 the highest value. The inside has the value of 0 the lowest. I need instructions are also written on the paper. I welcome you to rate your degree of satisfaction with each life area by first. Making a point and eat pie piece. And then drawing a line to connect them. And we'll spend a few minutes on this task and kim will play at the lullaby as we do. So take your time when we are finished we'll have a chance to share our experiences.

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Pray_for_Me.mp3

In unitarian universalist contacts. Prayer is served. Alamode. With a side of reflection. A dollop. Of meditation. And an occasional swirl of chocolate contemplation. Hold the hallelujah. We pray meditate reflect contemplate. Those of us who serve up these platters do so i would imagine. So that no one will be left out. So that each of us. Regardless of our faith journey. Can dip. Are spoons in. And be fed. I am partial to this buffet. The variety serves our religious palette. Yet each spiritual discipline affords its own unique gifts. Today i hope to unfold the specific nature of prayer. At least. How i understand it. Prayer is admittedly an unabashedly personal. It's forms are as diverse. As individual needs. Demand. Somewhere back there in those difficult teenage years. I was sitting on my bed in my room. My parents were downstairs. Angry. I had done something. Terribly wrong. And there was no way of going back and fixing it now. So i was sitting there. Praying. That i would be forgiven. I was sitting there. In silence. I was sitting there. Still. And somewhere. Out there. Crept in this. Still small voice. Someone angrier than i'd imagined. It's sad. I'm going to go up there and if she isn't doing her homework. It's going to be trouble. So i jumped up ran to my desk grab my paper my book my pain and sat to scribbling. The door open. And i was forgiven. Hallelujah. It's amazing what can happen in stillness and silence. Walmart prayer sitting fearful on my bed had some selfish motivation. The truth is that by sitting and listening. By pausing. Rather than talking or doing. I was able to hear what i needed to hear. Howard thurman akeem religious leader rights. There's no argument needed for the necessity of taking time out for being alone. For being quiet. And still within. The entire nervous system. Cries out for the healing waters. Silence. Imagine notes upon notes. A repetitive continuum. On and on for hours and hours. What it might feel like if you lived with a drummer. Now imagine a pause in the beat. A break. These lives that we have chosen and these lives that have chosen us our criss-crossed with agendas. We must meet the next goal wake up on time where weather appropriate clothes get the proposal to the boss on time. I read a funny quip that explained what are fast-paced lifestyle might look to outsiders. The cat. Cast without the capacity to grasp the reason behind our deeds watch us going here and there. And here again. With this and that. In this and that vehicle. They must be convinced that the purpose of human life is simply to move things around. Even them. Call matt thought for a moment. We are more than beings that move. Things around. We are more than our agendas. But the persistent continuum test our ability to sense. Those. Death. We need moments. Moments that call us to a different space. That reminder. A dear friend and minister caught me mid-bite the first time we shared a meal together. He said the simple words. Are we not. Blah. Sitting down to a beautiful plate of food with a dear friend. Who could deny it. But without his words. And the pause that they created. I might have missed it. Miss the chance for that gratitude. Are we not. Blast. Pause is that moment that idea that thing that is different. Then everything else on all sides. It is silence in a world of noise it is reflection in a day of production. Pause can birth. Prayer. Gregorian chants are shared audible prayers that phil otherwise still and silent monasteries. Spiritual dances are embodied. Prayers that grew out of austere. Mine bay. Traditions. Martin luther king junior called his civil rights marches. Prayers for justice. As they pierce. An injustice that drew in on all sides. Pause break. Through. Pause can open a space for prayer. And in prayer we have the chance to center down. To watch. For at least a few moments. Ourselves. Pass by. I was privileged to travel with my family to grenada a small island in the caribbean. I was walking by myself one day on a thin street outside of. Really the one only city. As i walked up the street i heard voices they were. Children's voices. And. They kept calling to me i kept paying attention to them and i've noticed that i walked past a church. And that the voices were coming from a children's choir. I walked past the church though it wasn't my church. I didn't know if i would know the language if i would feel right there. But i kept hearing the voices and i finally turned around. And made my way back to the door. When i walked in. I was greeted i was welcome to sit down and have. A seat next to these kind people they feared me they shared with me their books and their lessons for the day. They told me about the songs that we were singing. And then it got to the point in the service where the minister stood up. Any aska. Pantera time for prayer. I thought. I know what to do now i've been in seminary for one year. I'm supposed to sit here quiet and think about something important. But the woman who is next to me kneel down. And she invited me to kneel down with her. She held up her hand for me. And my hand rested in hers. And she started praying. For me. She asked me to pray with her. And all of these prayers started going throughout the whole room. There was a hum of voices. Small groups of people couples praying all for one another. I can't remember all of her words. I know that they brought me to tears. If not immediately than later as i walked home. She called me a child of god. And i understood that she saw my inherent worth. And dignity. She didn't know me. Save that i stranger wandered into her church. But she showed me that you don't have to know a person's innumerable details. To hold them. In prayer. She showed me through her reverend. And her acceptance. But i'm a turd. Prayer punctuate. A bold reality. Bet the person who is a mother a teacher a singer who had a difficult year who lost a parent who is a car seat fixer a trash taker outer and occasional grumpa persistent nausea loving friend that giving family member who wears orange. That person who is. Through their daily agenda scattered to the corners. Is all of that. But more. Everyone is whole. And that holness. Urine. To be recognized. It takes something powerful to strip away pretenses. To get past appearances. Love has this ability. Friendship to. These words describe connections between people. People who decided that they can sense. And understand and hold each other's wholeness. Angry words might pass between them. And days of busy schedules might keep them at odds but they recognize one another. As more than that. Prayer to can offer this beauty. Pausing and prayer allows you to still all of those sensations. But beg you to do this or that. It allows you to just be for a moment. Your whole self. To pay attention to those wild hope. Does deep pains. And two other hole sounds. Again howard thurman. Bring in your scattered parts be present at all levels of your consciousness this is the time. Of togetherness. I'm astounded that my experience from grenada moves me still. It was honestly the first time that prayer began to make any sense. And i was thankful when later that year i began a chaplaincy in a hospital in seattle. I was told that people would ask me to pray with them. Catholic. Christian possibly buddhist. As well as non-religious patients and families struggling for meaning. I asked if i would be comfortable praying outside of my tradition. Using oil. Sharing the lord's prayer bowing. At first. I was unsure. How can i be authentic to my own religious calling. There were certainly times when i struggled. There were others when i was glad for prayer for a discipline that could break. Through tradition. They could help. So many people pause. In wholeness. One of my patients that my time there. Was a sin. Beautiful woman named elmira. There are few words that went between us. That either of us could understand she spoke spanish and i english. And honestly most of the time that i visited her she was asleep. She was in a great deal of pain. And she was under heavy medication. Oftentimes when i visited her her family would be there her children. And sometimes they're awake. But most of the time they were sleeping they were on cops in the room. I'm fairly certain that they were holding vigil. One when i came to visit her. I. Share the lord's prayer with her. And she spoke in spanish. An i in english. Another time when i visited. We started trying to talk about where she was from. About where she'd been born. But i didn't quite understand enough of the words. And so she took out a piece of paper. And she drew an image. Of the united states. And then she drew an image of mexico. And she put a big bold star on the place where she was born. And then she handed me that piece of paper. And i put a big bold star on the play. Where i was born. And we smiled. And then we started putting stars and circles and pictures of things that we knew all over this map. Filling it with our memories. And some of our hope. I have no doubt. That that experience. Was prayer. Assuredly for me. Maybe for her. For a moment we were not in a hospital. Not bound by the restrictions of language. We were two stars. On a single piece of paper. It was amazing. See her laughing. Prayers final step is the most difficult to take. Sometimes this. Instance in the hospital. Sometimes like this instance in the hospital. It sweeps you up and it carries you away. Other times it relies on your insistence. And often on your courage. In prayer we can bear witness to something greater than ourselves and possibly. We can let ourselves be held. By that something greater. We can let ourselves be vulnerable. May be humble. The serenity prayer written by the liberal theologian reinhold niebuhr shares his truth. Quite plainly. Maybe i've heard this one. God grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change. Courage to change the things i can. And wisdom. To know the difference. There was not much that either of us could do about elmira spain. Or. Usher and. Of a beautiful life. But we could draw picture. And somehow. That was enough. We were held in those brief moments by a joy that. We couldn't have created. No matter the technology the genius the cycle of evolution we reside and in existence. That is beyond our power to control completely. Yes we can do great things. Unnecessary things but at the end of our striving. We are met with a challenge. Can we look out over our accomplishments and honor them. Or are we beset with the realization that nothing will ever be enough. In prayer i found. That we have a chance to honor our striving. By witnessing our place. Powers far greater. And in prayer we may be comforted. That we are connected to something so astounding. We may be changed. Or we may discover. Our capacity to change the world. I'm often asked as a unitarian universalist what do i pray to. I don't know that i pray to anyting. At least this is my experience. I don't know that i'm capable of knowing the depth and the breadth of what i pray to. But i know that i pray with these experiences. I am held with these precious encounters. Reminded of connections. And a reverend. For a power and a possibility. That can reach us. Maybe only when we pause. And in this way prayer is learned. Slowly. There will be moments in our days that stand out admits the others. Moments that lettuce ensor holness. That breathe. Serenity. We may recognize. But they are dance or yoga as deep breathing as balancing as marching for justice as singing to a child as sitting with others in reflection. Recognizing these moments come first. Convincing ourselves that we deserve them. And that we can be served. Maybe. By pausing. That's much more difficult. Who are we to ask for such beauty. How can we not. May it be so. And almond.

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?download=%2F2016%2F02%2FGenerosity_and_Treasure.mp3

I think the first thing i ever did in this space was play with your band. I'm a rock and roll drummer as some of you know and. You know we can't do. Music like that as much as i'd like to an r space for other reasons but. But it's wonderful to come and see all y'all. Giving us this. Today thanks. I'm going to begin this today with a story from the middle east about a holy man who was serving as a judge. For a village. One day a local innkeeper comes to the judge. This holy man to bring suit against the poor student. Bridgeport student has lingered outside my restaurant holy one and he has stolen from me. Well the holy man said well what has he stolen. The sweet smell of my good food. Reply the innkeeper. I'm going to pay for the food himself he lingers outside the door my kitchen avails himself. What is not his the aromas of my cooking. Bus i work enslaving this. Scoundrel. Takes advantage of my labors and won't pay. And the judge looks at him and says it is true young man. And the student says it is father. I'm a poor student scarcely able to pay for my room in my books i live on scraps which i beg wherever i can. But the wonderful smells from the end. I cannot resist. And so daily i hang about and imbibe those odors and dust imagine that i am eating those. And the holy man looked at him and said we'll have you any money on you now. Only a few coins father the student replied. Hand them over. So the four student passed his last coins to the holy man. And the innkeeper smile.. Big smile of satisfaction. And the holy man said innkeeper close your eyes and listen to my judgement. So puzzled the innkeeper closes his eyes and then with his eyes tightly shut he heard the students coin. Being singled and the judge is han. Do you hear innkeeper. I hear wise one replied the innkeeper. Cuz the song of the coins has paid for the smell of your food. The holy man returned the coins adding a few of his own to the students. Now course. In what we like to call the real world the innkeeper needs customers with hard cash. So we can stay in business and keep those wonderful smells wafting for those. Who can pay as well as those who cannot. And like that in what we do here. Is available to those who pay and those who do not or cannot. And of course we welcome everyone through our doors on a sunday morning regardless of water if they pay we know. That many are like the student. Unable to pay now. Even if they have other offerings like time or talent. Adjust. The gift of their presence. We cherish those precious offerings. As much as. The treasure that most. Provide. And. For those of us with resources. It is also true that if you're experiencing something more than a smell. Here during your pledge drive. We might be asking you for something more than a chinga. Put on sterling hers. This place doesn't just smell good. It feels good. It does. Good. And still. It's true stewardship volunteers can encounter things that. Open most attract. People to unitarian universalist church. They find sometimes at the same thing to bring us here. Can make it difficult to ask for donations. We in the space live in that tension of freedom. Being a free faith means we're supposed to question what we're told. The song believe resisting with their toter asked is a spiritual discipline. Even if that call is to invest in the future of the church that they love. But i don't really see that here. It seems to me that this is a congregation that trusts its leadership. And it's evidenced by the way you show up. Support the mission of this your professional really religious in. Your leadership. Has demonstrated that they are sound stewards of your mission. Worthy of your most sacred trust. Now there are some i here who say that. We're at a theological disadvantage when it comes to stewardship time. Many states hold over there people the threat of devilish hellfire as a motivator to give. But after universalist i've always rejected the idea of hell as i imagine most of you have or else you might not be here. And that means as a preacher i cannot hold the prospect of eternal damnation over us punishment for not giving a certain amount of money sorry korean i just can't do it. So threatening damnation might make my job easier it would make my preaching on the holy. Aligning me with the forces. Aligned to destroy our values. So i rejoice that i have not the threat of torment of eternity to frighten you into giving. Cuz that would be barbaric. Betraying our core values of respect love tolerance indecent. And it's true. That fear. Is always. A corrosive. Tool. I need a no way encourages health in those who embrace it. As a primary motivating factor. In our everyday comings and goings. Beard. Troy. No fear. Presenting itself as anger. Right now in our current. Presidential primaries. I rejoice that we never use terror to leverage generosity. And anyone who does so is guilty of religious abuse. Should be ignored. Instead. We appeal to you and this season of giving with love. Evolve embodied in generosity and treasure. So what is generosity. Look at one another. Look at these pretty people sitting around you. You and they are the treasure. The church is its mission yes but it is also its people. Nothing. Happen. Without you nothing matters unless you make it matter. Nothing is an enabled here unless you enabling. And here. In this congregation there is such a wealth of talent and i don't just mean the musical. When that talent. For organization for hard work. When that is applied to further the mission of this congregation. We accomplished. So much more than when we write a check to the sierra club to a political candidate to a college or other organization. The giving of time talent and treasure to this mothership of holy service as i like to refer to you guys. Helps heal the world while simultaneously helping each of us. Spiritually you heard karin testified today. It helps us relationally. Supporting this house of hope where we meet serve and worship face to face. Nurturing sacred community. It's worthy. Of our attention. And sacrifice. Nothing brings people together. So much as serving our deepest held values together. Embodied in the flesh. At the church i serve this was recently made powerfully clear when we turned our sanctuary into a hypothermia shelter more than 60 at the tinkers work just this past week side-by-side sharing their gifts to serve our mission in the needs of the disinherited of fairfax county. And you all felt this in your service to the community table of loudoun. In your witness to loudoun county muslims last december. In your annual help-portrait event in your jazz poetry slam. You may not even know it. But uucs is becoming known in your wider community as a leader in justice and witness to the marginal. Just friday i was at an interfaith event in fairfax county. And fairfax county has a director of interfaith cooperation sandy chisholm. And she noticed my last name. Was similar to the last name of another minister she'd heard about. So she asked me about your good reverend and i said yes that happens to be my wife. And she said. Heard at a national interfaith conference about an amazing event. In support. Of muslim. And it's the one that she and you all led lamp. Such. Service. Is why we exist. The breaking down of those walls that john talked about in this prayer. And this service is what matures us as colleagues in faith we are on this journey together what you learned what you see is important for me to know and for each of us to know cuz it deepens all of our faith journey. This congregations treasure lies in each of your souls your heart. Contain the wealth. Of what church is. You display also a vibrant generosity of time. The amazing time commitments so many of you make. You display a generosity of talent i am left speechless. By your expertise and your wisdom. Many ministers. Or. Speechless. The way you organized this amazing operation the way that over the years you professionalized your staff the way that i wish we could do it i could take you added pain teachers and nursery care provider. The way you embrace your role as a leading voice for truth and love in the community. The way you prepare. For an entire year to go to two services. who was in charge of that who's in charge of going to two services. You're not here today maybe you i need here i need some help at accotink i will pay you to help us get the two services. I'm not kidding. You help. Them know that churches exist not to be social clubs but engines of holy creativity designing designing ways to bring the beloved community more fully into being for all. What we hear cherish and nourish. Belongs. The world. And the best way to share that gift and to grow any church. Is to offer more worship services and the best way is to invite friends neighbors and family by word of mouth. Offered to drive then. The church. And you are reaping the benefits of that work this congregation is grown 12% in memberships in september and your attendance is up by 40% is angelus. And you should be proud. You guys truly rock. Then there is generosity of spirit. And like the church that i serve this congregation demonstrates its mature generosity of spirit in so many ways. This is a very healthy church. Trust me i can tell you tales of churches. Some close by that sadly are so. Coccyx. And they don't know how to treat one another they do know how to treat their staff they think that what they have is a possessions that they're supposed to hide. This church. Is nothing like that you are a model of health invite. Now courts people come to church for many different ways. In one of the most common. Is that desire to discern our deepest values. And to try and live in accordance with them. Our common call asks us. Once we. Decide what it is we live for. The keep before us the moments of our high resolve to remember that we serve together admission. 4 greater than any single one of us. We share a sacred duty to remain at the wheel and mid the storms of personality and disappointment. And you also yes. Show. You shower. A generosity of treasure. Nothing happens here. Any church without financial investment in our ministry. So let us look directly at the financial side of stewardship. I grew up southern baptist in case you couldn't tell. So i grew up with the notion of teising. Giving 10% off the top of my income to charities that i deem worthy. Reverend and i strive to todd we give roughly $11,000 1/10 of our salary before taxes mostly to the two churches we serve. Now course we all have different life circumstances on you and i have no kids. We have no data outside of our mortgage. I believe though that we and most of us. Confined. More funds to donate. And nearly all. Can donate. Onion i believe giving into it feels good. Still recall the first time i pledge to. It was 1997 and i was just a regular attendee i wasn't a member i had hair down to my belt. I had a big goatee nobody knew really who i was. And the pledge chair was this young guy and he was he was a first-time pledge chair. He gave a very clear and earnest pitch and. I didn't know how much it took to run a church i didn't know that there wasn't some pope giving them money to keep the place going. I know yet.. I'm so i thought about it i might. I made a $2,000 pledge. Did you put 10/2 many down on that pledge card. No no i'm single. I'm single i was electrician so i was making decent money. I really felt part of that church. Deeper ways after that initial. I was about 30. 5 years old. Next thing you know. I was in seminary. That's another sermon. It's just a message that when we give to something that means something to us that builds what we know should be in the world. And it brings gifts. Back to us we could never have imagined. And because. Perhaps of that first pledge. I also met. My wife your minister. I found my mission through giving. Speaking of mission. The mission of this congregation states. We are building the world we dream about. We're also thrive in a diverse and loving community. Acting daily on our commitment to justice. Allow me to share why we embrace this mission and why we give. Generously. I show the words of rev john wolf minister emeritus of all souls church in tulsa oklahoma who declares. You want us to port this church because it stands against superstition. Because it points to what's noblest invest in human life. Because it is open to men and women no matter the race creed color national origins how they pray for whom they love. You want to support uucs because it has a free puppet. I have the first word u o. Challenge me when i'm done. You want to support you to say yes because you can hear ideas expressed here which would cost many ministers their jobs. You want to support this place because. It is where children can come without being saddled with guilt or told how to think or terrified with some. God is really a celestial peeping tom. Where they can learn that religion is for julian challenge for gratitude and love. You want to support this place because. This is where walls between people are torn down rather than build up. This is the place for the religious displaced persons of our time. The refugees from mixed marriages the unwanted freethinkers and those who insist against orthodoxy. But they must work out their own beliefs. To see your pledge captain soon. Lighten their load fill out that form let's get it done in time. And remember. That abundance is the natural state of the universe. Keep before you the values that bring you here that multiply generosity of spirit time treasure and talent as we work. To enlarge and share our common treasure. And we do this for the sake of saving the world. One soul at a time. Beginning with our own.

uusterling_org

Fire_Ceremony.mp3

And it's time for me to invite anyone to come forward who is young a body or feeling young of spirit today. My whole closet hoops. And some equipped as well i didn't know those were in there. Thank you holly. So gather round these carb down here. And i've got my goodness. You're finding my advil. So i got a story to tell you today that involves these scarves. But first of all i've got a couple questions for you guys. How many of you out there have ever made a mistake. Has anybody out there. Ever made it through a whole week or even a whole year. Not making a mistake at all. Anybody. And has anyone out there ever. Maybe not been so kind or nice. As you might have wanted to be. Yeah. Me too. Well i got a story for you guys today. About somebody. Who isn't always so kind and nice that they want to be. About somebody who makes mistakes. Just about as much. As any of us. And my story is about somebody named onion. Pretty weird name huh. Will you know what when i was about. All of your ages that was my nickname. My friends called me onion. Tell that story is about onion. Onion was often very hungry maybe when she shouldn't be. And one day shortly after breakfast she realized that there was still a bunch of halloween candy around. And she got into that halloween candy and t800. And our stomach even felt a little bit. sick and then lunch came. And she couldn't eat any of the lunch that are mom prepared for her. So she felt a little bit. Sad about that. How about give me one of those scarves for that for that one experience will take this one first. Wrap around my arm. This scarf represents. That feeling sad. And then when she sat down at the lunch table. She realized. But she would still thirsty and she reached out and she grabbed and orange juice. And she picked it up. And it fell all over the place. She just dropped it. And her dad was very nice and i dad picked it up for her. But you know what orange juice went everywhere and she felt really sad about that i think i need another scarf. Best one all right. This is for the orange juice. And then her friend came over to play. And her friend was a little bit late and her friend was always a little bit late. An onion got upset and she yelled at her friend how come you're always late. And later she felt a little bit bad for not being understanding. I think i need another scarf for that. I left arm. Alright. Getting real colorful here. So then she and her friend went out. And they were sitting on the front porch. Play saw that there was a dog in the next yard over. And this dog was chained up and behind a fence and it couldn't come over to see them. And he started barking like a dog was barking back at them and the dog was getting really frustrated and angry but they kept barking. And then afterwards i felt a little bit bad. Cuz they made the dog get really upset. So i think i need another scarf for that. How about this. Alright. So then. Onion went around through her day and she did a lot of nice things and a lot of sweet things but she also did some other things that didn't make her so happy. Got a test back. And there's a really bad grade on that math test. I think i need another one of those cuz it made. Onion feel pretty bad when she gets bad grades. Alright. And then she realized. That her aunt was going to be coming over in a week and our aunt had given her a really big present for her birthday and she never thanked her. Oh no. She felt really really bad about that. One more. So. Then later. Her mom said something to her that she thought was really silly but she yelled back at her and said that's such a silly thing to say why you say things like that. And then she realized that maybe she'd been a little bit too rude to her mom. Okay i need another scarf. This one's for mom. Okay and the list goes on and on quick pilum on. All the things. All those rest things. And she started realizing by the end of this day this is a really rough day. But she was feeling a little strange. A little heavy maybe weighed down. And even though the. The things happen over a long day it made her feel really tired at the end and dad and frustrated. What do you think. Set onion to do. To help herself feel better. Fix the mistake. What are some ways to do that or what else did onion do. Daddy more what. Fix the problem. Yeah. So. Did you have anything left. Okay. So she realized that one of the easiest thing she could do first. Was apologize to the people. See it up.. And so remember to yelled at her mom. She apologized to her mom and said she. Sorry for what she say. And then. She realize that she did. Kb understanding with her friend. And so she said called her friend up and she said. You know. Sorry for doing that i'm not going to do that again. And then she realized that she. Been kind of mean to that dog. And she found this bone in her. I took that bone and she threw it over the fence. Because i'm sorry dog here have this phone. Oh how i need thee. And then. She said you don't really embarrassed about not thanking my aunt for that present but i bet i could call her now and that might be okay. So she called her up and she said. You know i love that present you gave me and your aunt said thanks for calling it's great to talk to me. It's great for you to talk to me and so. She felt a heck of a lot better about that. And then she thought about the other thing there is that math test. And she said maybe i better study more next time and she thought that maybe somebody could help her study. That's one more thing. As long as she does it. And then. She realize that she does get hungry a lot. But maybe next time she could only eat a couple pieces of candy not the whole bag. And so she promised herself. But she would do that. And then the list went on and on and she went through all of the problems and all the things and she fixed and she fixed and she fixed and she fixed. A cheetah. Back of a lot lighter and better but you know what there was one thing left. Remember that orange juice. That she had spilled all over the table. What she was thinking about that orange juice. And she looked down at her hands and she said. You know what hands. You try really hard. Don't try this with me take a look at your hands. You try so hard. And a lot of the time. You guys out there can do this to. A lot of the time you do really well you do really good thing but you still thing. Why. How come you spell thing. But she said you know what pans. Even though you still things you do a lot of things really well. And she thought about her dad. And she thought about how when she's still that orange juice her dad had cleaned it up. So she took those same hands those hands that made a match. Does hands that make mistakes. And she wrapped them around her father. And she said dad you know what. These hands aren't so good at everything but they sure can hug you. I love you very much and thank you for cleaning up my mat. And those hands that made mistakes. Showed love. And she took off. The last. And that's the story of onion and thank you guys now i need a hand away help me put these back in the bag. Alright thank you guys are welcome to go back to your seats and we're going to continue with the rest of the service. Thank you for your generosity. And i like to start our fire ceremony today. How many people have asked me what the heck is a fire ceremony. We are about to find out. I like the stardust today with a story. Here is a story from a well-known weaver of words. And compiler of fables. Aesop. Entitled. The power of the flame. Once upon a time there was a piece of iron. That was very strong. One after another of the act. The song the hammer. And the flame tried to break it. Oh master it said the ax. It blows fell heavily on the iron. But everytime i blow made it said a bit more blunt. Until it seems to strike. Leave it to me said the saw and it worked backwards and forwards on the iron surface until it's jagged teeth were all worn and broken then it fell aside. That the hammer. I knew you wouldn't succeed i'll show you the way. But at the first blow. All fluids head. And the iron remained as before. Shall i try. Set the soft. Small little flame. Forget it all replied what can you do. But the flame curled around the iron. Embraced it and never left it until the iron melted under the flames irresistible influence. The power of the flame. Rather than strike or saw the metal the flame wrapped around it. And with warp and persistence. Did the seemingly impossible. Turn something that was hard and unbending into something completely. New. And this is our purpose. Today. A year has turned maybe we hold a regret maybe we are angry at ourselves for some weakness or some mistake. Maybe we were not as kind to a friend or family member as we would have liked to be. Maybe someone else has hurt. And that hurt is strong and unbending. Maybe one of these things is continuing to cause us pain. To weigh us down. Maybe it's time to wrap. This regret. With a small. Saw. Blame. Colette that flame curl around it. And turn it into something completely new. Creating warm. And light. In the process. There's a small piece of paper in every order of service. If you did not receive one please raise your hand. There are pens and pencils under your seats. Didn't grab that now. And in a moment. You can write on that paper. One regret. Something that made you sad or angry something that made you upset or frustrated something that you are ready to transform. You're welcome to write it in words. Or to draw a picture. Whatever works best for you. Are there any questions. After we've drawn or written on our cards we will tear in a response of him. Then we'll join in a procession. I'll invite you to come forward and put your paper in the cattle up here. And after the service. You're invited to get your coats on cuz it's still pretty cold out there and join us in the parking lot. And we will wrap these regrets. Inflamed. So you'll have a few moments to write or draw on your card. Enjoy. No kicking. Please raise your hands if you are completing. I'll take a couple more minutes. There's a ham that was included in your order of service. This is called we begin again in love. Hold onto your paper when we finish this responsive him we will have a procession and come forward and add these to the cattle. For remaining silent. When a single voice. Would have made. A difference. For each time that our fears have made us rigid and inaccessible. For each time we have struck out in anger without just cause. For each time that our greed has blinded us to the needs of others. For the selfishness that set us apart. And alone. For falling short of the admonitions of the spirit. For losing sight of our unity. For those a so many acts. Both evidence and subtle. Which have fueled the illusion. Of separateness. So i invite you to come forward. And walk along the sides. And back through the middle. And place your paper in the kettle. When you get here you're welcome to stay the words we begin again in love.

uusterling_org

The_Scientific_Case_For_Temperance.mp3

Okay. I think this is going to be a little bit more of a lecture than a sermon i'm not here to preach so much. I'm not here to moralize about alcohol i'm going to be talking about alcohol i am going to be talking about temperate. But i think we really need to do. In our community. In our society at large. It's just hard to have a conversation about some facts. Surrounding alcohol. And surrounding drugs. I think that we tend to. Minimize. The effects any importance of alcohol in our lives i think we're being misled. Fire media. And i'm and i think it has dire consequences. For our community and for society. Let me just give you a couple of examples. Number one. Statistically. About 10% of our population and i think that's an under estimate and. My my friend lorraine will tell you that in her experience. 10% is wild under estimate but let's just use that for now. 10% of the population is addicted to alcohol. And every one of those people. Has a family. And. If you think about alcoholism. They say it's a family disease. That means that about four people for every one of those people. Has a problem with alcohol even though they may not be. Actively drinking it themselves. So that's about forty percent of the population. Being affected by this disease and being affected by this. By this drug. And. If. You're not. Individually immediately affected by it it's very likely that you know somebody who has and it's having an impact on your life it's having an impact because those people have issues that you're going to encounter as a result of having dealt with alcoholism in their lies. And i can stand here and tell you that i am one of those people who's had to deal with this in my family. I've had to deal with drug addiction i've had to deal with alcoholism. And it's affected me. And so you know somebody right here. Just had a problem with this. I'm so i think we should stop minimizing it i think we are being misled by our. Again by our media and i'm going to give you a couple of examples of that in a minute but first i want to make a disclaimer presenting some information as medical and nature i'm not a medical professional i'm not an addiction professional. Do my best to do good research. Now i might review this with some medical professionals and i think it's accurate information. But i don't want to miss steak. My credentials in presenting some of this. Information to you. I want to take you back first. Another statistic i want to mention that you probably haven't heard. Which is. Kind of surprising but alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of death in the united states. It's something that nobody seems to publicize or talk about. They're about 100,000 people. A year who died from alcohol in the united states. If you want to translate that. During the length of this service that means about 12 people in this country will be dead from alcohol. And that's every hour of every day. So. We keep hearing i just read in the press this morning eval. The health. Benefit of red wine i'll talk hopefully talk about that a little bit later. But. I think that that is a very distorted. And looking at the actual research that was done. It's a very distorted. Relation of what was actually research for that. For that study and you'll see it it's about. Improvement of vision. Don and people invite have macular degeneration. Well i want to take us back a few years and just kind of see. How attitudes change over time. And i think we're about where we were 50 years ago with cigarettes. That's where i think we are now in our attitudes towards alcohol in our glamorization of alcohol this is a great example of an ad that was. Advertising cigarettes. And you see how the loner face and she'll follow you anywhere. That's an amazing image for us now but when this ad was produced. This company was selling cigarettes based on that ad. Here's another great one. Another. Another great example of how we can be misled into thinking things have health benefits. The great thing about dr. batty's asthma cigarettes is that. He does. Indeed recommended. Not be used by children under 6. Here's one that i really love. Dematic the medical profession was is addicted to tobacco is anybody else and doctors voted for camel as their favorite cigarette. And of course his girl. Doodle wonderful health benefits of camels and doctors. How is going to live 100 years. I love that juxtaposition of those. Does does images there in that camel advertisement systems change over time or attitudes change over time. I think we're. Wayback. Way backwards in our. Recognition and dealing with alcoholism issue. So what i want to do just talk a little bit about alcohol. Artifact. Factual basis. I want to try and. Start a conversation my objective here isn't to tell you. Don't drink or. Don't drink so much. Don't drink this amount and this amount is safe for this amount is unsafe that's not my objective. I'm not going to moralize over alcohol i just wanted presents some facts and i want to get people. Thinking about what it is and what it does to us. I'm going to talk a little bit about what alcohol is. What it how it affects our bodies. What i think is the misleading information that we're getting on alcohol supposed benefits as a as a health aide. So i know this is this is one of the tough ones to say but. Basically very simple process. You take yeast you take a sugar solution you add the yeast to a sugar solution and the yeast converts sugar. Through metabolism into into 2. Waste products. Well metabolizes it reproduces. And leaves behind two waste products one of which is carbon dioxide and the other of which is alcohol really hard to save it this is a jug with a balloon on it that's going to be blowing up as the carbon dioxide bubbles off but what's left behind is a solution of alcohol and what happens to the east is eventually the. Because the alcohol is toxic. It's toxic to the east it kills the. Andy's can't tolerate more than certain level of alcohol in that solution. And and it dies and we're left with an alcoholic beverage. Which is basically the toxic waste product of the fungus called east. Now the easton. The yeast can survive in a solution of up to about 5 to 15%. Of alcohol content which is why wines and beers with your fermenting products. Had those kind of levels of alcohol in them. You can do this on a tiny scale you can take a bottle of juice throw some yeast in it. Wait overnight make sure you don't have it tightly cuz of the bottle of glow up. From the carbon dioxide you'll have an alcoholic beverage at the in a couple days probably used to brew beer so i know how this stuff works. You can do that on a tiny scale like in your juice bottle you can do it on a bigger scale like in these wine baths i know that's. Hard to see again i apologize for the. For the video here. Or you can do it on an industrial scale these are huge tanks fermentation tanks are fermenting corn here to make biofuel gel talk about in a minute. If you don't like five to 15% you can distill the stuff it's very easy to do you simply hate the form and liquid alcohol bubbles off or boils off at a lower temperature than most other things it's a lightweight molecule you cool it down on the other side and you get a drip. Out of a highly concentrated. Alcoholic beverage such as whiskey or brandy or whatever if you distill wine to get brandy. There's a stove top unit you can't do that legally in the united states. That's how easy it is to distill stuff that's an industrial. Level. Distillation process going on there alcohol. Then as hell you having beer and wine so people who think that they're doing themselves a favor by drinking wine such as one of my relatives. You had a issue with pancreatitis after. Drinking too much scotch for many years. Decided to to transfer his drinking over to wine. I thought he was doing yourself a favor but. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way it's the same drug is just more concentrated. What are some uses of alcohol alcohol burns really well when it's distilled off nicely. It's a motor fuel and if you go to any gas pump and i'll show you a picture of this right now. You will see a sticker on the side of the gas pump that says. This fuel motor fuel contains 10% ethanol ethanol is alcohol it is the same alcohol that we drink. And it powers are vehicles it doesn't good great job and powering our vehicles and the reason why there's 10% ethanol in our gasoline is because alcohol burns. Cleanly and it helps keep the air cleaner than. Burning pure. Petroleum products. Tilted very clean-burning. Motor fuel and we like to drink it too. Another thing that that seat that alcohol is used for is as an antiseptic. Because it's toxic it kills germs here's a. The hand sanitizer if you read the label carefully you'll see. The active ingredient in the. Hand sanitizer is ethyl alcohol at 62%. Which is a strong concentration it's a little bit more than what you get out of. Turkey 101 or something like that. And people by the way and rehab they'd like to drink that stuff because it's it's available even though that sounds kind of gross. I don't think it's that much more gross than drinking wild turkey 101 cuz it's about the same alcohol content. So there you go hand sanitizer toxic toxic substance kills germs by the millions and keeps our. Our hands clean so we like to run our cars with it and then. Sanitizer hands with it and then put it in our bodies. So what happens when we do put it in our body. Are these really incredibly fine oregon. That use. Chemicals to work to function that use these things called neurotransmitters and these neurotransmitters are chemicals. That go between our neurons in order to make our brains found. What alcohol does is it is it gets into our brains and starts disrupting. All these neurotransmitters from functioning properly. There's about sixty of these neurotransmitters it's hypothesize it alcohol. Affects all of them. In other words our brains are being disruptive or putting a toxic chemical into our bodies it gets into our brains and disrupt basically disrupt the functioning of our brain. This is a toxic chemical our bodies don't like it. We get it out of our bodies through our liver and through our kidneys. Flushing it out with a lot of a lot of urine which is why we wind up. Dehydrated after we after heavy bout of drinking. What's really interesting about alcohol. In terms of these neurotransmitters is. A couple of things. Most drugs. Most narcotics have a very specific. Neurotransmitter that they affect. Alcohol is unique in that it affects just about all the neurotransmitter so. Drinking alcohol is like taking multiple drugs at the same time. Couple of examples of the neurotransmitters that alcohol effects. Glutamate is is involved in our muscle coordination is involved in our speech and our memory will alcohol mess around with the glutamate. Neurotransmitter is similar to what the effect you would have if you use ether or chloroform. Neurotransmitter. Controls are feeling of calm and anxiety reduction does the same thing or disrupt the gabba. Neurotransmitter. Alcohol disrupted as well that's why we feel calm when we have a drink. The colonists down just like valium would come this down. Dopamine. Dopamine is a. Neurotransmitter that leads to excitement and stimulation and pleasure all can talk about that a little bit more in a second. I'm cocaine and amphetamines do the same sort of thing to the dopamine system is alcohol endorphins are the painkillers in our bodies. Morphine and heroin. Serve the function of having a. Disrupting these endorphins alcohol disrupt the endorphins as well so taking a drink is like. Taking a dose of. Heroin cocaine. Valium and chloroform all at the same time. If you think i'm kidding about it here's some subjective. Information at. The new york times asked a couple of experts to. Look at. Various substances and they're addictive properties. My feeling is as it as i think you are hopefully coming to realize is that alcohol or my point here is that alcohol is a narcotic. It's a heavy narcotic is in the same league that can stand toe-to-toe with just about any other heavy narcotic that we would be scared to death. Define doubt that are kids were using. Somehow or another we're not scared to death when we find out our kids have had it night. It's a but it's the same thing. It's effectively doing. If the job at multiple. Multiple drugs. Here's a this is a little bit of a charred in a lot of information being presented here. But there were two these two experts on addiction were asked to rate various substances in terms of their addictive properties. And they were five properties that they looked at and they rank ordered these various substances in terms of their addictive properties. And the two experts came up with pretty remarkably similar. Opinions on the addictive nature of various substance. Going to go through this whole chart but i am going to point out that where alcohol was very highly rated. Number one in terms of withdrawal that is how hard is it to get off of alcohol and how dangerous. Is withdrawal from alcohol. It turns out that alcohol and both these experts agreed alcohol is the worst withdrawal worse than heroin. Worse than nicotine worse than cocaine. Alcohol is the one drug. That can kill you. When you try to withdraw from it if you're addicted to it. Alcohol they also rated number one in terms of intoxication. It is more intoxicating than any of those other drug. Now what i did just to summarize everything heroes iodice i summed up the scores on these various. Measures. Just to see where alcohol fell relative to the top in the top 4. Drugs including nicotine heroin cocaine and alcohol expert. The coming in second and second place. Between heroin and cocaine in terms of its. Addictive potential. And potential for harm. Expert number to put alcohol just behind. The heroin and cocaine. In terms of his opinion of its addictive potential sale. Alcohol's are i mean it's it's a drug it's a narcotic. It's right up there with the others. If that's not enough to to make the case here's one more example j think is really fascinating. And will. Help you understand hopefully a little bit about how addiction work. The weather looking at here and i again hopefully this is a little bit visible least the yellow and red. Which is the important stuff either actually brain scans. Done using a technology called p e t scan. What they're looking at is something called dopamine receptors in the brain. And on the left-hand side are healthy brain. And healthy dopamine receptors. And the red and yellow the nice big areas of red and yellow indicate. That healthy dopamine receptor function on the right hand side you can see the dopamine reception is significantly diminished. And the diminished side just. Scans of people who are actually addicted to each of these drugs. The drugs being cocaine. Methamphetamines alcohol on heroin. And you'll notice on the right hand side you're not a whole lot of difference. Between the diminished dopamine reception function on the right-hand side of these brains. These drugs are affecting these people's brains and pretty pretty much. The same way in terms of this reduction and dopamine at what what does that mean. Will dopamine turns out is. What. How our brain responds to pleasure when we have a pleasurable experience. The brain pumps out some dopamine. And our dopamine receptors pick up that dopamine and we feel good. So for example. Eating high-calorie foods which. These days is maybe not so healthy. In past times before we had in. Overabundance of high-calorie food that was really important. And said there was a high pleasure value or high. Survival value. And eating is high-calorie food so our brains produce dopamine. We can feel good and we know that we're reinforcing. That that behavior eating high-calorie foods. Or having sex for example produces dopamine response. And we we feel good and that's got high survival value because. We reproduce. And continue our species. So dopamine is not just about pleasure it's about survival. And what happens in the brains of people who are addicted. Is that they start to get confused between survival and the drug. The only thing that is going to get these people to feel okay. Is not normal things like eating ice cream. That's not going to produce sufficient dopamine for these brains to feel okay the only thing that's going to produce sufficient dopamine for these brains to feel okay is the drug that they're addicted to. And because he's drugs produce massive amounts of dopamine. And the brain. That's the only thing that that will make these people feel normal they can't feel normal without the drug. And they start to confuse survival they feel the drug is necessary for them to live. And they wind up. Prioritizing that drug above everything else in their life. It becomes the center. As i was talking about to become central in their lives their life revolves around a drug. Because without it they think they will die they literally think they will die i've talked to. A family member who is a heroin addict and. Finally got off thank goodness. She said. And ii quote. What she said. I felt that if i stop i would die. That is the status of power of the addiction. And it's the way the brain gets tripped. Friday's drugs. I'm into staying on them and prioritize. People will give things up. Give up everything they will give up. Their family i have one family member. Who's an alcoholic. Terminated his relationships with the rest of his family. Because he was challenged to stop drinking. And. They was. Not a microsecond of. Of contemplation over that decision. On this on this person's part. It went from. Okay if i can't have my alcohol. I will not. I will not have my family. Does alcohol or the family. I'll take the alcohol. That's the kind of screwed up thinking that whines up happening to people who are addicted. So it's a priority. Becomes number one priority another thing that happens in this is my personal. The anecdotal experience but i think is born out and is born out and you'll see it a lot in. In the manipulative advertising that are alcoholic beverage industry puts out there and i hopefully we'll be able to show you an example of that. In a few minutes. But the. Drug addict. Becomes. Excused with loving the drug. And loving other people. They actually fall in love. With their drug of choice. An alcoholic. If you hear somebody saying how much they love. Something there's red wine. I've heard this this is the same guy was talking about i love my red wine that we didn't really know what this guy man. When he said he loved his red wine until. It became. The choice of harris teeter have it taken away or has family taken away and he chose. Continue with the red wine that's the kind of strength of love that people have for these. Substances. And a. They. Have to almost. It's it's a grieving process when they have to separate from their. From their drug of choice. It's a loss. Today. That's the kind of sickness that happened. It doesn't matter whether it's cocaine or meth it doesn't matter whether it's heroin it doesn't matter whether it's alcohol they're all pretty much the same in the same league in the same class are all narcotics. People behaving the same way as with those. With those different drugs now i want to treat. This supposed health benefits of alcohol really quickly. And i just say i think it's pretty much a farce. If you. Let's. If you look at the studies that have been done at that talk about the supposed health benefits especially. The thing is that seems to be touted the moster. Given the most press. Has to do with the improvements to our coronary functions in our. Our our heart and all that with respect to having a couple of drinks a day in fact the studies that have been done today or what are called observational. They're not conclusive. They are not controlled studies of these substances. They tend to be very error-prone. And and frequently wrong. As in the case of vitamin d which was thought to have beneficial effects based on observational studies once they did a controlled study they found out there's actually harmful. So the studies have been on alcohol today are really observational and what's being called for here in this editorial in the journal of the american heart association this is a few years ago they're saying the answer awaits a randomized controlled trial. To prove that alcohol actually hasn't. Have some beneficial effects on our. Circulatory system. Well it's unlikely that we'll ever see a controlled trial of alcohol. Because of the fact that it would be unethical. I'm in the opinion of some of the doctors that i talk to to do a controlled trial of alcohol because it is unsafe. And there's two things that a drug has to has to have. In order to be recommended by physicians or put on the pharmacist shells one as it has to be effective and the other is that it has to be safe. Alcohol is wildly unsafe. In comparison with other drugs that have been pulled off the shelves such as vioxx where. An increase in the heart attack rate. Was found among vioxx users. It went from like 1% to 2%. And that was enough to stop a controlled study of vioxx. And a pull the stuff off the pharmacist yells never to be used again or prescribed by any. Any medical doctors. That's the kind of standard that we have for unsafe. For something that i'd is unsafe. An increase of 1 to 2%. In a in a bad effect. Good alcohol starting right off the bat with at least 10% of the population. If you were to give then is drug in a randomized controlled study you would be basically. Doing serious damage. Major damage to about 10% of the folks who will be using it so it would. The study would probably be thrown out on his ear. Right from the get-go because. David. Today. Hi. Rate. Expected rate of major. Damage to the folks who would participate in. If you can't study something like this. What does that say for recommending it as a healthy. Excuse me. Of which. Oh i don't know you tell me. I don't know either. I don't know. I'd love to. Yeah work with you on getting an answer. That's a good question. Well that's kind of my story. I want to i want to remind you. Of the two things that i talked about on the show a video and hopefully the video will work. But i want to show you back to the beginning of this. Talk. I hate to call it a sermon. I'm not used to do in sermons. I don't feel like i'm preaching. I'm presenting. But i want to. Remind you how we're being manipulated by our media how were. Taught to tolerate. Alcoholism and alcoholic behavior. And how we're reinforcing. The alcoholics. And continuing their their habit. I were making it okay for them. And if you think about it. If you're a brewing company who is your best customer. Kids for sure. They want to get them started. But the other the other part of your best customer base is the alcoholic. Because they buy more than anybody else. And so these ads. That we just look at and don't even think about a lot of the time cuz unless you're an alcoholic. Buttons aren't being press. But believe me the buttons are being pressed for the alcohol to watch these ads. They are going after people who are going to buy a large quantities of their products. I think it's some point hopefully. As we have with the tobacco companies maybe we'll hold responsible. Are alcohol beverage industry. 2. Take responsibility for all the. Destruction that they're causing in our culture. I don't know where brian is. Saying it back. Is it going to work. All right i got the thumbs up. So this is a ad from the miller brewing company. And its current this isn't a fifty-year-old ad you will see similar ads. On the tv packet found similar ads in multiple languages. With the very same sorts of themes. Let's go hear what. 4/32. Packs a lot of what can i say. You love the taste. What you doing. There's the there's the confusion that they're throwing at us of love. Loving the beer. More than loving the girl thankfully. The girl walks off and hopefully never to come back. Is she smart. And i'm sort of amazed because i think these ads are so sexist if you look at the expression on his face at the very end he's just totaled dissing this girl. Money. Let me rewind it just to share those last few seconds. I think that women should be out. Protesting in front of. I'll do my best it starts to get a little grainy. I think women should be out there protesting in front of miller headquarters. About the sexist nature of their advertising campaign. Alright you got that. And let's go to the next one i got another great one here for you also courtesy of miller brewing company. And this is this is one that talks about prioritization. And the same here being prioritization you can see you another young lady and another young man. Adam at a bar. And what i want you to think about is who this young lady might be. Because. This guy is going to do something to this young lady. He's going to prioritize her out of his life. And but we don't know who this young lady is. And i'll tell you something. This young lady could be his wife. This young lady could be his daughter and i guarantee you this guy would do the exact same thing is he's going to do. To descale if she was his girlfriend. For a week or whatever their ruin their relationship. Okay. We'll try and make it big for you. Alright. Want me to do it again. Play one more time. Yes. They are good. Yeah they are really good at getting i mean they're hitting some buttons like really hard on these guys. Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah. What's more important what's more important to this guy and the beer nothing. He threw it. Oh yeah. And that's what. An addicted person will do they will give everything up. They will give up. Their family they will give up their job. They will give up. There. Health. They can be told by a doctor your liver is in bad shape you got to stop. It won't stop them. The only thing that makes him feel okay and the only way that they're going to get out of it i think anyways prima. That's a whole nother mess that i won't get into today. Treatment in this country. Need some work. So there you go with him run over here and i'm going to turn into a pumpkin according to wendy. She's going to kill me. I promise to try and keep it keep it before 11:30 but i just want to leave you with a few questions if a little bit of food for thought of that. Wasn't enough to stimulate your thinking. Again my objective here isn't it isn't it to tell you what to do or what not to do or how much your. How much is too much or anything like that i just really want to stimulate folks. Thought processing and. Hopefully. You say. The equivalence of alcohol with other high-powered drugs which i think it is it's a narcotic. Hopefully you see the manipulation that's going on in our society to get us to continue to use this stuff. It's a destructive hopefully you've gotten some. Perception of the. Kind of destruction is duffin genders 100,000 people a year dying from it which nobody seems to talk about when they talk about the health benefits. But here's a few questions for you just to ponder as you go through the week. So i'm going to say two words and i want you to think about what first comes to mind. So the two words are happy hour. And what's the first thing that comes into your head when i say happy hour. Why is it that we have to associate of a uniquely associate alcohol with being happy for an hour. Why can't we have a happy hour without alcohol. Here's another one for you. Social drinking. Why is it that what is it that we don't like it without each other. That we have to. We have to. We have to hit ourselves with it with a dose of cocaine. Chloroform in order to socialize with each other or we needed we need some valium other very much. How bad is how bad it how rough. At the end of the day two kind of chill out. We need our cells with some heroin. Combined with the with valium combined combined with chloroform in order to feel okay at the end of the day what's up essay about our stress levels. What's what's the problem what's going on here. So this is justin. Questions that i had i just want to. Used to stimulate your thinking on this topic and. That's pretty much all i have to say so i think it's. I don't know what else we got on the agenda is that it. We have to close out the service so it's time for us to sing a song i think hold hands and then have a snack. So what song do we sing. Wendy's new take care of thank you.

uusterling_org

What_Me_Worship.mp3

Told about martin luther. When martin luther was a young man he used to write all his sermons out word for word. And simply get up in the pulpit and read. The sermon. To the congregation. One day a member of the congregation came up to me and said martin luther that is no way to preach a sermon. What you need to do. Is not prepare ahead of time. But simply stand up in the pulpit. And let the spirit speak. Through you. Martin luther said i did that once. I stood up in the pulpit. And i heard the spirit say martin luther. You should have prepared a sermon. Black come today prepared. I'm prepared to talk about spirituality and worship in both its prepared manifestations and it's more spontaneous. Manifestations both. Having. Value. Is there is there are many kinds of preparations i want to be a little more specific. The reverend ralph abernathy once said. The secret to great preaching. Is when you stop borrowing from other preachers. Landstar outright stealing. So i want to begin the sermon where the confession. That the title for this sermon is stolen. Kathleen rollins is minister westside church in. Knoxville tennessee of did a sermon called what me worship i never heard the sermon i never read the text of it but i thought that is a title worth stealing. And so. I've stolen it. The cartoon character alfred e neuman. Not often quoted in sacred. Spaces. Alfred e neuman from mad magazine is famous for asking the question what me worry. Similarly some unitarian universalist have been known to ask the. What me worship. On a number of different occasions i've had people come up to me after a service or. Before service and say why do we call in this is true it is not true in every you you. A contact but they asked me in our contact. Why do we call our sunday morning service. A worship. Service. Many other questions are asked along the same line that questions are. Understandable. In light of our theological diversity. In our communities where. A christian might be sitting next to an atheist or a buddhist. A mystic might be sitting next to a rationalist. We believe that differences in rich. Our spiritual life differences. Help our spiritual and intellectual. Grosso in our diverse. Congregations why do we call our sunday. Services. Worship service. I want saw a cartoon in the new yorker that had a rare a very reverend looking minister investment standing up in a. serious-looking pulpit. And he said to the congregation. Let us pray. And if you are a unitarian. Do whatever it is you do. So this sunday morning i want to address that question what is it that we do. Here in this. Sacred space. On sunday. Morning. And i want to draw on one of our wise old sages. Ralph waldo emerson. He wants said. A person will worship something have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid and secret in the dark recesses of our hearts but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations in our thoughts will determine our lives and our character. Therefore it behooves us to be careful what we worship. For what we are worshipping we are becoming. If we take these. Word seriously than the question. Because not will we worship. But what. Will we worship and how will we worship what will dominate. Our imagination. In our thoughts. The word worship comes from an old anglo-saxon word that has the same etymological roots as the word were. To worship is to find worth in something. To find value. And something to honor or revere. Something. A life that is worth living. Will involve some form. Of worship. The catholic theologian thomas aquinas once said. Worship does not exist for god's sake. Worship exist. 4 hour. It is we who need opportunities to express gratitude. Aquinas tells us that worship is a divine me. Not a human need. A human-made not advani. I need to express gratitude and need to offer thanksgiving. And i would add a need to celebrate line. I need to join together as a community to reaffirm our commitment to support each other. To be there for each other. To work for justice and peace. And. To take care of this planet which is our home. It is not god who needs worship it is we who need worship. But people worship in different ways. Susan b anthony who was the suffragette leader who never lived to see the cause. That she worked her whole life for gaining women the right to vote never live to see it. But she believed that failure. Is impossible. Dedicated her whole life to this one goal of equality. She was once asked by a reporter if she ever prayed. Because i think she's sometimes forgot to introduce the invocation at some suffragette meeting so the reporter was asking her. Do you ever pray and she says i pray every single. Second of my life. Not on my knees but through my work. Work and worship. R1. With me. For some folks and her day in irons working for justice and equality are forms of worship. Take mini manifestations distributing pamphlet writing letters to the editor organizing campaigns all of this work for justice. Can be a form. A worship. Reading a book to children in church that is banned. And your public elementary school. Canby. A form of worship away of. Evoking. The good of okung the good bringing it out. How many people mayfield a pet day. Pray through their work whether it be paid or volunteer. The firefighter the police officer the scientist the teacher the homemaker. The vet tech. People pray through. Work. Of mini cons. Mini different vocations expressing. Worship through work. But i don't know about you. If we're the only form of worship available to me. I would quickly burnout. I need other. Forms of worship any other. Things in my life i need to work it with my work but i need to worship in other ways if i'm going to have renewal. Wonder and all. In my life. John muir is the founder of the sierra club instrumental linda. Formation of the national park service one of the greatest. Accomplished. Country which is just so. Had so many beautiful natural places. Often wrote in his journal if i if i had to create my own bible cut and paste writing from different places i would take john mirrors journalism. Paste certain sections. Intuit. It's sacred literature to me. And one of his journals he had this to say about yosemite cathedral peak specifically in yosemite. Which is a land that he works so hard to safeguard. From being destroyed. He wrote no feature of all the noble landscape seems more wonderful. Sam the cathedral itself. A temple displaying nature's best masonry and sermons in stones. How often i have gazed at it from the top of hills and ridges. And through openings in the forest devoutly wondering is meiring longing. This i might say is the first time i have been at church in california. Land here at last. Every door graciously open for the poor lonely worshiper. In our best times everything turns into religion. All the world seems a church in the mountains. Alter. I've been on sabbatical. And if you give me a chance part of my sabbatical is to spend more time hiking on trails and getting out. In nature. Absorbing. Medieval theologian said there's two books that you can read about god. Wanted the bible the other is nature so i'm immersing myself in the second. My daughter. And i with hiking. And savage gulf and i was talking to anya about this in the small world category. I was talking to her on the phone before i disappear from all email and everything. I said i love that place i used to go to school there. I think about one particular place sutter falls which has this. This rock outcropping like an indian rock house and has those waterfalls that comes down and you can. Walk under the. Outcropping in behind the falls. You can just sit there and hear the sound of water speaking to you. Helping you take you to it. The deep. Meditative. Sitting there clowning on the rocks or walking there. That is worship. Tumi. Unitarian universalist minister of lead worship services at many different places i've led. Worship services in basketball gyms. Have led worship services in school cafeterias. Have led worship services in office front. Spices. I've let them in and bury an orchard traditional. Kind of architecture church architecture in very modern church. Lots of places. Can be safer. Place. Now people worship in many different way my first. Volunteer job at any unitarian universalist church. What's the teach a sunday school class which was then called. Church across the street. And it has another name now and i always forget it what it is because. I always. But it involved. This thing you learn about the jewish tradition and you visit a synagogue and you learn about the catholic tradition visit a catholic church to go through the prostate reformation as much of it as you can. And then you and you go to a hindu. Temple. Learning about different religious tradition. I've know from first-hand experience people worship in many different ways they're there was a quiet meditative liturgical style of worship in the catholic church. There was a rousing jump up and down celebrate too. Type of worship in a pentecostal. Her. There was the complete silence. Of a quaker. Meeting. There's a ritual of music. Of the presbyterian. One of the memories that stays in my mind was a visit to rogers memorial. Baptist church which was a predominantly african-american. Baptist church i took our youth we're sitting there in the pew and people stood up. For the ham nobody had any books. They didn't need it they knew that him saying need to look at anybody. And the whole congregation. Move. Back. And for. During the him and i noticed something about the kids as we were singing. I noticed. They weren't sleeping. Cuz we had been to many different religious traditions on i had come to the conclusion that they were very ecumenical about sleeping. But is this moment time. They weren't sleeping they were moving. Back and forth. Feeling like part of a larger body. Not syncing. Healing part of a larger body. Feeling a park. Of a greater whole. And i always remember i never had the. To write it down always remember. The first. Line of that. Thurman the minister got up and the pulpit near ed. From the scripture you shall be born again. And he said. You shall be born again. What does that mean. I don't know what it means. I can't figure it out with my head. But i can feel it. That morning i felt like. We all felt. We all felt the power of change. The power renewal that can be found in a blessed. Community unitarian. And universalist. And baptists. Worshipping. Together. No warship can vary from church to church even within a denomination. A few years ago our senior high group. Took a pilgrimage to boston the unitarian universalist mecca. To learn more about the history of our denomination. And part of that tradition involved. Going to kings chapel unitarian church i'm not sure how many people know much about king's chapel. King's chapel was an anglican church. That revised the book of common prayer. And 1783. To be consistent with unitarian beliefs. A member of that church once told me since that day and 1783 we've gotten central heat and air but very little else has changed. It's very much a liturgical. Style. Worship service he was a very it was a culture shock for these kids that wasn't what they were used to experiencing they were learning firsthand that people worship. And different ways. Just a few blocks away from. King's chapel is the arlington street church that has both. A minister in a resident rabbi has a very pluralistic celebratory kind of work it's about two churches a few blocks away very. Difference. Approaches. To worship. So the word worship can be used to describe a wide variety. Of activities. Worship is not a word that is easily defined. I want to have the opportunity to attend a worship service. And york in saint saviour gate unitarian church in york england. And as i walked into the church i picked up there. Pamphlet they had. A pamphlet that had a title sort of like what is worship in which the congregation and put together their own. Ideas. About worshipping. I read it and i was i was impressed by it and it had an unusual feature in that it drew from the theology of the apostle paul not always the most popular guy in. Liberal churches. The pamphlet read. Unitarians do not think that worship is bailing down before and almighty potentate. For us it is an expression of our sense of wonder. It is a celebration of those things which are of supreme worth. Whatsoever things are true honest just lovely. Whatsoever things are of good report. If there be any virtue. And if there be any praise think on these things. And the god of peace will be with you. The biblical literate amongus will recognize saint paul's influence on. On that statement. Of course not every unitarian universalist once saint paul to define worship for them. There's an old joke i'm sure you've heard it. Why do unitarian universalist sing so badly. Because they're always looking to lines ahead to see if they agree with the word. Yeah yes it does. We did not like as a rule the habit is orientation we do not like to have other people put words into. Our mouths in define things for us. Even so. We can agree that that which dominates our thoughts and our imagination. Will dominate our lives. I once heard someone ask the question do you believe in god. I said no. I believe in something much. Bigger. I believe that worship at its best invites us to contemplate. And even participate. And something bigger. Then our sales. It invites us into a spirit that is bigger than the words we use bigger than the liturgy. We create in the rituals. That we. Perform. Rabbinic theology says something that really goes to the heart of the matter. Rabbinic theology tilde. There is more good in the world. Then evil. But not by much. It is in this context that we can hear the words of. Alex haley i was fortunate enough to go to the university of tennessee when alex haley the author of roots. Who helped pain with malcolm x the autobiography of malcolm x. Was the teaching there the gift teacher and he come in for this guest lectures and i got to leave him in. Hiraman if you go to knoxville there's a great statue. Of alex haley. And it's a giant statue and he's sitting there reading a book and children can come up and crawl up on his lap. Any like he's reading a story the story may be banned in public schools i don't know it doesn't say. Doesn't say he's just reading a story. The children and there is inscribed on there. Appraises i heard alex haley speak. Tocame time he said. Find the good. And praised it. I took my mom. To the statue my mom died unless. Couple years ago. One of our last. Shared memories together key. And i went to the alex haley statue i'm really excited about it and she loved it she thought was a beautiful statue but she. Went to the plaque that was next to it. If you noticed the flat didn't say anything about alex haley. I didn't say anything about him riding roots it didn't say anything. About another popular miniseries that resulted in say anything about is rolling. Running the autobiography of malcolm x. But it did list every single one of the names of the politicians that were there at the dedication ceremony. And my mom said this makes me mad. This makes me angry. And she was looking at me. Like maybe i was supposed to do something about it. You know. Well. Maybe at this moment at this particular moment in time what we need to do. It's time the good. And praises. That doesn't mean there isn't bad. That doesn't mean there isn't evil. Alex haley new this. Riding the autobiography of malcolm x. Malcolm x. New. How to find the evil. Dammit. Find a bad in condemning. But it is also important to find a good and praises. It does mean that is important for us to. 2. Seek out that good. Find it. And lifted up because by so doing we hope that we will keep. The ratio of good to evil in this world tilting. Toward the good. Moving. Toward the good our attitudes and our practices. Can make a difference. And disregard. As the philosopher william james once said. Believe that life is worth living and your belief. We'll make the fact. I have a friend sarah pedlow. Who is. An unapologetic atheist. Has clear at a rationalist is you ever meet unambiguous. About her beliefs as anyone could be she goes to catholic mass almost once a week. And isn't capable of telling me why. She does that in light of her intellectual. I did. She doesn't. And the only thing i can guess and i'm guessing this is me guessing. Is that somewhere in that rich. Somewhere in that math song. About it speaks to. And makes life. Something. The worth is there. Years ago i participated in a class called build your own theology. Hey i don't know if it's ever been offered here before it's very popular. Class and one of the exercises there is for you to write your own personal definition of god. It's one that at that particular time in my life made me squirm. Sorry. I got to do this or something about it was a good exercise because it made. Me you know it made me work with whatever was there. Word with the letter emotions. I was having. And so i wrote down this definition. It's safe with me today. I said whenever two or more. People are gathered together. To love. And support. And encourage each other. There is a power greater than ourselves. That can renew. Restore. And that is my definition of the word god other people may prefer other words. Some people may prefer. No-name. At all. I don't think it's. Is important that we think it. Or that we. Steel. On the day of my ordination. Charles accountant was in. She was a district executive. What's nala heartland district gave the opening words. Before the ceremony there had been kind of clouds gathering like it might rain. Insane. A sacred space. It was in the chapel on miami college campus wear. The syrian. Students were trained for their trip. Mississippi. Where some of them.. And others. Sacrifice. Justin. And that sacred space. We gathered is a. Community there was a choir there from the african methodist episcopal church that was a sister congregation. Whether they were wonderful because we had very different theology. But we loved each. Get together and eat and and talk it so we are celebrating this ordination. And it's charlotte counting got up to say the word she said. There is power. In this room. And all the sudden there was a roll of thunder that took over. Sanctuary. Someone from the a&e carpet it's the spirit of the lord. An oral out the rational humanist just copped his eyebrow a little bit. Very different theologies in the room that morning. But there was power in that room and there is power in this room. And there is power on this day. Sacred day. Welcome you into the ministry welcome you into it. Great khali. That will involve leading. Worship. Helping. What's worth. Living. Is my ho. Or our fate for this congregation. And for our movement. As a whole. Set in all our theological and all our philosophical diversity that we will be able to find in this sacred space. Sacred spaces across this country and in the kazi hills of india in. And other place. Square. People gather. Any experience. I hope we find an experience. That renews. Restore. And sustains us it is my hope that through worship. We will discover. Alike. That is worthless. So may it be.

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Treat_Yo_Self.mp3?_=1

And let your life speak. Parker palmer said self-care is never a selfish act. It is simply good stewardship of the only gift i have. The gift i was put on earth to offer others anytime we can listen to true self. And give the care it requires we do it not only for ourselves but for the many others whose lives we touch. Maybe you seen the parks and recreation episodes of the saying treat yourself comes from. If you haven't but it's not really complicated there's not a lot to it it's just the uncomplicated joy and embracing a little self-indulgence. A bitter self-care. We live in a time and a place in history where self-care is becoming a very popular buzzword but for a lot of us. It's not reflected in our lives. Not necessarily that easy to just. Treat ourselves. The ability to allow ourselves to practice self-care. Isn't easy. Many of us come from cultures where what we refer to as self-care is considered lazy or embarrassing. But parker palmer has a point. We have to take care of ourselves so that we can be of help to others. I keep reading and rereading this passage from wayne miller's book sabbath. An excellent book that gives you permission to rest. If you're like me and have trouble with that. And i just want to read this passage is a few paragraphs to stay with me it's wonderful. When we breathe. We do not stop inhaling because we have taken in all the oxygen will ever need. But. Because we have all the oxygen we need for this breath. Then we exhale. Release carbon dioxide. And make room for more oxygen. Sabbath. Like our breath allows us to imagine we have done enough work for this day. Do not be anxious about tomorrow jesus said this again and again let the work of this day be sufficient. When our will is bill bent towards a goal we enter so deeply into our work. Suicune field is project or task is the only thing that truly matters. And in that moment if we do our work well we must focus in that way on the task before us. Yet the instantly put down the pen. Close-up the toolbox. Turn off the machines. We lift up our eyes and see the horizon the place where the sun and earth seem to touch. From the psalms i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From whence cometh my help. And in that moment we surrender. We feel how large the universes and how small are individual laborers. Our work is simply one offering among countless others that have come before and will come again. When all we have planted has been grown harvested eaten and forgotten. When we stop we see that the world continues without us. Sweet humility and gentle mindfulness bequeath the grace to stop and see that it is good but there is no need to keep pushing. When we stop. With no chores our agenda. We let our eyes rest. Our bodies heal. Our activities language. And taste the fruits of our labor. As the psalmist invites us. Be still and know. Henri nouwen with a friend of mine. Still reading he was not a friend of mine. A brother priest and mentor. He was also a fiercely astute observer of our worried overfilled live. Henry insisted that the noise of our lives made us death. Unable to hear when we are called or from which direction. Henry said our lives have become absurd. Because. And the word absurd. We find the latin word syrtis which means death. In our spiritual life we need to listen to the god who constantly speak. But whom we sell them here in our hurried deafness. On the other hand. Henry was fond of reminding me that the word obedient comes from the latin audere which means to listen. Henry believed that a spiritual life with a pilgrimage. From absurdity. Too obedient. From death note. To listening. If we surrender fully into sabbath time. We can slowly move from a life so filled with noisy worries. The we are death to the gifts and blessings of our lives. 2 alive. And which we can listen. T'god. Jesus. All the buddhas and all the saints and all the sages and teachers and messengers. Who seek to guide and teacher. Absurdity to obedience. Stopping listen. The smell the flowers. Obedience isn't my favorite word. I think that's. The you you and me i kind of like to do things my own way but i think this passage has. It's referring more to obeying our need for rest. After all. Passages from a book called sabbath. It's all about resting and sabbath the idea of taking a whole day to rest is a concept found in many cultures. And closely tied to religion often. Which is an odd thought really i mean why would humans need to give ourselves a rule about resting. And a rule that's tied to faith and religion and morality. Resting being tied to morality is an interesting idea. There's a morality inherent and taking the responsibility to allow yourself the rest that you need. And that you deserve. In seminary we're often at the receiving end of advice around self-care and sabbath. I suppose because ministry is considered a helping profession and parker palmer is right if i don't take care of myself. Who am i to offer to attempt to help any of you. But this focus on self-care. Can feel like a burden to the point that sometimes resting feels like one more thing on my to-do list. It can invert into this feeling of stress. Like. Oh no i didn't set aside time for self-care this week. Or even if i have an appointment for a massage and now it's on the calendar and it's stressing me out cuz i have other things to do. At the root of this anxiousness. Is the sphere. But if i am not productive i will not be proving or somehow earning my worth. Am i a worthwhile human being. Who am i be taking up space. Diddy using resources. At its very most severe. Depression anxiety and isolation. Can fool us into believing that we are what we do. That are worse comes down to what we accomplished. When in fact the reality is that our worth is inherent in what we are. Or it would be more correct to say are worth is inherent in. The very fact that we are. It would be more correct to say r o i just said that the very fact that we are. I need to say it again. True. And our first principle states that we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people. We all accept that fairly easily it's harder to turn it towards yourself sometime. Why would you. Among all humans on earth be exempt. From having inherent worth and dignity you're you're not. All you have to do is be. It's so much easier to apply that to others dental truly apply it to yourself. But nothing is strictly required in order for you to have worth beyond measure. Emantra i enjoy invoking is simply. Just breathe. Nothing more is required of you. I say this man turned my head and i inhale on the just breathe and exhale thinking. Nothing more is required of you and. It's. Hard. Hard to do it's hard to believe. You may be thinking of ways in which there are things required of you you have a. Spouse or job or school you have responsibilities. The idea behind this manttra is it empowers you to take responsibility for the actions that you choose to take. It strips away the feeling. But you must attend to work or family excetera. In order to be of worth. No. Your inherent worth comes from your existence you are filled. With divine light. And nothing. Can take that away from you. Yes. Hard work is important. It is helpful and valuable and you don't want to be seen as lazy. And. By the power vested in me as a seminarian. And candidate for ministry and the uu church i officially absolve you. You got out of bed on a sunday morning. In summer no less. And that in and of itself shows that you are not lazy. Anyone here today is officially not lazy. I officially absolve you from worrying about being a lazy person. As of today and ever forward. Has been acknowledged as not lazy squad yourself you have the right and responsibility to practice self-care and treat yourself. Barbara brown taylor challenges us. At least one day at every 7 pull off the road and park the car in the garage. Close the door to the toolshed turn off the computer which is hard to do. Stay home not because you're sick but because you are well. Talk someone you love into being well with you take a nap a walk. An hour lunch a 2-hour lunch. Text the premise that you are worth more than you can produce. But even if you spend a whole day of being good-for-nothing you're still precious in god's sight. And when you get anxious because you are convinced that this is not so. Remember that your own conviction is not required. It's a commandment. Your worth has already been established. Even when you're not working the purpose of the commandment is to will you to the truth. I think that we do that here. Sometimes people ask why go to church if you're you you. We all have different answers to that. Ralph waldo emerson question that. Emily dickinson question that. We all have different answers but. I suspect. For eyes. Choosing to attend church on a sunday morning. For all of us. We believe is a freely chosen act. We're not required. We're not guilted. If we don't come on sunday mornings we don't have to go to confession. God is not sad. You will not make baby jesus cry. I suspect that many of you are for here for the same reason i am which is to have your soul said. To reconnect to the community that gives you strength so that you can get through another week out there working hard. Today is likely your sabbath this is likely your self care. This is the time to treat yourself. Brene brown in her book the gifts of imperfection reflects on her research findings that tie together rest. With a similar concept play. I don't need play in the sense that we need to take time to do purely useless things. So if resting for you is reading a book about work. That doesn't count you still need to do something. Utterly useless at some point. We have to give ourselves permission to be frivolous. Taking time for a massage is not play if it's just one more thing on my to-do list. Brene brown subtitle. To the chapter she has unrest in play is perfect i just. Had to tell you word for word it. Letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol. And productivity as self worth. Oh boy. She's got my number i don't know if you hear yourself in that exhaustion as a status symbol. But yeah it's a little too close to home to hear that. Brave brene brown says that in the sealcoat making the choice to rest and play is countercultural. She notes that there is a shocking similarity between the biological need foreplay and our bodies need for rest. In his book a whole new mind daniel pink argues that an order took to succeed in an ever-changing world we need to learn to be more playful and this is a quote from daniel pink. Ample evidence points to the enormous health. And professional benefits of laughter. Light-heartedness. Games and humor. There's a time to be serious of course. But too much sobriety can be bad for your career. And worse. For your general well-being. In the conceptual age. He calls this. In work and in life we all need play. A common idea behind these words. Rat. Play. Sabbath. Self care. Treat yourself. The common idea truly is countercultural. You don't need to work harder. You don't need to fear. Flipping into becoming a self-indulgent or lazy person. I've already absolved. It's not going to happen it's not something to fear. Even if you did. Even if you skipped all your meetings and all your chores. And left the dishes in the sink for weeks. And all you did was lay on your couch and eat bon-bons all day long. You would still be a person worthy of love. Some of us might be irritated with you. Your spouse might have something to say but your worth as a human being is in no way to hide. To what you accomplished. You are enough. You're better than enough you are a reflection of the holy. You are sacred source energy. You can never be anything less than a miracle. Kind of getting ahead of myself because i feel like i'm going to start singing how could anyone all by myself right up here but we're going to sing it in a moment of all the things that we have changed the order of service today we are still singing that song in a few minutes. But first the offering but when we do sing it. Sing it to yourself serenade yourself. Treat yourself. Amen.

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Generosity_and_Treasure.mp3

I think the first thing i ever did in this space was play with your band. I'm a rock and roll drummer as some of you know and. You know we can't do. Music like that as much as i'd like to an r space for other reasons but. But it's wonderful to come and see all y'all. Giving us this. Today thanks. I'm going to begin this today with a story from the middle east about a holy man who was serving as a judge. For a village. One day a local innkeeper comes to the judge. This holy man to bring suit against the poor student. Bridgeport student has lingered outside my restaurant holy one and he has stolen from me. Well the holy man said well what has he stolen. The sweet smell of my good food. Reply the innkeeper. I'm going to pay for the food himself he lingers outside the door my kitchen avails himself. What is not his the aromas of my cooking. Bus i work enslaving this. Scoundrel. Takes advantage of my labors and won't pay. And the judge looks at him and says it is true young man. And the student says it is father. I'm a poor student scarcely able to pay for my room in my books i live on scraps which i beg wherever i can. But the wonderful smells from the end. I cannot resist. And so daily i hang about and imbibe those odors and dust imagine that i am eating those. And the holy man looked at him and said we'll have you any money on you now. Only a few coins father the student replied. Hand them over. So the four student passed his last coins to the holy man. And the innkeeper smile.. Big smile of satisfaction. And the holy man said innkeeper close your eyes and listen to my judgement. So puzzled the innkeeper closes his eyes and then with his eyes tightly shut he heard the students coin. Being singled and the judge is han. Do you hear innkeeper. I hear wise one replied the innkeeper. Cuz the song of the coins has paid for the smell of your food. The holy man returned the coins adding a few of his own to the students. Now course. In what we like to call the real world the innkeeper needs customers with hard cash. So we can stay in business and keep those wonderful smells wafting for those. Who can pay as well as those who cannot. And like that in what we do here. Is available to those who pay and those who do not or cannot. And of course we welcome everyone through our doors on a sunday morning regardless of water if they pay we know. That many are like the student. Unable to pay now. Even if they have other offerings like time or talent. Adjust. The gift of their presence. We cherish those precious offerings. As much as. The treasure that most. Provide. And. For those of us with resources. It is also true that if you're experiencing something more than a smell. Here during your pledge drive. We might be asking you for something more than a chinga. Put on sterling hers. This place doesn't just smell good. It feels good. It does. Good. And still. It's true stewardship volunteers can encounter things that. Open most attract. People to unitarian universalist church. They find sometimes at the same thing to bring us here. Can make it difficult to ask for donations. We in the space live in that tension of freedom. Being a free faith means we're supposed to question what we're told. The song believe resisting with their toter asked is a spiritual discipline. Even if that call is to invest in the future of the church that they love. But i don't really see that here. It seems to me that this is a congregation that trusts its leadership. And it's evidenced by the way you show up. Support the mission of this your professional really religious in. Your leadership. Has demonstrated that they are sound stewards of your mission. Worthy of your most sacred trust. Now there are some i here who say that. We're at a theological disadvantage when it comes to stewardship time. Many states hold over there people the threat of devilish hellfire as a motivator to give. But after universalist i've always rejected the idea of hell as i imagine most of you have or else you might not be here. And that means as a preacher i cannot hold the prospect of eternal damnation over us punishment for not giving a certain amount of money sorry korean i just can't do it. So threatening damnation might make my job easier it would make my preaching on the holy. Aligning me with the forces. Aligned to destroy our values. So i rejoice that i have not the threat of torment of eternity to frighten you into giving. Cuz that would be barbaric. Betraying our core values of respect love tolerance indecent. And it's true. That fear. Is always. A corrosive. Tool. I need a no way encourages health in those who embrace it. As a primary motivating factor. In our everyday comings and goings. Beard. Troy. No fear. Presenting itself as anger. Right now in our current. Presidential primaries. I rejoice that we never use terror to leverage generosity. And anyone who does so is guilty of religious abuse. Should be ignored. Instead. We appeal to you and this season of giving with love. Evolve embodied in generosity and treasure. So what is generosity. Look at one another. Look at these pretty people sitting around you. You and they are the treasure. The church is its mission yes but it is also its people. Nothing. Happen. Without you nothing matters unless you make it matter. Nothing is an enabled here unless you enabling. And here. In this congregation there is such a wealth of talent and i don't just mean the musical. When that talent. For organization for hard work. When that is applied to further the mission of this congregation. We accomplished. So much more than when we write a check to the sierra club to a political candidate to a college or other organization. The giving of time talent and treasure to this mothership of holy service as i like to refer to you guys. Helps heal the world while simultaneously helping each of us. Spiritually you heard karin testified today. It helps us relationally. Supporting this house of hope where we meet serve and worship face to face. Nurturing sacred community. It's worthy. Of our attention. And sacrifice. Nothing brings people together. So much as serving our deepest held values together. Embodied in the flesh. At the church i serve this was recently made powerfully clear when we turned our sanctuary into a hypothermia shelter more than 60 at the tinkers work just this past week side-by-side sharing their gifts to serve our mission in the needs of the disinherited of fairfax county. And you all felt this in your service to the community table of loudoun. In your witness to loudoun county muslims last december. In your annual help-portrait event in your jazz poetry slam. You may not even know it. But uucs is becoming known in your wider community as a leader in justice and witness to the marginal. Just friday i was at an interfaith event in fairfax county. And fairfax county has a director of interfaith cooperation sandy chisholm. And she noticed my last name. Was similar to the last name of another minister she'd heard about. So she asked me about your good reverend and i said yes that happens to be my wife. And she said. Heard at a national interfaith conference about an amazing event. In support. Of muslim. And it's the one that she and you all led lamp. Such. Service. Is why we exist. The breaking down of those walls that john talked about in this prayer. And this service is what matures us as colleagues in faith we are on this journey together what you learned what you see is important for me to know and for each of us to know cuz it deepens all of our faith journey. This congregations treasure lies in each of your souls your heart. Contain the wealth. Of what church is. You display also a vibrant generosity of time. The amazing time commitments so many of you make. You display a generosity of talent i am left speechless. By your expertise and your wisdom. Many ministers. Or. Speechless. The way you organized this amazing operation the way that over the years you professionalized your staff the way that i wish we could do it i could take you added pain teachers and nursery care provider. The way you embrace your role as a leading voice for truth and love in the community. The way you prepare. For an entire year to go to two services. who was in charge of that who's in charge of going to two services. You're not here today maybe you i need here i need some help at accotink i will pay you to help us get the two services. I'm not kidding. You help. Them know that churches exist not to be social clubs but engines of holy creativity designing designing ways to bring the beloved community more fully into being for all. What we hear cherish and nourish. Belongs. The world. And the best way to share that gift and to grow any church. Is to offer more worship services and the best way is to invite friends neighbors and family by word of mouth. Offered to drive then. The church. And you are reaping the benefits of that work this congregation is grown 12% in memberships in september and your attendance is up by 40% is angelus. And you should be proud. You guys truly rock. Then there is generosity of spirit. And like the church that i serve this congregation demonstrates its mature generosity of spirit in so many ways. This is a very healthy church. Trust me i can tell you tales of churches. Some close by that sadly are so. Coccyx. And they don't know how to treat one another they do know how to treat their staff they think that what they have is a possessions that they're supposed to hide. This church. Is nothing like that you are a model of health invite. Now courts people come to church for many different ways. In one of the most common. Is that desire to discern our deepest values. And to try and live in accordance with them. Our common call asks us. Once we. Decide what it is we live for. The keep before us the moments of our high resolve to remember that we serve together admission. 4 greater than any single one of us. We share a sacred duty to remain at the wheel and mid the storms of personality and disappointment. And you also yes. Show. You shower. A generosity of treasure. Nothing happens here. Any church without financial investment in our ministry. So let us look directly at the financial side of stewardship. I grew up southern baptist in case you couldn't tell. So i grew up with the notion of teising. Giving 10% off the top of my income to charities that i deem worthy. Reverend and i strive to todd we give roughly $11,000 1/10 of our salary before taxes mostly to the two churches we serve. Now course we all have different life circumstances on you and i have no kids. We have no data outside of our mortgage. I believe though that we and most of us. Confined. More funds to donate. And nearly all. Can donate. Onion i believe giving into it feels good. Still recall the first time i pledge to. It was 1997 and i was just a regular attendee i wasn't a member i had hair down to my belt. I had a big goatee nobody knew really who i was. And the pledge chair was this young guy and he was he was a first-time pledge chair. He gave a very clear and earnest pitch and. I didn't know how much it took to run a church i didn't know that there wasn't some pope giving them money to keep the place going. I know yet.. I'm so i thought about it i might. I made a $2,000 pledge. Did you put 10/2 many down on that pledge card. No no i'm single. I'm single i was electrician so i was making decent money. I really felt part of that church. Deeper ways after that initial. I was about 30. 5 years old. Next thing you know. I was in seminary. That's another sermon. It's just a message that when we give to something that means something to us that builds what we know should be in the world. And it brings gifts. Back to us we could never have imagined. And because. Perhaps of that first pledge. I also met. My wife your minister. I found my mission through giving. Speaking of mission. The mission of this congregation states. We are building the world we dream about. We're also thrive in a diverse and loving community. Acting daily on our commitment to justice. Allow me to share why we embrace this mission and why we give. Generously. I show the words of rev john wolf minister emeritus of all souls church in tulsa oklahoma who declares. You want us to port this church because it stands against superstition. Because it points to what's noblest invest in human life. Because it is open to men and women no matter the race creed color national origins how they pray for whom they love. You want to support uucs because it has a free puppet. I have the first word u o. Challenge me when i'm done. You want to support you to say yes because you can hear ideas expressed here which would cost many ministers their jobs. You want to support this place because. It is where children can come without being saddled with guilt or told how to think or terrified with some. God is really a celestial peeping tom. Where they can learn that religion is for julian challenge for gratitude and love. You want to support this place because. This is where walls between people are torn down rather than build up. This is the place for the religious displaced persons of our time. The refugees from mixed marriages the unwanted freethinkers and those who insist against orthodoxy. But they must work out their own beliefs. To see your pledge captain soon. Lighten their load fill out that form let's get it done in time. And remember. That abundance is the natural state of the universe. Keep before you the values that bring you here that multiply generosity of spirit time treasure and talent as we work. To enlarge and share our common treasure. And we do this for the sake of saving the world. One soul at a time. Beginning with our own.

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Finding_Our_Way_Home.mp3

Even though we also cherish our rights to privacy and solitude. We as a species. Are hardwired in such a way that we can continue our protracted isolation of any kind physical isolation. Emotional. Or spiritual. From time to time we hear someone say. I'm spiritual but. I'm not religious. It's not always abundantly clear exactly what this means. It seems that sometimes this kind of remark is made by folks who are by no means indifference to matters of. Transcendence meaning. But who perhaps are less enthusiastic about the whole idea of institutionalized religion. Listen. Spirituality is understood as individual and personal. Religion. As institutional and communal. To be religious therefore is to be spiritual. In community. Everyone in this room this morning. Is religious. Even a first-time visitor or someone who's only attended a few times or someone who hasn't been here in a long time we are all different. But merely by being here today meant making a commitment even if only for an hour to this community. And that is no trivial matter. Relationships with others. Nor is it even just one of many important aspects. Being in community is totally indispensable. To being unitarian universalist. It is not possible. It is not possible to be a unitarian universalist. In solitude. Certainly any individual can embrace. Liberal religious ideas alone. And can even admire and sympathize with unitarian-universalism alone but the whole point. Of our religion. Is that it has to be practiced in relationships with others. Otherwise it's meaningless. Ours is a communal faith. In which we seek to know ourselves and to know one another by sharing our differences. Seeking to be enriched by them and to enrich one another there by cultivating and commitment to be in right relationship. With the world. Now we're not only about that. Of course. We represent a specific tradition. In this country of course our faith began to take shape. During the latter half century the northern colonies mostly in new england. Weird shapes not only by the words and deeds of our ancestors but by the racial and ethnic and cultural and moral ideological and economic particulars of who they were. We are of course not confined to an endless duplication of their customs and attitudes. But that is our history. And history is important. The ideas and ideals that our ancestors espoused and that we have carried on our important. The statements that we make to express aspects of our faith. Statements like the seven principles for instance. Important. But these things in office some total of who we are. Is a religious people. Recede into the background. Professor conrad write one of the great scholars of our history reflected in the 1971 address. These words. What contributes. To the sense of belonging. Of the deeply committed member. What is it that makes him or her willing to stay. Here it seems to me is where unitarian universalist are often sadly betrayed by their intellectual is stick by us. They are most likely to assume that the social cement of the denomination is ideological. It is liberalism in theology together with social concern. Doubtless there is some truth in this. But i am convinced that we greatly exaggerate its importance. Social organisms that coalesce on the basis of ideology alone. Are brittle and transient. They do not survive unless they generate within themselves sentiments feelings non-ideological indeed non-rational attachments. Our church is not a thinking society. Even though it may among other things foster the intellectual life. We have a habit of focusing. One could easily agree wholeheartedly with the seven principles of the unitarian universalist association. I'm still not feel in the least that a community like sterling is home. There are others in this room right now who made him sign the membership book many years ago were deeply committed and passionately involved in the life of this congregation who at the same time gives scanned consideration to the components of our religion that are expressed in words. Truth words alone may tell her little. About who we are. Just as important are the intangibles. What gives those who participate in this congregation of sense of all and wonder. A taste of beauty. An encounter with something that transcends the conventional and the everyday something that clarifies the overarching meaning of our lives and strengthens us to commit ourselves anew to that which we hold most dear. Some of that. Can be expressed in words perhaps but there is a human chemistry at work here that exceeds the boundaries of what we can talk about. Then an unitarian universalism is not easy to talk about. The so-called elevator speech concept leaves no doubt of that you know the drill the elevator speech right. He get an elevator and somebody asked me what unitarian-universalism is you need to answer very quickly before the elevator lets you off unitarian-universalism in 25 words or less. Okay. The worthwhile exercise to think about how we can articulate our faith. Doing so. Encourage is a clarification. And a deepening of our own commitments. But it's also important to recognize that the notion. The very idea that our religion can be summed up in a few words. Cuz i can be summed up in any words at all. Ultimately rests upon a fallacy. I met a very wise woman in one of our congregations years ago this was in another state. She been attending this unitarian universalist congregation for sometime. She was a native of vietnam. Of course in that part of the world. Define the long tradition of buddhism. She once said to me. When people ask me about unitarian universalism. I tell them. It's a lot like buddhism in one sense. It can only be really understood. Not your words. But by being experience. The history of religion in the western world is complex but probably more so than anywhere else on earth. Here in the west the history religion is a history of different ideas. Different definitions of terms. Different concepts. Do people who live in this corner of the world tend to think of religion is something that can be described in words. Our religion. Isn't really like that. We try to fall back on things like the seven principles of the usa. In order to have something tangible to explain our religion but this pain is nothing like. Of who we are how can a bunch of people who don't believe the same thing. B1 faith community. Are we crazy. But we know. We know in fact that it's possible. We know that it's possible to create community. Even though we don't believe the same thing. We know that we can create community because we don't all believe the same thing. That's our experience. No of course there are ideological convictions and aesthetic preferences and theological commonalities that are part of what sustains our community like the unitarian universalist of sterling but there is also something beyond words and ideas that moves people that gather here to continue to walk together. Year after year. That insightful vietnamese woman i mentioned earlier by the way. Never actually signed the membership book. In the unitarian universalist congregation that she attended. She completely agreed with. The ideas of unitarian universalism and what it stands for. But something was missing for her there. I don't presume to know what that something was. There has been a lot of discussion and reflection for many years and unitarian universalist circles. About the fact that our congregations are predominantly white that we might think about ways that we might do something to alter that dynamic. If that were indeed ever to change it would have to include a careful examination of who we are not only in terms of a didactic portions of vision statements. Albright dentist. Aspects of culture and personality type in history that perhaps we don't talk about as much. Even though those things are every bit as much a part of who we are as principals. Perhaps those intangibles are even more. Sometime. Weather were consciously aware of them or not. Been very interesting for me to have ended up here in the metro dc area. I just moved here this summer of course. Here we are this part of the world where there are so many. Unitarian universalist congregation. Yeah this is not a wholly unfamiliar phenomenon to me for many years in the boston area. I belong to a church in cambridge. But it's been a few years since i've lived in a region where you don't have to travel very far to find chalice plainsboro. There are in fact 17 other unitarian universalist congregation within a 25 mile radius of where i'm standing. Now i don't know about here in sterling but i know of a few individuals in the church in reston who shopped around quite a bit. Before deciding the reston was going to be there religious home. I can't imagine there aren't at least a few folks here that maybe that's something. Along those kinds of line. There is nothing wrong with that course. But the fact that that happens. Leaves no doubt that we are drawn to religious communities by more than just a verbal contents of the messages they promulgate. It's no secret. Said no to unitarian universalist congregation zara like. But of course that's true in nearly any religious tradition. A mosque in the uzbek city of tashkent is going to be very different in many ways from a moth in a rural part of burkina faso. Even though we find some of the same rituals and beliefs within those two communities. Roman catholic church of mostly middle-class irish-americans in the chicagoland area is going to be very different from a roman catholic church in manila. Even though the two communities are probably quite similar. finally. What a member of one congregation feel at home. If she visited the other. Maybe but it would not surprise us if that were not the case. There are obvious as well as intangible differences from one congregation to the next. And those can sometimes be as important as they are hard to articulate or define. Unitarian universalism is the cat's meow and feel right at home with the congregation over in leesburg. But be not as enthusiastic about the church in arlington. Someone else might adorn the fairfax congregation but not found a place here in sterling after being inspired by the church in rockville. There are some you use in this part of the world who drives some distances. Even driving past closer congregations in the same denomination in order to find their way home. I take a real interest in this congregation. Not only because of its shared history with resting and because your pastor is someone i admire very much but because i'm always impressed by. Do not buy the determination of congregations that persevere for the challenges of finding a physical space. To call their own. Two of the congregations that i've served as interim minister were. Like this one less than 20 years old. And they didn't own their own building. One of them worship in an office park very similar to this one benjamin moore paints they were next door to the best pest. Rodent control a little better another one. During during the week it was a church in the box. Humbled and removed. By the dedication of those people. Who did that week after week in the place where they worship. What's the cafeteria of a community college. Who's this very seductive. Frankie bridge rob ugly stone and glass have a space and yet they created something holy there week after week. To their determination and their commitment. There was a time in my life when. I used to scoff at the the magnificent than splendid edifices. That's some other religious traditions bill. I wondered if the extravagant expense. I'm such buildings were money better spent on other things like. Maybe helping the poor something. Well. I still think the priorities of religious communities need to be carefully considered. But at this point in my life i'm no longer quite so dismissive. All beautiful spaces. Gorgeous buildings which are built by religious communities something in the human heart. The mixes yearn. The beauty. For inspiration for something that not only satisfies the mine. But delight the senses. In any religion that doesn't acknowledge that need. Is not going to endure. Sacred space can be created anywhere. But it doesn't just happen. Scraps on preaching to the choir and saying this where we gather while it may not be the same time as important as why we gather where we gather is still important. A beautiful building gorgeous stained glass windows expensive granite statues may not feed the poor. But it might help to create an environment of uplift and challenge and inspiration that could make those that gather their want to feed the poor and then to go forth and actually do so. And yet despite the challenges of not owning. Iran building the unitarian universalist of sterling create community. Something happens here. Week after week that is meaningful and beautiful. Did the people in this room. Another reason i take a keen interest in this congregation is because of its history. It's particularly interesting for me as the interim senior minister the rest in church. Still found my way here this morning. The story one most often hears. Interested anyway. Is a back in 1994. The reston church's leadership dismissed a member of the staff. And members of the church who were unhappy with that decision left the church and form the congregation here in sterling. Well i have no compelling reason to doubt the veracity of this story. I also don't believe for a minute. The back the whole story. There must have been other factors. They caused some number of people to try to find their way home here in sterling. Something or more to the point some things must have been happening in reston or not happening. Accosted to feel like it wasn't home anymore. To some folks. No one should assume that because i'm the intermission and rest in that i have any kind of personal stake in any of this other than my ardent desire to do whatever i can to foster the strength and vitality of unitarian universalism. Wherever it may be found. I simply think. But a candidate with history on the part of folks in both. Congregations this one in the reston church. Academy of history is. An important way of understanding who we are and. Take me to look at the history of who we are where we've been and understanding what it was what it is that makes community. Our sense of being at home is as much about history and the human personalities that make up a community as it is about the core values. That community espouses. There's nothing wrong with this. But we are not being honest with ourselves unless we acknowledge that truth. The challenge of finding our way home. And making a home for ourselves and for others. Is that they're also things far more nebulous and mysterious. But make someplace home. A faith community creates a home in many ways. But one of the ways is by owning a community activist. Community. There are many ways. To make a place. Feel like home. Being kind. Being sincere. Dedicating ourselves to the things we care about. Sharing of ourselves and inviting others to share of themselves with us. But finding our way home also involves a journey within ourselves. Individually as well as community. For greater understanding of ourselves. An ever-deepening knowledge of our history and where we came from. In a carefully cultivated mindfulness of how these things shape who we are. And where we are going. As we find our way home. And invite others. Join us.

uusterling_org

?download=%2F2018%2F09%2FDriving_Down_the_Road_One_Day.mp3

Let me start by saying that this sermon has some difficult content. Some content that you might not want your child to hear. Some content that you may want to talk about afterwards. I am ready. Talk today after service. Or. Whenever you are ready. Organizing what we see in the world as in our time for all ages what we understand. To be the world is a lot of what we do as humans. In the time for all ages the rabbi students wanted to organize the world into mine and somebody else's or discernible colors. We feel the need to answer the profound question is it a tomato is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable. To help us organize the world. We give people political and religious labels and we call ourselves virginians or americans. Or other such categories that help us organize the world.

uusterling_org

Neurodiversity.mp3

Thank you scott. Thank you clara. And my apologies to the three seasons members of the choir who i felt i could organize things better than them i don't know. Okay neurodiversity. Everyone's brain is different. That's okay. Pretty much it so were there any. Neuroscience has demonstrated that every brain has a unique shape. Every single one. It's completely different from all the other somehow. Brains are like snowflakes. Think about that. There's normal variance in any population and there's also normal variance in how bra. Work. Those who advocate for neurodiversity asked that the difference is in how brains function be respected in the same way as other human differences. The emerging autistic community has led this call for equal treatment. The best most concise definition of autism i found asserts that autism is a qualitative collection of behavioral phenotype. And let's break that. Qualitative means it is an inherent part of the person. It can't be counted or measured. Collection it isn't just one thing. There are so many manifestations that season researchers often refer to autism's with an f instead of autism that sounds like a single attribute. Behavioral mean. The way we know somebody is autistic is because they behave in ways that are different from the way most people behave. And finally phenotype. An observable appearance that is linked to genetic makeup. So what is observable. Like i said autism can manifest in many different ways but there are few behaviors that are generally present. One is having limited or absent eye contact when talking to someone. Repetitive body movements these are often referred to as stems for fill stimulation of the. Stereotypical 14 like hand flapping or body rocking. Delayed or overly formalized speech or speech that is odd in some other way now i'm up here flapping my hands and difficulty making friends. The scientific certainty is that autism is genetic. Another scientific certainty is that it is not a disease or brain damage. We now have functional mri. So that we can see which parts of the brain are engaged to perform different tasks. Autistic brains use different cognitive strategies. In one test the neurodiverse participants. Recognize letters by their shapes. And the neurotypical participants recognize letters by their sound. They both accomplished the same tasks and identified all the letter correctly. But they use different parts of their brain and different strategies to achieve that cat. Note to labels come up a lot when you're reading about neurodiversity. Neurodiverse describes people whose brain processes fall outside the norm. A neurotypical is used to describe individuals whose brain processes fall within that magical 68% along an idealized distribution curve that is considered normal. And i want to be very clear about. The state of affairs represented by normal. The norm. On a distribution curve the normal. Is very possibly not represented by any real person on earth. It is a useful statistical fiction. Another important but somewhat confusing distinction when talking about autism is the difference between low-functioning and high functioning. These terms generally refer to hell other person functions in daily life. A person considered low-functioning typically doesn't speak or doesn't speak well. But there is no real consensus on how to apply these terms. There are currently two diagnostic criteria for autism. One is kanner syndrome which is low-functioning and one asperger's which is high-functioning. And the biggest difference seems to be a speech delay but here's the thing. Professionals have not found any of. Significant relationship between delayed speech. And severity of behavior. So it's a little arbitrary so it actually isn't any wonder that a lot of websites on the autism hub sometimes poke fun at diagnosis. And i wanted to share one of the jokes because there's that you be at ferguson's of humors delightful. I really like this. A guy flying along and a hot air balloon any flaw. He lowered himself overfilled and calls to the guy in the field can you tell me where i am and where i'm going. Sure the guy says. You're at 41 degrees 2 minutes 14 seconds north 144° 4 minutes and 19 seconds east. You're at an altitude of 672 meters above sea level. Right now you're hovering but you were on a victor of 234 degrees at 12 m per second. Amazing does the guy in the balloon. The hyppo have asperger's by any chance. Yes i do how did you know that. Because everything you said is true it's much more to tell than i need and you told me in a way that's no use to me at all. What are you a clinical psychologist by any chance yes i am how the heck did you know that. Well. You don't know where you are. And you don't know where you're going. You got where you are by blowing hot air you put labels on people after asking a few questions and you weren't exactly the same place you were five minutes ago. But now somehow it's my fault. If the autism community that has thrived on the internet for the last decade isn't vexing for psychologist it probably should be. The internet has given voice to autistics and they are doing a lot of things out there that according to their diagnosis. They shouldn't be doing. Either every message board i have ever been on is chock-full of autistic individuals. Or autistics are as eager to share their lives with the rest of the world is any other person on earth. And some of the people i've conversed with would be considered low functioning. Maybe they don't speak out loud. Maybe i don't write. The way because he providing but they sure can type. And they have something to say. One of the things being said is that many well-funded autism nonprofit do not serve the best interests of most autistic. There have been enough autism awareness ads that most if not all of you had seen at least one stark. Black and white photograph of a very sad looking child who is described as. Prep. Or suffering. From autism. Perhaps that child goes feel trapped and perhaps that child is suffering i can't say. I've conversed with a lot of people on the spectrum who do not feel that they are trapped or suffering. My husband and i are raising three people on the spectrum. Who do not who i do not believe to be trapped or suffering. Our oldest child was identified autistic in first grade. I argued with them of course. My idea of autism was it was something completely debilitating and he is an intelligent and entertaining young man. I've seen the black-and-white photographs and i knew that wasn't my son. I did some research and i became a little smarter. And then i brought john home. Because it seems his academic ability was taking a backseat to his behavioral issues. I had also been a child who heard a different drummer. If the seven-year-old me time-warp to the year 2007 i think i probably be with stuff to a special classroom. If the seven-year-old jonathan got with back to 1971 i don't think you would have been identified as autistic. Things change. By the time the younger two went off to school it was apparent that all three of our children are on the spectrum. They should all go on to leave normal healthy lives and i don't want this to be all about my family though it is about my family. It's about a lot of family. And so i was talking about the federal campaigns to raise awareness about the sad plight of autistic. Usually these campaigns call for finding a cure. And speaking the language of disease. But here's the thing. Autism isn't a disease. There's something insidious about using the language of disease to talk about something that isn't a disease. So let's think about the assumptions that go along with using the language of disease. Disease terminology assume that whatever is being discussed is not only abnormal. But bad. Is autism a bad thing altogether. Well some people with autism shirley do face disability. Thumb down. Dr. simon baron-cohen at the university of cambridge's departments of experimental psychology and psychiatry and yes i had to read that. Has argued for many years now but autism is better understood as a difference rather than a disability. 7 years ago he and colleagues asserted that quote. We have grown familiar with the idea that autism is a psychiatric condition a disorder a disability or a. Handicap. Ever since scanners description of the aloneness of these children's psychiatry has labeled and categorize them as abnormal. Bill and efficient. He goes on to assert that quote whilst these neural abnormalities signal differences between brains of people with and without as burgers and high functioning autism. They cannot be taken as evidence that one type of brain is better or worse than the other. Another well-respected psychologist dr. tony attwood collaborated with carol gray director of the great center for social learning and understanding and you and education know about social stories carol gray was the one who did that. To suggest positive criteria for discovering as burgers rather than diagnosing it. Some examples from this list odessa child has. Conversation free of hidden meaning or agenda. Original off and unique perspective on problem solving. And speaking one's mind irrespective of social context or adherence to personal belief. And this is the proof. If you want an honest opinion ask an autistic. But be prepared for a possibly brutally honest opinion. The list of notable autistics currently belies the idea the autism isn't necessarily disabling and horrible neurological condition. Among these are mathematician richard borchard. Who is currently working honey mathematically rigorous constructive quantum field theory. And most of us don't know what that means exactly and most mathematicians can understand this guy's equation. Nobel prize-winning economist vernon l smith musician gary numan. Animal welfare pioneer temple grandin and director steven spielberg. And being low-functioning does not mean being uncapable or unintelligent. It just means being. Very different. Don williams is a famous author artist singer songwriter screenwriter and sculptor much of itself.. Amanda bags is nonverbal and considered severely autistic. And she is using the internet to advocate for autistic right among the links and the order of service insert where i just put links because there was so much i wanted to share and not nearly enough time. Is the youtube video that she did cold in my language. It really is i opening. Disease terminology also assumes that once a disease is removed a true healthy person remains. The disease has infected the person and it must be taken out of the person for the person to thrive. At the 1993 international autism conference in toronto jim sinclair made history. Jim became one of the first autistic people. To speak an advocate for autistic acceptance. The follow of article from his speeches titled don't mourn for us. And i share his thoughts. Coding. Autism isn't something a person has. Or isil that a person is trapped inside. There's no normal tile hidden behind the autism. Autism is a way of being. It is pervasive. It colors every experience every sensation perception thought emotion and encounter. Every aspect of existence. It is not possible to separate the autism from the person. And if it were possible the person you'd have left. Would not be the same person you started with. This is important so take a moment to consider it. Autism is a way of being. It is not possible to separate the person from the autism. Therefore when parents say. I wish my child did not have autism. But they're really saying is. I wish the autistic child i have did not exist and i had a different not autistic child. This is what we hear when you mourn over our existence. This is what we hear when you pray for a cure. This is what we know when you tell us of your fondest hopes and dreams for us. That your greatest wish is that one day we will cease to be and strangers you can love will move in behind our faces. This was a very radical statement 14. Finally adopting the language of disease is led too much agonizing over an epidemic of autism. The autism academy everybody's probably heard. About the autism. Is autism being diagnosed more often than it was 30 years ago. Absolutely. But an epidemic. Doesn't that sound scary. We better do something right away or autism will get you to. There are significant and growing number of medical and social scientist. Who maintains the only thing that has changed is the diagnostic criteria. And awareness. Autism is defined more broadly than it used to be. There is less stigma attached to having a diagnosis. Autism was added as a special education category for public schools in 1991 this does correlate with an increase in identified cases because people were. Looking for. And sometimes there are financial incentives for obtaining an autism diagnosis so now we see a lot of dual diagnosis so someone have down and auto. Are there bipolar and autistic they have more than one type. Typical there's a financial incentive tied to an autistic diagnosis that isn't tied to whatever the. Leather conditioner. Dr gernsbacher neuschaefer in greensboro mungo's have presented both evidence and compelling argument. The autism epidemic is largely a created. I would like to discussing the topic today by a fascinating article in the april issue of scientific american it was about retinal photography. And it revealed that the extruded part of the human brain that we tell the retina of the eye and how did you realize that with the extruded part of your brain in their eyes i mean that's pretty cool. What they discovered with retinal photography is it works differently. From one normally being person to another normally seeing person. Scientists were confounded. They expected people with normal vision. To actually be stimulated in the same or similar ways when they looked at the same color or pattern or shape. But that wasn't the case. Rather. People brains had adjusted the interpretation of very different stimuli to fall within socially accepted parameters. And i began to ponder the reality that what we share. Is it perception. It's dialogue. You and i can look at this shirt. And we'll both say. Brown. But. It doesn't mean that your brown. Looks like my brown. It just means that we have both learned to call whatever stimulation we receive when we look at this color. Brown. Until recently most autistic did not share dialogue. But now that technology has given them boys shouldn't we listen. Here are some of the things they have to say. One argues that the fax come together. Within a species such as homo sapiens sapiens there can be variations in neurology. These variations are not imperfections for there is no perfect standard to justify. So we're all variations. Neurodiversity is fat. Now that the facts of spoken we enter ethics. Where there are fewer if any hard facts. But they're still logic. We could count on people to understand that there's no rational reason to give one variation a higher ethical value than another. Most people should understand it. Another. Says. The more i read about what they want to do to all us difference if he comes more and more opaque to me how they can say there's anything wrong with us. My sister and i have always had a very close connection and there's hardly a thing she misses. Her level of functioning it's almost normal anyway and she's not nearly as miserable as i ever was. So why would you want to take that away. I know there's nothing wrong with the way she is. And one that is not anonymous it's joel smith who has this way of life website. Many people feel that autistic should be indistinguishable from. That is we should be cured. But we cherish and enjoy the uniqueness of our personalities and abilities. Even though it also means we have to embrace our differences and weaknesses. In some cases this attack on our right to exist goes much beyond simply a desire to remove any hint of autism from our being and into the realm of murder. In some cases autistic happen murdered out of. Mercy. Where the killer felt that being autistic truly was worse than death. Of course most autistics would disagree but we aren't the ones making these decisions. And it is important not to disregard his perspective as some exaggeration or some sort of paranoia. Because when i went to look for the evidence was there for all to see. I was stunned at the number of autistic young people who had been killed altruistically. I actually became physically ill when i read the ridiculously light sentences to killers receipt. There are dozens of you cases over the last decade and probably more that i did not find. Here are a few representative cases. Casey albanese mother was sentenced to five months for manslaughter after strangling her seventeen-year-old son. Gabriel britt britt's father serve a suspended sentence of four years with five months probation. The mother having a sentence. 6 year old gabriel had been beaten and suffocated. Pure flix both mother received a three-year suspended sentence after drowning her ten-year-old son. To put some of these sentences in perspective consider that the leesburg man who stomped a fourteen-year-old cat to death. In 2005 had a three-year suspended sentence. 5-year probation and compulsory psychological evaluation. The case being watched closely around autism hub right now is that okay to mccarran who was murdered at age 3 by her mother. Her mother is a physician. Who had lived separately from her daughter for 20 months. Some more than half of her daughter's life she was not even around. On april 26th of last year katie rejoined her mother. 10 days later. Her mother suffocated with a plastic bag. Tucked her into bed as though she were napping and called 911 to report that her childhood stop breathing. She claims she killed katie dan both the child pain in her own pain. Doctor mccarron's license was suspended in january this year. She pled not guilty. The usual suspect that come out of the woodwork to talk about how hard raising an autistic child is for a parent and how there is not sufficient support for these parents. How hard can 10 days be. The father in grandparent who were actually raising the child found her to be pressure. And delightful. Furthermore this was an affluent family. Fully capable of privately meeting any support needs the mother required. So what was this murder really about. What are any of these murders really about. And i mean i don't know for certain but i feel fairly confident that parents who would conspire to beat and suffocate a six-year-old who is not considered autistic. I'm time in jail. So here we find the fundamental principle of neurodiversity the inherent worth and dignity of all beings. The differences are not to be merely tolerated but accepted and embraced. We find ways to work together toward common goals not approach each other as problems to be rectified. Over and over i encountered this is iexplore the subject autistic thing. I don't want to be fit. I'm not broken. I want to be treated with respect as i am. In the book not even wrong adventures in autism. Paul collins shares thoughts and experiences about life with his young asperger's son. He shared the story about a man in a coffee shop. Who wants to tell everyone about his light bulb experiment. The colors of light produced by painting the bulb different color and why these effects are observed. And paul is greatly saddened by the unkind way this man is treated by the other people in the coffee shop and including himself he's not sure exactly how to respond to the man either. He realizes that someday his own child might experience the same kind of treatment. He finished by saying. You know. It used to be the one i saw someone acting or talking strangely or just being awed on the bus i think to myself. What's his problem. I still have that reaction. What do i stop. Pause. And have a second thought. No. Really. What is that man's problem. There was a decades-long chain of events that created the person you're seeing. Maybe all you can do it silently wish them godspeed and try not to be cruel or stupid to them. Maybe you can wonder at how little separates you from then. Then again. Maybe a lot separates you. And yet are they so far separated from other to go odd ardennes great by the world. It's become something of a parlor game in the press to wonder aloud it which is centric geniuses might have been autistic. Newton and einstein or perennial favorites. Others require little guesswork the mathematician paul erdos say or the pianist glenn gould whose uncontrollable vocalizing is embedded within his piano recording cuz they musically echolalic accompaniment to his instrument. And then started epitome of postmodern life. Andy warhol. Displaying the curiously familiar combination of disconnected affect. Guileless social observation. And repetitive visual. Obsessions. All well living with his mother and painstakingly collecting seemingly random items into hundreds of boxes in his apartment. To think that some of our paragons of art and science might be autistic outsider is to get a shock of recognition. A genius must assiduously ignore other than order to be guided by his own curiosity by a desire to make sense of the world. And can't the same be said of the lightbulb painter. There's no way to know what an immense concentration and radically altered perspective relied upon. Does someone with great focus. The fascination is the point. It was blind brilliant dumb luck. That we had an isaac newton who focused on something that other people found important. There are newtons of refrigerator parts. Newton's of painted light bulbs. Newton's of train schedules. Newton's of bits of string. Isaac newton happen to be the newton of newtonian physics. And you can't have him without having the others to. Darkhorse many professionals and parents who do not agree that the goals of neurodiversity are helpful for autistic. From what i've seen they have most of the media and most of the money so you can hear that opinion all the time and probably do. It isn't my gold provide balanced coverage and there's a whole lot of stuff that couldn't go said in such a short time and you're probably tired of hearing about anyway. My goal is to help okay let's see here. It isn't okay. I'm not here to say that one perspective is right and one perspective is wrong. The world's usually isn't that simple. I did want to present a different perspective than what you've probably heard. Even the most dedicated advocate of neurodiversity. Won't claim that being neurodiverse doesn't come with challenges. And that many on the spectrum require specialized help. What's generally asked is that as we addressed the disabilities we don't also ignore or destroy some very desirable. Abilities.

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Take_Courage_Friends.mp3?_=1

I apologize if you now have to look at someone who has mascara smeared all down her face. Has she preaches. Take courage friends. The way is often hard the path is never clear and the stakes are very high take courage. Pradeep down there is another truth. You are not. Alone. It's so easy to forget this. Right. This essential truth that we are not alone. Maybe we don't spend enough time blessing one another. Witnessing the holy work that others do. If we did that more often maybe none of us would forget the connections that nurture and sustain and perhaps in times of trauma or stress. When we might otherwise spiritually implode with loneliness. Witness. Connection would sustain us. Ryan o'keefe. Singer songwriter for the band river whyless rights. Is god just another word for company. The first time i heard this i tuned in. He hadn't just found a catchy line to rhyme with symphony or infamy. Is god just another word for company was a theological proposition. And i never found the lyric derogatory though i can see how one might. Ryan is searching. For his understanding of the holy. Not the flaming god. List of all forms admit that when they feel lonely isolated they remember that they are never wholly alone because god is always with them. Is god just another word. For company. When i felt most alone lost. I seek in the darkness for connection. And i do often call that connection god. Others choose other words. Have you heard. There are no atheists in foxholes. I know many atheists servicemembers that disagree. A stereotype that does hold however. One i've seen bear out is that there are no individuals. In foxhole. Every service member whether they are an active-duty or not carries a whole battalion of connection. Into service with them. It's what sustains them. Derek rush the young man who penned our reading said he was going into service to give back to society that he was born into a world of love and felt a call to give back to love. He takes his whole society and his parents with him into those foxholes. That hold his tender life. And their care. Derek isn't alone in his drive for integrity. The many veterans and service members active and not that fill the pews or chairs in our congregation. Were called to service by similar and complementary drives i'll be sharing. Some of their reflection. James electrical. Serves because he recognizes the evil in our world. And service for him me and stopping the evil actions of others from spreading suffering. He serves to protect. Fibrous. Serves to render something meaningful of his life. He serves and by doing so connect heart and soul to a cause beyond self. There may be atheists in foxholes but there are no lone individuals working for their own ends alone. Robert warfield. Says roll-up-your-sleeves. And make a difference for someone else. Baps service. Fci war. Half sleeve today and your honor. We have a lot of service members. But is service a part of our congregational life. Do we serve a cause greater than ourselves. What we do here. I won't compare it to what our service members do. But i wonder are we also rolling up our sleeves and making a difference for someone else. Anyone know. What we call what we're doing right now. I'm looking for a two-word phrase. And it's not waiting for the sermon to end. The first word begins with a w. And the second with an s. A warship. Service. Imagine that. The word service. In what we're doing right now. But this isn't. Real service real service to others is about serving others bringing them justice change compassion none of that here. Not a bit right. We're all about our own personal salvation right. A one way road to heaven for you and me right. No. And when the board gather is to discuss the governance of this congregation intends our future with their hands and. When the finance team honors our pledges with their fiduciary responsibility. I did just a fiduciary. And when the membership team prepares greeters to welcome visitors and open arms and generous spirits. And when the prayer shawl ministry bloody's their hands knitting prayer shawls to wrap around the weary it's not service. That's just selfish abandon. Our veterans and our service members have reminded me that. What we do here it matters because service to others matters. .. We serve others here in this congregation others in our community who need food. Fellowship others that are served by the justice organizations we support with our offering service calls us out of ourselves into one of the most ridiculous and least valued by today's standards engagements. Community. Building true community where we celebrate and challenge one another to be our best selves. Community is. Countercultural. Real community. Not the blips and b on our screens. And it takes. Courage to build. It takes energy just to get here right. It takes courage to return to it to care for it especially when it's not easy it takes courage to trust it has value. Courage. Says kevin manuel scott is the value that gives us the moral and mental strength to do. What is right even in the face of personal or professional adversity. Corin bar west. Discouraged when someone does something they fear because it is right. Our service members remind us that courage is moral. It has moral weight and consequences. One of the most courageous things i see happen on a daily basis at least a weekly basis is a newcomer entering through those doors. Courageous. Maybe it's been awhile since you've entered through those doors. Or maybe you remember. Maybe you'll remember how it first felt. Holy macaroni. Who knows what you'll find on the other side of those doors. Wackos. Maybe they'll be preachers telling you that you don't belong. Maybe they'll be people. Showing you that you're not worthy. Congregants turning away. Telling you you have to give up something of your soul. Temple long hair. Or maybe you'll just find nothing. Nothing of worth reminding you again why you gave up. Worship. Services. It takes guts to walk through those doors and test this place out. Zach. Taliferro. Please tell me i said that right zach. Alright. Zach reminds us that courage is situational. A military man may show great courage in combat but whither. Under the prospect of telling his son that he loves him. And a son may demonstrate great courage himself defending the civil rights of a minority classmate. In the face of fearful opposition but likewise wither at the prospect of telling his father that he. Courage can be a difficult. Value. To consistently absorb. Into oneself. Sometimes it is the hardest value to find when our own interests are at stake. It takes guts. To walk through those doors. And test this place out. Yes kevin manuel scott courage is the value that gives us the moral and mental strength to do what is right even in the face of personal or professional adversity. I pray with every newcomer that comes through our doors that they feel that they have done what is right for themselves and for others just by visiting once. Giving this mess of wackos a shot. Taking a step into community. Community where an individual becomes connected. Cuz it's necessary. I'm good. And robert warfield thank you for this. Courage is invariably proportionate to the fear that one must overcome. To the measure required. But courage can bloom and small acts of daily determination to strive or to compliment nature's offering. The kind of work we do. The doors we walk through weather with our battalion. Or with our family into a war zone or intuiface zone. They require courage and when we act with courage and service to that which is greater than our own individual life we sanctify our action. Here comes the theology again. Is god just another word for company. It's the name i use when i feel i am being drawn out of myself. To serve another. We all choose our own words. What matters is that were drawn out of ourselves. With courage. To serve another. The kind of work we do says the theologian meister eckhart. Does not make us holy the kind of work we do does not make us holy. But we. Can make it home. Our callings are not split into the. To wholly separate categories of sacred and secular. When we act in service. With courage. We have the divine being within so. We bless each task weed. We make it home. Take courage friends. The way is often hard. The path. I've never. Steaks. Barberry. Take courage. But deep down. You know. There is another. You are not. Let this truth bless you. Your service. Man.

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We_Come_Full_Circle1.mp3?_=1

At one point when planning the service i thought about focusing. On the poem we just heard the work of christmas. You probably heard that song before. It's a it's a very popular poem in uu congregations especially on the sunday after christmas because. It reflects our passion for justice. The work of christmas according to howard thurman. Is to bring healing and wholeness. Wherever lives are broken and that's something. That really resonates with us. Into me this poem carries extra weight this year. During this last year we've seen so much patriot. Violence and suffering across the globe. It can be it can be difficult to comprehend and as we think about the work that lies ahead of us. Canfield daunting. But this morning. I invited fall to take a pause. Before we begin that work. What stopped the poem about halfway through. Yes the song of angels is still the stars gone in the sky the kings and princes are home and the shepherds are back in with her flock. But let's not begin the work of christmas just yet. Instead. I invited us to rest. In a liminal time waste money that word liminal. It's sort of an in-between place. It's like a twilight. What's rest in the subliminal time between the fanfare the holiday season. And the hard work of the coming year. Let's use this time to replenish our energies. To renew our spirits. In one source that we can turn to for renewal is actually christmas itself. Not the specific theology of christmas not even the story of christmas but what i would call the common themes of christmas the themes of hope. Peace. Joy and love. These are actually the themes of the advent wreath. Which is a ritual that many christians use in the weeks leading up to christmas. But of course these are not just christian themes. Beat they are common to all of humanity that there are some of the spiritual riches. Of human experience. But the christmas season. Provides an opportunity for us to reflect on these themes. And how we might nurture them. In our lives. And that's what i wanted us to do this morning. Reflect on these themes through poetry. And through quiet contemplation. And in the process seek sustenance. For the work of christmas. In the year to come. We'll begin with a poem. Called messiah by mark doty. Which kimberly will read for us. Aren't we enlarged by the scale of what we're able to desire. Everything the choir insists might flame. Inside these wrappings burns another brighter life. Quickened now by song. Hear how it cascades in overlapping lapidary waves of praise. Still time. Still time to change. This is one way of understanding hope. It is the recognition. That everything might flame. That inside these wrappings burns another. Brighter life. That is to have hope. Is the believe that change is possible. It is the belief that there are sparks of new life. Present. Here and now. Sparks. Within our own hearts. Sparks within our families. Within our communities. Even within our political systems. To hold. Is the nurture the spark. Even when we see little little evidence. That they're going to turn into flame. This is not the easy path. The easy path. Is to assume that nothing will change. To assume that the future is a foregone conclusion. That. Is a definition. Of hopelessness. We lose hope. When we envision a sequence sequence of events. Following a particular path. To a particular end. And we surrender to it. We surrender to that vision. And we close ourselves off to any other possibility. This is something that many of us wrestle with. In our personal lives. We find ourselves in a place. That. We want. The change. But we lose hope of change. Wheelies hope of that and we just assumed that there is no promise of change that the future. Holds no promise at all. Just more of the same. And hopelessness is also common in the public sphere. You think about the problems we face. Trying to trying to undo systemic racism. Trying to combat the roots of terrorism. Trying to change the hateful lytical rhetoric. That now dominates our political system. Is there any reason to believe that anything will change. Any reason to believe that the future holds any promise at all. But sometimes. It's only. When we let go of the future. That weekend are to be hopeful. Only. When we let go of what we think will happen. Or should happen. And open ourselves to the possibility of change. That is present. Here and now. Like a spark. Waiting to burst into flames. I invite you now to a time of quiet reflection. If you feel comfortable doing so. Use this time to reflect on where you seek hope. In your life. Use the time. To open yourself to the possibility of change. To nurture the sparks of new life. And if that feels uncomfortable then i invite you to use this as just time as an opportunity to rest. The rest here in the quiet. In the love of this community. When despair for the world grows in me and i wake in the night at the least sound and fear of what my life and my children's lives maybe. I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water. And where the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought. Of grief. I come into the presence of stillwater. And i feel above me the day blind stars waiting with their light. 4 time i rest in the grace of the world. And i am free. Wendell berry describe the peace. Of wild things a piece that we might seek in the midst of nature. Among wood drake. Great herons. In stillwater. But what. Is the source of that piece. Is it something intrinsic to the natural world something about the about the sounds and smells of wood and field. For some of us that might be the case. But i think there's something else going on here as well and the clue is in the last line. I rest in the grace of the world barry wright. And i'm free. He rest in the grace of the world at the beginning of the poem. Barry writes about the despair for the world. About how he fears for his life and that of his children. And yet here at the end. He can find rest in that same world. The external circumstances haven't changed the wood drake's and herons can't protect him or his children. And yet. He feels free. But you see if we find peace in the natural world. It's not because that war was peaceful. If we find peace there or anywhere. It's because we have sought peace. And we have found it. Within. I really believe this piece. Is not found. In external circumstances. We could be sitting in the most serene place. We can be listening. To the most beautiful music. And we can still be royal. By your worries. We can still be wrestling with difficult emotions. We can still be regretting the past worrying about the future. At best. Peaceful environment of whatever kind. Poinsettias to a piece that is within ourselves. A place within a stillness and quiet. That we can tap into. Whatever is going on around us. That was actually my experience here on christmas eve. I was standing up here over there. Well after all the candles have been lit. And we are just beginning to sing silent night. And up until that moment. I got to say my head was spinning the last few weeks have been crazy busy for me. And i just hadn't had a chance to catch my breath. And to make matters worse i had a cold. A pretty fierce colton which i still. I have cough drops andy i had a fierce cold a trillion sapped my energy until when i came into the service that on christmas eve night. I really wasn't in a place of peace. But. Sting or candles lit. And hearing our voices lifted in song. I felt peace flow into my heart. It was it was such a new sense of peace for me and yet i also knew that it was not new. I knew immediately that that place of peace. Had always been there. I adjust left side of it. And that's how it is often. But if we find a way. The touch that stillness within. We might find peas. Whatever our circumstances. I invite you now into another moment of quiet reflection. And in that quiet. I invite you to think about where you find peace. That is what makes it possible for you to find that peace within. Let us sit with that question. So this pipe poem is by rabindranath tagore in his book. Gitane jelly. Let all the streams of joy mingle in my last song. The joy that makes the earth flow in the riotous excessive grass. The joy that sets the twin brothers life-and-death dancing over the wide world. The joy that sweeps in with the tempest shaking and waking all life with laughter. The joy that sit still. With its tears in the open red lotus of pain. And the joy that throws everything it has upon the dust. And knows not a word. Where is joy to be found. That's tagore see that joy can be found. In any circumstance. Shaking and waking all life with laughter. But also. With its peers. On the open red lotus of pain. When i first read tagore's poem it made me rethink my rethink my understanding of joy. I think i'd always thought of joy. As. Something akin to happiness. More so. It was me or the difference between happiness and joy was simply a matter of intensity. But i don't think that's the case not anymore i join isis pecked. It's more akin. 2 gratitude. Joyous to divorce the chest often leaves the speech that first simply overwhelmed with feeling. I think that's because joy is almost always involuntary it. It's we can't kondrup joy. It's simply wells up with with innocent wells up within us. Without our bidding. From somewhere deeper inside that our conscious thought. But when we do find her voice. We almost always speak words of thanksgiving not just i am so happy. But i am so happy because. I am so happy because. And whatever that might be. Joy you might say. Is a sense of elation. That springs from a deep-seated feeling. A gratitude. And this is an important connection for us. Perhaps we can experience joy on command but we can do. Is cultivate gratitude. We can cultivate gratitude. I'm learning to be more conscious of the gifts that we receive in life. The gifts of every moment. Cut the conscious reflection. It might not produce joy immediately. But it might make us more open to joy. The practice. Of gratitude. The practice. Of reflecting on the gifts in our life. Made openness. To joy. And make joy possible. But share another moment of quiet reflection end and in the quiet. Very simply i invited. The practice gratitude. Giving thanks for the gift of our lives. Whatever they might be. Are both poems titled some kiss we want by rumi. There is some kiss we want with our whole lives the touch of a spirit on the body. Seawater begs the pearl to break its shell. And the lily how passionately it needs some wild darling. At night i open the window and ask the moon to come and press its face against mine. Breathe into me. Close the language door and open the love window. The window won't use the door only the window. This poem reflects an understanding a divine love that is found in many religious traditions. Especially among the mystics. I open the window and ask the moon to come and pray spress its face against mine. Breathe into me. Close the language door in open the love window. This metaphor emphasizes that love cannot be confined by your tidy concept by what the poet calls the language door. When we think rationally about love. We have a tendency. To begin rationing our love. Choosing the luck to love some people more than others. In the mystics will tell you that define love. True love. It's not like that. Instead. It is like the moon. Indiscriminate. In gratuitous. Shining it's light on everyone inside. That was tempting to associate such lofty language with the divine love alone. To relegate it to some heavenly realm like the moon itself. But that would be a mistake. The mystics holdup such visions at divine love. Not the humble us. Not to suggest that divine love is so different from human love. Instead they hold up this visa visions that define love. To inspire us. The love likewise. That's asking a lot of us. There's no doubt about it. But such love or however close we can get to it. Is vital. To the work of christmas. It gives us the audacity that we need the face. This broken world. The face is broken world and bring healing and wholeness. Wherever it is needed. Indiscriminately. And gratuitously. I invite you into one last time of reflection. And in this time. I want you to think about this this vision of love. This vision of the moon that shines its light in discriminately. I invite us all to think about what what would it be like. To love like that. What would it be like to feel that love. Fill our hearts. What is share this last moment. Hyperflexion. Hope hope. Peace. Joy and love. These are the gifts of the holiday season. I think this is why we have a holiday like christmas. Reminder. Every year. Of the power of hope. Peace. Joy and love. To remind us every year. That we can draw upon these in our lives. And in our work. As we close today. I just invited us. The hold. These things in this space. To claim them as a room. May these be the gifts. That we take. From this christmas season. All men.

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?download=%2F2019%2F05%2FThe_Open_Door-1.mp3

The pilot would say that he was focused on survival getting his plane repaired getting water getting away. But it is also true that the pilot's questions of the prince. Go on ants. Mostly that is because the pilot is a practical man. And the questions he asks are frankly unanswerable. In the. Of the little princess. A breakthrough in their communication occurs when the pilot realizes. That the prince is from a tiny asteroid. Not this earth or even a full planet. Did everything that the prince has known. Tiny. About the same time the pilot real begins to realize. Get the way that grown-ups talk to one another can have a problem. The pilot one-point speaks to us because this memoir. Pop his interactions with the little prince has written many years later at a time he's had. So much opportunity.

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Partner_Churches_India.mp3

It is a blessing and privilege to be with you today. To share information about the unitarians in india. I first heard about them almost 10 years. Ago after reading an article in the uu world magazine. I was hooked. A few years later bob trip who was in charge of the partner church committee of fairfax. If my husband and i if we would make a trip. To that part of india to explore the possibility of a second partnership for the fairfax church. In august of 2004. My husband who grew up in india. And i went on our first adventure to copy hills. I had no idea. Or no way of knowing that this trip would be the greatest experience of my lifetime. I have been to india 30 years before. And i had been so overwhelmed with the poverty that i experienced there. I never wanted to go back. I sense that this time would be different. This time there was an opportunity to make a difference. Coffee hills in the state of meghalaya. It's a beautiful lush area. Right above bangladesh and below bhutan. It is in the remote northeast portion of india. Far removed from the rest of the country. There are approximately 10,000 unitarians there. Unitarianism started in the mid-1800s by a man named hysham kids are sing who i've converted to christianity as a teenager. Buy welsh missionaries. The missionaries had come into this land preliterate. People to save souls. According to reverend john bruins. The following conversation took place between singh and the missionaries. Thank you for introducing us to the profound moral and spiritual teachings of jesus. Just one question. Why instead of just trying to follow these teaching. Do you want us to believe so many incredible things about the teacher. Didn't he just want us all to treat one another as brothers and sisters. As children of the one god. The one he called father that our tribal religion called mother. Set the muslims call allah and that the hindus have so many different names for. We know your kind back and well said the missionaries. You're a unitarian heretic. Thank you for that to said hodgins thing it's always good to know one isn't alone. Tell me more about these unitarians. Sing question much of what the missionaries presented. He declares that the message of selection damnation and salvation. By belonging to a certain church and profession of a certain creed was not compatible with his idea of god. At age 22 he was informed of an american unitarian minister in calcutta charles doll. It was in this exchange of information that sing realized that there were many others in the world. With the same beliefs as his. He was not alone. From that time on he called his religion connie aman way blay the unitarian religion. In 1887 he held the first unitarian church service. In kosse hills. Today they are the third largest unitarian community in the world. One of the first things that he did was create his own hymnal flashpro book. He rewrote the lord's prayer. That is recited at the beginning of every unitarian service there today. Translated from coffee it reads. Our father in heaven may your holy name be honored. May your kingdom come may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need for give us the wrongs we have done as we forgive the wrongs. Others have done to us do not bring us to hard testing. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Oh man. You probably noticed that sing change the words of the prayer. He believed that god would not lead us into temptation. The original lord's prayer taught to him by the missionary. Made no sense. Reverend eva cameron points out that lead us not into temptation is a very anti coffee concept. Two coffees god is enough ever-loving parents. Who will never leave his children into temptation. One of the primary aspects. Of the coffee unitarian faith is love of god. This is not our western judeo christian concept of god. This god which they speak of comes out of their own original tribal understandings of god. Like what most modern you use my call goddess. The creative nurturing ever-present force of love. In their world. In fact the coffee speak of father mother god in there hymnal. Evil points out. Set the coffees have a love affair with god. God is just so important in their lives. This is true of all coffees. Christian. Traditional tribal believers and unitarians alike. And so although like us they don't have any creed to become a unitarian. They all do believe in god and they can't conceive of a person who couldn't or wouldn't believe. It is important to mention that this group of unitarians is not the oldest in india. In fact. Over 200 years ago the first unitarian church was started in the city of madras now called chennai. The church was started by an indian man from aloe cast. Who went to england as a slave. Attended many unitarian churches while he was there in england. Came back as a free man and started the first unitarian church in india in 1795. It wasn't until 1987 that the two groups of unitarians the the unitarians in northeast india and the unitarians in madras got together and they formed a organization called. I see you you by cuc indian council of unitarian churches and they meet every two years. But the matross unitarians are only three hundred in number so they're small but continuous presence in india. Since. 1795. How fuller a2005 visitor to coffee hills. An eloquent writer. Describe the coffee hills area. As a land of rolling green hills. And burden sally's. Who's the mighty himalayas dominating the distant horizons. Hillside spotted with groves of pine trees and tree like banana plants. Tangled undergrowth filled in places with an abundance of wildflowers. That include both orchids and roses. Valley filled with rice patties potato fields. And vegetable gardens. Tumbling streams of water racing over rocky precipices and falling. Hundreds of feet to the plains below. He described seeing humpback cattle. Grazing quietly along the highways and byways. Watched over by small boys and old men. Villages and small towns. Build for the most part with a gentle peaceful people. Whose faces reflect an aura of contentment and joy. Rarely seen in our country. How goes on to point out that not all is peaceful and tranquil. Is the coffee hills. Despite the idyllic setting and it's beautiful people. Poverty of the spirit may be rare. But economic poverty is all too real. The vast majority of the coffee people live well below the global poverty level of $1 a day. While we were there we visited many different unitarian churches and their villages. The people mostly farmers. Live very simple lives. And by our standards. The conditions are often times shocking. We were late arriving to one of the unitarian village schools on our list. Instead of having a tour first. We went straight into a meeting with church members. From the village of poor young. The principal started describing unitarian school there. Almost 300 students. Elementary and secondary classes. Very overcrowded classrooms. I asked what needs the school had at that time. Skeets planed that there was no library. No computer and no love. When i repeated his words no library and no love. He corrected me. He did not mean science lab. He said no lie. Or latrine. At that time there was no bathroom or alehouse. Of any kind at that school. Then we proceeded to learn that this remarkable unitarian school. There's children the poorest of the poor. From seven different villages. To get to school. There is no bus. The school cannot charge tuition. It would discourage attendance. And many of the children would have to drop out and work in the fields. Three times a year the principal asked the parents to to pay a small supply fee of 200 rupees. Which is less than $4. And many of the parents have to pay in installments. As we toured the school we realize the extent of the poverty. Most of the students wore the mandatory uniforms although some look like they had been passed down many many times. And many of the children had no shoes. The school starts at 9. And many of the students arrive early to get the school ready for the day. Carrying water in jugs with baskets they wear on their back. There was and still is no running water at that school or village. And yeah. In spite of all these things that we take for granted in this country. The children are learning. Happy. Involved and quite proud of their work. This was just one of the many village schools and churches that we visited on that first trip. And continue to visit as we travel there each year. Today there are 37 unitarian churches and fellowship. In the states of meghalaya and a song. 11 of these are partnered with churches in the united states. Most churches run primary schools. And the majority of the schools are free and open to all children regardless of their religion. This is their social justice outreach to the community. The churches and schools run hand-in-hand. 6:37 churches are united with an organization like our uua. Call the unitarian union of northeast india. It is basically a volunteer-run organization. There isn't money. For anything else. The many hard-working ministers and church visitors. To each serve several congregation. Are only reimbursed for their travel expenses. Thousands of volunteer hours run these churches and ministers must maintain day job. To support themselves and their families. What is it about this part of the world. That makes me want to travel here over and over. Of course it is the many bonds of friendship. That brings me back. What else. After my last trip. I thought about this question. And came to the conclusion that it is the valuable lessons that i learned when i am there. One of these lessons that i cherish particularly after spending time in the villages. Is the appreciation of everyday. Even the days that i used to consider ordinary or unimportant. The coffee unitarians have taught me the meaning of family. Friends and joy. Found in such ordinary things as a meal of fresh vegetables and rice. Gathered from the fields and bursting with flavor. A steaming pot of tea. Shared with friends on a christmas day. For the sight of miles of rolling green hills. That take your breath away. It is all about finding the sacred in the ordinary. I can no longer dispose of ordinary moments. Not noticing the miracle and wonder of it all. When i am there it gives me it gives me a time to stay in touch. With the other side of my brain. Decide that does not analyze and organize everything that comes my way. It is the side that brings me closer to my purpose. And the side that takes risks. But most of the time it just lets me feel and soak up the moments. Each sacred moment. I will end with the words. Ab unitarian minister and writer. William ellery channing and then show you a photo video of the beautiful people of coffee hills. Channing's word some up for me the coffee unitarian way of life. An amazing inspiring group of people. Whose religion is the way they live their lives from day today. People who work on a daily basis. To help others. Even setting aside. One handful of rice at each meal. To give to those in need. To live content with small means. To seek elegance rather than luxury. And refinement rather than fashion. To be worthy not respectable and wealthy not rich. To study hard thing quietly talk gently. Frankly. To listen to stars and birds babes and sages with open hearts. To bear all cheerfully. Do all bravely. Await occasions. Hurry never. In a word. To let the spiritual unbidden and unconscious. Grow up through the common. This. Is to be my symphony.

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?download=%2F2016%2F02%2FNot_Knowing.mp3

So have you have you heard this story before. I've certainly heard this story before. This was one of my mom's favorite. I think that for her it was in the. Canon of the best. The best stories ever the best stories that ever were and i like this one particularly because i could find myself in the story. I've been afraid just like that. Before we go into the homily i want to invite karen to come on forward she's going to hand out some pipe cleaners. To those who are young abadi are young. That's what happened. My homilies not here. It's here. Collectible tradia rizzoli. Hey go. The wizardly that wasn't and the homily that wasn't. So thinking of times when i have been afraid. A great gift of my childhood was that we had many rescue animal. We had rescue animals that were small and that were large we had a skunk once we had a turtle. We had a seagull that i'd found on the road and luckily my mom was kind enough to let me take this animal home and care for it while we nursed it back to health we also had rescue horses. Rescue horses are hard to take care of it takes a lot of work and for the most part my dad was the one who took care of the rescue horses. But one night he was away and my mom and i had to bring water to the horses. And it was a frozen night all of the horses trial was completely frozen in the hose was frozen so we couldn't just run water out to the horses we had two in the dark dark knight. Boil water on the stove. Put it in buckets and carry it out to the horses and my mom and i had this task. So we left. Raven ready to bring water to the horses that needed it most. And when we were halfway there we both started to shake with fear my mom and i both i don't know who started it but i started imagining that there were monsters in the trees. And then my mom started imagining that there were monsters in the trees and pretty soon we were holding onto one another and moving as fast as we could with these large buckets of water by the time we got out there we threw the water on the horses trial and ran all the way back home screaming as we went. Yes my mom was an adult at this point. But this is the way it is. With not knowing not knowing what's out there in the darkness. Sometimes not knowing is enough to terrify us children and adults. And when that not knowing is shared it can loom to outrageous proportions fear moves through us just like laughter or a yawn. It has psychological even physiological connection between humans the interconnection that is normally a blessing that holds us in community and mutual care that same interconnection can foil us with a wave of fear. Unitarian universalist we tend to be a people accustomed to not knowing. Where others shunned out we revel in it there are jokes that the unitarian universalist symbol should be a?. Just a big?. There is no faith without doubt you might hear one of us quote or perhaps i know that i know nothing. In the socratic fashion. But our intellectual embraced does not mean that we are spiritually adjusted to uncertainty. To not know. I had a wonderful opportunity to speak to a new member the other day and when we were talking she voiced her calling. The calling that she had that she follows. Almost out of habit that is so deep in her being. That everything else. Everything else just falls into place when she is following this calling. This inspiration it moves through her and helps her move through uncertainty. Because as long as she's on that path. She knows she can handle anything. This is quite an inspiration. Abraham joshua heschel who is writing before our age before the internet age already saw that we had an overabundance of information. But not enough inspiration. Too much information not enough inspiration. Calamitous overabundance. Of information. Humans do not run on. Information alone. We seek the emotional even the spiritual experience of inspiration. And it's so lacking in our lives that i'm afraid i need to give some examples what is inspiration. It's when we pause in meditation or prayer and sense that we are suddenly not alone whether it is the universe or what we understand as holy that is somehow joined us in revelry and praise and gratitude for life. Inspiration it's when you celebrate with tears. The accomplishment of someone you love. Moved beyond mere celebration to revelation of a force that moves in and through life. Inspiration. It's when you look back at all of your days and suddenly realized that every single one of those days even the darkness. Even the dark. Have moved you to a place you are today. Or you can finally. Follow your dream. That's inspiration. There's other forms. You could. Don't do it right now. You could pick up your smartphone. And download. More information. Then you could digest in a year. But would you find inspiration. Would your heart be set on fire. Would you know what you needed to do. Please download a way if that's true. Please do. But my guess is. That you would at best be stated with a dull sense of a comp accumulated knowledge. And at worst you would just ache with a weight of it. The media knows this. And so do the. They know how much information is out there they know that we can't ingest at all. All the information that is out there. But they need you. They need us all. For their purposes. To read and to ingest what they wish to sell us. So they have learned how to hook us. They know that there is something that feels very much like inspiration. It has the same emotional 10 or even a pseudo. Spiritual feel and you know what that thing is. It's fear. Fear surges through us. Just like inspiration does. Inspiration calls us to action fear does as well. Inspiration capitalizes on our drive to serve that which is beyond. Fear capitalizes on our drive to avoid that which is beyond. That which is unknown. What do you feel when you hear these words. What do you feel when you hear the word. Fatwa. What about sharia law. What do you feel when you hear. Part of me shakes. Nearly every time i've heard these words spoken they have been conveyed in a tone somewhere between aggravated uncertainty or aggressive alarm. Fatwa. What is it. It sounds foreign. Isn't that what muslims do when they're about to commit acts of aggression or terror. If we all we had to consult where headlines. That's what we would assume. Well here is a fatwa. One that there was no headline for. Like other faith communities we see no inherent conflict between the normative values of islam and the us constitution and bill of rights. Contrary to erroneous perceptions the true and authentic teachings of islam. Promote the sanctity of human life. The dignity of all human. And respect of human civil and political rights. That's a fatwa. Surprise huh. I thought it was just something that. Muslim leaders say. And a lot of them. Are beautiful. This demystifies. Di fara faiz the word fateh for me for sure. It changes how i respond when i hear it. We are apart of an attention economy attention account. Gaining our attention. When's our media and our politicians points and internet wins than power. Both will try to capture our attention. And the war that happens in the land of uncertainty. Is this war. The capture our attention. If the word fatwa. Or how about this one. Zika. If these words become boogeymen. Boogeyman. They have one. And we have lost the opportunity. We've lost the opportunity the other possibility that lurks in uncertainty. We've lost the opportunity for inspiration for wonder. For wondering what might that mean. In phone. So piglet and pooh let's return to them. They went off in search of a woozle. And it first that weasel search it was full of excitement and wonder. What do you think pooh and piglet excitement and wonder. But when they started circling around and around uncertainty became fear. Uncertainty became fear and fear amusingly of the tracks. But they had tried. Fear of their own journey. So the next time that you feel fear flood through you. Remember the attention. The economy of attention. That we live with. I know that fear is a poor substitute for inspiration. Here's a good trick. Meet pooh and piglet again at the beginning of their journey. And wonder aloud with them. Say i wonder what it might be. What it might be. Beyond this glade of trees. I wonder what it might be in the dark. I wonder. What we might find. If we listen. Until something called us. And lettuce on. I wonder. Almond.

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The_Social_Gospel_in_Action.mp3

On april 16th. 1963. The rev dr martin luther king jr wrote a long and passionate letter. Address. To his dear fellow clergymen. After years of engaging the struggle for civil rights with a commitment to nonviolent resistance. After months of separation from his family after weeks of sleepless nights after a long court battles and numerous stays in jail. After a lifetime of oppression. And a life in segregation. His struggle was condemned. In bold print. In the local paper. This was one among many rejection. But this one he felt he must answer. As it raised in him such righteous indignation that he could not be silent. Martin luther king read the piece. While sitting in solitary confinement. In the birmingham jail. A clergyman from eight major religious faith. Had denounced his struggle as unlawful. And it called and this piece called martin luther king and extremist. The clergy advocated for slower process. For legislation before demonstration and for the faithful to obey the rule of law. Of all martin luther king's writings i find the letter from a birmingham jail the most. Stirring. 41 he is speaking directly to a religious community that has forsaken him. And the push for human rights. But what's more he is speaking from the seat. Of the struggle. Birmingham was not the first center for civil rights demonstrations. But it was the ground for the most decisive battle. There protesters faced a virulent and proud opposition. Armed with and comfortable using. Fire hoses and angry dogs. When a federal court order band segregated parks. Birmingham closed down its parks and gave up its baseball team rather than integrate them. This was a city where the national association for the advancement of colored people was fan. As a foreign corporation. A city where city officials campaigned on a segregationist ticket proclaiming their pride in knowing how to handle the negro and keep him in his place. Let's begin to listen to some segments of this letter. A letter. That's roots dug into this commanding oppression. A letter that answered a reluctant. Clergy. Who saw no good and non-violent. Demonstration. My dear. Fellow clergymen. Injustice anywhere. Is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. Tied in a garment. A single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly. Affects all indirectly. I have earnestly opposed violent tension. But there is a type of constructive nonviolent tension. Which is necessary for growth. Just as socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind. So that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths. Three unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal. We must see the need for non-violent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society. It will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism. To the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood. Lamentably it is in a storical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light. Voluntarily voluntarily give up their unjust posture. But is reinhold niebuhr has reminded us groups tend to be more and moral than individuals. We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed. Looking back the struggle for civil rights. Seems so clear-cut. Our nation's laws and customs opposed basic morality. They had to be challenged and overturned. I asked myself and i hear others ask themselves. What is our battle today. What injustice are we neglecting. That future generations will recognize as glaringly obvious. Or our times are our times different. Is there a left at stake. I know i know i have not always acted when the time was ripe. I cannot answer yes to either of those questions. Our society is slowly so very slowly working towards a true democracy. I know we have made awesome strides we are none so removed. From the follies of our past. In justices are perpetuated as a matter of course. By the powerful. Payday lenders prey on low-income people especially minorities and seniors exploiting an unconscionable rate of interest up to 340%. From the most vulnerable of our population. The struggle there is for economic justice. Gay lesbian bisexual and transgender individuals are denied the right to marry. And in virginia they struggle against discrimination in housing. Fight for the right to share health and life insurance. And for the right to make end-of-life decisions for their partners. This is a struggle for equal rights. Immigrants who arrived illegally but have been welcomed with open arms by our corporations. Are suffering a process of alienation. Laws in towns counties and the state have been and are being drafted to prevent anyone who has arrived here illegally from using public libraries and services. And if the most recent bill passes. No state agency or local government will be able to provide any documents information or literature in any language other than english. The struggle for immigrant rights is a struggle for the preservation of human rights. And dignity. Many of us wonder how to proceed to work for equal rights economic justice human dignity. To work for these. Laws must be overturned. We have to re-evaluate and challenge the comfortable authorities of the past. How can this be done without disrupting two months without giving into a disarray or anarchy. When the clergy challenge king by saying. How can you advocate breaking some laws. And obeying others. He responded. The answer lies in the fact. But there are two types of laws. Just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate a ban just laws. What has not only illegal but a moral responsibility to a bay just laws. Conversely. One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with saint augustine that. An unjust law is no law at all. Now what is the difference between the two. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality. It gives the segregator a false sense of superiority. And the segregated. A false sense of inferiority. Segregation to use the terminology of the jewish philosopher martin buber. Substitutes deny it relationship. For an eye doll relationship. And ends up relegating person's to the status. Abstain. Segregation is not only politically economically. And sociologically unsound. It is morally wrong and awful. Segregation as a legislated mode of operation was overturned. Are quartz no longer prescribed separate but equal in those words. Do many of our laws advocate forms of discrimination. Our way of life is not so easily transformed. In king's autobiography he replete repeatedly claimed that the injustice of segregation lives in the social system. The way of life. And it's for this reason that he advocated a social movement. The movement needed the courtrooms. But the most necessary gains are made when the whole of society is swept by the transformation. This work has been. Begun. But it is far from finished. Separate is on equal if our courts advocate and our society accepts different policies and privileges for are gay and straight population. We have advocated and accepted inequality. If our legislator prescribes in our society except laws that prevent our spanish-speaking population from accessing state or local government information and aid. We have legislated and accepted. Inequality. If our legislator does not prevent payday lenders from charging astounding interest rates. Rates that crap are most economically unstable population in impossible that. We have legislated and accepted. Inequality. In birmingham we're equal inequality. Was a way of life. Our unitarian universalist congregation was involved in the movement. In fact they were one of the only white. Congregations in birmingham to offer support. When james rebuy unitarian universalist minister and civil rights march or was beaten by an angry mob of racists in selma. He was taken to the birmingham hospital. Where later he died. Then when hundreds of unitarian universalist traveled to selma for the memorial service. And later for the march. The birmingham congregation installed extra phone line. Met people at the airport. Bad people put people up overnight arranged buses. And in the midst of this through a membership sunday to welcome 25 new members. And a kickoff pledge dinner for their new pledge drive. You might say that the birmingham congregation integrated. It did the work of social justice while doing the basic work of maintaining itself as an institution. But more so. It did not shy from tension. This is a model of support that the unitarian universalists of sterling has emulated especially and working with the adams center the all dulles area muslim center a local organization. And this is a model of support that enables us to engage in the work of transformation. And this is the model of support. Let king was asking for from the birmingham jail. I must confess that over the past few years i have been gravely disappointed. But the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion. Does an egress grave stumbling block. In his stride toward freedom it's not the white citizens council er. Are the ku ku ku klux klan er. But the white moderate. Who's more devoted to order. Vintage estes. Who prefers a negative peace. Which is the absence of tension. Two positive piece. Which is the presence of justice. Who constantly says. I agree with you. In the wc but i cannot agree with your methods of direct action. Set the turn a listicle paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom. Who lives by a mythical concept of time. You constantly advises the negro to wait for a more convenient. Season. We will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people. Before the appalling silence. Of the good people. King reminds us that the church has been a defender of the status quo. When it could have been an advocate for justice. I was honored when this community responded with praise to my piece in a local paper on immigrant rights. And on martin luther king day scott my husband and i will travel with other liberal religious leaders. To legislate an advocate for immigrant and gay rights as well as economic justice. And when we do. We will speak with this congregations convictions in mind. Indeed they will give us the courage to speak. Productive. And later this year we will rebuild our social justice committee and with renewed vigor determine how we will engage with. Pension. To enable transformation. Let us be vigilant in our efforts on afraid of upsetting our way of life. Encouraged not by a calm society but by the promise of a free and democratic nation. And today and all days may we find inspiration in the words and work. Of martin luther king jr.. Without home. We may not ever have known the sort of america that now seems so obviously right. From birmingham he concludes with a testament to the heroes of social change. And it is fitting today. But his words close out our thurman. One day the south will recognize it's real heroes. They will be the james meredith. With a noble sense of purpose that enables them to face the cheering and hostile mobs. And with the agonizing loneliness that characterizes the life of the prisoner. Of the pioneer. They will be old oppress. Batter negro women. Symbolize in a seventy-two-year-old woman in montgomery alabama. Who rose up with a sense of dignity. And with her people. Decided not to ride segregated buses. Ever responded with ungrammatical profundity. To one who inquired about her weariness. My fleets is tired but my soul is at rest. They will be young high school and college students the young ministers of the gospel and a host of their elders. Courageously and non-violently. Sitting at lunch counters. And willingly going to jail. For conscience sake. One day the south will know that when these disinherited children of god sat down at those lunch counters. They were in reality standing up for what is best in the american dream. And for the most sacred values in our judeo-christian heritage. Thereby bringing our nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep filed by the founding fathers. In the formulation of the constitution. And the declaration of independence. Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away. And the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities. And some not too distant tomorrow. The radiant stars of love and brotherhood. Will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty. Yours for the cause of peace and brotherhood. Martin luther king. Junior.

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World_Views.mp3

Everyone. Has a worldview. Our worldview is how we understand our environment. The world we live in. Our worldview includes our expectations of nature and human nature. It also includes our expectations of divinity. And how we should behave in the world. Our worldview. Is essentially our theology. And it has been changing. Overtime. Most of us have the rough understanding that the earth is between. 4 and 5 billion years old or at least we know it's very old. And that it like the rest of the universe is made up of stardust. Most likely remnants of an explosion beyond all comprehension at the beginning of time. If we have given it much thought. We may know that the first signs of life. Simplest of cells rose somewhere between 3 and 3.5 billion years ago. And mammals didn't appear until around 200 million years ago. And our earliest humanoid ancestors showed up only about. 2 million years ago. In our world view the creation of the stars and the planets and the development of life on earth. Has all been a natural process. Well some of this may positive creating force it work. We understand our world to operate according. All the laws of nature. Without supernatural intervention. I would be very surprised to learn of a unitarian universalist who believe that the earth was the product of a golden egg laid by the great bird knicks. Rising out of the chaos. Or humanity was given birth by the earth goddess gaia. Nor would i expect to find a unitarian universalist to share the worldview that the earth was created 6,000 years ago over a. of 6 days. And that two people were placed in a garden by god the father. And if they were given dominion over the earth and all its creatures. We understand the greek and the judeo-christian world views. To be missed and story. Is what people call other people's religion or theology. I will do our theology we call truth. And reality. My point is simply that theology and mythology are the ways we make sense of the world that we live in. How we view the world becomes the infrastructure that guides our daily lives and it gives us meaning. How we understand the world determines how we will live in it. And what we expect from it. A very long time our understanding of the world has been a scientific one. Unitarian universalist are the children of copernicus. Galileo. And sir isaac newton. Our view of the world has been shaped by charles darwin gregor mendel. And more recently einstein heisenberg. Stephen jay gould and stephen hawking. During the formative years of our faith. We lived in the newtonian world. A mechanical roller world of dependable forces and indivisible indivisible adams. Ours was the age of reason and enlightenment. An individual freedoms. Babylights on our reason and our experience. Unitarians believed in individual responsibility and salvation by character. We've always been a people of conscience. In the 19th century we moved away from the scriptures in favor of what we could test. Measure. Darwin also had an effect on us. Taking this out of the garden of eden. Unsteadiness firmly in a competitive world. Survival of the fittest. Became the social conscience of the day. Our movements also saw humanity. At the top of the evolutionary keep. Our interpretation of that position has been that it is up to us. To make this a better world. Because no unprovable deity will step in to put things right. We have. Placed great faith in the capacity of the individual. And understand each person to be a word. And deserving of being treated with dignity. We fought diligently to protect the rights of all people and offer compassion. And nurture. Rather than judgement. And punishment. And anyways just understanding of the world has served as well. But it is not giving us a framework. Brickell operation. Nor has it offered a vision of our connection. Was the earth. And her creatures. However there is another scientific understanding of the world which has been slowly seeping into our consciousness. About 100 years ago. Quantum physics emerged as the primary model of the physical world. Only recently. Has it spread into some common ways of thinking. Quantum physics. Is about the behavior of summits of sub-atomic. Particle. Quantum physics in contrast to newton physics contends that there is no world composed of solid individual parts. Unaffected by an unrelated to another. Physicist david bohm called atomism the virus of fragmentation. He regarded the idea of fragments and separate isolated entities as an illusion. When scientists sought to discover the smallest element. Be found particles that were smaller than atoms. These particles became so small. That there were no particle. Only relationships. Only. Relationship. Subatomic particles can only come into being because of the presence. Of other particles. Elementary particles are in essence a set of relationships. They behave as if there is some communication between them. An invisible web of information. Community of coded messages. Lies at the very core of life. So we will never find. A lonesome lepton. Or do it yourself pork. Or adapting the 17th century writer john dunsworth. No futon. Is an island. What is true in the world of physics. His counterparts in the world of biology. Neurosurgeon frank jr. argues in his book. The genius within. Most living things. Operate according to the same general model. On network. Examples of living networks are ant colonies. Immune system. Brain. The genius of life therefore is build a small discrete things. Interconnected. An interactive. Everything is connected. Do everything else. All hearts are dependents. On one another. And mutually affect. One another. Such a worldview changes everything. No longer do we act singly. Everything we do is in relationship not only with other people. The plants and the animals the earth the airs water and fire. Not only do the sciences of quantum physics and neurophysiology tell us that we are all connected. What's the science of ecology. It's all its expanding forms. Details the infinite ways. We are interdependent. Consider how a worldview of interdependence can change our personal relationships. How might our relationships change if we saw our neighbor. As part of ourselves. Consider how we might behave differently at work at home at church or on the street. When we see ourselves as part of a network. A community. Rather than the lone ranger. How might we change our foreign policy. An understanding of economics. Ruby to realize that we are all part of one system. And that no parts stands alone. And of course. Are complicated relationship with the earth. Becomes more evident everyday. We do not need so much to walk gently on the interdependent web of all existence of which we are apart. As to walk lovingly. Respectful. With compassion. For the other and ourselves. Consider that when we realized. We and our neighbors are one. The golden rule is no longer and admonition but rather a statement of fact. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love your neighbor as yourself. Because they are. We and they. Are conjoined twins. We look at the world changes who we are. When jarvin wrote the origin of species. We created social darwinism and adopted survival-of-the-fittest is a mantra for competition. When einstein developed the theory of relativity hunkins declared that everything was relative and mourn the passing of absolute. Moral absolutes. A better understanding of einstein's theory. Would be instead of saying everything is relative. Saying everything. Is related. Our expectations of the world of relationship. Are different. From our expectations of the worlds of individualism. The new tonian world is made up of particles. Separate individual particle. And while those separate particles could have an effect on one another. Every action. Any action has an equal and opposite reaction. We understood newton's world as a world of horses. An individual particle or person could exert force on another. What we did not understand. And einstein's hottest. When we attempt to change another. We also change ourselves. This is our unitarian universalist message. Is people of science. Whose mythology and theology is formed in the questing and testing and the rigorous experimental proofs of the scientific method. This is our message. That we are one. We are connected. An intimate relationship with all creation. We are part of a system and the pattern that pervades all of nature. This is our message. That we are not alone. And that what we do. And what we do not do. Makes a difference. It is whole new meaning. Did the slogan think globally and act locally. When we realize. Are strand in the interdependent web. Stretches across the universe. Remember the vision of interest net. Every gem reflects the image of every other gym. If one gymnast change. And so are all the other. When we look into one another's eyes. We see ourselves. The interdependent web of all existence of which we are apart. Is a theological understanding. Uncle cosmo. The universe. In which we are embedded. It tells us not only who we are. And what our place in the world. But also. Howie mustache. In this world. In community. In connection. In the words of albert einstein. Our task must be to free ourselves. From our. Perceptions of separately. By widening our circle of compassion. To embrace all living creatures. And the whole of nature and its beauty. The true value. Human beings is determined. By the measure and the sins. In which they have obtained liberation from the self. We shall require a substantially. New manner of speaking. Humanity. If we are to survive. That is our challenge. As well as our message. To learn how to live. Within the web. As an integral part. The matrix of the universe. Widening our circle of compassion. To embrace all living creatures. And the whole of nature and its beauty. It matter. What we believe. Because it matters how we live. And this is our message to the world. Love your neighbor as yourself. And the stranger also. For we are all. 1.

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Decide_and_Seek.mp3

The working title have it wasn't decide and seek it was actually called i don't know but i thought the reason that's not the formal title is i was thinking of what would happen when anya asked me what to put in the order of service. The other subject. Did you give me talk to the title gas. Did you decide on a title yes what is it i don't know. Vintage on tycoon. A title for a sermon yeah so what is it. Instead. Many of you are familiar with me in my prominent and important role in the community as the husband of lori stevens. Lori is a christian. I grew up catholic ave in the faith of my mother's irish family. My father's family is methodist. Nikita. What's a muslim. My friend martin does ako colleague on the school board is a mormon. And i have. Friends who call themselves jews and wiccans and baha'i and buddhists and sikhs. Richard nixon was a quaker. Quakers pacifist says you know. We have a way of stating our religious labels that demonstrates the depth of that identity. My friend is hindu. I am unitarian. We don't just. Do. Our faith. We are. We subscribe. To the seven principles of the unitarian universalist association. But none of those principles tells us about god's existence. Or god's name. Or god's nature. Those questions are left to us. So. What if i can't tell you. What my faith is. What does it tell you if i have no label. Does it tell you that i lack and identity. Does it tell you that i haven't read or pray or thought or tried hard enough. It might. And so i think. Many of us. It was in the uu faith. Describe a secondary label to ourselves. Within our congregations we are jews but we are also christians. Naturally is unitarian universalist. Christian denominations. I know a few folks who are. Essentially reform jews who just reform themselves right out of the synagogue and into our own congregations and they call themselves unitarians. And some people some of us don't like. To be confined to a single label. Of christian or catholic or or pagan within our unitarian faith. I have a friend. From. For my church in leesburg his name is mel pine and. No grub jewish any stotesbery holds very tightly to those teachings but he also practices buddhism and that is his primary. I don't know if that makes. Mela judas. Or if he's following buddhism. But he has something he has something he can call it. That he can point me to tell me who he is. Even those of us who seek usually seek within a beginning framework. Who decides a hermit in a broadband connection can truly explore. The full breath. A human religion and philosophy. So in practice most of us were seekers we used an existing faith is a launching pad. And in reality because of this most of us can label ourselves in order to say. If not this is where i will be this is where i am right now. I think is important because. Only because we can but because there's an expectation that we will. Answer my question today is one of those of us who cannot. Give ourselves a label. In most places and times and human existence faith is a binary system you're either believer in the religion of your community or you are not. And most likely you are because. That religion is intermixed with your very culture and your language. Can you can you picture a vietnamese village 200 years ago. Everybody's buddhist. Which family in the southwest hut. You either are or you are not a member of your faith community in most places and times in the world. And so for most people to question their faith is not what to believe. And if you think about it it's the biggest choice. Of your life. According to some face it could need a difference between eternal paradise and eternal suffering. And those are high stakes. It was a french philosopher named blaise pascal. And. For all his life's work. He is best known. For something that was published in the footnotes. I fished posthumously published work. That's called pascal's wager. Essentially pascal's wager tells us that if you have a choice between being a believer and not being a believer. Go with being a believer. The payoff is bigger. And listen to his words. You must wager. It is not optional. You are embarked. Which will you choose then. Let us play the game of the loss and wagering that god is. What is estimate these two chances. If you gain. You gained all. If you lose. You lose nothing. Wager then that. Without hesitation. That he is. Within pascal's text we hear that cultural expectation of making a choice. You must wager. It is not optional. You are embarked. Which will you choose. As much as we are a community of seekers in a nation of individualist. We respect a person of conviction. We admire. Confidence. President george w bush's certainty was often cited as an important part of his leadership. And his ability to inspire confidence in his decisions by a broad range of people. Leadership and waffling. Are not compatible. Consider this scenario. You're locked in a vault with a ticking time bomb into guys. And just for the sake of the. Cuz scenario call one guy macgyver will call the other guy bond. With these two guys in this bomb. I am a guy versus. We got to cut the red wire. I'm certain of it. And you look at bond in mom says well. I think it's the green wire. But i could be wrong. Are you going to say. If they look to you to decide. Is be more intellectually honest about this and so we'll go with him know you're going to go with the guy self. But isn't this the question we're faced with. In choosing our faith. Aren't these two leaders we have to choose between do we have. We have religious leaders whose are so certain of themselves. And yet we belong to a church with says well. So who you going to go with. When you're considering your everlasting salvation. You going to go with the man who says i have the definitive answer. Are you going to go with the first new says. Could be there as could be.. And so it's no wonder that we as people have a need for certainty. In our spiritual teachings in our spiritual leaders. And it should be no wonder then that so many of our brothers and sisters take comfort in their own spiritual certainty. And i would. Mention mookie. As an example of. I don't hold it against them. Even though i can't bring myself to join them. In that certainty. I envy them. Their certainty. Imdb under certainty the way i envy people who've already. Figured out how to pay for their kids college education. It's one big thing that they figured out that i'm still worrying about. And so it's no great wonder that we as unitarian universalist as members of a faith that provides for such great latitude. In our. And values the seeker. We still look for our own labels within that. As christians or buddhists or. Fortunate areas. As we know the certainty of our righteousness comes with problems. The rejection of certainty in absolutism is part of the foundation of our church. And part of that reading from channing. Cypress. This morning. He said the worst errors after all. Having sprung up in that church which prescribes reason and demands from us its members. Implicit faith. Say what we may god has given us a rational nature. And will call us to account for it. He saying you must see. That is the only true choice that you have. Certainty is a false choice. And so are you faith causes to seek in defiance of our human need for certainty. I mean it's right there. Is our fourth principle. That we believe. Free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Ricky keech is the president of the unitarian universalist church of loudoun my congregation. And just last week he gave a sermon and he said we speak of walking together on our spiritual journeys all the time but i must say that in my ears attending this church i have never once. Anyone. Talk of arriving at their spiritual destination. I'm not even certain that any of us would know how to react to someone stood up and declare that their journey was over and they derived. And so my own faith community tells me to seek. And not to find. Why my human nature and our culture. Call me. To certainty. So i cannot know the truth on my own certainly i can trust. The wiser and more experienced among us. To point me the way. Unlike those i spoke of earlier. The people. Play only two choices to believe or not to believe my choices are infinite. I can look to the many versions of the teachings of jesus. I can study the wisdom of siddhartha or seek the guidance of the bodhisattva. In our own time i can learn from mahatma gandhi rather teresa tick not han and the dalai lama. Afronation i can read the words of henry david thoreau and john selby's shelby spong. Where the collected works of emerson. Lake and palmer. Truly there is an ocean of words and examples by people much smarter more perceptive and just plain better than me and understanding the nature of the divine and the meaning of our lives. If i hitch my wagon to them i can say. I know who i am. I know what i believe. I can have my label and with it myself assurance in my ability to answer the question. What do you believe which is in essence a question. Who are you. But then it occurs to me that the teachings of these people. Whose wisdom is so great. Can be at odds with each other. Do you think world-class philosopher ever read another guy's work and said alright forget what i said. No. Each one feels there's more to say. We're something different to be sad. Because these teachings conflict. To adopt an identity means i have to choose between them. How do i choose between them. If i choose one over another am i tacitly not stating. But i know more than the one who have not chosen. But i am wiser than that person. I neither weigh. Doesn't still come back to me. I still have to figure it all out on my own. My comfort. My faith. Comes from an ancient eastern philosophy. There's best son. by relatively modern western philosophy. Ralph waldo emerson. He wrote knowledge. Is the knowing. That we cannot know. Arbre contemporary unitarian universalist philosopher for his church expands on this writing. All the world's great scriptures make this point. No one can look god in the eye. The only religious truth claims we can discount completely. Are those that dismiss all other claims. For failing to conform to their own understanding of the creation. The only religious truth kant claims we can discount completely. Are those that dismiss all other. I meant sygrove catholic catholics have a. A handy way to marriott this. Uncertainty in our faith. With the need for identity they just say. It's a holy mystery. Now that's just their way of saying look we don't know either so let's all just. Cut each other some slack. And pass the collection plate. So how do we marry our fourth principle. For free and responsible search for truth and meaning. With our need for an identity. A brief answer. To what we believe. Who we are. The most free moment of my spiritual life. Came. Several years ago when i said to myself. I don't know what is true. And i'm okay with that. I'm had plenty of experience floating back and forth between different thoughts on what may or may not be true. The relief came with giving myself permission to be okay with uncertainty. Maybe it was that i had realized that some religions have is an aspect of their faith. That there's. Is the best route to truth but not the only one. Or maybe it was just because i thought. I'm young and i got plenty of time to figure it out. But in the end no matter how many times i have wrestled with these questions. Kind of questions that, after passing our friend like mickey. I come to the same conclusion. I don't know. I don't know not because of weakness in myself and not because of a weakness. In the philosophy. For the faith which others would have me subscribe. I don't know. I don't know not because of lack of knowledge or because i haven't read enough books or i haven't consulted enough wise women and men. I don't know. Due to a lack of conviction. But because of the strength. Of my conviction. I know that i don't know. And therefore i know that you don't know. Therefore my conviction is that it is okay not to know. It is okay. Not to have a label. Then again i could be wrong. I don't know. And that's okay.

uusterling_org

Into_the_Darkness.mp3

Every year sometime around the middle of october the saints giving dreaming begin. I grew up in the same house that my parents still live in and celebrate the holiday there. Say that my childhood home and thanksgiving festivities are familiar. Would be a vast understatement. Thanksgiving with my parents my aunts and my uncle and now their children and all my father's student. That live far away from their home to travel there for the short holiday. Almost every last detail is krypton. From the bickering over the quantity of food. Stop rap for moments that settle in the kitchen when we all of the cook. Are too exhausted. Do anything but bri. Mid-october my mind grab hold of this ritual and its eventual coming. And i'll turn to my husband scott and say i can't wait for thanksgiving. Rebuke me. No. halloween to get through deer. Then later on that day. What do you want to do when we get there. We'll plan a trip to our favorite pizza place in the farmers market. Where will get that first taste of a genuine new england stayman apple. My favorite. And as we go on like this dreaming up. Pictures of our expectations. This dream will watch over our hearts with an illimitable warm. Calling to us. Reminding us of the gloria,. And then the actual holiday arrived. I was conversing with my aunt late on thursday evening in the nearly quiet house. Many of the guests that departed and those were staying with us had gone to sleep. I knew. Every year i let the expectation of the holiday grow with abandon and then i get here. And all the bits and pieces of the ritual fall into place as they have every year. And nothing really spectacular. Nothing miraculous. This is come and they should the moment of frustration and the moments of joy. What band of all the dreaming. I've done it every year since i can remember am i just pulling myself. Am i using my expectation to conjure the perfect holiday that we will never live. Because life itself will always fall short. Am i dreaming just to fill that gap. Or does the dreaming have a purpose. Mandy beyond my understanding. I like to tell the story of thanksgiving to myself every year. My myth of thanksgiving. Many tell the story of advent. Dollars peering into the history of christianity see the season of advent as a pragmatic invention of a pretty people. Christianity grew up in a pagan world the pagan people celebrated the solstice in all kinds of. Fancy ways that weren't necessarily accepted by the christian population. The longest night of the year is the solstice and it is a chance to call the sun back to the earth. For the pagan people. Their ancient culture believed that the sons returned was not necessarily certain that the earth might laid dark and cold for many seasons is. They did not in their rituals and celebrations call the warmth back to the fallowfield. Remind those fields that they could be fertile again you can imagine how some of these rituals played out. As soon as the dark knight's lengthened in late fall the pagan world began their ritual practices that would lead up to the solstice to the promise of light and a ventilator spring. And the scholars tell us that leaders of the christian fold. Even how many of their christian believers would. Celebrate the birth of jesus on christmas but would spend the month prior in preparation for the solstice. Lighting candles in the darkness and dreaming the renewal of fertility. Enter the season of advent. Event was a way for the christian community to bring the focus. Christmas again. While incorporating some of the pagan symbols. The greenery of the advent wreath. The candles to light the darkness. The new story was a story of a tile to just like the spring would bring new life to the earth. By holy living. Through acts of compassion augusta of love. As the story goes. Some peppers and some magic i awaken in the night to follow a star that has risen in the east. Star draws them out. And they journey far from the lands where they make their living. Far from their daily tasks. Follow with cool hearts. I promise that called from the dark of night. They needed that star. Just as the pagans needed the return of the spring. 1 minutes. May have been used to the status of the other but a common truth. We need help. Darkness settles all around. We need the expectation. Of renewal. When the night is long. List of the adventhealth of a child born and a time not unlike our own a child that was born into a land work with war and struggle a child born to a people bruise with oppression. This was the time before the life of the historical jesus we're in the land of israel in judea. Poor lived in a vastly different way than the ritz. Powerful built their dominion on the backs of the week. And in their yearning for home. Jewish people turned their religious packs with to-be-read predict a messiah. And then. Lowe's. A star rose in the east. Unlike any star. Before. The heaven. They knew the movements of the celestial sphere like it was the back of their hands. They want the stars and the planets to determine when to plant and when to read. They did not have that we have on our wrists they turn their eyes. Heavenward when they needed directions. They had seen many stars rise in the east. Yep dismiss. I meant built to glorify the coming of a new messiah tailed not of a fiery ball of fury or an eclipse. Or another left common celestial occurrence. But simply of another star. That rose in the ear. Bright no down. But what star visible. Do our eyes is not bright. Gloria. What call them out might not have been simply the stars glory at all but the glory that they imbued it with when they allowed the glorious expectation. Promise of hope grow in their heart. Hallelujah they said we are so ready. Shepherds in the magi of the myth. Are built of the same stuff. All humans can imagine brotherly love. We can imagine a world built of compassion and a piece we can even sense what it might feel like if suddenly this. sand earth became a realm of holy living. This is not a world. That any of us have seen. Maybe in moment yeah. But as a rule. No. Yes all of us can conjure it here. In our heart. Some might call the discrepancy between what our hearts can imagine and what we commonly live. As the curse. I call it a blessing because i know the power of hope. What we yearn for maybe a long journey off nestled somewhere in an unexpected place. Possibly out there in the direction of that. Star. Yeti stuff we take. Cord that hope. About question. 1. Out of the darkness. Closer. It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. The old saying of the buddha. Lighting candles taking one step towards hope this is necessary work in this time of greater darkness. Now when the days are far shorter. Then the night when we wake in darkness and meet darkness. In the afternoon. Are heart easily be snared by gloom. We have been at war for so many long years. We ever escape the cycle. Has there ever been a year live. Uncut. By the horrors of war. And what of conflict. Even when are nathan died from sending their battalions into the battle or our family safe from the many struggles that we encounter. Trouble and strife know so many arenas anger and frustration though many form is. Is it even possible in our own hearts. Do we know the means quiet our secret disappointment. Self-hatred yearning after home infusion. Are even our very heart imprisoned by the darkness of conference. These long night draw us down and in. Chicago. The angels of our better nature. R&r wings of hope strong enough to rise from the many ignominy is of these dark days. Is better to light a candle. The darkness. It is better to see that star rising in the east and know that it rises with a power far greater than any we will ever understand in entirety. Not because of its nature alone but because. Ignore is called. Cuz we as humans are built. Scripture of the ancient hebrews foretold a messiah. Even every holy book. Announces a possibility that no flash has ever known. Are many great works of literature condor heroes and heroines not for idol worship. But so we can learn from their glory. Even the founding documents of this very nathan establish ideal that. We are at odds to achieve in kona. We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men. Are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator their creator. Certain unalienable rights that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. One of the so many stars. That guide our way as we travel the long distances. One of the many stars that rises like hope rises out of the very darkness. Call us stumbling for. With delirious expectation. This is where i see the miracle. That we are all born to hold in our heart. The promise that just dust and clay. Not need to live. Darkness of the season can weigh on us but our work is to keep our eyes turned heavenward. Enter remember there is more for the night. I remember one evening a few years back and i was serving my internship congregation in sunnyvale california. Finally driving home after a board meeting that had gone on very long. The conversation had been difficult. Stoddard wisconsin. I felt drained as a list of things that i wish i had said or done. Then out of the black. Guys so dark that it seemed to go from the pavement. Heaven. Out of that black. A golden light. And burned for what seemed to be an astounding threats of time. I want with a gaping jaws. It was a shooting star. Still the night and far more than the sky. My mouth moved to a grin as i washed as i was washed in,. Once again. I can't really tell you what that star meant. It filled me with an understanding that i can't easily put into words. Unless to say i was drunk. What lights have entered into your. Darkness. What cause your heart. What star can you follow in this time of longer night. Shorter day. We will enter into an extended period of silence. Call the silence for 3 minutes. I welcome you to let your mind and your heart. The quiet place. For the light. Call you. Hope. Out of darkness. Expectation. Together.

uusterling_org

Do_You_Feel_Me.mp3?_=1

A poem called are we friends poem inspired by saint francis. The wolf spider on the kitchen floor. Await my verdict. Are we friends. Or foes. Brother spider. I am weary of passing judgment. Are we not each a flower on the same tree of life. Are we not each blessed by the sun and the rain. Are we not each bound to wither. And die. To fall and turn to ash. Brother spider. Let there be peace between us. May we each love life in our own way. And when our doom falls. May our ashes. Mingle. So i would say we are fully now engrossed in the build-up to the election season. Right. Fully engrossed. You know in britain the election season is only one month long. And they spend a whole lot less money on the whole thing than we do. I'm ready for some fish and chips how about you. This election season is nearly as long as our christmas season which is long enough to knock anyone unconscious by the time christmas gets here. We like long seasons in this country for some reason. And because we spend so much time with the election season we start to memorize all the speeches. All the rhetoric. We know exactly what's coming next. I paid close attention to the words that our politicians use because i'm trying to understand. What they're trying to get out of us. Because they're not just using words cuz they're fun words to say. They're choosing words because they want a certain result. I'm one of the words that politicians so often use that i hear all the time is the word look. Look. Have you heard folks share this and conversations politicians. In debates. Pandan speaking for particular points. Don't say look. The ocean is purple. We need to turn it blue look. Can't you see. Look. It's a way to rhetorically. Focus the conversation. And to pull someone into seeing the world as they see it look can't you see it i see it see it the way i do. The expectation that we should see what they say. Look. Truth in their eyes. Should be in yours. How would our world be different. If instead of look. They said. Do you feel me. Do you feel me. Emotional rather than. Look. Trouble is when politicians use emotion. They most likely use a politics of fear. I'm a walk us through this so apologizing takes an issue that causes anxiety among some voters. The ocean is purple. And turn that into a high anxiety issue for most voters look can't you see the ocean is purple. And then they offer up a guaranteed hope and that's an expectation that the threat will be removed if you elect me i will turn that ocean back to blue. Look. We need to fix this i will turn that ocean back to blue and they gained new emotional capital from voters by then engender and confidence. And their ability to do exactly that. They become the confidence man or woman. Have you been seeing this. Yes. No maybe. Have you been feeling this. Are your anxiety sufficiently provoked. A raising of anxieties around elections. Do you feel me. So knowing this tactic. This rhetoric. That's half the battle. I think a little plastic army man said that once a long long time ago. Every episode of the gi joe cartoon. Ended with a public service announcement. From one of to g.i. joes. Anybody remember this. You can say it out loud you remember this. Remember the gi joes. Thank you because then it proves i'm not just dreaming this memory. The joes would always so some sort of a situation. Where a choice a decision and action needed to be made look. Something's wrong. And then the joe is gave advice. And honestly everything you ever needed to know in life could have been learned from these two little plastic army men. Here's some of the best stuff. Never try to pet an animal that you don't know. He or she might be lost sick or scared if we don't know we leave them alone. Join me here. Knowing is half the battle. Don't be in a hurry to build your tree house. Remember. Anything worth doing is worth planning. Knowing is half the battle. And finally. If you catch fire. Wrap yourself in a rug or blanket and roll on the ground to smother the flames. Knowing is half the battle. Did they do this i think they did this to they tell you i saw some arms going up there. If i could find those little plastic men and thank them for all of their excellent advice i would. But i also challenged them. They left out one key ingredient. Feeling. To oversimplify but to make the point i'd say knowing is 1/3 of the battle. Doing is the other third of the battle and the final third of the battle is feeling. Feeling. Never thought i'd raise a theological argument with a 3-inch tall man in a plastic jumpsuit. But. Such is life. And honestly it's the same argument that i'd raised with the politicians vying for our votes. Sounds like a lesson in there. But i digress. And i'd continue the argument with a saint francis like turn saint francis of assisi is the saint honor this weekend by the catholic church. He pens a well-worn and beautiful words from intern john's prayer. And it is to saint francis that we owe thanks for the ritual of the. Animal blessing which we will have in our service a little bit later on. And i turned to saint francis to build my argument because he fully understood and appreciated. Emotional intelligence. He said. Wow you are proclaiming peace with your lips. I will turn the purple ocean blue. Be careful. To have it even more fully in your heart. To say the obvious in our election sodden time. Words don't necessarily convey the character of the speaker. Words can be use to convince to obscure truth and in the rhetoric of fear words are used to manipulate. Saint francis is remembered as a lover of animals. Not political animals but i'm sure he would have loved them to. He's known for loving the furry the scaled the feathered ones. Saint francis would have appreciated john's poem he would have found a way to befriend that spider. He preached to the geese. And he apologized to the borough's. He trusted that they were worthy of his love. Worthy of god's love. This emotional connection that is obvious i believe so obvious to children. Is far less prevalent in adult. Still most of any age can connect with saint francis's vision through our relationship to our own pets. Of course they are worthy of love look how cute they are. So honey dog. Could feel me. Honey dog could feel just about anyone in the three-acre area around her house. Funny dog had a very acute sense of smell i believe. Whenever anyone was suffering whenever anyone was scared or hurt. Whether they were hurt physically or hurt emotionally honey dog would leave her own house. Our neighbor's house. And walk to the house of the person who was hurting. And she would scratch on the door. And wine until you let her in so that she could come in and find the person hurting and sit by their side. So honey dog had an amazing sense of smell and animals sometimes can pick up the scent of suffering. They have that capacity. Biologically. But the other thing is that honey. didn't just have this capacity she used it. She had an astounding emotional intelligence. Where she could smell sadness and hurt she would find it and care for the person hurting. How did this happen. One of the things i knew about honey dog. Is that she was terribly abused when she was a young pup. Whenever you would put a hat on anywhere near her or raise up a stick if you're playing in the yard or broom if you are sweeping. Honey dogwood run as quickly as possible and get underneath. Piece of furniture that was closest. It was obvious that she's been beating when she was a young pup. And i believe she held onto that memory. And she used that emotional experience of pain that she understood. To care for others. A pretty beautiful. And gracious gift. From an animal friends. One that i know many of us. Emulate. In our own lives. Do you feel me. Have you felt the love of an animal before. This emotionally intelligent love. To use a gi joe ratio. Half of emotional intelligence. Is feeling your own emotions. And trusting that they're they're not to punish you. But they have a less. The teach. And the other half of emotional intelligence. Is feeling the emotions of others as honey dog did and using that sensation. To care for others. To serve them in their heart. This is emotional intelligence. Have you ever walked into a room and felt immediately that there was something wrong there. Everyone is going on about their business but there's this energy. Do you feel me. Or maybe you meet up with a friend and sent that there's this wall between you. Do you feel me. Or can you tell. 10 minutes before it happens that a child is going to have a temper tantrum. Are can you tell when a family member is hurting even though they're wearing the sprite. Smile on their face. Emotions have a language and an intelligence of their own. We literally. Feel. One another. From a distance. Politicians can use this tool to provoke our anxiety. And they will. And they can use that anxiety to provoke our vote. But they and we can also use emotional intelligence for far more meaningful ends. Fencing another's pain. Recognizing the anger in a room. Or in our society. And either exiting if we need to find a safe space. Or if you feel safe raising the question. What's going on here. I understand there's anger where is that anger coming from let me hear you. Let me understand. Or emotional intelligence can be used to experience. Shared sorrow. Knowing after a tragedy like the shooting in oregon. We are all aching that's an intelligence that we feel. We're all confused and we are all beaten down by the prevalence of viola. All of us. But there's a hope because simply because we are in this. Emotional intelligence. Tells us. We feel it. Do you feel me. How can you use this emotional until. Knowing is half the battle. Knowing it's there and that it's trustworthy as trustworthy as any other kind of intelligence. The other half is using it. To serve yourself. And disturb others. Look. Do you feel me. Amin.

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Salvation.mp3

There is a dispiriting. And yes heartbreaking sameness. About how we respond to mining disaster. Ej dionne shared that. In the thursday edition of the washington post and i can feel his point. When i heard the news that 25 were dead and others missing. I did not cry. Or shutter. I did not. Rage. With indignation. I signed. I signed. Defeated. And resigned. In the reading that andy shared. Speaks to the core of this resignation. Denise giordano rights. We know as we knew them. That we are a national. Sacrifice. Area. A national sacrifice. Area. Sacrificed for others gain. Sacrifice to the highest bidders. Sacrificed by systems of oppression that feel out of everyone. Control. In ancient time sacrifices were done to appease the gods. A family would throw their fatted calf on the fire to reconcile themselves to the one who stood between them and how. Prosperity. Salvation. Their salvation. With sacrifice. The world we inhabit now is not so far removed from these. Primitive origins. It is just a heck of a lot bigger. Families are not sacrificing cavs. Nations are sacrificing whole segments of their populations. As most of those miners who do not die and heinous accident suffer the debilitating disease. Called black lung. Maybe i sigh when i hear the news because the damage seems so far removed from my world. I've never been in a mine i do not own stock in a coal company. But i do purchase. Electricity. I gained from the sacrifice. Maybe i saw it because i know those miners need jobs because they have hungry mouths to feed and the system just seems so. Stickley impenetrable. Maybe i saw it because i feel i have seen it all before too many times. One of those times was hurricane katrina. And considering the catastrophe sociologist chi erikson concluded. In a world which the most vulnerable people end up taking the brunt of disasters resulting both. From natural processes and human activities. I don't doubt that this is so. But i believe we have the power to bend our world towards justice. If. A little. That. The band our understanding of what it means to be saved. As it cannot continue to mean sacrifice. Sacrificing one calf. Sacrificing one person. Or one. Whole. Vulnerable. Population. Because the one place where i feel that salvation. Is present the least. Is in that psy. That resignation. That sense that we are powerless to heal our broken. The prophet amos knew this. When he spoke these words of fire. Many centuries ago. Words he found. As a vision from god. I hate i despise your festivals and i take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings i will not accept them. And the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals i will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs i will not listen to the melody of your heart. But. Black. Justice roll down like water. And peace. Like a never. Flowing. The god. The force of life and love that i imagine. Would ask. Asthma. We win comfort on the backs of the miners. Our homes are warm and are well-lit. But we don't seek. More than comfort but don't we seek more than comfort in this life. Isn't salvation. More of our calling. This is a tough word for unitarian universalists you might find it more often in a revival tent. Then a unitarian universalist worship service. But i'm not talking about a promise of bliss after death and angelic answer to a life well-lived. I am talking about an experience that may come in a moment of all or in moments of holy living collected over a lifetime. on deed and thought on thought until day calling on today shall make a life worth living. Thank you w e b dubois. Many people obsess about where they will go when they die in christian theology seems to be all about getting saved from sin and hell but this is a distortion. Of the bible stories. The ideas of salvation in the bible are rich. And diverse. And include. Deliverance from bondage. Deliberation. Connection to one's community. Houmas and reconciliation with loved ones both human and divine. At its most basic. Salvation seems to be more like. Healing. And anything else. More about righteousness rolling down like an ever-flowing. Stream. To dive deeper into the meaning of salvation let's take a look at that quote that you have on the cover of your orders of service. By the theologian reinhold niebuhr. And i welcome you to read that. First line with me. Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime. Therefore we are saved by hope. So i was. Walking. The other day actually i was running. I was running past a schoolyard. Now i know. In my experience of life. Thus far that there is still. Racism in this world that there is still racial prejudice. That there are babies being born right this minute right this hour who will suffer the pain. Of racial prejudice. But when i was running past that schoolyard. I saw two children holding hands. One child with light pigment. And one child with dark. And they were laughing and they were jumping. And they were entwined. In this life. Let's read that first line again. Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime. Therefore we are saved by hope. I hope. Let's try the next line. Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history. Therefore we are saved by faith. So. I look around me today and i see many young people. Clicking on. I'm looking down on electronics and deeply involved in all of this networking and some web that i don't understand. That i don't see the beauty in. But i speak to these young people and i hear rise and them a passion of life and a spirit that i know. So keenly as one i have felt and i know. And so. I am certain. But they will. Take this way of being that i don't understand that i don't get fine beautiful and make something good and holy out of it. That is my faith. Let's try that line again. Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense. And any immediate context of history. Therefore we are saved by faith. And the next line. Nothing we do however virtuous can be accomplished alone. Therefore we are saved by love. What are some of the things that we need in this world to bring about more wholeness what are some of the things. Thinking about environmental issues. Other things what do we need. What do we need in this world. Patience. Healing. Family. Love. Understanding. Partnership. Community. Compassion. Kindness. Empathy. Justice. I don't believe that i can accomplish any of those things alone. But. If i am united. If i am joined with others i welcome you to reach out. And reach out and find the hand next to you. If. We are united in this works of these. Can come to the world can be manifest through. Love only if we net ourselves together can any of this be possible. Let's try that line again. Nothing we do however virtuous can be accomplished alone therefore we are saved by love. Amend. And the last one. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own. Therefore we are saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness. I've made plenty of mistakes. There are times when i thought i was speaking love and my heart but i've said something that hurt someone to the core. There are times when i have. Aired in ways that i didn't understand but that changed someone's life. There are things i've done that i wish i could just take away. But i can't. Will you forgive me. Will you forgive me. Will you forgive. Yourself. Will you forgive. All of us. Let's try that last line. No virtuous act. Is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own. Therefore we are saved by the final form of love. Which is forgiveness. A loving god would not dan anyone. To eternal. Torment. This comes from our universalist heritage. Salvation happens here and now love and forgiveness. It happened as we dare walk the road to houmas together as we dare open the holy levees and water of righteousness free so it can roll down like an ever-flowing stream. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings i will not accept them. We do not win salvation by sacrificing others. We win salvation when we rise up and defend our hearts and minds from the depravity of resignation. Thus i in the face of the mining disaster. The sense that we are powerless to defend against an equity. Powerless to rescue the drowning from the systems of oppression. That rise up all around them. We win salvation when we recognize the forces that connect us. All the one another. We win salvation when we allow ourselves to feel compassion and empathy when anyone suffers when a life is ended by an accident or by war or by any calamity caused by humans or the forces of the universe. Wendy's make our souls shutter. We win salvation. And we win salvation when we recognize and activate our agency to bring. Salvation to fruition now. In our own life. For ourselves and for all the souls that we are bound up with in this existence. Salvation is not the opposite of hell. Salvation is the opposite of resignation. It is the force of life that rises up in our hearts with hope faith love and forgiveness. Showing us there is a way to move from here. To a holier way of being. You do not have to save everything and everyone. We are in this. Together. Feel the weight. Of iniquity. And choose to save. What you can. We are not powerless. We have power. Beyond our wildest. Imagining. I'm in. And may it be so.

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Gather_at_the_River.mp3

A bit of a homily. And i've got a very special role for the children out there. This is an important one. You're going to help me tell the story. And there is a certain number of words that i'm going to ask you to say a bunch of different times as we go. And the words have hand symbols. So you'll know it's time. This is what i'm going to ask you to say. Home. Try that one more time.. Listen. The rivers are calling. Let's try that one more time. And it's. Strangely normally it's best if everybody does it but i really just want the youngest among us. All of those out there who say. I'm pretty small compared to the rest of these folks. Let's try that one more time. The river. Are calling. Hall. Listen. The river. Calling. Alright. Will do that a bunch more times as we go. This is the legends of the water keepers. It goes back thousands of years. Eons maybe. It starts in a strange way but since it has to start. If it's going to be a legend at all. Strange is much better then stalling. Out in the distance in a drive parched land. There is a lone wanderer. On his shoulder. Rest the heavy picture of water. He's hunched over from the weight and the heat. And then there is that hernia and of course the stubbed toe but. Most profoundly. That general sense of loneliness. That settles in. After years and years. Of wandering. If we approached him and asked him about his picture of water. He would say. I'm keeping the water for the sky. For the sky we might ask. For the sky. Or from the sky. For the sky he would say. And then he would wander off. And this is what he would always do. To everyone that he met. Until that fateful day when he came upon the little one. Who also happened to be carrying an itsy bitsy teenie picture of water so small that our wanderer did not even notice it. When he explained to the little one. I'm keeping the water. For the sky. And had begun to wander off again. The little one said. The rivers are calling. And he was so stunned by the. That he did hall. He did listen and he did. Here. Something. Something far off. But unmistakable. Far far in the distance that trill trickle of water filled their ears but where. There were no rivers around. But the sound was so persistent that he couldn't stop listening. So he. I'm a little one. Walked off. Fairly soon. Remarkably soon for a legend who central character is a lone wanderer. He looked into the distance. And saw another person. Then another. Send 20 or more. Each of them hunched over by the weight of their pictures. Some small saint paul. Some older some younger. All coming from different. Directions. When they are gathered. They began their introduction. I keep the water for the sky. I keep the water from mother earth. I for humanity. I-4 existential reality. I-4 science. I for the stars in the firmament. Iforgod. I-4 the dream of peace. I-4 buddha. I-4 shiva. I for the beatles. Yeah. The beatles. I-4 unity. I-4 the inexpressible. I-4 justice. I-4 reason. And on and on they went just like that till the last of the waterkeepers spoke. And when they were done they looked around. Turned. And began to do what they had always done wander off. Again. So the littlest. Among them. Spoke. Call. Listen. The rivers are calling. And so they did. And so. They were. And it was much louder now but we're there were no rivers nearby none that they could see. They listened. They kept listening. Tell the waterkeeper the one that kept water for the beatles. Spoke. Friends. I hear a beach. And anna. To goodness. Danceable beat. Any started tapping his feet tapping just like this. He can join me now. Let's get this week going. Needn't keep going i'll talk over you. As the keepers started popping they started dancing they couldn't help themselves they were overwhelmed by all these people all these keepers they were swinging shuffling twisting and jamming scrubbing partners moving and grooving and in their exuberance. They missed that drips and drops of their water we're spilling then rivulet then tiny streams their pictures were tipping and pouring draining out onto the land and when they finally stopped. Looked into their half-empty pictures and saw how much they had dropped. They were afraid. Why did they done. The water keepers who had wandered and wandered and wandered keeping their water had let it spill out. They were silent. Still. And then. The littlest among them spoke. And they listened. And they saw. Winding around their feet dancing out into the land a wide wide river had formed. Blue ringlets of water lap softbank's out towards the horizon. As far as they could see. Wrapped in the joy of the moment some tips their pictures again. And they found that their water was in exhaustible. It poured and poured mingling with the river flowing out for as far as they could see. Forever. And the littlest. Among them. Spoke. And they listened. Then one after the other they put down their pictures. They were no longer the water keepers. May i become the river. Gatherers. Coming together they each brought gifts unimaginable inexhaustible. Fairhope. Their dreams their beliefs their ideas their weaknesses their strength. When they had been overtaken by the joy of one another they had dance. Bad let-go. Their gift. Mingled. Baby came. A river. A river that could cool parts lands that could refresh a tired wanderer. That could sustain a garden. That could bring. Hope. A river that would call to others again and again who were wondering. Who were searching. To step into the river to mingle their hopes. Their beliefs. To set down there heavy pictures. Together. At the river. And the littlest among them. Yes.

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?download=%2F2020%2F03%2FJust_Because_We_Can_Should_We.mp3

During wwii. United states been a top-secret project going to los alamos desert all the manhattan project. Intelligence reports that germany was on the brink of harnessing the clear energy to create buttons. And so the race was on. J robert oppenheimer and a host of the best minds of the twentieth century. Directions to solve an intriguing puzzle. How do you split an atom. This puzzle was at the heart of the project. The memoirs are the physicist richard feynman. Camaraderie. Who are thrown together to decipher. My father of working physicist your wwii received letters which i found in a steamer trunk. After he died. Telling of the project they were working on which he. Have you been an american citizen. Like also work on this project. Run trinity which was the name they called the bomb was tested in the desert hold the story that when he saw the results of his work. What went through his mind for the foot. From the bhagavad gita. And he said i am deaf. The destroyer of worlds. Standing beside remember is that all he really said one. Only two atomic bombs that have ever been used.

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mercy.mp3

Some mercy was a game that we would play. As children. Do you want play mercy a friend would ask. Sure your hand. We would twine our fingers and say. Friend backwards. Or feeling the force of theirs wrench hours. We would conceal you continue until one of us. You cried. Mercy. Mercy was the game that we played to learn what it meant. To have power. And to be powerless. Fully dependent on the windmill or the compassion of our partner. There was only one winner. And one loser. Children play games to pass the time but also. To imbibe the seeds of adult memes. We played marcy with our friends while our parents. Our teachers are mentors our leaders. Or withheld mercy in their own ways. To know what. Felt like. It hurts. And it felt strange. It's hot as something about power and something about mercy. Have you ever heard the phrase. That absolute power corrupts. Absolutely. Mercy. Not you. Is the counter example. To that point. Mercy is often confused with forgiveness. But the difference is. The in forgiveness the one who forgives is the only one who can. I'm reminded of the amish community that attended the funeral of the man who shot their children. They bent down on their knees and they prayed for him and his family. Something to forgive. So mercy took that form but mercy is much bigger. We don't always have to give mercy to the one who harmed us. It can be given without recourse. Like the orange. To the emigrant on the ship. I hear that poem and i wonder if my great-grandmother's had any experience kin to that. I wonder if they were held by strangers given love in the form of food or knowledge or help. Or if their first. Taste of this new nation. Was only bitter with struggle and fear. I like to think of my own great-grandmother's because then the question of mercy. For immigrants. Becomes personal. And i believe that it must. Just like the children. Learn. What mercy feels like. Both to give it and to need it. Need to embody the struggle to understand our place. There's a statue in birmingham alabama. In the center of town maybe some of you have been there. You can walk through the statue. It takes up a whole block. You encounter the stone figures of protesters. Of leaders and children and regular everyday people carrying signs. And standing up for their rights. Scenes from the civil rights struggle. Scenes from how it went down in alabama. You walk a bit. Farther in and you see a figure when saying and fear. Bending backwards. A dog on a long chain teeth bared. Chomping at the air and lunging forward. You walk between the figure and the dog and you feel the horror. Of that moment. The horror that so many. Regular. Everyday people endured. Because they had to. To win their rights to receive from this nation. Assemblance. Of mercy. I believe it was scenes like. This one and so many others depicted on our television screens. That turned our nation to begin to account. Finally for its wrongdoing. Most of us cannot watch brutality. Like that without feeling our own hands bending backwards. Most of us come at last to stand in body or spirit with the protesters begging if for nothing else. Then for mercy. Remember when you first saw that tape of rodney king being beaten in a dark street. On the ground. Remember when we were invited into the home of. Elian gonzalez. And we watched a child strip from the arms of his family. By strange man in black suits with weapons. These are horrible memories. But they do something to us that i believe is necessary. They remind us of our humanity. And that while absolute power corrupts. Absolutely it doesn't have. Not always. Not if we can do something about it. Immigration is such a tricky subject. It's tricky because it's. Politicized. And i am a firm believer that politics and religion are like oil and water. One greasy and fattening and makes excellent french fries. Actually. What i mean is that we shouldn't try and mix the two because they just aren't meant to blend. But they speak to one another. Indeed they must. A group of ministers from northern virginia we were called together by our colleague in prince william county. Who preached here just a month earlier reverend nancy mcdonald ladd. Reverend nancy witness does her local community was rent by a strict immigration policy. Local police were mandated to search for and arrest illegal immigrants. Many latino families. Businesses closed. Churches closed. Poems when empty. A once busy downtown was silent anyone with brown skin was suspect. Fear filled the spaces where a community once thrived. Reverend nancy i and our colleagues decided that we needed to define a religious response. To the immigration question. The political response is not sufficient. When communities are split by a single ballot initiative. When families are broken by a new law politics is just not enough. Politicians. Deal in mercy. Humans. Humans can. I should say. But it can take us a very long time to understand. To recognize what's happening. Especially when we are the ones with our hands on top. Winning the game. So benjamin franklin who i admire and many ways. Shows us. The same capacity. In a piece called an observation concerning the increase of mankind he wrote this of some of the first immigrants. Why should pennsylvania. Founded by the english. Become a colony of aliens. I will shortly be so numerous. As the german ice us. Instead of our. Inglis eyeing them. And will never adopt. Our language for customs. Any more than they can acquire our complexion. His use of the word complexion. Smacks of fear and prejudice. His words are generally well-reasoned but where do they come from. What are the values that compel his argument. Franklin felt the english for superior to the germans also that the english had claimed america for themselves and were thus deserving. There's a very primitive part of his brain that was jumping up and down and saying but i don't like wienerschnitzel or pretzels. I like music and chips. I don't like big blond like tubby ones wear white wigs. And the same part of his brain is saying there isn't enough room. There isn't enough food or freedom for both of us. Pennsylvania is not big enough life liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not big enough. There simply isn't enough for you and for me. Franklin and so many after him and miss our great nation and in so many other great nations all over the world have said. There just isn't enough. And this is a claim. That demands our religious response. But which one. In the hebrew bible we meet cain and abel and god. Only has one. The sons of the first humans are born into a struggle. Pain works in the fields abel tends the flock. Austin his descendants will flourish the other will have to make his own way without the sacred kindness. Breaks his back. In the unmerciful field. Why did god only have one blessing. What sort of god would deny one of his children. While lavishing kindness on the other. No god. Would do that. Only kill only humans would. And do. I'm often convinced that genesis is a story more about humanity. Then god. A story about how cruel or kind we can be. It's a story about how we learned what it means to be human. And how we struggle. To be the humans that our consciences. Call us to be. When the debate over immigration both legal and illegal rises in our midst we here. Benjamin franklin's fear spelled out again. There won't be enough jobs their money there won't be enough space they will change us they will take country. They won't become americans. They won't acquire our complexion. There won't be enough. This is religiously called. Scarcity. And it's one way of looking at our world that is as old as the hebrew bible. The story of cain and abel. And much much older still. Opposite scarcity is abundance. And i'm going to tell you this story is keith ellison a politician who spoke at the. Unitarian universalist general assembly in minneapolis last june told it. Jesus and his disciples were gathered with a crowd of a thousand they had been there all day. It was time for a meal. We should send them away. It's time to wrap it up brother. Well that jesus. But just started handing out food. And as the scripture goes there was enough. There was enough. I wasn't there. I don't know what happened. Maybe the people notice there wasn't enough. Or maybe the disciples perception of scarcity was misinformed and there was more than they understood maybe there was abundant maybe there was enough. Allison went on to tell that crowd at general assembly that there was indeed enough enough for everyone enough for the asians for the latinos for the muslims for the christians for the jews for the buddhist for the blacks for the whites for the immigrants the straight and the gay. And that crowd. Rose up in spirit with him. Yes they said. This group of unitarian universalist. And hallelujah. Are usually much more quiet. There is enough for me there is enough for you. And they started to meet him on the height that his spirit had found it felt so good. To be there. Spirit of abundance. Fill that space. And we were home. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and i will dwell in the house of abundance. Forever. We are overcome so often with scarcity we are in the middle of a recession we did not think our lives would be like this. It is so. Frightening. Our bosses want more and more work out of us. Will we be able to continue. Where did our country go. Where's our strength. Are we no longer a world power where will the next. Planes land. And what will they destroy. We feel that our hands are being bent back. Continue to struggle and fight for solid ground we will have to scream mercy. And as long as far as to playing that game. That is all we will be able to do. And there will not be enough. Because in this game. There's only one winner. Or we can let go. We can step back and look around. Lay our hands on those loaves and those fishes and start passing mercy. One piece. At a time. 14u. And one for you. And one for me. And more will be returned. More than we could ever. Imagine. We have a new congregation moving into br subtenant. That we barely had time to fear. We found them so quickly because our space would be open. They offered to do this. Their choice to leave was well within the parameters of their lease. But we had built a relationship with them and they with us. A program devised by susan miller allowed us in the stretch of a year to support one another. They taught us spanish. And we taught them english. Thought they had more time to give. Came here sunday after sunday. To learn. Entity. When are new tenants entered our space. Baby. It was such a joy to watch. Another spanish-speaking congregation of recent immigrants. Are so excited to worship here. The space is so much larger than the one that they were in before. And we are so grateful for them. We would not be able to have this space without our subtenon. Their presence makes what we do. Possible. Their abundant presence in our community. Makes what we do possible. In so many ways. Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil. For thou. Art with me. Yeah those scarcity grips my heart and fear demands my attention i will not be. Buy that game. I choose another. And that choice. Makes all the difference. And mercy. She'll follow me. All the days of my life. Almond. May it be so.

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?download=%2F2018%2F10%2FSanctuary_for_All.mp3

Sanctuary. We heard it said so beautifully bare children. It's one of those words that is so beautiful to say and. Shear. Kiss me face in the auditory. Beauty and complexity of our language. Complex. How so. The word sanctuary comes from a latin word meaning holy. A place like this. Satisfied for holy worship. In modern times that also came to me in a place of refuge or protection. As in a place that refugees are others at risk of criminal prosecution would be safe. Get also woven into the mix is the german word. For wholeness. So the complexity and nuance of the word sanctuary is that it is both a. Public reality. A space for common activities. And a personal route. Wholeness. Or integration.

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Spinoza.mp3

This is billed as a sermon. It's not that at all. My best friend bonnie who doubles as my wife. 1b over breakfast one morning that i would be treading on shaky ground. I am talking about spinoza's philosophy here. She told me that many of you folks are very highly educated. Nfm. Some of you may know more about spinoza than i do. She knows i'm a self-taught spinoza freak. Home-schooled as it were. So you can understand her concern but like a true you you. I told her that if it turned out that someone you know more than i do then i will just treat this. As a learning experience. So there's no way this can turn out badly. I'm putting my socks out into the arrow and what is admittedly a complex. Philosophy. The sum of all know it may actually grow. It's one thing to reproduce knowledge we're either uri. Learn something already known to one of us. Nothing new is actually created it's sort of like. Copy and paste job. What is quite another thing for. Two different understandings to class. That process may create. An understanding that did not exist before. But the crack clash and create process. Isn't easy. The human mind is terribly efficient. A creative opinions. What is very inefficient at changing them. Maybe inertia. I'll ask newton to consider that the next time i see him. It would be nice to think with the pointy-eared mister spock. That logical thinking. Can remove some of the difficulty but that that's not a cinch. I think it was aristotle. Cuz if i had riddim. Who first suggested that logic teaches us nothing new. Logic. Logical conclusions when properly drawn merely restate. What's already obvious in the premises. Perhaps aristotle and i fully appreciate it. The logic also subtracts. Knowledge. By identifying and hopefully removing inconsistencies. Experiments of physical science. Logic does not tell us when we've got it right. It just tells us when we've got it wrong. Processes of logic and science could be liking to the making of a sculpture. Are chipping away the surrounding stone we discover a beauty within. I'm suggesting that spinoza. Did that. Did the rest of himself and those who understood him. Of the debris of magic and superstition. Inherited from his ancestors. Is in chocolate milk. What was the last. It would be a wonderful thing of spinoza had described what he saw. Uniform intelligible to ordinary people. Unfortunately he didn't. He presented his mature philosophy. Is this so-called geometric form. It was a vogon his day. Dude at least of the little group of colegios in around amsterdam. The treatment method of. Euclid euclid in geometry has the one sure way. To derive the truth. Those of you who have waited into spinoza's ethics. Will probably agree with me. it's a hard reader best. It took me several years. To see that spinoza's ideas and themselves. We're not all that difficult to understand. It's the proofs that are the problem. It's a simple thing to see. By the way is the heart of spinoza's philosophy. It's a simple thing to see. City of god is truly infinite in space and time. There's no room left for anything else that's not god. What's bruno's has proof of that simple fact. Text 19 pages this mobile print. Likewise it's simple to see that the old testament is a history. The hebrew people in their attempts to have a theocratic government. Put spinoza wrote an entire 250-page book. To make the matter sure his treatise on theology and politics. Rosie was not interested in merely stating his release. He wanted to show that his sister was the one. That could be made to fit more securely. With what was common sense of relief. Logically and scientifically knowable. In other words. Spinoza's philosophy is simple. Is proofs or not. Correct that problem. Is an extra minute or so i'm going to sum up spinoza's philosophy. Leaving out the geometry. I'll proceed from there to a brief discussion of some of the implications of that simple philosophy. Primarily his dual aspect solution to the mind-body problem. I hope this doesn't get. Too much for me. Implications of that solution relate importantly. I mean the solution to mind-body problem ripley importantly. I'll be unfolding history of the world. I just being played out in legislatures. And unfortunately. On battlefields. The first. Espinoza in a nutshell i'm going to read this so don't get it wrong. As if i didn't write it. We intend to keep the word god. In our vocabulary. Do we have to acknowledge that nature. As we know it and 10.. Houston.. Nature and gus god acts. Necessity. Nothing happens without an intelligible calls. The claim that god has a mind. The gods mind is that what you explained the difference between chaos and cosmos. It's the logos. I believe that god asked for a purpose has grown from our prejudices. We see that we often arranged matters. With some in the mind. We arranged those injuries w. We perpetuate ourselves and be. God's existence. Threatened. God. Make a mistake. We have a tough time accepting god's inerrancy. So much of what we experience and nature appears to be harmful to us. We have invented. A vengeful god. Original sin retribution blood sacrificed and many other metaphorical ideas. Explain away god's inerrancy. We could simply grasp the fact. Set the universe. Was not intended for our benefit. That is simply is what it is. Superstitious beliefs my go away. Can we might then conduct ourselves as individuals. Totally responsible. On the way we live our lives. I trust that was simple enough. Strawberry that you can see why spinoza 300 years ago could not express those ideas. The liberty to think such thoughts was in its infancy. Not fully grown even in free-thinking holland. Schlage such things as perhaps still let you will offense in lynchburg. Maybe getting better though. Bait car. A generation or two ahead of spinoza. Are open the fuel for discussion. But he has been forced into a grievous error. By what might have been a personal reluctance to carry his ideas to their logical conclusions. It wasn't fact they cars error that's that spinoza on the course it made him famous. Moorhead grouted his philosophy. In the belief that only those things that present themselves to us clearly and distinctly can be treated as facts. What's a christian religion included several beliefs that were clearly and distinctly not clearing the stink. No one claimed to understand the mystery. A redemption. The arithmetic of the trinity. On the miracle of the eucharist. Liquor store saw where his demand for clarity might leave. You believe this dude almost everyone else in the 17th century. The people conducted themselves in a marla way only because they feared hell's fire or wished for the the luxury and pleasure of heaven. Descartes believed that if the common people ever came to doubt their religion. All the authority of the church all hell would break loose. But you saw a way to resolve the problem. His clear indistinct philosophy included the assumption didn't mind and matter. Or thought and extension is he called him. Where to fundamentally different substances. With that idea in his head. A the twist of its philosophical wrist and widely frenchman negotiated a compromise between religion and science. He delegated governance of the spirit. Am i insane. While relieving while reserving for science. The study of the material world. Play cards rendering of seizure from god and god from caesar. Elements of the church's hierarchy regarded the physical world is evil. Play cars compromise caught on. The church considered itself privilege. To be left in charge of the immortal souls of men clearly and distinctly they're better part. Was scientists left free to make what they could of the despicable flash. So the compromise look like a great idea. Unfortunately. It rested upon the mistaken belief. Mind and body could be separated. Spinoza. Mistake. Common sense told him that material things could cause effects in other material things. Undermine things ideas. Could lead to our cause. Other ideas. But no material things. Could cause and effect in a mine. Or a mind thing and expecting a material thing. They card also seen the problem. And her dad sister had insisted that while the mind and the body were two different substances. Interacted at the pineal gland a place in the brain. Renuzit stuck on common sense realize that the pineal gland those small was still physical. And the mind still incorporeal. So it didn't much matter that they car had a name for the interacting place in cartesian philosophy let's gradual mind in a physical body would still have to interact. What is spinoza's commonsensical idea was correct. That minds and bodies could not interact. They cars division of body and soul into two separate regimes. Would imply. That the school could in no way participate. In the day-to-day activities of the body. Even if we imagine the reality of something like a soul. It was still be a mind thing. Resume he's available to it. To control or even to participate in the life lived by the body. We might have a soul. But it would do us no good. Sopranos it did not view human beings. As bodies with souls in them. Or as souls with bodies wrapped around them. The spinners mystic body and soul or not separate things. There are simply two different ways of looking at one thing. That sounds a little confusing right now and i hope by the end of this is less. We're body and mind is two aspects of one thing whatever happens in one. Also happens in the other. What appears is a motion of the body appears in the mind is the idea of the motion. Espinoza says. This is his most famous proposition. The order in connection of ideas is the same as he ordered an connection of things. The problem of interaction disappears. Whatever happens in either the mind or the body happen simultaneously. And the other. Unfortunately. Well spinoza's rescue made it possible for the body and the soul group reunite. It also snatched the rug from maynooth. Update cars compromise. The unification of body and soul dan dies and fundamental separateness and dustin eyes. Significantly separate roles for religion and science. Those things considered important. Improper for religious man to think about now become equally important for scientific man to think about. Espinoza might have said the order a connection of religious matters. Is the same busy ordering connection of scientific matter. Insurance. A man cannot physically. Exist. Who is religious but not scientific. Nora scientific man. Who is not religious. The scientist may not know his religious. Religious man may not know he's scientific. Even when they're reminded. The indus capability of their dual nature. Both mcdowell they are the other. But if spinoza got it right. The truth of science constitutes are critically inseparable part. Other religious man's truth. What's 2 of god is true of the world. What's true of the world. It's true god. The words god and nature of us synonyms. We're natural describes those things are in nature. But all things are in nature. Consequently all things are natural. All things can be explained at least in theory. Reference to natural law. Connection of ideas same as lord connection things that sits in. And because the things of the body are not and cannot. Be the cause of ideas and vice-versa the laws that apply to physical things. Are not the same as the laws that apply to mental things. This is where most people have a problem with spinoza. They try to make the physical anderson's by the way the problem with modern science. It's like explaining the world by reference to molecules. We can assume that the human brain a physical thing operates in accord with physical laws. We may not yet know those laws but espinoza was right. The laws do exist. Not considered that the ideas we have about the physical world operate my mental laws. One such law. Might be the law of association. We're able to associate similar ideas of blue sky. And from looking at the blue sky be led to think of. Paul bunyan. Big blue ox. Did we may associate the ox. Man plowing a field. Wheelock's driven plow. April daddy rich be reminded of edward markham. Poem the man with the hoe. Which images the man has. Brother to the ox. And from that recollection. Uncle left just poets work. Be glad to think of the word red. So blue and red are related in the mind by the law of association. A serious mental. Causes and effects. But nowhere in the physical brain. Looked at and analyzed only as a physical thing. Nowhere. Can we find anything that resembles the series of associations by which blue and red were. Logically. Associated. We may see and completely understand the causative interactions of neurons and glial cells. We've analyzed name and describe the functions of every physical part of every one of them billions of neurons. And their axon we met map the connections of every one of the traded or sold in christ we may know and be able to assign functional roles to every chemical flowing and every synapse. We cannot conceive that any of that. We have not come to know of the physical brain. What contains anything like. The experience of joy. Corsaro. Nothing like some picture of feeling of a color or a sound or a roma. We will know nothing of the world of human experience. Dakota famous linguist. The map is not the territory. That's a guy named corsets key. If we mean by fog. Nothing more than a physical arrangement. Dynamic systems that make up the physical world. Explain all of everything. We wouldn't see read only to explain the laws governing physical things. Justice we could explain the activities of a toy robotic dog. My analysis of is requiring so might we explain the behavior of human beings. We move in this world that direction think this was at fault only because the physical brains and bodies would have it no other way. That's the truth. Just as it would be a name. Describe the turnings of its front wheels. Has an explanation of why it automobile made its way safely for thousands of miles from point a to point b. So would any explanation of human behavior being irrelevant. It referred only to neuronal firing patterns. The explanation will be true enough. What would absolutely missed the point. Even were we to answer truthfully their complete list of questions of maxwell and form neurophysicist my dad and in doing so have explained the extended thing we call the human brain. We would still do nothing of how they ordered connection of all that physical stuff relates to the desires and intentions of the person who owns that particular brain. To know what neuronal networks mean. We would have to know. Not only the totality of a person's experiences. But also how that history has been encoded. In the structure of his or her brain. Even if we were able to obtain those practically impossible bodies of knowledge. We would normally have this brain works. Know nothing of the specifics of the meanings are associated with brains and general. We would not know what all brands mean. Or how they mean. Roses analysis of this was purely physical metaphysical. It's a made-up job. Account me directly info. Premier scientific knowledge of the physical world. That's why they call it metaphysics. Beyond the physical. Does that mean it's not true. Does that mean that in our everyday lives we do have conscious experiences of neurons. Does it mean that we have ideas independently of neuronal activity. Certainly not. It implies one that solutions to ethical problems. Well they must not contradict physical facts. Will not be found. Is a scientific analysis of the physical world. Into it means i'm working out way out of the rest nest. According to medical association. We have inherited from our ancestors. It's going to be a very tough job. Those inherited meanings exist. Infinite complexity has different versions. The truth is 6 billion minds. Most of it. Know for sure. But they know the truth. Cedar park's getting a little heavy i'm going to skip down and place here. But that automobile the one i said to travel safely from point a to point b. I lied about the safety part safely pot. The automobile or ford thunderbird. Was driven by thelma & louise. Posters. Motion picture ladies who for what seemed like a good idea to time go up the side of a high cliff. We can say that the reason they did that was because the front wheels forgot to turn. We could say the wheels good time because the steering wheel didn't move. The steering wheel fell to move because of hands holding onto the steering wheel didn't move. Henry's enhance do not move was because the mind of the lady whose hands were holding the wheel they decided to run off cliff. Bridget neuroscientist. Might be able to describe a whole series of neuronal activities they learn connection to which would be the same as your own connection of the stream of ideas. Play the latest of their dramatic ending. Every call zeke particular mines along the fellman louise and to no one else in this or any other world we would not be able to translate the neuronal processes into their conceptual counterparts. Our knowledge of the causes and effects of operating in the brain would give us know inside. Enter the minds of the two nice ladies. We would have no idea why they did what they did maybe they just thought thunderbirds could fly. We know by now to know that everything that happens. Hornet eligible reason. Nevertheless remains to be seen whether. Our increased and increasing knowledge of the world. Anavar sales end of god. What enable us to avoid. Discomfort somerville 1. Better way to thelma and louise hit point b. Replacing what is essentially a bootstrap challenge. Order to understand our minds we have only our minds. The ideas are mines provide us. The very structure the mind-body itself makes possible. Solution to the seemingly impossible bootstrapping task. Why because you ordered the connection of things neurons. Is the same as you ordered connection over ideas. Ideas exist as a flip side of the physical structure. This means that for all our ideas where we are conscious of them are not. The corresponding physical process exists and that physical process controls our behavior. We do not have to know how the mind and the brain work together to determine themselves. Return never let us a firm that our conceptions of thought. Her ideas. Determine our behavior. We can and do everyday behave differently. Then we would if we were like rocks less able to analyse and react to the world. We apply reason and other functions. Reminder the physical world at your ideas about that world. Because your minds and our bodies are simply. Two different ways of looking at one thing. We can't be certain. That's a part of the world we call our brain. Changes. At the exact instant. Her ideas change. I don't be in this. By their nature. Have a purpose in mind. I do mean that humanity may be in a position to give her one. Loser claims that we become more and more intelligent. About our emotions as we become more and more intelligent about our emotions. Throughout the criteria by which we. Judge the truth of what we claim to know. We will live more rational lives. The world may indeed be a stage. Calypso. It sucks to its up was. Directors of the play. To teach the actors emotion and reason. What neither of them can learn alone. The best way to act. Sister fall in love. For the role we've been given to play. Run around performers will take the direction to heart. And act accordingly. Remains to be seen. Understanding of spinoza's god. Nothing should be more obvious than this. I just want to put on a meaningful show. The responsibility to do so rest squarely upon us. Spinoza's god. Nature herself. Plays no favorites among the players she invites into her company. Going to do the job. Or she kills them. Holdout encouraging note. I thank you for inviting me and i'll open the floor. 2 questions. Can i take your time. Do this.

uusterling_org

Ubuntu.mp3

We are who we are because of each other. You probably. Heard me say it before and you will definitely hear me say it again. Are seven principles my favorite it's so beautiful i've already quoted it earlier in. Today. The mysterious interconnected web of all existence. The energy that binds us all together. Boo boo 2. In researching. About the three wise women. I watched a few interviews on youtube and this word kept coming up they kept using this word again and again or boone too. And when i googled it the first name that came up was desmond tutu so. It gives you an idea we're kind of walking around the same neighborhood. The same awareness. This is an african humanists believe that we are all connected. Literally means i am because we are. Boo boo choo choo. 4. Desmond tutu. It's a solid foundation for his christian faith he said ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact. That you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness you can't be human all by yourself. And when you have this quality ubuntu. You're known for your generosity. He goes on. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals. Separated from one another whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well it spreads out. It is for the whole of humanity. Brunch is not just for christians. Nelson mandela a secular humanist spoke of humanism. Ubuntu. Barack obama has said that a boon to is quote. Recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye. That there is a oneness to humanity that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others and caring for those around us. That sounds like he's describing the seventh principle. So i just named three wise men. 22 mandela obama. Three men of a slightly older generation who argue that this idea of abu2 is vitally important. But when we turn to our young prophet. These three women. Who point to boone to when they cry out black lives matter. These two ideas. Go together. Not black lives matter more than other lives or black lives matter some. Help makes other lives matter less. But it's an odd ubuntu. I only matter if we all matter. And all lives can't matter until black lives matter. If anyone of us. Does not matter. We all suffer. We all love then don't matter. I'm. Clearly not black but i need black lives to matter. It affect my life that affect everyone's life. Because we are inexplicably. Endemic. Trek ubly connected. My life matters when your life matters boom 2. I think it's safe. Yes. That we all want to be good people. I think most people want to be good. And. In this world we struggle with the best way to be good people that's an optimistic way of looking at things but. Trying to be optimistic on a nice. Sunny summer day. We don't all agree. How to be good and sometimes i tell my kids that this is actually what politics is it's just. Grown-ups arguing about the best way to be good what would be the best way to solve this problem and we argue and we argue. For the most part we have. For some people it's. The best way to make a lot of money. But from a lot of us it's the best way to be good and to solve problems. We have what we think. And we have what we are told. By our schools tv shows video games movies friends. For little girls. The world often tells us that being good means being quiet. Not asking any questions not interrupting not speaking up when we disagree. You wouldn't want to make a scene. For little girls there's a lot of rules about what we are not supposed to do and not very many options. About what we should do. I'm saying little girls. Because i was one then i remember what it was like. The world's still tells me to be quiet and small. But i think little boys are probably told this as well. Set a good little boy agrees with what people around him are saying. We're really all told this. We all want to be good people. And we're told that being good. Usually means being quiet. Sitting down. People. Quote how jesus said turn the other cheek when someone hits you. Instead of fighting back let them hit you again. And there is wisdom there but it can certainly be taken out of context. And be used. And very negative ways. There's of course a truth in the need for non-violence. But we don't need to allow others to hurt us. We remember dr martin luther king because of his stand against violence. Doctor martin luther king was not quiet. He didn't just sit down and agree with the people around him. So. Going back to our three wise women. They didn't act like how many of us are told to ask to be. Good. They work together. To have a big voice and to speak out and say something is wrong here. Over the past year or so. Many many women and many men have come forward. To have a loud voice together about the me-too movement. About being treated badly. Treated badly at work and in their everyday lives and imbalance of power people have been pointing these things out. Many adults hold onto the idea from childhood that in order to be good we have to be quiet. Sometimes. The people in power hold on that idea too. And when bosses and teachers and presidents want people to stay quiet. They can make people feel scared about speaking up. Martin luther king junior was scared to speak up. He was. Clear and honest about his fear but he knew it was the right thing to do he knew. It would lead to his death. And he still did it he still spoke up. The three wise women. Warbreaker afraid to speak up. Their lives are not easy right now because of their speaking up. But because they spoke up lots more people have found the courage to speak up to and. I would dare to draw the line. A connection between black lives matter. Giving the courage to the me-too movement beginning to start. I think these three wise women are. Really truly profits of our time. And that points to boom 2. I am who i am. Because of them because of us. Because of who we are. If you are brave. That help me to be brave too. It's a wonderful idea and it is happening all over the world right now. People are helping each other to be brave. I hope one day to be like the three wise women. And i would love to meet them and i also know that they would be very welcome here any any unitarian church. But certainly here. We also believe in speaking out when things aren't fair. We believe in speaking out for ourselves and for others. All of us. All of us can learn something new about how to be good people. Being quiet is not the same as being good. So. I invite you all to stop being quiet for a moment. And we're all going to say ubuntu together. Ready. Ubuntu. I am what i am because of all of us together. Amen.

uusterling_org

A_Transforming_Faith.mp3

Are reading is a meditation from the unitarian universalist bruce marshall. I had the honor recently of meeting bruce marshall he was speaking at a minister's event nearby. And bruce. Has been serving. Tennessee valley congregation. And knoxville. As an associate pastoral care minister since they. Experience the tragedy of having a gunman come into their sanctuary. We're two were killed and six were injured. So bruce is presents in knoxville has been a presence. Of persistence. A presence of listening to pain and holding. Sadness and helping that community move towards healing. And this piece taking pictures of god. He speaks of a different force. But one that we might understand in some ways as similar. Hurricane once passed through our neighborhood. It was my first hurricane. And i expect the first best. I probably wouldn't have liked that hurricane so much if the big tree honks had come through my roof instead of landing as politely as they did. If people have been hurt. My fascination would have seemed naive or morbid. Although the wind and rain did considerable damage the storm stopped short of disaster. In the hours after the hurricane people came out of their houses to talk and meet each other for the first time. Neighbors with whom. I'd never exchanged a word put our frozen food in their freezer. They had electricity and we didn't. The best part though was the storm itself. Fishing rain and all blowing in its path. I was frightened as i heard things around me crack but also exhilarated. So much power. I stood on the front porch which you're not supposed to do. And watch. And watch. In wonder. The eye of the hurricane passed over our house in the midst of the wind and rain the sky turn blue bird saying and the breeze is felt warm. And tropical. I was excited about being in the eye of a hurricane and all i could do was to take pictures. I grabbed my camera and snap picture after picture of the blue sky and the tips of the trees in the sunlight. I snapped and snapped and didn't stop. Until the roll of film was finished. Years from now. I will come across the shop. A blue sky. And clouds. And the tops of trees. And wonder what these pictures could be. It's hard to get decent snapshot. Of a hurricane's eye. It's like trying to take pictures of god. Just like we started out with a chalice lighting with questions i'm going to start out with questions here. Why did you get this morning come to worship. Why did you pack your kids or yourselves. In the car. Why why did you walk. Why not just lie back down on the pillows and slip into the calm of sleep. What are you seeking. Here. I've heard answers like calm and presents. Community friendship. Spirituality social action. Getting involved. Are there others. You're welcome to call out single words or phrases. I've got a feeling that no matter what you are seeking. There's a good reason that you have chosen this place. Whether it is your first time here. Or your 101st. And i'm going to guess that you are not seeking more of the same. That your hopes for this place experience no matter what. Fairhope's that go beyond what you can find. Somewhere else. In times like these the offertory song from susie and paul explained. You learn to live again. He learned a lot. You get again. In times like these. There are certain times in our lives. Transform us. Times that seem to grab us and move us beyond what we knew. Or what we know we are. I doubt any human could sustain. Constant. Jolting. Times like these times of transformation. And i've heard many say how important it is for them to be around like-minded people company that brings them comfort. But no matter how like-minded the company i wouldn't want to be with anyone. No offense. If our fate was pure. Stasis. If we were stuck. The image comes up of sorts play no exit. When a group of three is stuck in a room with no means to transform their existence. The results. Is pure hell. No exit. No peace. No meaning no movement. A well-known quote from a universalist states. Universalist are often asked where they stand. The only true answer to this question. Universalists do not rest their laurels. At least universalist hope. They do not rest their laurels on beliefs. Their souls and their world. It is. Matters that is why when brian has inside it was his generosity. It was that burst the sermon asked me what will unitarian universalism. Be in 25 years. I had a lot to say. The beauty of this face is ever becoming. Its richness. Is its momentum. Reverend bruce stood outside his home in the eye of a hurricane taking picture after picture of the bright blue sky. Calm amid the storm. When he returned to the pictures later he could find no depth. It couldn't find that unmistakable experience that he had when he had stood on his porch he noted it's hard to get decent snapshots of a hurricane. Trying to take pictures of god. It's like trying to take pictures of god. The bright blue in the middle of the chaos the sudden sense that all of this craziness might mean something. Feels astounding. It gives life. But you can't capture. A while back a controversy. A hurricane in its own right swept through our association. The question was. Should we use a language of reverence. Or stick to the secular. Should we use the word god. Or grace. Our beloved community. Or divine. If we did what would we as a non credo open and association lose. And what would we gain. The reverend christina robinson responded. There was a great hue and cry about uua president in 2003. Creed like definition. On our life together. But after the dust settled. Are freely chosen vocabularies started. Deepen. It doesn't matter which reverent words you use. After all. Or exactly what they mean to you. What matters is that you use some. The language of reverence is a language of transformation. It is a language of movement. It doesn't speak about what is here. But what we hope to become. It honors that bright blue sky in the middle of the chaos. That miraculous movement of life that could have no other name. And cannot be captured by any word that feigns a static description. Reverend bruce chose the words. It's like trying to take pictures of god. Still images and still words missed the mark. The magic is not in the hue of the sky or the tips of the trees the magic the divine god whatever word of reverence you choose. Is in the transformation. In the movement. Hurricane was passing and all of its violent glory through his neighborhood in through his understanding. Has the hurricane moved it change things. Those who had been silent before were speaking a street became a community. Pictures of transformation its meaning. And its movement. How it leaves us and our world different than we were before. Jewish architects built spaces into their altars. Or the name of god might appear. But they never. In the hope that god herself could pause long enough. For humans to recognize her form. Similarly. The first unitarian universalist church in chicago attempted to display this potential. By leaving one architecture altar. Open. Holds nothing in particular hold our minds and hearts experience as the spirit of life. Moves. Through us. The capacity for transformation in the unitarian universalist faith makes our quest. 4 meaning. Relevant. But it is also our history. And our capacity for transformation. That makes our nu2u you class so confusing. At the class i hand out a sheet that says historical affirmations. Have the unitarian universalist faith. I see some nods in the crowd of folks who've recently been at this class. It gets worse when we actually start to read these the first affirmation is that god is a unity as opposed to a trinity. Wait someone says. I thought some of the members hold polytheistic beliefs and what about trinitarians and what about atheist. Aren't they welcome to. Exactly i say and move on before anyone noticed it. Actually we will pause there and will begin to learn what this faith is really all about. Rather than a creed we have historical affirmations. We have ideals and beliefs that has been proposed overtime. But how they have been transformed. For example here's the second affirmation. That all human beings can help for september hope for salvation. For early universalist that's meant that they could hope to make it in time after. To heaven. For later universalist that meant there was no such place as hell. Only heaven. And later on at took the meeting that we can all find salvation in this life. That we are not called to die well that our calling is rather to live well. It is these layers that makes our faith rich. Tell the story. The teachers who we have become and maybe a little bit about why. But each layer does not erase the one before. Just like this painting. It adds. A similar but not identical story is told on the walls of a house of worship i was privileged to visit in cappadocia turkey. When you walk inside the structure a cave carved out well before the common era. Of the region's yellow white rock. A bit of sunlight follows you in and your eyes. On the wall. You see paint chipping off in big slabs revealing layer upon layer. Year upon year. The last is a pail and a blank. B width. Prayer in arabic script. Under that are byzantine symbols that once called to the minds of the worshippers their gods and their speeds during a time when the icons were rejected. And below that you see the face of mary and the face of jesus the images and warm who is drawn with romantic reflection. Envelopes are walls of rock. That we're home to so many. Styles. Of the divine. This house of worship was subject to change but rather than transformation in this place it was conversion. One way was traded for another and only years of decay revealed the motion. At the time that was. At the time that the actual change occurred. The believers painted over their past ways and exchange them wholesale. For the new method. And i can only imagine how much was lost. In that process. How many revolutions of spirits have been rewarded. With violence. How many histories have been erased. How few have been lauded in their time with praise for their sacrifice. As they gave way to transformation. Brian whose wisdom was the impetus for the sermon believes that we are. Transforming what it means to be religious. That we are the transformed. And the transforming faith. We do not paint over our layers. But see them as fat. In our movement. Championing and openness to change. Celebrating our transformation and even more so the ways our work. Has and can transform our world. Our time for all ages illustrated the potential for transformation. Online one swath of color on paper will alter the way all are consecutive ones will be drawing a whole group of children to the front of your sanctuary. We can all be informed by our past by our experiences. By the bits we leave on paper and the b. A song that are left in our hearts but it does not. The past does not control us. Nor determine our future. Brian says we are transforming. What it means to be religious. Because we've traded dogma. For covenant. Because we have infused tradition. With transformation. Dogma determines what we believe. Covenant us in developing our own beliefs as well as a common experience. Of the holy. And this brings us to something else that confuses the new duu class. What exactly do we mean when we say we are covenant religion. It's not just the new you classes it. One great metaphor for covenant is a single canvas. Rather than paying all our own individual pictures we are individual sparks. And as with peyton and magic results in the layers. The color is the lines and the meaning transforms when new layers are laying. When we covenant together we do not simply add what we wish. To add to the canvas. Or to the community. We add what we feel. The canvas or the community needs to grow. And to develop. We share our truth. And we welcome the truth of others. Knowing that we cannot help but be transformed in the process. A covenanted community knows that it cannot take pictures of god or paint. Perfection. Might be closed. It knows divinity. If it is to be found. Will come forth in the transformation. In the momentum. Born of our willingness to be religious creatively together. So at this point in the new year you class. Someone if they can. Then who is the boss. Who tells me what to do when or when i cannot find my way. And i respond currently. I do. And again quickly changed the subject. But that's not it. Can't be. Much as i really will take it to easter. As universal as soon learn no question has an easy answer. Who is the boss. The covenant community. Is the boss. It shapes how we behave together at preserves an open where we can experience transformation. Who is the boss. That spark of divinity that we all share is the boss that inherent worth and dignity and all is the boss that independent we are all apartment the ultimate. Boss. The relationship developments god or the spirit of life maybe ultimate boss that which is greater than us. The boss. Where will the boss. Lita. What will unitarian-universalism be in 25 years. Reverend bruce stepped out in the eye of a hurricane and was transformed. The community he served in knoxville knoxville boron speakable tragedy. And walk through pain toward healing. Toward forgiveness. And they were transformed. A few months past we welcome to guests minister don praying. Coed step. Out of complacency in into the civil rights struggle. And was himself. Transformed. A few years past i met with a family in a hospital room. And ask them how they wanted to share the last moments they had with their dying father. And i was. Transformed. I did not know who they were or what they wanted from a minister. I was scared to enter their pain. But the sense that i had to. Bore me on and gave me the courage. Speak. And abby with them. In one of the most tender moments of life. How could i not be. Transformed. Walking with them and life. As we all together met death. How can we. Not be. Transformed. As we do the same. In community. A hurricane a striving for civil rights a death. Transformation is born of storms. Afuri. A struggle. Of tears. It rarely comes in peace or leaves in peace. It requires courage. A willingness to go where you haven't gone before a willingness to encounter exactly that which is frightening. A willingness to live in a place that is uncomfortable. The poet annie dillard one suggested that we ought to issue crashed helmet. And signal flares at the doors of our churches. In case the spirit of life we sing to actually does show up and lay waste all our neat little liturgy. If we are going to continue developing and growing into the richly spiritual movement that i believe we can. And i know we must become. We may need those crash helmet. And those signal fire. We will need. Courage. We may need to encounter individual barriers to transformation. Perhaps the wounds we bear from past religious experiences. Are fears of commitment. A persistent discomfort with spiritual intimacy. And we will need to keep collectively pushing the boundaries. Of what it means to be a unitarian universalist. As we open our sanctuaries. The people who may look different. Speak different. Sing off-key. Pray differently. Vote. Differently. Have different needs. Yes. We could choose not to. We could choose comfort. Over transformation. But i asked us to remember that there is no comfort in stasis. Only no exit. No meaning. No movement. We will need to embrace movement. For ourselves. And also for our children. Because they need to learn by watching us because their courage grows as ours grows. I'm not asking us to dive headfirst into all that ails us. We do not need to step out into every hurricane that passes overhead. As reverend bruce said that would be nice or morbid. But i am asking us to be honest with ourselves i believe we are all in some way. Seeking transformation. Seeking experiences that will leave us and our world somehow different than we and it was before. This transformative faith has a capacity. Disturbed. Our seeking. May we do likewise. I'm in.

uusterling_org

Potlikker_For_The_Seekers_Soul.mp3

So i've been titled my talk for today. Pot liquor. For the sea. And i imagine some of you are wondering. But before i tell you. About potlicker. Allow me to tell you a little bit. About me. And my spiritual. For long time. I felt as if knowing god. And yet i felt. This. Deep longing. No. No. Mysource. And to live from that place. I think i've always had a deep yearning to. Betru without apologies. Caveat. Exception. To my spirituality. Be true to god. If i understood. To be true. Without dissembling. Just a little bit. So that that woman and depew next to me. Did not shake her head and division. When i didn't say that jesus was my lord and savior. Ralph waldo emerson road. That to be true. To yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else. Indeed i think this is so. Certainly my spiritual journey to be myself. Has been a shall we say bumpy wine. I have discovered. The spirituality for me is about connection. Connections with the past. And with the present. Route. Roots. And route. Route. My spirituality. Is nurtured as i allow myself. Feel and experience. The connection. Of lysine. My journey my seiki brought me to you you. Brought me to a place. That respects human dignity. And all. A place that honors difference of color of phase of belief it's. Here every sunday and i'll worship services. The humanist. Liberal christians pagans wiccans and all walk a different theological path. Under the same roof. A place where it doesn't matter whether you were gay or straight you're included. You belong no apologies required. A place where you don't have to leave a part of yourself. Part of your essence a part of your soul. Outside the church. Your home this is welcome. Your wholeness as a child of god of the universe. Is welcome. Naturalist john muir says. Everything. Did everything else. That. Does the essence. For me. The man they call jesus the christ. Exemplify. And buying. The very essence of connect. Jesus ate with outkast. He said the outkast. Beat the person who doesn't look like you. Speak like you dress like you person in prison. The naked the sick the thirsty. The hungry. We are connected. We are connected. To everyone. I believe that. Proviso powerful vehicle for connecting with people. It may not look like a sound like a. Dress like us or live where we live. Some of my best memories. With my family. Center around food. Especially holiday meals. That include down home. And of all the southern dishes that i love. That i adore. Collard greens. Now he's healing power of collard greens is amazing. Collard greens are considered a non heading cabbages. Because the central lee's don't form a ball. They're known to help with cancer. Immune system deficiency. Collard greens are rich in calcium iron and contain a significant amount. C and beta-carotene. The leaves off an excellent source of folate which plays a significant role in preventing car. And is one of the key nutrients and dna repair. Collard greens also promote healthy cell replication detoxify and reduce chronic inflammation. Not my great-grandmother big mama. Like we didn't know about the health benefits of cacao. She probably didn't know the collard greens originated in the eastern mediterranean. And that it was not until the first africans arrived in jamestown virginia in the early seventeenth century that america got it. Of the delicious. Dark. Green leafy. The big mom prepared greens the way mother. And her mother before her. Greens were just one of a few select. Vegetables. Enslaved african-americans were allowed to grow and harvest. For themselves and their families. And so over the years green. Develop into a traditional southern food a real staple. 47 cooks. And even after african-americans were emancipated. Their love for green. And they kept handing down there recipe. From one generation. Now i learned. To prepare greens from my mother. And everything's giving e. We would stand hip to hip. In the kitchen washing. Washing greens is a true labor of love. So and loving them. 4 hour slow cooked. On the stove. Over the years i adapted. My mother's recipe and now everything's giving. And new year's. I prepare collard greens. Along of course with some candied yams macaroni and cheese from real heavy and. The first. A brown onion. Garlic and the bottom of my super duper big pot mansur pot. And then pool water into the pot. An add smoked turkey legs or next. Kevin and i were vegetarians i used to use liquid smoke instead. Whatsapp for. Only pork what do. Now into the bra. I add vinegar. Hot pepper sauce. Song. Pepper. Sugar to taste. Don't have measurements cuz it don't match. I left the broth. Simmer. Until the smoked turkey begins to fall apart. And at this point i asked the washed in chai. Green. I let everything slow cook for several hours until the greens are. Tender flavorful. I have a pot of wonderful green that have been slow cooked. Down into the gravy. Most folks call this gravy. Hotmail. Not only are the greens in the pot. Can they be consumed the potlikker it's the green to eaton but the pot liquor can be shipped. Or. A frequent way to eat. Potlikker is you have a good healthy chunk of cornbread and you pour the potlikker over the cornbread. Is a meal. And a. Staple mill at my big mama's kitchen. No in the 1950s. By the time my father was born my great-grandmother. Digmaan she lived on 7th. Birmingham alabama. She had long since moved from eutaw alabama which was the country. Not some point during my father's early years big modified. If my father's family. Her daughter son-in-law. Moved in together into a new home on 13th street. Sally was a three-room shotgun house. With an enclosed porch on the back and an indoor bathroom. And this was the first time that they have an indoor bathroom. Big montauk slept in the front room. And use chifferobe for clothing i love saying that chifferobe. Use the chifferobe for clothing because there were no closets. My grandmother and grandfather slept in the middle room and all the kids in the back room. The house had a white picket fence. Beautiful flowers in the front yard. Tree in the backyard and my father and sister and his sisters and brothers would make fig preserves. Paul also had a garden that attend. I work at steel mill which was a good job back in the day. Jewish lady. So with the extra money that my father's parents contributed to the household pot they always had a roof over their head and they always have food. Now on sunday big mama prepared sunday supper you can imagine. All the items that were laid out on the table. And usually. They have some orange cake. They rarely had meat for their meals. Dinner. Usually included butterbeans rutabaga rutabaga he doesn't like to this day. Or greens. And if money was time. My folks didn't have money to go to the store to buy any food. They had collard greens and cornbread. And to this day. My mother-in-law and his mother. They grow collard greens on the side of the house. They may not have had a lot. Big mama believe that she was blessed. For spirituality was one that was grounded in christian theology. She was a christian woman. She went to church. Every sunday and days in between. She dressed up to praise the lord. Dilated her sunday best. And though she could not read the bible. Secret quotes. A bible scripture to you. That's not why i remember. I remember her as an amazingly gifted woman. Getting woman. It was beautifully common and that she had little money but was rich in spirit. She was as they say. Basalt. Of the earth. She understood the concept of connectedness. Not an intellectual terms but in a simple real way she was connected to her neighbors. The neighbor was a school teacher so what documents. She was not one who would have marched in the streets of birmingham. She left that to the younger and beautifully and patient generation. But she understood how important it was to give up herself. What she did. The martin luther king jr. and his famous letter from birmingham jail. Also spoke of connectedness. He wrote. I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities. I cannot sit idly in atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in birmingham injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. In ennis. In a single garment. Destiny. Whatever affects one directly. Affects another indirectly. The letter from birmingham jail was an open letter written on 16th 1963 just about the time my father and his parents packed up and moved to chicago. Letter from the city jail in birmingham. He was confined after being arrested for his part in the birmingham campaign. His letter was a response to a statement made by a white alabama clergymen four days earlier. The clergyman agree that social justice is injustice has existed. But they thought that the battles needed to be fought only in the court not in the streets. And kings that were. Without nonviolent 4th direct actions civil rights. Would never be cheap. He argued that only was civil disobedience justified. Was that one. Had a moral responsibility. To disobey and. Morals. More responsibility. The more responsibility we have to the man to the woman to the child sitting right next to us today. Look over at your neighbor. Can you laugh. Look at them. On your right. You. You have a responsibility. To them. You are part of the whole. This is the essence of connectedness of true spirituality the parts in the whole. Andy king's idea of a network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny is not unlike my big monster. It's pat connected to the next song together with love to create a beautiful. Perhaps we might try to understand spirituality as a kind of lens. Spirituality can give us clarity and meaning to everyday. To the mundane events of our lives to the chaos of multitasking responsibilities. Spirituality can help us make sense of our jumbo path are over schedule present. Inconceivable future worthy of our blood sweat and tears. Our future worthy of our very. Spirituality is about connectedness. Tawawa park. Into the hole. I think of spirituality as including all religions. I think of spirituality. As not being some distance. Cereal. Would rather. Real. Creator. Humble giving. And i seen it. I seen in north carolina. I remember when stanley that attended our church. Was going through a very tough financial time. Father lost his job. Sound familiar. And his daughter was very ill she was a dear friend of mine. And they were struggling to keep their home in to put food on the table. I remember my mom telling me to pray for them. And then one day my mom told me they had invited us and other family. Did it home for dinner after church. I was surprised if they were struggling how could they afford to invite people over for dinner. How to say i remember the meal sir. It was a big pot. Chicken soup and chicken was scared but there were lots of carrots and potatoes and flavorful broth. And it was fresh baked bread. And there was more than enough for everyone. It was as if that pot of soup and bread. And we left their home. And i think that knowing that we are connected to others. Allows us to reach out. But it also reminds us. That we are not alone in our own struggles. It reminds us how important it is. To connect with others. To share our stories. Our pain to share a pot of chicken soup. Or the last drop of our. Isn't that what the man they call jesus. Share the last if it's green. I think so. I think but he understood interconnectivity. Very much like the zulus of south africa. The zulus believe that a person is a person through other person. I get that. Struggle for so many of us for me living in northern virginia. Is that kind of reality. That requires us to live in a dialectical world of us. And them. But my goal is to increase. That is my journey tour growing my soul. Torque moving into a rhythm of rhythm that is aligned with the universe. That i remember to her balloon his arm and aromatic kitchen was a selfless person. Without guile. I like to think that her potlikker represents my deep roots. Borrow. And they ground me in my route. Route. Move me forward. Oh my journey. I like to believe that i inherited. Are generous spirit. And her ability to make. Amin pie. She was a woman who knew how to live in gratitude. With a sense of acceptance. There is a great. In the life. The big monolid. It is that even in difficult in dark times. We need the closest and comfort. I've loved one. We need. We need to be connected. Texas realize that we are not. In our suffering. And rejoicing. We join a community of people. Pool throughout. Have met with adversity. Struggle. Define their bearing. And then. As wiser. And kinder. The monday.

uusterling_org

Veterans_Day.mp3

Our service is broken into three parts today the first piece is service. The next is on war and the last is after the war. The spurs pieces from a play called tracers. He was written by a group of vietnam veterans and. First produced actually in london for a for professional. Production and play the new york for a while. Bike studied. English as an undergrad and my. Honors project was on american plays in the vietnam war and that's how i discovered this play. This is from. The character called the professor. We lived a lie in our subterranean. Rat infested bunkers. Trapped spirits on the periphery of obscurity. The true definition. Hub surrealism. Time. On a shivering wet isolated starless black perimeter guard duty night. Is not a theoretical fourth dimension. It's a self-propelled hammer and anvil somewhere between the temples. Andis temaril blacksmith. Pounding out another kafka ask minute. After minute. I maintain. A precarious balance. On the very edge of sanity. And i see through the crack. In the mirror i see through to her. Holding me. And brushing my cheek. And with her fingertips and whispering and eversweet. And chantal lie i love you. Halt who goes there. I do. Apprehensively walking toward myself. Frightened by the prospect that i. We. Might someday meet. And now you'll have to imagine that i am no longer. Your minister. Husband. Do i remain scott sandler michael in substance. I know i'm reading. Reflection by jeff chandler a member here who sadly was. Unable to make it at the last minute. And this is veeser jeff's words. My uncle called me every veterans day to thank me and i thank him back. He calls my dad his brother to thank him as well. Their father my grandpa was also a veteran. My uncle lives in chattanooga and i hardly see him anymore. Definitely not as much as when i was a kid in the whole family would converge every thanksgiving and christmas set my grandparents house. If it weren't for veterans day. We probably wouldn't even speak to one another since. We have different lives that are far apart in more than just distance. My uncle sincere when he thanks me and it is special to me. It has nothing to do with some need to please him in particular or anything like that. I am affected by the recognition of my service. When i enrolled at west point. I didn't know all that i was getting into. It was a tough time. But the driving force that got me through everything i faced during those four years. What's the sense of duty. In addition to serving in the armed forces. I went to war in desert storm. My dad went to war in vietnam. My granddaddy went to war during world war ii. Military service. Or going to war was not something that we discussed at our family get-togethers. I barely remember when my dad went to vietnam. Since i was only about 5 years old. We've talked about it some and i know some of his stories. He was away from his family for more than a year. Goodlife went on. Looking back. To see celinda. Jeff's wife. Sobbing. Is they called my name to leave. Is the saddest memory i have. They had our whole battalion meat in a hangar to deployed for desert shield. Ice storm was blasting. Through and delayed everything. Then right there in the hangar they started calling out names. To board the bus. And then get on the plane. When they called my name i had to go it was my duty. But i did not want to. I especially didn't want to leave cylinda so upset. But i had to go cuz it was my duty. Desert shield became desert storm. Celinda and the rest of the world watched on cnn. I wonder who had it worse me actually being there. Or those tortured by 24 hours of information xs. Sure i have plenty of war stories that range from the funny. To the scary. I'll save those for the right occasion. Today let me just say that i did not enjoy. Being separated from my wife. So it was my duty. 2 years ago. I got a letter activating me to deploy to iraq again. I had been out of the army for 9 years but i was given three weeks to report for training. This seemed very irregular to me to be caught up after being out for so long. A few phone calls confirmed it though. Me and about 350 others in a similar situation. We're being deployed. I had three weeks to get things in order to leave my family for at least a year and a half. I tried to explain to maddie my daughter in terms she would understand. That i would be coming back around her 7th birthday. I did not want to go. But i had to. It was my duty. 2 days before my report date. I got another phone call. This one told me there had been. A mistake. And i didn't have to deploy. Unless. I wanted to. It was both the easiest. And the most difficult decision i have ever faced. I chose to stay. I will question forever if not me then who. I'm a good soldier i am duty-bound to serve but somebody else. When. In my place. Maybe they were killed. Maybe they were severely injured or maybe they're fine. It's been two years now so maybe they're also home. I'm sure that they do not want to be there. But it was their duty. Our soldiers deserve the best we can give them. Their daily sacrifices are not limited to times of war. Play indoor family separations. Lupe. And sparse living conditions. Our thanks. Is a beginning. Honor all. That they do for us. It's veterans day so thank veteran. It will mean more than you think. One more poem from. Scott. When you probably heard before. From the civil war era it some. What whitman's poseidon camp. In the daybreak. Grand gym. Poseidon camp in the daybreak gray and dim. As from my tent i emerge so early sleepless. As slow as i walk in the cool fresh air the path nearby the hospital tent. Three forms i see on stretchers. Brought out there untended lying overreach the blankets spread. A brownish woolen blanket. Gray and heavy blanket. Holding. Covering all. Curious. Ihop in silence stand. Then with lights fingers i turn from the face of the nearest the first. Just lift. The blanket. Who are you elderly man so gaunt and grimm. With wellgrade hair and flesh all something about the eyes. Who are you my dear comrade. Send to the second i stepped. And who are you my child and darling. Who are you sweet boy with cheeks yet blooming. Then to the third. Face nor child nor old. Very call meza. Beautiful yellow white ivory. Young man. I think i know you. I think this space is the face. Of the christ himself. Dead. And divine. And brother of all. And here again. He lies. Well i found it very difficult to squeeze. Two years in vietnam until about 5 minutes ago this morning. But like my two tours in vietnam with best tours of duty i had in the marine corps. I was doing the job that i have been trying for. I am not forward all. But i was trained for war and i was doing my job in vietnam to the best of my ability. During my time in vietnam i was either an executive officer or a battery commander of a 105 howitzer battery. I want to fight howitzer battery has 6 howitzers. Tent rocks. About 10 other vehicles such as jeeps and light trucks. We have communications equipment 50 +. 30 caliber machine guns in approximately 120 men. I was responsible for these 120 minutes or my command and i want to do the best job. A most creative jobs allow those men to get home alive. I did not go to directly to vietnam on my first tour. I was stationed on okinawa with the 12th marine artillery regiment which was part of the 3rd marine division. I have been on okinawa center at juno 64. Because of the political turmoil in vietnam my battery. Aspen. Two straight months aboard ship without ever setting foot on land. Floating in circles after 9. From july to september of 64. This was prior to the 64 elections in which lyndon johnson was elected president. Johnson said prior to the election that he would not answer troops into vietnam. But during my float off of vietnam. I came to the conclusion that this would soon happen. I can remember standing at the rail to ship it does. And looking at west towards an egg and watching a beautiful lighting behind the mountains. And wondering what vietnam was like. The u.s. first put combat troops in vietnam in march of 65 at danang. I got to find out what vietnam was like. When my battery light it at uline it may have 65. There's not much going on at to lie where i spent three months. And in august. 65 i was transferred to foxtrot battery 2nd battalion 12th marines as executive officer. This battery position was at the base of hill i-327 outside of danang. The mission of my battery. Was to protect the airfield at danang. In 1965 my battery participate in operation harvest moon in equation valley southwest of the name. My battery was the first battery to be hill elected into a combat situation. We were hill lifted to a position. Outside of village in the quason valley. We spent two weeks in place on valley and was raining muddy the entire time and living conditions were terrible. During my first tour all enemy activity against us forces was done by vietcong guerrilla units. Vietnam in january of 66 right after harvest moon after spending 20 months in the orient. One thing i felt when i left vietnam was that we were fighting this war in the wrong way and we will not prevail. I felt the us forces. I were doing all the fighting. And turning the civilians into vietcong re-released their consulate i just buy a search-and-destroy missions. I also felt. We should have made the south vietnamese do more of the fighting. With americans. Supplementing their units. I wish you had made limited use of air power and artillery against the enemy because of the indiscriminate killing of innocents. Also my first choice started me on my way to unitarianism even though. I would not know what a year tutoring was for 17 years. Bruno 17 years ideas. One day i was in a village near the dang when i witnessed a vietnamese civilian funeral procession pass me by. When i saw the sadness of the funeral participants dawned on me. That christianity was not the only way to heaven are nirvana whatever you want to call it. I was raised a catholic but i was never very religious but one time i thought the only way to get to heaven was to be a catholic. However after watching a funeral procession. I did not believe that any religion had a monopoly. I'm getting. I'm getting to the afterlife. How much seconds are workers from may of 68 to june of 69 i was a better commander for 11 months of alpha battery 1st battalion 13th marines. I found a whole different attitude. The way the rain started my second tour in vietnam. Is that anything went and we could just blast away without rules without any regard for the rules of engagement. At this time we were fighting primarily north vietnamese army units. Olivia called you not play a major part during this time. No one cared much be killed with vietnamese civilians or sometimes brings by friendly fire. Additionally. I do not. Think i did stop it didn't mistreat their people very well. I know i said that if i was in vietnamese. I would have been a viacom. What's the weather today. The us took the vietnamese people. I drove him over to the enemy was too forcefully removed them from their villages and bring them back into big refugee camps into the nae. After the people have been removed from these villages these areas would become free-fire zones and we found anybody in those areas. All right i'll reply will be called upon him. Am i stuck into it in vietnam my battery fired. Between 2 to 400,000 about children nightly. Is that one night my battery flight 810 about a half-hour just stopping in north bend ne zombie attack in one of our infantry company. My battery supported. I love those rounds required within 100 mi of the marine infantry. And no brains were killed by friendly fire. It's actually love in the 11-month i committed alpha battery. My brains did not shoot short and kill any brains. I look back at my time in vietnam and i would not do want to go through it again with what i know now. When i was young i thought i was invincible i did take dangerous chances. However as i have gotten older i don't see myself invincible anymore. I am proud of my service in vietnam and i thought i did the best. Best possible job. And my battery had no death emily funty was in command. I have two pictures on a table in the foyer of my time is it now that you're free to look at. I will be glad to answer any questions or discuss my time in vietnam with anyone after the service. Thank you. Another book i discovered doing my honors project at umbc. Is this book of. Soldier poets of the vietnam war on a custom mercy. This poem is from bruce weigel. It's called. Amnesia. If there was a world more disturbing than this. Black clouds. Bow down and swallowed you whole. An overgrown tropical plants rotted effervescent in the muggy twilight. And monkeys scream something that came to sound like words to each other across the triple canopy jungle you shared. You don't remember it. You tell yourself no. In cry 1000 days. You imagine. The crows calling autumn into place are your brothers. And you could if only the strength and will were there. Fly up to them. To be black. And useful. To the wind. This is a reading i'd like to share a letter from a service member. Eric is in afghanistan on an 18-month store. He is in a battle zone. A member of our congregation janice td. Receive notes from eric as he is a dear friend son. I'd like to read some of eric's words. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I assure you they really do work. The other day my patrol was caught in the open with nowhere to run or hide as enemy from four different places unloaded everything they had on us. I'm sorry that i'm telling you guys this i wish i could say that i am always safe. But. And were it not for a battalion of guardian angels batting all the bullets away there is no way that me and all my buddies would be here right now. I firmly believe that we will all have scars. From it. Whether we were shot or not. And i have a whole new appreciation for all the veterans before me. Who suffer. And in a later note. Things aren't getting better. The fighting is not dying down. In the last week i lost 3 friends. Not even just guys i knew. Friends. No amount of enemy defeat. Will make my friends come back. No revenge will make their loss acceptable in my eyes. I don't hate the afghans. I'm sorry for the life they have to live and hope for their future. I want to make a difference here. But. It is hard to judge progress. When there are so many setbacks. This is difficult. These are trying times. When the choices are truly life. Or death your perspective tends to change. Keep the love and encouragement coming we need it. And he closes. I love you. And will be home soon. Love eric. Eric received. A lot of correspondence but that doesn't mean that we can't keep him in our thoughts. And in our heart. Now i'd like to share a reflect. Veterans words. Whether they be recollection. Or letters. Or poems. More prayers. Are necessary. If we are to tend to humanity and unfold from this cycle of war. Another manner of being. We have heard throughout the current wars in iraq and afghanistan a bold telling from within the ranks of our military. Annette isleta. Two more understanding. To a greater sin. Of the truth. After the war. When a single veteran return. From service. Or after a treaty is signed. Or after the violence has abetted. Pain remains. This is when veterans words must echo into all the corners of our perception. Reminders. A violent past over. Reminders of service. Life. End up. The hearing is. Difficult. But reality cannot be silenced. If it is disregarded it rears up in other places. And post-traumatic stress that torments a whole generation as in the post vietnam era. And an unrepentant cycles of war that seem less like choices and more like. System. The poetry of war can be traced through generations. Back to the beginning of history. These lines are from homer's iliad. The first recorded. War poetry of our western world. Here ha. A war hero expresses the warrior's creed. Grants that this boy of mine maybe like me. Preeminent in troy as strong and brave as i. A mighty king of ilium. Make people say when he comes back from battle. Here is a better man than his father. This team of war being passed through generations continues. Has danbury in lessons. A poem that he wrote. There's the reality that crept into his life. After the war. Barry served in the united states army from 1960 to. For 1965. What's a patriot down. Hey dad dad earth to dad. Get your nose out of your newspaper help me with my homework. What's a patriot dad. Well. I guess the person who loves the land. Although some people act as if a patriots a man. Who hates another land. The poem continues with more questions. While the father is deeply why the father deeply and silently recounts dark times. To let the end he answers the sun's final question. Of what's a war. 10 minutes of terror. After twenty years of anticipation. And then twenty years of worrying. When it's going to happen again. Our veterans and soldiers duty is to serve a country. This is a service of unimaginable consequence. From death. To the pain that barry has explained with his telling lines. If we have a duty to them. A duty beyond our political affiliation. And philosophical positions. It is to hear them. Into speech. Even the son persistent questioning in the palm is a vehicle. Healing is not accomplished in silence. I've read a span of war poetry and prose in preparing this reflection. Pieces from our current wars from world war 1 to the korean war and the vietnam war. And none are easy to read. I struggle with some. A poet from this war russ vaughn of the 327th parachute infantry of the 100 first airborne division. Rages. In. The land of the free. Because of the brave. Against the media and its unwillingness to understand the place of violence in war. He rejects the wimps and the dirt with their journalists degrees and ivy league accreditations saying. You slick talking heads may preach preened and prattle but you're darn well not here in the thick of the battle. It's chaotic. Confusing. It all comes at you fast. And he goes on to justify the violence he feels called to serve a terrible violence. Geneva convention or not. B one b at me. I don't know how to respond. Honestly and anger wells up. That violence like this might feel justified to anyone. And that some are forced to make these kinds of choices. That blessed spirit of life. Many of us will never have to make. We let our talents this morning with limes that proclaimed there is a time for war. A time for peace. But for a soldier or veteran those two realities. May not be so cleanly separated. A time for war when the reality that. The reality and ethics that existed before is distance. And possibly benign. A time for peace that will ever be informed by the experience of war. I do not agree with the violence that this last poet and braces. But i can empathize with the horror that must accompany and having a strange and distant worlds. And searching there. For a semblance of strength. And meaning. Cf brown a medic. Found some strength and humor during the vietnam war. But in these lines he shares that even that is no longer even that no longer brings him much comfort. In fact the opposite. He right. I can tell true stories from the jungle. I never mention the fun. Our sense of humor embarrasses me. Something warped it out of place. And bent. I dragged it along. And as if in an early answer. The world war 1 poet christopher bradley wrote these lines in 1918. O'brothers in calamity unknown companions in the order of black los lift up your hearts. For you are not alone. These words welcome us to embrace the service that we might give to our veterans. To thank them. Peloton. To give. To create forms where their voices can be heard. Anticipating programs at 10 to their pain. To prove. That they are not alone. And there is one thing more if not a myriad. We are called to remember the fallen. We are called to recognize their sacrifice but not solely. We are called to horry hold the glory. That was. Their life. Before we share candles of witness a chance for us to remember and honor. I'd like to read one last poem. The poet is janji mcgee. He wrote it during and after training for a flying mission during world war ii. The poem was sent to his family. When john died in another routine training 8 days later. It is entitled. Hi. Flights. Oh i have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings. Sunward i've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun split. Clouds and done 100 things. You have not dreamed of. Wield and sword and swung high and the sunlit silence hovering there i've chased the shouting wind along and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up the long delirious burning blue i've topped. The wind-swept. Heights with easy gray. We're never lark nor eagle flew. And while with silent lifting mind i've tried. The high i'm trespassed sanctity of space. Put out my hand and touched. Buffet. Of god. Almond. And blessed be to those that have.

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?download=%2F2016%2F02%2FConscious_Evolution.mp3

About 10 years ago. I had an experience of a lifetime or at least that's how i saw it. I was in new york city for a work conference. Just at the time when the american museum of natural history there had an exhibit on charles darwin. And i love darwin. And so i had a great time wandering the halls and looking at all the exhibits. No i was already pretty familiar with his life and work and so i wasn't really learning anything new but. It was just fun to see these artifacts. Associated with darwin. But then. I saw his notebook. These were notebooks that he carried with him during his travels when he was young. The notebooks were about the size of the like the palm of your hand and they would flip open. Auntie use these notebooks. Make observations as he traveled. As he was counting birds or turtles or what have you. And so he just. With making observations collecting data. But then he had a couple notebooks. That we're not for making observations. But for working out as thinking. About this observation. Pride understand what it was he was seeing. In these notebooks. It's written these notebooks where he began to develop his understanding of evolution. Looking at these notebooks especially that one were you seeing trying to work out what the hell evolution were. Looking at these notebooks. I felt like i was standing on holy ground. That's only a slight exaggeration because whatever the shortcomings or gaps in darwin's theory. His work eventually came to change how many people came to think about life on earth. Especially about human life. Because the theory of evolution not only provided a new understanding of how life evolved physically. It also came to shed light on all aspects of humanity. The roots of our behavior. Our social networks. Our cultural institution. And it all began. With those notebooks. We are still coming to terms. With the meaning of evolution. And that's why many faith communities are celebrating. A pollution sunday today. This is been going on i think for about 11 12 years. On the sunday closest darwin's birthday which was justice last friday they celebrate evolution day where they try to explore. What evolution means to them as people of faith how does the theory of evolution intercept. With their particular religious tradition. In faith communities were in faith traditions that emphasized the role of a divine creator. These discussions often focus on how does god work in the world that is. How what is the interaction between natural forces. And what day understand as divine will. But i wanted to look at a different question this morning and that is. What is the interaction between natural forces. And human will. Inhuman choy. And it's a question that became very popular in psychology circles in the 20th century. It was frank's den as nature-versus-nurture. That is to what extent. It's human nature den product. Of our biology. And to what extent can we temporarily nature. Through conscious effort. I think that this is a question that goes to the heart of the work we do. As a religious tradition. As unitarian universalist we are constantly calling ourselves towards greater and greater spiritual growth we are always working to nurture a more just and loving world that's what we do right. But i think as we think about the role of evolution as we think about the role of biology in shaping our behavior. It's worth asking. Is this a realistic proposition. How reasonable is this. And there is no question that evolution is a powerful force in human society today. Providence. I point to our current political debates. You can see in the political debates that we've been having over the. Over the issues of emigration race religion and sexuality. These are difficult issues no doubt about it. But they are made all the more difficult. By xenophobia. That is. By fear of others a deep-seated fear of people who are different from us. When we experience xenophobia. We experience difference. As threatening. As a danger to our well-being to our safety. To our way of life. Does this language sound familiar. Isn't this what we're hearing in the debates. This real fear of other. When i hear this it when i'm listen to say it actual say presidential debate and i hear some of this language it can be so puzzling inoffensive. Visayan casteless atmosphere of other the xenophobia. Is actually a product of evolution. At one time this beer served. A purpose. It actually helped us survive as a species. Innocence it's all about family. It's about caring more for people who are from your gene pool than four people from other gene pools. Caring more for people. Who are like you. Rather than those who are different. In early human history this tennessee meant that we would work hard to ensure the survival of our offspring. And us. Pass on her own jeans. Scientist sometimes referred to what they what they call at caring gene. The problem is the world has changed over the millennia. And our biology has not kept up. Our society is so complex now. Our society is so diverse. So suddenly this caring jean which at one time again serve the very real purpose. Is karen jean. Now results in xenophobia. And now results and prejudice. Discrimination. Injustice. So that's one of the downside of evolution. But there is an upside as well. Third gift that evolution has given us that continue to bless our lives in particular. Gifts that help us connect with one another. And this worship service is a perfect example. What's the first thing we do when we gather together look at order service. What is it. Wee sing. We sing together we sing in unison. And there's a good reason for that and it's rooted in our biology. Scientists have found that when people sing together. Or clap together. Or dance together. It actually releases chemicals in our brain. That make us feel good. And that make us feel connected to each other. Such feelings provide an evolutionary edge. Because people have a better chance of surviving. When they're part of a strong community. When they're part of a community that looks out. For that common good. But really just feeling a sense of connection is good for us. We know that from experience. For example what happens. When you're angry with someone. How does your body react. How does it react. 10th. The heart may pounds. The breath make it shallow you know in more rapid. This isn't your typical flight or fight scenario. And it serves a purpose. It actually serves a purpose at times. But. Again tight muscles racing heart shallow breath and don't forget the adrenaline flooding the system. These things are not good for us. They're not good for us physically. What happens when were with someone who we love. Pretty much the opposite isn't it. We relax. Are hard to study. Our breadth of study. We feel safe. To feel a sense of love and connection. This is good for us physically. And this is something to remember to be angry with someone to be alienated it is bad for us physically. To feel loved. Compassion and empathy. This is healthy for us we are wired. For connection. Industrial we are wired for connection. At a very deep level and recent years neuroscientist have actually pinpointed the parts of the brain. That come into play when we feel empathy and compassion. And what's really cool is those same parts of the brain. Are what work when when a mother. Is bonding. With a child. When we feel empathy and compassion for each other it is like the mother the love of a mother. Love of a mother. For her child. Isn't that cool. So here we are so here we have this dichotomy on the one hand we are born to love one another were born to be connected on the other hand. We are born to feel fear. Both are products. Up a pollution. Both. Have played an important role. In ensuring the survival of our species. And both are alive and well today. In our society. And in our lives now. But then evolution has resulted. In another gift. That makes the difference. And that is we have the capacity. To choose. How we develop. We have a choice we can choose. To feel fear. 250 fear difeel alienation for others who are unlike us. Or. We can choose to set aside our fears. And extend love to them. We have this choice is actually. Built into our brains. This is something that neuroscientist have discovered in recent years they call it a neural plasticity. In all that means really is that our brain can change. Based on how we use it. Insurance the more we exercise our capacity for empathy. The more that that part of the brain are those parts of the brain involved in empathy. Will develop. The stronger they will get. That sounds very mystical but it's not really different from learning other kinds of skills such as. Playing the piano. The more you play. The piano. The more the parts of the brain that are involved in playing the piano. Will develop. They actually did this really interesting study of cab drivers in london. Word london no very complex treats into no way to know your way around london it's really hard. What they found was cab drivers have been driving the streets of london for a long time the parts of the brain. That had that were involved in spatial recognition. We're incredibly developed. Bad day today just developed over time. We have that capacity. For change. It's in our biology. Do you know we seen change in our lifetime in a very big way. Just think about how much has changed with attitudes toward same-sex marriage. And sexual orientation. 5 years ago on this day. Faith communities from around the area gathered at the fairfax county courthouse. They were there to protest the county's refusal. To issue same-sex marriage licenses. And i was there that day and it was a very impressive turnout. A lot of you use. But there were other faith traditions as well. And there was singing and i think peter morales is there was auntie karen. I think he was there now. It was an impressive turnout there's no there's no doubt about it. And yet when i left the courthouse that day. I thought it meant i could have much hope. As impressive a turnout as this wasn't as inspiring it was in the moment. I also sensed that we are a long ways from anything changing there just seemed to be too much prejudice in our society. Too much prejudice. In our social institutions into much president prejudice. In our political institutions. It changed us. Sing nowhere near. And help look for we are. Attitudes have changed. Laws have changed. Why is have changed. So much has changed in and actually now especially when you use circles valentine's day. Has become the start of day for recognizing. This change that has occurred for really celebrating it. I just think it's amazing. Just amazing what a gift this is. That humans. Can change we can change how we think about things. I think about what this means to us and the work we do as a faith community. One way of looking at what we do here. Each sunday and what we do during the week. Is we gather together to develop our individual capacities for empathy and compassion. We develop these capacities. By caring for one another. Buy for caring for people in the communities around us. And. Perhaps by caring for people in the communities around us. We're helping other people. Develop their capacity. For empathy. And compassion. Slowly but surely we are making the world a more just and loving place. And we're doing it. I changing our brain. How cool is that. This is what i call conscious evolution in developing the capacities that we value the capacities for love compassion and empathy we are choosing how we wish. To evolve. We are rewiring our own biology. And this is a gift. And it's also a challenge. Because how much. Do we wish to change. How far. Do we want to go. I love to reading that i shared for a chalice lighting it's from. Omid safi who's a muslim theologians whose writings are very bold and they're very boldly loving. Indus reading detox about. The call for all people of all faiths to widen their circle of love. We have to keep pushing deepening widening the circle of love he rides he says that even when we think when we reasonably of egoism nepotism nationalism. Religious fanaticism even when we've arrived at a place that is truly worthy of us. We can't stop there. We have to keep widening the circle of love. I think about that in terms of same-sex marriage. Yes. We have come far there's no doubt about it. But we still have a long ways to go. The 2013 supreme court ruling rejected the ban on same-sex marriage in california which triggered similar changes in states across the nation and that was that was a wonderful thing but it was only a partial victory. It was only a partial victory however great that was for the individuals affected. By those changes it was a partial victory for humanity. Because there are still so many ways in which our social institutions can discriminate against same-sex couples. For example right here in virginia. Lawmakers want to make it legal. For court clerks. To turn away people asking for same-sex marriage licenses. If if the court clerk is a basted it goes against their convictions. This law would basically allow that court clerk. To send that couple to dmv. To get their marriage life. Does that sound like a quality to you. And there are similar obstacles popping up everywhere. There are people who are trying to make discrimination legal. Legal and binding. Who want discrimination to be embedded in our social institutions. So yes i'm happy that so many people are now able to marry that they're loving relationships can be recognized by the laws of their particular state that is something to celebrate. So yes let's celebrate. And then let's widen the circle of love. As a faith community in as a faith tradition. What's not claim victory until the rights of lgbt individuals are fully recognized. By the law of the land. Where discrimination is foley outlet. Anything short of that. Is no victory at all. And what about the t in lgbtq. What about individuals who identify as trans. You know what's interesting in many ways society now frowns upon blatant discrimination against people based on their. Sexual orientation. But that's not the case with gender identity. I saw this for myself last year when the fairfax county school board was considering policies that would extend protections. Detran students. I attended one of the hearings ahead of the vote. And the opposition to the proposed policy was fierce. And rancorous. Civility without the window. Listening to the debate that night. I realized how much fear some people felt around this issue. I never one person saying that the very idea of transgender was a fiction. That god created humans male or female and anyone who suggested otherwise was diluted and sinful. And other people were even more hateful. As it happens the policy pass. A victory. Something to be celebrated. But i was sad and when i realized that hate for trans individuals with still. Socially acceptable. People in a public forum could speak of trans individuals as being less than human. And feel no shame. In space no. Social recourse. It was all fine. Just. Is not acceptable. For too long trans individuals have had to hide their gender identity. Warface vilification. Violence. Or even death. Vince. Must. Change. We need to get to work in our communities. To widen the circle of love. And the good news again is that we have this capacity. People have the capacity to change. Darwin probably never imagined it but we but we have the ability to consciously evolve. To choose to become more compassionate and loving people are more compassionate. In loving society. The artist and writer frederik frank wrote a book called human against all odds and which. He was talking about this hell. Compassion and empathy. Are embedded in the brain hella comes from particular parts of the brain this is in the early days of that science. He felt that it was this capacity. That makes us human. Or at least makes us potentially human. As he had the saying born human. To become human. Born human to become human by that he meant we are born with the capacity to become human to become loving and compassionate. But we only truly become truly human when we exercise that capacity. Wouldn't it be great if someday valentine's day. With a celebration of this capacity. Perhaps we might use the stay to celebrate the ways in which we widen the circle of love so far. And also to reflect on the waze. In which we need to widen it still. We could observe this holiday in our school. In our political institutions. And in our hearts. Now that. Would be something to celebrate. May it be so.

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?download=%2F2018%2F12%2FSpirit_and_Mystery_and_More.mp3

For those of you who don't know this is not our usual congregational arrangements. But we are coming into. Mystery. We're coming into something different. Today. And. It's a topic. Pizza my heart. And open to so many interpretations. And where we're going. Is mystery and speer. I have a friend who is a small. Whose father was a small-town person. Canada. A really. Small town. At a really. Schmaltz. Parsnip. My friend is now about 50. And she was raised in the parsonage with the church just there about as close as my offices to where i'm standing. The story i'm about to tell has her. About 8 years old. About the age of the kids who were just with. She. Not her older or younger brother.

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The_Kids_Are_All_Right.mp3?_=1

To invite you to go with me on a journey. A trip down memory lane. A less alarming version of willy wonka's boat ride to the land of imagination. Syncbak. To a moment in your life. When you were young. And the world was. Infinitely magical. Even in the most adverse circumstances children still. How does capacity to believe in magic. Or perhaps your mind. Who's first to a time when you were a young person. Feeling invincible. And like you could change the world all on your own. Although they may by then have lost a child to believe in magical moments. You have their own capacity for believing in goodness. In rightness. And in the power of a just cause. And then we grow up. Adulting they call it now. The grind of bills. Jobs repairs to cars and houses. The cares of being a grown-up who. Turns out. Doesn't get to eat ice cream everyday for dinner. Someone might say that we've lost that magic. The word prosaic. And humdrum. And pragmatic now. I don't completely believe that though. Maybe you don't either. Snow white. Don't believe that. Because we keep telling the stories. In life. In fiction. That's not true. Or we haven't become prosaic. And humdrum. We keep finding ways to reclaim the magic even if just for a moment or a chapter or a day. If you head down to the local movie theater not sure what the closest one is here for you. You can watch a grown up christopher robin. Not only returning to pooh corner. But bringing a little bit of pooh corner back with him. Who's working in the library when the first harry potter books came out. I remember being. Bemused to say the least. Because parents would come in and renew the books. It started to chapter 2 check it out and make sure this new book was going to be okay for their kids. And the children hadn't even gotten to see them the parents reread the whole book. And and then needed to come back and say i'm going to need some more time for my kids to actually read this. Twenty years later those kids are now re-reading those books to their children. More than once a parent. Grandparent auntie uncle or friend. Has told me. I agree. That one of the fun parts of having kids in your life. Is what you have an excuse to play with toys again. So no i don't believe we've given up the magic for good. Sometimes we forget it for a little while though. Sometimes the problems seem too pervasive. The sadness too much. The stress is too heavy to carry. I think we need to honor that. Feeling also. Mewtwo i think the kids know something we don't know. Or have forgotten. Life doesn't have to be all sunshine for the magic to happen. Children's movies and fairytales they have a surprising number of dark moments. From little red riding hood and the wolf. Hansel and gretel switch with her gingerbread house. To bambi's mother. Traumatized and elsa's ice powers. The most the most beloved children's stories are not all sweetness and light. I'm still in spite of all the disturbed. These stories hold wonder for generations of children and adults to. It's not just fiction either. The movie life is beautiful. Was based on a holocaust memoir. Telling story. I'm a father who makes a game. For his son. Out of their life in the concentration camp. We need to hold space for all of our feelings. All of our experiences not just a happiness. Not just the magic. Holding and honoring all of our feelings. Doesn't mean giving up on the magic entirely either. Regardless of where you hang your political hat. It cannot be denied. The last two years have brought sometimes it felt like everyone we knew. Was. Or is. At each other's throats. Peter pan may have it right that all the world is made of faith and trust and pixie dust. But some days it doesn't feel like that. I think adolescence. The young adults. Have something to teach us then. In some ways i consider myself a child of the sixties and seventies. For those of you who are doing the math you're right. I'm just sticking around the corner into my forties. I believe there's a special quarter in our heart this reserves for the music we grew up with. Stop music calls us home. For me. Simon and garfunkel. Cat stevens. Peter paul and mary. Those are just a few of the songs that sing my soul. A joke to friends that it's no wonder. But i grew up to become comfortable. Withholding multiple identities intention. I was raised on protest songs by two army veterans. For some of you. Maybe the songs in our service today all of which were taken from the era of the 60s or 70s. Also bring back memories. Days when you might have been like many people today. On one side of a protest line or the other. Pull the song we heard during the interlude. Fwiw. Is better known. As of as an anti-war protest song. It actually wasn't written as an anti-war protest song at all. It was written in response to a series of protests turned violent. It was later revised to reflect the kent state shootings that took place three years later. Take a closer look. But some of the lyrics from that song. Cuz i think. Who's lesson still holds true for today. The song's iconic opening lines on their own. Could be an anthem for anyone living in a season of change. Whether that's changed with in the world. Change within society. Or change within our own personal lives. There's something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear. Change breeds uncertainty. One of the things we adults. Are much better than kids at is resisting change. In fact. Pets with the next verse of the song is about. There's battle lines being drawn nobody's right. If everybody's wrong. Young people speaking their minds. Getting so much resistance from behind. There's a joke about how each generation at some point. Becomes the generation grumbling about these kids nowadays. When the truth is we all used to be these kids ourselves. I've done it about technology. I want to type on a typewriter. I'm part of the xennial microgeneration that's caught between analog and digital. Tech is not my first language. To digital natives are confusing and sometimes frustratingly opaque to me. A generational tips about newfangled inventions and styles. Girls. Not forget that the tuxedo was once considered shockingly informal. Are far from the only thing. The each set of young people brings to the table. His children have the market cornered on wonder. Young people perhaps are the keepers of passion and action. Turns out. The car rental places had it right all along. It's not until the age of 25. That our brains finish developing the impulse control. Will need to rely on. During the coming years. Especially those decades called the sandwich generation which many of us friend. Caught between the needs of younger generations and older generations in our lives. And that impulse-control there's increasing responsibilities. What's real good things. The more campbell's i see on my cake every year the more grateful i am to have the life i do. You actually couldn't pay me to go back to 18 or 21. Shaking. But there isn't. Indescribable something. A generational june 6th. Hold in trust for all of us. By the young people in the threshold years between childhood. And adulthood. A willingness to drive right into dive right into stand up for what they believe. To ignore the obstacles and those who say. Capital. I think there's a reason why so many startups are helmed by young people. They don't listen to the fact that what they want to do is impossible. And so somehow. They do. Or create. It anyway. Buffalo springfield says. Thousand people in the street. Singing songs and carrying signs. Mostly say. Hooray. 4 hours sign. I don't preach. Maybe catches your toes a little bit like it does mine. Protecting what we value always. Always. Requires that we listen to more than just our own solutions more than our own side. The proverbial self-licking ice cream cone will not help us make positive change in the world. We'll just keep addled in our own tribes. And there are major problems facing our world hunger poverty violence and hatred. That we can only fix. Working together. One year ago this week. Not too faraway inn in charlottesville. Hatred killed the young woman. One month ago. Also not too far away in annapolis. Hatred tell 5 journalist. We can't fix any of that hearing signs that say hooray for our side. We have to find a way forward. Together. Two solutions that heal our communities. Here's what i hear the young people of today saying. Asking. The same thing. Each of our generations asks if the ones that went before us. Don't get so comfortable. And so consumed by your adulting. That you forget about love. And peace. The hulk of fwiw. The very first chorus. Perpetrating ties this whole thing together. I think it's time we stop children what's that sound. Everybody look what's going down. That's what they do there with who they address. It's the children. Who are hearing the sound. Asking everyone. To sit up and take notice. They the children and the youth. It's your things we don't. Wonder and passion are so very real. And that's important in our own lives and our own faith development. In the christian new testament jesus reminds us to be as little children. Jewish rabbi. C freeman. Says the two lives. Is to delight in life. Like a child. And wonder is such a critical element for asses you use. It's reflected in our very first source. Direct experience of that transcending mysteries. And wonder. In the book the polar express. The protagonist reflects on his own journey. Of wonder. Saying. At one time. Most of my friends could hear the bell. What is years past it fell silent for all of them. The white grown old. The bell still rings for me. As it does for all those who truly believe. When we retain that connection to wonder. Hope is never truly lost. And anything is possible. I'll close with one more quote. From the rabbi free. The child demands. Affair and perfect world and the child is right. The kids. Are over. Spend a little bit of time learning from them. To see the magic. To fight for what we believe in. And to make the world right.

uusterling_org

Doubt.mp3

I was speaking with my nephew over the thanksgiving holiday. It was a rare moment. My husband and i were actually alone. The conversation turned inward and turned deeper. Young man with terribly wise eyes. And a beaming smile now in his second year of college related. The draft except that he'd experienced over the past few years. He shared. I finally stopped trusting outward authority. All those people and things i was supposed to believe in. Now i find my 40 in myself. And in my own understanding of the world. I've known my nephew for his whole life and have watched him grow. As a child he would take all of his toys and put them in neat little rows. I remember this because when i saw him do this it was like i was looking in a mirror dimly. I was seeing myself at his age. Already searching for order and reason. Already sitting in the middle of his universe buying the set all the chaos great. When my nephew spoke his newfound poop i was not expecting it but i should have been. I remember having the same experience as i age. Myerly maturity. That's not an easy place to be i shared. It is a bold and unknowable. Stop. But i know it is also deeply disturbing. 3d mccrery stared from the movie doubt. What i mean when i say it is also deeply disturbing. A shipwrecked sailor who set a course for home fell asleep. Call brandon. And for the next 29 could no longer see the stars. He thought he was on course but there was no way to be certain. Guillotine. 1. Continue to hold on to it. Without further reoccurring. I appreciate this image of a shipwreck. When we make a break from outward authority when we realize that our parents are not always right. When we can no longer abide the inconsistencies. Or the irrationality of inherited religious traditions. When we watch the long arm of the law khanvict innocent men and women. When we see how the way we have learned to live. The drive where to eat. It slowly tearing up our earth. When our eyes are open. We do not dab calmly. Our new understanding. On the wave of a new vision. Old ship broken. I mean look around to see that we are adrift in arvada and open sea. Without any stars tagada. Because this new universe is still young. Interview. Any ocean. Any other persistent. Early christian philosopher peter abelard chairs. The beginning of wisdom is found in downing. By doubting we come to the question and by seeking. We may come upon.. Abelard knew well that are vital religious life demanded a vital wrestling with down. Doubt is the root of knowledge but where can you put down roots. When you're in the middle of an ocean. List of the flood and noah from the hebrew testament come to mine. The travelers on the ark could not rest until the dove returned with an olive branch the symbol of both pig. Land. Land would mean that the ark did not have to drink. Forever. Glenwood also mean. Something. I want to tell you about a modern theologian whose work was a result of an aching wrestling with doubt and a vital search for something solid. Call kellen. One of the most-read religious thinkers of the past country. Bound 2. And he found it. Born in germany he'll explain for religious service before wwii. When the naughty machine overtook his country and started weeping it pours. He was serving as a military chaplain for his native army. A colossal big party that he experienced day after day left his body. And his mind. Who was jordin tootoo nervous breakdown for escaping to america. At first he didn't think he could return to theology any peace from the chaos that he had lived. When he reason. The only kind of theology that deserve to be written after the war. How to adjust the abyss. Human existence. That the war reveal. Ruby of the horrors of which humans were capable. I'm not just enough to use in their arrogant brutality but all the countries and citizens that turned a blind eye. Jewish refugees away. Human suffering. We had stormed into the 20th century with the supposedly enlightened but. In the perfectibility. Humanity. I needed that made sense before the second world war that we were moving toward greater dusta. But after. The war was a shipwreck we all had to start again from the beginning. And now from the abyss. Thompson's out new dumb looking for the next flight of solid land the next chance for hope and then peed. Others uncomfortable with the instability of floating along on the ocean of modern-day out started building up walls of curtains. Right where they were in the middle of the town. I called 20th century extremist. And some of them put their faith in the bold ideologies of fundamentalism and unreflective secularism. Fundamentalist believe that their particular faith is true and by doing what their faith tells them to do they will achieve heavenly blessed. Unaffected secularist believe something surprisingly quite similar. Salvation by consumerism. He or she who dies with the most toys wins. If you've ever gotten into an argument with a fundamentalist for an unrequested secularist you know how closely. They hold their truth. Earhart. How hard it is dinner jack any different perspective. An extreme from the movie doubt further elucidate. The way certain team can become about. But also a blood. This is an exchange between father flynn and sister aloysius. The sisterhood tattoos bother glenn of sexual misconduct with one of his students. After failing to convince the sister of an end of his infant estate. I can bite you. Sister return. You will lose. I have my certainty. And armed with that i will keep fighting. After you are convicted. Abyss crown. There's little in the movie that proves blend innocence or his guilt. What standout is the sister certainty. Others privy to the team information sky from making convictions while the sister pushes forward with a curing. The modern theologian gk chesterson chesterton right. Is not bigotry to be certain that we are right. But it is bigotry to be unable to imagine. How we might possibly be wrong. Movie doubt left me. Endowed. The sister seemed to fit chapter 10 definition of a bigot. Unable to imagine how she could be wrong but did her actions save a child. Or ruin a man's career. Possibly the most disturbing aspect of the movie for me. Was the sisters near-total lack of doubt. I wanted her to admit her humanity. Her commitment to noble but her certainty of bigotry. Add mortal humans i believe we will never have all of the answers or know all the truth. Yes we still need. But we cannot forget the ocean. The reality that we are part of something so much bigger than our cell. Something that no matter are searching. Whatever offer mysteries. And challenger. What do we do with the dow. We can't remain drifting forever. Certainties of fundamentalism and unreflected secularism will not be our salvation i'm sure of that. But what will. I chose this path because i have felt the uncompromising for of down. But i didn't see that the lose myself and certain i chose it for the safespace that it builds but all of us to search the deep. Is not a meeting with search we may not work to establish wrote certainty but our work is to learn who. I don't know about you. It's not in the palms of our hands than in the den. I'm talking about a tooth that is difficult to express with words. That we most commonly feel. Any season is quite paradoxically a great time to search for this kind of fruit. Store shelves have been bursting since halloween with the clutter of christmas. Particular promise of salvation by consumers. Glaringly apparent. Buy more and be happy. But the season doesn't come in packages mark. Some assembly required. Or. Choking hazard. Asian wrapped in the glorious packaging of meth. Permanent whitening. I've read all the books that debunk the mythology of the bible. I've studied and found there were likely four different writers are schools of writer. Put together that. Come on i know that miracles don't happen. I studied the historical jesus a really great guy but what about that magic stuff. That was written a long time after jesus lived and died and likely by folks who never knew him. What can i get out of work. After wwii tillich watched as many of the ranks of the illusions responded nothing exactly the way that i just did. They were more interested in the real history they rejected the mythology because they knew that it wasn't literal truth. And they were in search of certainty. Debunking the literal truth of meth. Was necessary step. In the wake of the horror of wwii he's leaving a religion like any road ideology that plan perfect and literal actor. Could justify. Restrained unrestrained aftercare. Indeed indeed we have penis happened barsoom any time. But he also saw that dee literally lysing the stories did not. That there meaning was negated. Abreva jackman. We deprive religion of its language. Retirement the holy. This is one awesome way that we can reach for an actor ultimate. What really matter. What life is all about. What it means to be. Coraline. Well literal people's ass about land about solid ground about our history our scientific reality tells us about the ocean. About those in loosen poop that we can never know in full but that we are called to kurt. Because we are all in some way. Address in doubt. And one. I don't believe that the story the mess that i scared today with the children ever really happen. I don't believe that god wanted the high door that he found the perfect hiding spot. But i do believe. When i read it or carrot and especially when i tell it to children. I feel. But it is true. God hope spirit of life love what really open italy matter is here. Is ripa. Bedtime. In this season we have the opportunity to connect. Many of these wonderful religious myth. That a tiled was born who's living with transform the world. Oil light burn 48 night when there was only enough fuel for it to burn 41. The dish mother earth may lay dormant for another year if we do not petition the phone to return on the floor. This is not about history at 10:33. It is about our connection to what is of ultimate concern. Defined our relationship a guide to the holy life. In a way that literal account cannot. Do i invite you to be open this season. You're the man i knew. April will be different. You do not have to hear what you think you are expected to hear. Artemis keep you the truth that you are ready to hear. Now. But thank you. Not so that your doubt will be calling. But tell that your doubt will be on. Honor the reality that life is full of mystery and at truman. And all. Let the nets of the season tell you a bit more about what is the play. And teaches us how to love. Doubt can be a bond. As powerful entertaining at certainty. When you're alone. You are not alone. Almond.

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The_Life_That_Is_Larger.mp3

A few days ago i was flipping through radio channels and pause on a religious station. It was a commercial. A smooth voice was reminding the audience that jesus did not strike up conversations with people about their sinful ways. Instead he talked to them about the symptoms of their sin. The delusion the pain the suffering. The smooth voice told us to do likewise. We should grab our friends or acquaintances or just passers-by and asked them if they were feeling angry or lonely or confused. And if they are we should tell them. That we have a cure. And only then. When they bite. Should we say. Surreptitiously. That the cure is faith. And that they need rid themselves of their sinful ways. Interesting lee. I slept from this channel to another. Where popular singer was flatly delivering the line. If it's all just a game why not play along. One of the most pernicious fallacies making the rounds today is that faith makes a person happy or peaceful or content or all three. Faith is a cure for what ails you faith is being sold as if it were an antidepressant hawked by smooth voices that promise results. If we believe that there is any truth to these testaments. Where will we be if and when faith doesn't save us from suffering. I'm attending and leading one session of the six voices fix face class hosted by st. james episcopal in leesburg. On loudoun interfaith bridges. On thursday we learned about christianity a woman in the class sitting behind me stood to ask a question. What does christianity say about suffering. She asked. Why do so many people suffer so greatly. Then she paused. I'm from bosnia. Eyewitness the bosnian serbian war. Her eyes were wet but no tears fell. She's helped them back and she sat down. We were in her home. Her congregation. She dared question her face. Its capacity to deliver her from the confusion of suffering. She paired to testify to her doubt. Her priests who is leading the discussion. Did not propose a cure. Instead the face of this kind and generous woman. So i am proud to consider a friend. Went from pale. Too runny. She acknowledged it was a terribly difficult question. She wanted an answer. I wanted an answer. Somewhere offered and all fell short. Faith is something that can hold us while we suffer something that can help us understand a bit more about suffering about this world and about our place in this world but just like our children story it is different for everyone. And it is born of our experiences and our lives. I don't believe it can be given. Or explained. All that neatly. But i know it should be explored because i pray that we'll all find it. When we need it. One thing i found personally. Is that faith doesn't come from creed's. Or beliefs from the trappings of a religion. But from the religious experience. Itself. The experience of all or wonder. Or interconnection. Or closeness or beauty. From the experience that this life is bigger than ourselves. From the poem shared earlier mary oliver considered the majesty of life. How life every year grows from life. How even when she cannot see the roots digging down or the corn stocks rising up they are. And with this in mind she proposes how could i look at anything in this world and tremble and grip my heart. Put my hands over my heart. What should i fear. I've come to believe that the opposite of fear. Is face. Not that face cancels out any and all fears that would be lunacy. But that face enabled us to live through our fears. Are most persistent fears. And they are connected. Are the fear of isolation and the fear of death. Faith cannot correct. But it can answer those fears it can remind us as oliver proposes that even though we cannot witness all the beauty. And the mystery that whines about our universe. It is they're moving about and within us. This is not a fundamentalist definition of faith. But it is the form of faith that i believe is fundamental. The human nature. Even though reluctantly religious find themselves drawn to some sort of faithfulness. George washington. Was reluctantly religious. When you assume the role of our first president. He did so. Reluctantly. Get with grace. During the oath of office he placed his hand upon the bible and after promising allegiance to his post and country. He pronounced forwards. That were not written by his speech writer. Nor were they mandated by the ritual. He said. So help me god. Washington was not religious in the culturally accepted manner of his time. He was a deist. He did not believe that god was acting in the world reaching down and answering prayers are punishing wrong. Washington attended chapel to be with others and hear the sermon but would leave before communion. And he got chastise for this on a number of occasions. By his priest. He did not accept the miracle stories nor that god became flesh and walked with us. Rather washington believed that god had set this world in motion. And dowling humans with free will. The capacity for good or evil and then left. It's up to us. This deist begged into his position as president was undoubtedly awed by the prospect of birthing a new nation and he stood before his country and concluded his oath. So help me god. Who was he speaking to. His god had left after the world started spinning. According to his religion. Was this a moment of weakness. Or a doubt. Was he trying to put on airs of religiosity. Or was this an honest pronouncement of a true faith. We can't know washington's conscience but we might know our own. Is faith possible without a personal god. Without the belief that prayer is a direct petition to a being that may reach down and make it all right again. Without the belief. But that same god will damn us to eternal torment. If our oath be false. I recently took a note. When i served virginia as an election officer. I can't remember the exact words but it was something like. I won't mess up on election day. About a year earlier i took a different o. So i can perform marriages. There i said. I won't mess up on wedding days. When i made those oaths i pronounce my accountability to something other than myself. Something larger than myself. The democratic experiment the institution of marriage and of course all of the people involved in each. Washington's oath of office made him accountable to a nation. The history. The freedom. A tall order. So help me god seems an apt way to acknowledge the burden. A burden no human can carry on their own. Not that god for washington would make it all okay. But that his recognition of god somehow change the whole equation. Tolstoy across the sea lived in a vastly different political world. Yet he developed a similar face. He closed his novel on a karenina with this speech by 11. A character akin and ideology to the author. This new feeling has not changed me has not made me happy and enlightened me all of a sudden as i had dreamed it would. It was no surprise about it either but whether it is faith or not i do know. What. I don't know what it is. But the feeling has entered jacques imperceptibly into my soul through suffering and has lodged itself. They're firmly. I still still get angry with my coachman ivan. I shall still argue and express my thoughts in opportunely. There will still be a wall between the holy of holies of my soul. And other people. I shall still be unable to understand with my reason why i am praying. And i shall continue. To pray. But my life. My whole life. Independent of anything that may happen to me. Every moment of it. Is no longer meaningless. But has an in contestable. Meaning. Of goodness. With which i have the power. Too invested. One reason i love this passage. Is that it challenges the cultural icon of a faith-filled person. 11 is not blissful nor earnest. He is frail and imperfect. He prays without being able to explain why yet he seeks and holy appreciates a life of purpose. Tolstoy hints at the reality that faith is not full. Or real. Until it is lived. It can't be explained or even understood it only comes to life when we invest it with power. And the way we engage our days. Mother teresa. Possibly the epitome of such a life of faith. Chose before her recent book. Come by my light. I'm sorry. Mother teresa possibly the epitome of such a life of faith. Before her recent book come by my light was published. Appeared to us. As a person with a sturdy and complete faith. Someone who never suffered uncertainty. But she did. See who answered the pain of so many souls wrote. I call i clean. I want. And there is no one to answer. No one on whom i can cling. No. No one. Alone. Where is my faith. Even deep down right in here is nothing but emptiness and darkness. My god how painful. Is this unknown. And yet each and every day while she wondered whether god was with her. Whether she loved. She shared. Whether she was loved. She shared an affirmation with everyone else. She met. Whether they were rich or poor healthy or suffering. She told them. You are. Love. What is faith then. Is it a lie. There are at least two different opinions. One assumes that mother teresa's rationality was warring with her face. The supposition assumes that faith is irrational and therefore negated by sound reason. I'd like to propose another option. In her doubt mother teresa offers an awesome ministry. She offers it to me. And to you. To everyone who ever experienced the absence of god or hope. In our lives. She offers it to atheists to agnostics. And i would imagine just about everyone else. Doubters speakers volleyballs. She offers us an example of a life given to face even though that life was burdened by doubt. She proves to us that we do not need to have certainty. To give love. That we did not need to know why we labor to labor for love. But even in a haze of ambiguity we can serve a purpose. Larger than ourselves. If there was ever a place where i did not feel like i had a purpose to serve. It was ridgewood new jersey. I live there for one year. It's one of those towns where the main street becomes a promenade for all the pretty people. And man were they pretty. Dressed to the nines with perfect skin and features. I never quite felt like i belong there. Like i fit in. Like there was anything for me to do. So the experience i had there when my life finally felt purposeful was a shock that jolted me from what i later realized was apathy. I was finishing a run when i saw young woman bus driver clutching a cellphone and collapsing on a nearby bench. And tears. I thought for a moment then walked over to her and asked her what was wrong. Soon another woman joined us sitting on her other side and we discovered that. I'll call her claire. I just lost her father. She was broken and we listened. She felt lost. How would she know herself now she had already lost her mother now her father. Where would she find her strength. The other woman and i placed our arms around clare. We listened. I'm claire shook. The other woman began to pray. She called her god by the name jesus. He would make everything alright. Claire was love. She was held in his grace. I look down at claire she was hunched over and nodding her head. A wave of confusion ran through me i didn't like this theology. But i said yeah. Yes you are loved. There is beauty in this world. It is there. Even though it can be so hard to see it. So hard to feel it. The other woman shared. God is with you child. I said. Can you hold your father in your heart. Can you feel his presence. Mccall the life that he shared with you. And claire said yes but it is so painful. And i said yeah. Yes. It is. We stay like this for a while. I would be lying if i said my convictions were resolute. At times i look down at claire and wondered if she would be okay. The prayers seem to touch her but our grief was deep. Occasionally i wished i could offer words like the other woman was. Words that seemed to pour from a core of strength and certainty. But instead i just kept saying yes this is painful. You are grieving deeply. I see your grief. And yes. There is. Love. In time the other woman left and i helped claire make a phone call and arrange for another bus driver to take her out. As i plan to leave my uncertainties swarmed. What should i do now. What does she need. Have i said anything that she can take with her. But claire reached out to me. And gave me a hug. Then very simply said thank you for being here. You are a very faithful person. Thank you. As i walked home something shifted. Claire had called me faithful. But all i did was listen and tell her the things she already knew. And all the while i was wrestling with my own doubts. And she saw me as faithful. In one of her letters mother teresa said. Help me to keep smiling at him in spite of everything. I have learned to say. Help me to remain present. In spite of the doubts. Help me to be there when i'm called. To live my faith not in spite of. But through the doubt. And maybe we are better able to live our faith because of our doubts. Maybe we like mother teresa and i know that's a tough comparison to make. But maybe we can learn to be present to others when they struggle because we know that internal struggle in ourselves. I still don't have an answer. For the woman from bosnia. Who stood and asked how her religion. Could help her understand suffering. But i am willing to be present. To recognize and honor her testimony. I don't know how life is born of ashes but i know it is. And i don't know how faith is born about. But i know it happens. And i don't know why her questions can't be answered. But i know i have yet to hear an answer that does them justice. Except one. The answer of a faith lived. The faith that we belong to something so much larger than ourselves to which we are accountable. So help me god. So help me love. So help me truth. The live this faith. An answer. Those difficult questions. In my life. In our lives. So help me. To live this faith. I'm in.

uusterling_org

Politics_and_the_Pulpit.mp3

I guess i'm a conservative. I say that. But i'm also a radical. For example. Just looking at the water services. Indicates that these reflections of mine. Talk clitical and effaced. Well i don't believe that it has anything to do with faith. When we talk about politics. So. It explains also how i became unitarian in the first place. I became i joined the membership of the year. Universalism. 45 years ago. And it's. Current after i visited. The crossroads church. In d.c.. And heard a marvelous sermon. So. We then went out looking for a. Uu church in northern virginia. And. Over the years starting with mount vernon i remember there for about a decade and a half. Identity came a member at the fairfax. Unitarian church. To describe myself as a conservative. Something i. I had some concerns about because i don't like labels. I think that we were too. Be judged by our thoughts not by the way. Somebody even ourselves as. Has posted a level a label on us. So. But nevertheless. I think that. I could answer the question whether. I guess i'm a conservative. Are you became of you because i like to think for myself in fact. I must think for myself. I'm an individual. And i need to choose what ideas. To forman except. How does that accord with the uu's philosophy when i first joined. Well it was no creel requirement. There was no doctrine that i had to sign on to what i was aware of. So i felt. Very. Very accepting as matter fact i thought it was a great adventure. And i thought the minister could help. With the scribing and discussing. The minister's point of view about. Any subject at all. If i didn't like it i could always close my ears and work on some. Professional project that i was involved with. Most of the time i did find something really useful. From the minister today. Thought i heard. Preacher. There were no political labels attached to. Your philosophy of individual philosophy when i first became the uu member. Animats matter-of-fact. We didn't talk in those terms we didn't talk about politics. We were too busy. Enjoying ourselves cooperating with one another in creating kindness in the church itself. Now what dear. Political. Labels. I didn't know of any. Now. Did we act in the larger community. The word it was one particular. Area that we we will wholly engaged in. And that was in civil rights. Puerto rican african american. And. That was that was universal for univera are you use. And something for us to be proud of. The house it's different. Now than what it was before. Now. Social justice is the prime directive. It's a policy of the. Of the union congress you your membership. And. Social justice justice is considered a response to the 7 principles. That have been. Adopted by the uu movements. Time to stand. Reverend on you will be discussing the seven principles. In the future future. And i mentioned that i had put this in my my. Outline. And she. Told me she would be discussing and i look forward to her thoughts on this. I think the seven principles. Have spawned. Hey. What is now a moral requirement for you use. Morality. As a very personal experience. Something that we could. Learn from one another. But ultimately was always the responsibility of the individual. To map out. A life of morality. And. I personally will. I believe that it's. It's a it's a. To challenge. To face the challenges. Work that you do in the life that you lead. And still. Satisfy yourself that you're living a moral life. However. What is happening now is the president's for example of the uu association. Has identified what he considers. Morality. Angie. He judges that certain. Certain issues that i would regard as political. Armoire elitches. For example. I work workplace discrimination he identified it just enterprise it's a moral issue. The question calculation of war. Regarded at days. Azalea moral issue. Sexuality education. Identifiers. Moral issues in fact i totaled up to the various. Social issues that are presented. Under social justice. And you're 25 separate. Separate categories. Know how to sleep. How does the conservative label apply. Social issues. Social justice issues. Coincidentally. Identified with. In most cases political issues. That are being trying to be decided by. By political entities congress for example. President so on so far. The clearly identify this political. In fact. All of the social justice issues. Come from. But i would call the liberal. Liberal philosophy. Political. Liberal philosophy. Revlon you use the word progressive. I won't quibble about that. So i like to think of myself in some respects as a progressive. And. Unfortunately it's seeing. Hi manny and unfortunately. Uu congregation. That. Conservatives are opposed to social justice. But i think you will. If you've been to other congregations particularly large ones. You may have noticed that there's a certain condescension. To regarding other kind of other religions. And. There are good tutors remarks to the maid. Article about conservative agendas. Which i think is unfortunate because it does. It separates us. From from one another. Why do i remain tuuli complaints. Well the one i haven't been checked out of any confrontation gun. But the fact is i really really like you used to feel at home with you. Even when they're well as i said if i'm hearing something. That doesn't i just can't. Agree with. I'll just cut it out. And. Move on if it's blatant. Then i will say something about. I don't have on occasion even 2 minutes. Do i feel like a conservative when i visit here at you us. Absolutely not. I just know. There's no breath politics in this congregation that i've i've identified. Are you kept your personal views to yourself in a sentence. But i have felt very very welcome here. There's a sense of cooperation and kindness. That i appreciate. And so. You'll have to be seen my facebook. Frontier. Good morning. I'm linda net it i am probably one of your newest members if not the newest member of the unitarian church here. And tanya asked me to speak about liberal liberal politics and religion i have to admit my heart pounded in my chest. What can i possibly say to such a educated in learning group. Particularly about two topics that my grandmother said never to talk about in public. But i agreed with anya's request because i realized that the only path to growth was by stepping out of your comfort zone and i'm way out of my comfort zone i think one reason i became a you you is because i have liberal political beliefs. And i think that both of them spring from the same source. And that is to challenge and sometimes question the established authority. And the other reason is. Hope. Hope that positive changes can be achieved by a group of like-minded people acting together. So i embarked on a stress fueled research project. On the history of judaism. And in the areas where it may have social and political impact. And i discovered that there's a long tradition of social. Activism particularly in the area of civil rights. I was also exposed to activism as a college student at the university of florida during the vietnam war. Zaveri galvanizing time for students. Because there was a draft in place at that time. In any young man who was unlucky enough to get a low draft number could be targeted to go to war. After the kent state shootings are school closed down. And it was. It was consumed with a spasm of marches and candlelit. Marches and protests and sitting in front of the administration building. It was a time that. Shay 2 a.m. today. Because i realize it weren't for my good fortune of being born a woman. That i could have been selected to go to war. Men my peers had to choose between escaping to canada. Are being chosen to fight in the war that they didn't believe in and i didn't understand. Some tried desperately to enlist in the coast guard. If you were fortunate enough to get into the air national guard. I sometimes have a recurring nightmare in which i'm forced to fight. I find myself on a battlefield holding a rifle. Only a few feet away from another person holding a rifle pointing at me. And i realize that i have to kill. Or risk being killed. And i don't know why i don't know what this person i have no anger but i just know i have to kill them. Endeavor case. I killed the other person. And i see the look on her face the shock in the horror. And i wake up feeling. It haunts me for days. And i ask myself why does anyone have to be put in that position to kill another person that they don't know. You wondering why bring this up i think it's because. The war is probably one of the most defining issues in the upcoming election. Between. Liberals and conservatives. I need to have a little survivor's guilt for being born a woman. The reverend william beastie sinkford who is president of the unitarian universalist association of congregations disposed outfits on one business card. He's taken a position against the war in iraq. He's written letters letters to every members of congress to send a letter to the president. And delivered a petition signed by 13,000 you use. On march 7th he was involved in the interfaith witness for peace in washington dc. He was not one of the two you ministers who were arrested though. He wrote a letter on march 14th called witnessing for peace in which he outlines the ramifications of the war in iraq. And also some suggestions for its solution. I have a copy of that letter if any of you haven't read it i'd be happy to run it off with the copier for you it was really very well written. Enclosing. When reverend and anya asked me to explain how being you you has affected my political opinions i have to say i really don't think it has. But it has made me more conscious. Intolerant of people whose opinions i don't agree with. What do they do religious opinions or political opinions. I even found myself developing some degree of curiosity as to why their opinions are what they are. And i found that i can have discussions and not arguments about things that i feel passionate about. And it's not always been easy. Thank you. On march 11th in 1965. A unitarian universalist minister. Was murdered. James reeb the civil rights leader who traveled to selma alabama to march with martin luther king jr.. Dying. Because some men. And a system of oppression they represented. Rejected the way rev chose to live. His faith. This is how martin luther king jr began reeves eulogy. James reid was martyred in the judeo-christian faith that all men are brothers. His death was a result of a sensitive religious spirit. His crime was that he dared to live his face. He placed himself alongside the disinherited black brethren of this community. The world is a route over the murder of james reeb. For he symbolizes the forces of good will and our nation he was an attorney for the defense of the innocent. In the court of world opinion. He was a witness. To the truth that men of different races and classes might live. Eat. And work together as brothers. Read life is for unitarian universalists and example. Of a life lived with conscience. And given to justice. He was a dissenter. Proud of his religious and social heresy. And our tradition honors. Are dissenters. Heresy is our history. From origin and the 4th century who pronounced unitarian and universalist theologies. Conservatives in the sixteenth who was burned for his work. The errors of the trinity. The emerson. In the 19th who challenged a stayed religious vision with a transcendentalist quest. For the divinity that lives in all. Yet i fear that this remembrance. Of a revered heretic path. Has been tainted by a naive retrospect. These and many other dissenters were not heroes. While they lived. They were defenders. Upsetting the status quo challenging the political elite. Speaking not from the center but from the margins. Sharing things like the two of you did today. That. Maybe wooden twin you comfort. As you share them. Only after years of remembering do they become heroes. Pavers of our now well-trodden waze. Even james reeb i believe who is now honored for his stand was at one time questioned. By some members of his congregation and by many others. He was a radical. And none of our radicals live without scrutiny. So even though our heroic past seem to paint a clean swath of progressive ideals. The reality is that our stands. Groove from a diverse from many diverse forms of dissent. Both conservative. And progressive. And one of our most heartbreaking and relevant histories. Is a story of institutional oppression. In 1917 the unitarian association proclaimed a gag order. Learning their ministers not to speak out against the war effort. Informing congregations that if their ministers did. They would lose any and all funding. From the association. Regardless of my personal beliefs on world war i honor the reverend john haynes holmes. For his pacifist stand. And i especially honor his congregation the community church of new york for recognizing above all else the freedom of the pulpit. And the freedom of the pew. Even though they were sounding lee in favor of the war. They welcomed homes to speak his beliefs with integrity. And with authenticity. The reverend theodore parker also enjoyed this privilege. Of the free pulpit and the pew. His stand however in 1850 was nearly the opposite of the pacifism. That homes preached. Parker determined to support the abolitionist cause. At all costs. Spoke out in favor of john brown's raid on harpers ferry. John brown a radical abolitionist attempted to raid the harpers ferry armory with the hopes that the munitions within. Would allow he and his band to storm the capital and violently forced the cause of freedom. Parker determined to use violence for what he deemed good and holmes determined to promote peace at all costs. We're both encouraged by their congregations to preach from their ground of integrity. Don't get me wrong their views were not popular. It is only that their pulpit and their pews. We're free. And for this our history has recorded their positions and we as an institution. And we need participant. Can hear the stories and appreciate or question them as we see fit. I have been accused. With love. On occasion. Of restrained speech. Of holding my punches. And speaking from a judicious recognition. Ivar political diversity. This man our roots in my history. My parents who finally found a home in unitarian universalist congregation late into middle age. We're driven out. 7 years after when their political affiliation was demonized. Buy inappropriate banter. And it was not a free pulpit that drove them out. But vast generalizations and inappropriate assumptions like. In jokes and giggles. And on this i am certain and i will speak without restraint. We have a home or are interested in finding a home in this progressive faith. But we are not all politically liberal. Or all politically conservative. And we do not all belong to the democratic party. Nor do we need to. Nor would we be any better. If we did. And this is also. A lack of restraint. I am. Disgusted. By the trend of some fundamentalist faith. Metaline absolutely to one political party. Or social platform. We debase the integrity of faith. When we bind it wholeheartedly to some transient and impermanent cause. Some political platform some particular social stand. We must be certain that a similar dogmatism does not creep into our precious faith communities. Yes face can call us to just actions. It must call us to just action. But we also must give faith. The freedom to lead. I call that church free that binds us together with a covenant. Not a creed. That protects us from the idolatry of any claim to absolute truth. That nourishes our integrity. And champions our freedom. And i call that church robust and universal. Networks not against our diversity. But with it. That empowers us to break the bonds of prejudicial thought. And find the humanity that rest in all our soul. And i believe that that church more than any other is what we are called to build. And yes. It is a church of action. It is a community that can nourish the souls of james reeves. That can make a stand for human rights. That can recognize systems of oppression and counter them with a unified and determined response. We do not need the whole the same political views to act for social change. Indeed it is our different views. That make. Room. For an honest search for truth and meaning. For all the proud to centers in our mitts. To rise up and challenge us to see the world. And our work here. Anu. I'll men. And may it be so.

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But_I_Know_How_It_Ends.mp3

On my elementary school playground. What are the pieces of equipment was a fake car. Basically an outline of metal poles with. A couple of wheel steering wheel. Some of my best recess memories were sent sitting on top of that car. Weather. That was a nerd. I love to read. I'm around that time the choice of books in grade school where course the harry potter books. I just cracked open the fourth one. And my best friend of the week told me how to ended. Not only did i hold as much of a grudge as someone with the attention span of a flea can. Runs through this book. There's no longer page-turner for me but it sure. Of course over the years i read it again and again. But it couldn't replace the joy of watching the mystery unfold for the first time. Of course. Things happen. This is not the last time the ending of the book was ruined for me. Boulder experience changed. I still feel annoyed someone spoils a particularly tantalizing book. But now i'm able to read it. And with multiple layers of interest. I can read through it as if it is the first time. Because i haven't been introduced to and gotten close to the characters. Or seeing how he's paid 4%.. But i can also read it with a deeper level. I can take what i've learned about the end. Or any other detail of the book. And see how the story builds to that point. Catching even the most subtle foreshadowing. I can look at a character with an i that is seeing what their future will be. Understanding their actions better. And knowing who to side with. Other children story showed us. Beginning. Original story cinderella. Begin with an ending the death of a young girl's father. What time she was very close. Any updated version. We begin with a happily ever after. The ending is beginning as well. Proving to us with cinderella 2. Dreams come true. Well the direct-to-video film was nowhere near as good as the original. It brought up a good point. Endings are good place to start to make changes for the better. In a cliche fairy tale of cinderella the happy-ever-after applies only to fenderella. The stepsisters are considered wicked by most and tragically misunderstood by very accepting few. Who should probably look into unitarian-universalism anyway. The first movie makes it appear as if the stepsisters do not deserve happiness. Or even have things you'd from their perspectives. In the second movie. Having beautiful things could turn out. One of the sisters turned her life around. Instead of a pressing ls she listens to her opinion and confide in her. I meant show us what we need to change to make life better. But it is just that making life better. And a better life we create that is important. But i didn't always have this attitude. As you may have read in the newspaper letter snippet about the thurman for many years i refuse to watch the movie titanic. Cuz i knew they were going to crash into an iceberg and i knew jack was going to die. Now. I appreciate art as much as the next person. And history just a little bit less than the next person. But i really am happy ending kind of girl movies. In fact sometimes i just wish they cut out awkward or bad moments in the movie altogether i just let everyone be happy. Is character is what you do when nobody is watching. Spirit is what you do when you know the ending or at least you think you do. Not saying there's anything wrong with knowing the ending. Where would the majority of world religions made without the knowledge of some sort of positive after death. Where would fairy tales be without happily ever after. Would 52.5 million americans kept watching the nbc show friends if we weren't desperately waiting for ross and rachel to get back together. Even the knowledge of a negative and then can be a positive if it is approached holistically. And as long as too much weight is not given to the ending. Past few years has been given to respecting the earth. Which fits so well into our seventh principle. Detention probably would not exist. From the majority of the world without an inconvenient truth and other books movies papers internet articles and interviews with experts. Predicting a terrible and uncomfortably rapid future. We didn't shape up. How to debate is in college classrooms on the news. Inhalation.. In conference is of huge organization. Now change can be made. Einstein believed that two-thirds of the people the earth would be killed in a single war. You can bothering me atomic bomb. Leaving lafayette unintentionally how to create. Would surely be the end of the world. Instead of giving up. He spoke out publicly. Advise the government against the use of the bomb. I'm continue to try to better the world through the only way he knew that science. Of course. The bomb was used and the world didn't end. And since even more sophisticated weaponry has been developed. But it's arthur glasgow pointed out. We can now use the light from these fires. To see more clearly that the earth and all of the apart of it. Are not for burning. Baby see that each person potentially affected by a tragedy like hiroshima has a life. Has a family. As a pasty to love and be loved has inherent worth and dignity. I'm seeing is and let us take steps to prevent it. One of the predictions of how we would die in a year 2000 was by some sort of nuclear holocaust. Actually there were probably several predictions involving different sorts of nuclear holocaust. Ages upon pages of predictions i found. The most common was jesus christ's return. Even if as a holder end-of-the-world predictions have been often timing anywhere from. 22. 1950 years assuming we die in the next year. The people who hold the belief in the raptor. Believe they know what their ending will be. And usually believe that they we swept up to heaven. The danger in believing something of this magnitude. Isn't in believing it. It said it could make this life feel inconsequential at that. I'm worthless at worse. You're waiting to be swept off into perfect bliss. Little earthly joys may seem like nothing. People may seem like nothing. The world was supposed to end in 2000. Most everyone here will probably remember the y2k phobia that struck the nation. Most people didn't believe it. But what of those who did. What did they do what they do with what they believed would be their last year's. Weeks. Hours. Relates troposphere. Did they reach out and try to make the last days better for others. What did they do when january 1st 2000. Without an accompanying apocalypse. What would you do if you believe those who interpreted the mayan calendar to mean that you would die into 2012. Only three precious years left. Would you live like you were dying the theme of many popular movies and songs. Would you live better. Would you give up. What if you're wrong. What if you're wrong in thinking it won't happen. On the other hand in areas with less external factors. The ending have predicted in change from our prediction because we want change. Fate is what you're given but destiny is what you make of it. Maybe are fossil fuels will not run out. Because you'll find a reliable source of energy. Maybe we will build a world-weary covenant with all people across all current boundaries. And actively care about one another. Because we feel it is right. Maybe we'll be able to heal each other's pain and see people as people. Because that's what we demand from ourselves. No matter what the ending is. I feel blessed to be in a position where i can think about it. I have water. Food. Sleep. I have everything i need physiologically. I safety and security in my life. I don't have to think about surviving day today as so many people around the world do. I have the privilege to think about things like the ending. And they do not have the basic rights. United nation have said this generation has the ability to eradicate poverty by 2017. But this is declaration we have done little to nothing to move towards reaching that goal. Yeah there are starving kids in africa but you don't have to go nearly that far. Food is not the only right thing ignored. Are we close our eyes and dream of the future. Slavery and human trafficking still exist around the world. Did ida cara has provided an estimate of 28.4 million slaves. Including bonded labor that bondage forced labor and traffic slaves. 28.4 million is equivalent of the entire population of venezuela. Or afghanistan and barbados put together. Just an estimate. No way to know how many rights have been violated. How many daughters. Send. Sisters and brothers. Heading for tantalize of prostitution and manual labor. May we have the courage to fight for what is right. Even when before us is what is easy. Maybe have our suspicions about the ending for remember that we are only at the beginning. Maybe change any darkness we see in the future. Maybe be swift to love.

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?download=%2F2019%2F02%2FClearing_and_Centering.mp3

This month. Our theme is truth. And one of the deep truths that came to me. Was that ever since the beginning. Once our ancestors created clothing from animal skins and tools from stone and bone. Surfaces on which to. Cook. We have been inventing. Crafting. Purchasing and collecting. Stop. There's the stuff of daily life. Clothing cooking pots and utensils. Containers to carry in store things. And furniture to sit and sleep on. Then there's all the other stuff we love and think we need. Books musical instruments cell phones computers power tools toys memorabilia and. Sports. Our stuff surrounds us. It drives us to earn more.

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Faith_and_Guilt.mp3

About sir conan doyle the fictional writer who created sherlock holmes. As it goes to play a practical joke on 12 of his friends. He sent them each a telegram that said. At 1. All has been discovered. Within 24 hours all of them had fled to other countries. Is a guilty conscience inevitable. I did do well just have very interesting friends. And where is the breeding ground of guilt. Is it human nature. Is it born of society. Religion. Marcus green composed the theme of this service. After purchasing the opportunity at last year's auction. He proposed that i addressed the topic. Of the application of guilt. By religion. To make its adherence conform. To the individual religions morality. Marcus had many great suggestions. Each as tantalizing as this one. Annie chan all honesty as unnerving. It's unnerving to turn the mirror on yourself. I'm not your religion. And to ask. Are we. A breeding ground for guilt. Is there something that we do here on sunday. At our board meetings maybe when we greet new visitors at the door is there something that we're doing. To promote. Pecado. Tabreed guilt. Mexico. I grew up in a family that was half and half jewish. Our relationship to those faith communities was not particularly guilt driven. But. Guilt in a catholic faith is very patriarchal. Father down. Guilt in the jewish faith i find is very matriarchal mother down so i had a father that was catholic and a mother that was jewish. My mother together one morning in a few. One sunday morning in a catholic cathedral. It came time for the communion. The priests back in from the front. My father rose. And i rose. I looked at my mom. Mom don't you want to come too. I can't. She said. She told me. I looked at my father. I looked at the priest. I stepped forward. And then i stepped back. I felt torn. I finally sat down again and nestled in next to my mother it was obvious to me at an early age that assuming the catholic faith. Doing what the. Church. Preached as good or right. Would me and rejecting my mom. My family. Either choice would level me. With guilt. At the core of catholicism and its christian antecedents. Is the doctrine devised in part b st augustine called original sin. I want to be clear here not every brand of. Christianity sees original sin in the same light. But there are many similarities. From god's grace. By partaking in the tree of knowledge. Yvette. Adam b. God threw him out of the garden. As a result. All women suffer pain in childbirth. We all have to work to bring forth food and every human experience is shame at the sight of their own naked. Adam and eve fell. But all of us. Feel that burden. Original sin since it was a direct sin against god by our ancestors. Inculcate sasol. Must ask forgiveness. We're guilty. From the start. If you look up original. You'll discover a subsection on aliens. Intelligence is created by god exist in outer space. But with noble charitability he allows. And some. Some of these aliens could even be free from original sin. What hallelujah. There are we're growing up free from guilt. But without the guilt of adam and eve on their consciences. What is a jump in their pod shaped galactic zoomers and burst into our orbit blasting. Is that the way it works. Does the burden of original sin keep us on the straight and the narrow. It keeps many guilty. But moral. The current state of our planet screams no. How many good christians blow off the tops of mountains for mining profit. Or let chemical byproducts from their corporations choke rivers. How many good people of other religions do the same. We are wonderful. Giving ourselves. Reasons to feel guilty. Religion can play into this predilection. Providing us with a tight moral code. Or mythical stories to explain our culpability. Or religion can take us. Out of that culpability. Let us let go of some of those ridiculous expectations. Like the deepening peace. That i shared by the sufi rumi. Out beyond ideas. Of rightdoing and wrongdoing. There is a field. I'll meet you there. Judaism i think there's a little bit of both. It provides a tight moral code. But understands our foul ability. Responsibility. Something kin to the reading that clara shared. We were born with two hands. Use them. No one else will. But judaism leaves room for mistakes. As well. I can hear my jewish mom saying. And please pardon all this yiddish i hope that some of you understand it. Adam and eve didn't have a mom to teach me. How could they learn to do good. God must have been a mashugana a lot of chutzpah to think his eating that apple. I love the common british phrases because they tell you something about our ridiculous fallibility. You might remember the opening to the sitcom laverne & shirley. Schlemiel schlimazel hasenpfeffer incorporated. Well some meal means a clumsy inept person. The kind of person who's always spilling their soup. Schlimazel is someone with constant bad luck. When the schlemiel spills their soup likely lands on the schlemazel. We don't have control we spill soup. We mess up. User to remember the humble corrective. God's hands. They can't do everything. An honorable person is one who performs mitzvahs. Goodworks. And one who in the more orthodox judaism keeps kosher. These rules eat this but not this. Give the faithful something to do that's a chiva bowl. Even for a schlemiel schlimazel. Some of us may still struggle with catholic or jewish guilt or any number of other strains. But it seems that what we wrestle with here. Most. Grew out of the protestant reformation. Martin luther the father of the protestant reformation. Was tired of the catholic church telling its followers that they could. By their dead relatives out of purgatory. So he leveled the playing field. Priest cardinals pope's he said. They aren't any closer to god. Then your average joe or judy. As a result going to church every sunday confessing to the priest eating fish on sabbath. None of these really works. The only way. That you can win your way to heaven to being in grace. Is faith. Faith alone. Otter. And complete. Faith. The puritan ancestors of our unitarian forebears in america. As i shared in last week's sermon. Took this position to its extreme. The faithful had to be pure in every sense of the word. Clean neat tiding good honest. Perfect. This was a threat not only to the soul of the individual but also to the village at large. The bad were branded with their offenses. You might recall the letter the letter those novel the scarlet letter. The supposed adulterer in the fold had to wear a letter a on her chest. She was supposedly cast out by god and thereby cast out by her community. As well. In this way our faiths ancestors and our nation's first. Citizens of. After we ended up. Ridding this country of all of the native americans i should say. The miss this nation's first citizens. Assume the role of god. Labeling the saved and the center in deciding who decide who should live and who should die. The more responsibility humans take on the more that we coddle guilt. And its sister. Shame. The less we are willing to forgive and our brothers and our sisters. And especially our selves. I know this experience. The other day i had visitors in my office. One asked where they could throw out a piece of paper. I pointed to my trash can. And quickly said. I separated later taking out the stuff that can be recycled. Which is true. Most of the time. But why did those words spill from me with such a fury and so quickly. I think. I didn't want to be doubted. Branded. Scarlet t4 trasher sound of my chest. Gilt rose up for those few times that i've missed recycling my papers or when after a long day i threw an apple core on top of the mixed staining the material. So it couldn't be recycled. Or for those times that i. Tossed something in the wrong pan. Just to spite those better angels of my nature. What does being a good unitarian-universalist mean. Does it mean the same as what being a good puritan then. Being perfect. Always. Our seventh principle calls us to respect. The interdependent web of which we are all a part. Are natural beautiful hurting world. Our first principle reminds us that we all have inherent worth. Indignity. And best act accordingly. An in-between the other principals call us to a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Democratic participation building a world community and so on. We don't have a creed. What all good unitarian universalist must believe. But that doesn't keep us from defining. If only socially. How good. You use. Practice their faith. What are some of the. Expectations that define our relationship. Here. Call them out. What makes a good. You you. Financial contribution. Karen. Intelligence. Responsibility. Tolerance. Commitment. Open-mindedness. Volunteerism. Being a good community. Hope for the world. Speaking of volunteerism i heard someone last night at the auction say and. You're probably in this room right now so correct me if i'm wrong but i heard someone say i was here. There are. Expectations. I don't know how to. Struggle really. Against this experience. Except with these other truly religious or faithful concepts. Forgiveness. Mercy. Love. Reaching out to one another in compassion and empathy. Tempering our expectations of one another with an honest. Recognition of our shared humanity. That we can't do everything. Raise your hands if you've ever felt and feel. For lip not living up to any of these expectations. Mercy love. As i see it religions can help. Or they can hurt. They can spell out moral codes that are impossible to achieve. And then punishes. For our family. Or they can help us understand the moral path. And remind us to forgive when our living does not meet our expectation. I honestly can't imagine a god that would hate his children for their human foibles. Imagine. When. With us. When we dare laugh at ourselves for being the utterly ridiculous bundles of madness and wisdom. We are. The god imagine heels with us. When we dare to do the work of healing from guilt or from shame. Let me tell you how this happened. How we do this healing work. Together. The other evening we were boldly talking about god. What god means to each of us. Not all unitarian universalist are theists. Talking about god is sometimes very difficult for us. We wrestled with this openly speaking our fears and acknowledging that for many the word god brings up painful memories. Average action and guilt. I've not living up to the moral codes and expectations of our parents are of our own early religions. Then at the close of the class we all spoke some of our truth. Defining with the word god has come to mean. For us. Not one of us. Jumped into brand a fellow participant within. H. For heretic. Or an a4 atheist. Orosi. For christian. We let our faith statements. Speak. For themselves. And parted fuller. More hole for the opportunity to simply be with one another. Allowing r-truth. The bubble up to the surface. Truth is also a corrective to guilt. Trust that what you feel deep down does have meaning. Trust that how you live your life is worthy. Trust that your truth is beautiful. Trough. That your neighbor's truth. Is josh. As beautiful. Trust that we are all doing the best we can. And what we have. Is enough. Trust that is not crippled by our human fallibility. But trust that rises in love. Regardless. Guilt is that all too human finger. That lives in that taking place. In our conscience. That shakes. An accusation. When you feel that finger rising in judgment. Either yourself. Or another. Ask from whence it comes. From a place of hurt. Or from a place of healing. Guilt. Come. From a place of. At leeds. The pain. To sacrifice. The suffering. Mercy rises in love. Forgiveness does also. So does trust. Which is an assassin. Love of self. Love of others. We are called i believe. To build a place where love you sir. Guilt. So love can breathe it's healing. In the spaces that we create together. May we all guard. Against. Guilt. With love. And may we do so. Boldly. Amin.

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Sexuality_and_Spirituality.mp3

Wonderful it is to be here this morning. For this congregation and for anya. And have another. A prayer for memorial day weekend. Spirit of meditation or in prayer. Memorial day. Sharing some words by wayne arneson. Spirit of life. Enter into the season of memorial day. Cloud of witnesses. Remember first of all. We pray for their safe return. We also acknowledge that there are women and men who will not return. Daily paper. Honor their service. For us today. We're all adults here. What a bag. Hershey's kisses. Because while i was your intern i was invited to do a very special. In fairfax county. It started my thought process about. A person of faith. Talking about sexuality. The word consent. In our sexual relationships in our sensual. Experiences. In our relationships with each other sexual or not. Full consent. To get a point across a lot of time. Could i come up with. Lyrics. Listen to it. Contempt song. The invitation. That are present in this song. Kind of. Experience based on. This song. Number two. Marvin gaye did not know he was a theologian. Spirituality. And other people. Really only when the power between the parties is equal. We're using the fax for power. When power is equal. Very spiritual. Of every person. You are sexuality. Children and ourselves. Humanity of people. How can we expect. When talking about human sexuality. Every year in fairfax county high school biology teacher learn how to teach human sexuality. This course is called family life education or fle for you acronym collectors. I'm privileged to participate on this panel a few times now. Here in loudoun county. Better. Here we gather to discuss for 10 minutes. Young people. Dating and birth control. First year when i showed up. Priest. If only we had a boat. Or walking into a bar. Has really been an epiphany. About the strength within our faith. Amazingly clear to me on that day. But and how we approach. We do not accept the premise. It is not. Imperfect produce. This enables. To understand women. Patriarchy. Parenthood. Celebrate partnership. Order. A prescribed order within our faith. Or promote. Marriage is the perfect state of being for adult. Because we believe in the worth and dignity of every person. Power between genders. Christopher reid. Absurdly obvious. Indoor children. Today our base quite literally on ancient tech. I'm a woman who demands to be treated as human. Men and women are damaged by patriarchy and are safe. The correct. We have a safe. As its fundamental operating system. So we are already on a different page. More than just. Difference. We also intertwine our spirituality. Control. We eat whomever else we want to eat. We breed out of control. Very few natural predators. We are causing the planet to own in travail and yet we keep breeding. Many people of faith. Nature prescribed. That reform judaism. Being. Please hear me. To their full potential. Even if they do not. Or even if their relationship. Mostly. This meeting reinforce that across-the-board. Regardless of which faith it is. The orthodox. And then be fruitful and multiply. That is inherent in sexual act. During sexual acts. Azan. When partners have equal power. Our actual spiritual glory is not a result of fulfilling god's plan. Sexuality mean. Children. Mental illness and postpartum depression. Year. As mental health or illness. Is perceived as being with or without sin. And sometimes with tragic results. Another face. Their husbands are always found on the news. Nathan feel sympathy for these men. But it is a broken system. In our nation and then archer. A perfect mother and perfect provider. Number of married. Certainly love. Multiply. Attend. Mary pipher said and i'm paraphrasing in salt lake city. Church is where psychiatrist and patience make. And we're not touchy-feely enough. Supernatural phenomenon. And other mental illnesses or mental. Sexuality. Spirituality. Sexuality is part of being human. Particularly of women's. At the interface fle. Homosexuality and birth control. Orthodox belief is as follows. A different background tell me. Touches anything off for you. Dating is not encouraged. Behavior. This in turn. As god intended for humans to live. Does that sound familiar. I heard over and over and over. Orthodoxy. Orthodox. The purpose of children. Depending on. Are permitted appropriation. And so there it was. I became the sex minister on that day in my mind it's taking awhile for it. Universalism does not that the natural condition for adults. Is married with kids. Historical perspective. Is not true. Food from the bible. The people who live in communities around the hebrews or the yahweh of. Gwar. For the hebrews the yahweh at. To build their army. Homosexuality. Having sex with the same gender or yourself. And giving birth to soldiers. This need to create rebel forces. Masturbation is normative. Normative. Intersexuality. It leaves the door wide open. Grandparent. What have you. Procreate women are seen as more than others. As more than providers. For children and women. Of all existence. In sociology of religion. Which is two adults having two children so our birth rate. Country. As well as to convert adults. I don't really feel comfortable asking you. Adult. And worth of every person. Marvin gaye. Aol. Universalism. Arborist numbers are very low. Control. Men and women can decide how many. In large part by overpopulation. Believers of the rapture that glorious moment. It is not important to care for the earth. Because it will be redeemed or saved along with the faithful. Typically don't believe in that. And to drive hybrid and to use birth control. Joyful and grateful. The owl program believes and teaches needs to know the dangers. Abduct humans. Until. Are possible. Numbers. Only programs are not effective. Over fear. Cannot have that negative connotation. Sti. Behaviors. Because they are not informed. Safer. Sometimes we do get some condoms. The numbers. Partner. The numbers of rape victim. But sinners. How many young people. Thank you president clinton. The longer i sat there. Listening. Growing i started to see everything. How are you. Regulated by. The reason that we parted ways. With over jesus identity but i believe today that our differences are based on our understanding. Of the human place. And a human sexuality even dated. No religion is without its clergy scandal. Included. Power. What happened to the roman catholic church. My kids. Don't confuse. Grown. The subject of clergy. Power. Is always taken into account. Spiritually fulfilling. I haven't driven this home yet. Sexuality and spiritual. Share with the world. Floor. Adult sexuality. And it's popeyes. To our inherent spirituality. Worldview. Your sexuality. Because you are. Biology. Cradle to the grave. We will incorporate our very personal sexuality and spirituality. That are taught in our culture. Tower. Welcome. More than. Hurt. Understanding.

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Joy.mp3?_=1

Good morning good morning good morning. If we're talking about joey today. We have to talk about children. We have to talk about. That story for all ages that i chose that has nothing to do with joy except for speeding with joy. Of the children being surprised and confused and then. Getting it and. Children are so often just the epitome of joy in a way that we adults strive to. Understanding and get back to. Can we remember the times when. Tiniest littlest things in our lives. Gave us joy like. Just blowing bubbles were. Puppies are birthdays. I mean these things make us happy now but remember unbridled joy. Children are able to be fully in the moment and a way that's. Just next to impossible for those of us with. Credit card dad and mortgages and car payments then. Career pressure and health concern then i'm. Not saying all kids have it easy. Learly. Unfortunately children suffer too. But they have this capacity for joy that i think we is adults off and emulate. An example of this. Is. This recent story about the thai soccer team. I'm sure we've all i see you nodding we all are aware of the story there were 12 little boys. Aged between 11 and 16. That were trapped for two weeks in a cave before they were all safely rescued the world. The whole world watched the news. We all breathed a sigh of relief. That. The only casualty was one of the rescuers not one of the boys i mean it's still. Difficult for anyone to die but. Avoid emerged alright. And the news. Has continued to come out because the boys are getting interviews about their experience. And what startling. Is. The way that the boys kept their wits about them stayed sane and kept peace among themselves i mean imagine having to babysit a group of 12. Boys babe. They were able to keep peace. And keep calm and keep hope. And the whole thing is a difficult image for any of us. To really. Hold on to me personally last week i brought my kids both my sons are. Within that age range of 11 to 16. You know as a mother it just breaks my heart to think about the terror that those little boys were feeling. But the images that were seeing of the boys being saved and the interviews they're giving now they're so full of life. And so full of joy and saying these miraculous things like. I learned patience. Teenage boys. And to imagine what it would be like. To walk out of a cave after two weeks. And see the sun. That's joy. Or the joy of seeing my child emerging. From a cage that that joy is so huge it's contagious. And i feel like. We can all share in that joy that. All the way over in thailand right now but it's contagious around the globe and we can feel joy. Buddy boys. Nnn why not. Killjoys. Summertime. For most of us that his life has gotten a little easier a little, and it's beautiful outside. It wasn't beautiful yesterday but it's beautiful today and hopefully it'll be beautiful again tomorrow. And it's been scientifically proven that joy is a skill that you can build. They say statistically that our attitude positive or negative optimistic or pessimistic is about 50% inherited. Like. You were born. Either a happy baby or a fussy baby that's 50% of your attitude. It's pretty much. Non-negotiable. Another 10% is. Your circumstances. Would you be a happier person if you won the lottery. Yeah. Probably about 10% would be more superficial. Scientists have found that genetics are more powerful than your circumstances. If we're talking to about 50% for genetics. And 10% for circumstances. There you go by the power of 5. Your genetics are actually more powerful. Then your circumstances in this. When it comes to joy. The bet final 40%. Is malleable it's up to us. Here's a quote i came up with from shopify.com they say it's an over-simplification to say that every single person can control exactly 40% of their happiness. But scientists have determined that your happiness level is a result of a complex interaction of genes. Behaviors and life circumstances. While each person has a genetic set point for happiness like we do for weight. Do you hear that. David genetic set point. Hey your body wants to be a certain size. Your body your brain wants to be. In a certain place for happiness. But a big chunk of how you feel is under your control meaning the way you spend your time and the thoughts you allowed to linger. Can really impact your mood and your long-term happiness. It's been found. That happy people live longer. Have better immunity and even heal faster after injuries. Which. Sounds incredibly unfair if you think of happiness as dependent on circumstances. So thank goodness it's not. In fact. If you can find joy in your current environment as a habit throughout your life. This gives you the same boost in longevity as the difference between being a smoker and a nonsmoker. Which. That is you scan to game seven and a half years on to your life if you quit smoking. Or if you make joy i have it. 7 1/2 years. The mind-body connection is that powerful. It's all about finding joy. Regardless of circumstances. Right here right now. So how. Do we find joy. Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst george valiant says misses another quote and it's a long quote but it's a goodie. Mammalian evolution what has hardwire the brain for spiritual experience. And the most dramatic spiritual experience is joy. Developmentally a child smile a kitten's / a puppy's wagging tail emerge at the same time. These social responses are elected by an intern elicit positive emotion they all occur when the infant's brain. More primitive limbic system becomes effectively wire to the forebrain. The limbic system differentiates mammals 4 map tiles and contains most of what we know of positive emotions and spirituality. He goes on. Negative emotions help us to survive as individuals. Positive emotions help us to survive as a community. Joy unlike happiness is not all about me. Joyous connection. He gives the example of beethoven new little happiness but he knew joy. The mystics have linked joy to connection with a power greater than themselves. Happiness activates the sympathetic nervous system. That's the fight-or-flight that's the reptile braids where is joy stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. The rest and digest. Functions. We can laugh. From either joy. Or happiness. But we reap only from griefer joy. Happiness does not make us cry joy does. Happiness displaces pain. Joint embraces it. Without the pain of us are well there's no joy of reunions. Without the pain of captivity we don't have the joy of freedom. So joy is more than happiness. Joya something deeper something connected. And frustratingly. For the more scientific minded among us joy is also more ethereal difficult to pin down or observe or study. Or measure. So what can we learn about joy from the boys in thailand. Well like the earlier example of beethoven they didn't have a lot to be happy about. But they found joy in their circumstances. We know this because they've told us as much and interviews in the past few days. The coach the young man who was with the boys in the cave. She isn't telling me he's only 25. Had been a buddhist monk for 10 years. And although it's not unusual i understand in thailand for men to spend time as monks. I do find it incredible. This particular man found himself in these particular circumstances. With all of these children and teens and he knew it's like he'd been trained and exactly what to do. He knew about spirituality he knew about connection. He knew about the subtle differences between happiness and joy. How happiness is about yourself. And joy is about others. And connection. And in that cave. He taught those little boys this important lesson. By teaching them to meditate. By coaching them i mean he was their coach after all. He coached them to recognize the mysterious interconnectedness. The spaces. Or deepest down in our bones and in our souls we are energetic beings with so little. The separate us. And so much to hold us together. By focusing on the great interconnected web of existence. Seventh principle. The boys were able to transcend their current circumstances and find joy peace and above all connection. In this terrifying and isolating place. Play meditating. Recent studies have shown that several basic practices can show immediate benefits meditation of course one of them. Gratitude i spoke about a couple of weeks ago. Generosity mindfulness. Do you want to be healthier and live longer we can be happier. Is it that easy. Ef and no. Brene brown. Writer and research professor has famously called joy the most vulnerable emotion we experience. Brene brown says that joy is terrifying. And that's because of the juanes the realness of joy. She speaks about standing over her baby's crib. Looking down at. Precious. Baby watching him sleep and feelings. Flooded with love. This intense joy which consult and mediately flip into terror. What if the worst. What happened. I'm so in-love and invested in this precious being. Horrible with the most horrible thing be. How often. Do we allow ourselves. Stand on that razor's edge. Of raw feeling. We still waban numb ourselves. Rather than really dwelling. In a terrifying moment of joy. And numbing ourselves is damaging to our very humanity. Currently as damaging as smoking. And sometimes the worst does happen. And sometimes your precious vulnerable baby hands up terrified and starting in a cave. And in times like that we can take advantage of how closely joy is related to terror. What we can learn from the thai boys. Is how to reach our deepest humanity. Which is joy. There are a lot of simple ways you can bring healthy invigorating joy to yourself and just moments anytime anyplace. So you're ready. We're going to now. I spoke a couple weeks ago about gratitude i want to invite you to close your eyes right now as you feel comfortable. And visualize something that you feel grateful for a person a place a thing we're going to have just one moment of silence. As we all dwell visually internally on the wonderful thing that you are grateful for at this moment. Wonderful. We're going to do another one. Also with your eyes closed. Generosity. This time envision yourself doing something nice for someone. Think of something real something quick. Something easy something tangible something you can do today something you can actually plan i all do this later on today. Holding the door open for someone or giving someone a compliment or. When you get home email a friend to check in just envisioned yourself for a moment live another moment of silence. Envision yourself doing this one small thing that you're going to do that's going to bring someone else happy. Doing great. One more we're going to have a third. Quick. Joyful exercise and the third one's compassion. So i want to give him notice someone who's sitting by you to your right or to your left. There's somebody near you notice 1% don't stare at them but just noticed and turn your attention away. And think about that person. It might be someone that you've known for years it might be someone you don't know what all it might be is someone you've never seen before. Challenge you to think a specific kind of thought about that one person. Whether you know them or not maybe they have nice shoes or nice hair there's something you can think of. One kind thought about that person. And we'll have one more moment of silence thinking. About something specific and compassionate about one specific person. He just created joy. Good job. Is different from happiness. Those difference from. Eating a bunch of candy. There's a difference there. Brene brown is right it is scary it feels vulnerable especially when we start. Including each other looking around. Knowing someone 90 thinking about you. It's vulnerable and it's. Wonderful and it's. Good for you. Don't with these little exercises. Just having done this. You're going to walk out that door today. Actually physically healthier than you were when you walked in. And icing leave. Trying to think about for instance. Is it good weather. What if it was raining is that still good weather. It's your circumstances. And how you look at them. Want to look at ud. And focus on that rather than what you would prefer to happen. So for those taking notes. The three exercises we just did for gratitude. Generosity. And compassion. I had to whittle them down from a list much longer. And you can come up with your own. But if you make a habit of performing just one of these just one minute a day. You'll not only improve your own physical health but you'll contribute to the strength of our interconnectedness as a community. I'm an agnostic at heart i have trouble admitting that i believe in the unknown or in miracles. But that transformation of terror into joy for instance what happens. In that cave in thailand. I think that's a miracle. Many of those boys are saying that they're now planning to spend time as months in gratitude for the experience. What gratitude for that experience. What. And neither teenage boys are not known for being the wisest of creatures i'm sorry 2k. And they were able to find joy and gratitude while being trapped. Certainly we can find joy and gratitude in our day-to-day lives. So that feeling the feeling in the room right now. I feel levity and beauty and joy. And that feeling. Descend upon us. We made it. Together. And it's an example of how you have the power to control. The way you walk through life. The power to walk in joy. As you choose. Amen. Thank you.

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For_My_Sake_the_Entire_World_was_Created.mp3?_=1

This morning reverend anya has asked me to share my credo. That is a statement of my belief. My beliefs about the meaning and purpose of my life. And short. Why am i here. Recent seminary graduate. You might think that this would be a slam dunk. And it's true i spent six and a half years immersed in theological studies. Learning a whole new language for talking about meaning and purpose. And yet when i think about my credo. I don't think about my studies. That's not how i can talk about them. Instead. I want to share a story a story a story of a ride on metro of all places. Not where i usually look for my epiphanies. But this is about 3 weeks ago maybe 4 and i was heading downtown for a conference and was very early in the morning. I had brought a book with me and i was reading peacefully for the first part of the ride to sort of lean leaning against the glass partition. One point for some reason. I looked up and i started looking at my fellow passengers. Just observing them in some of them were reading as as i had been. Others were scrolling through their smartphones there's a lot of that. A lot of people were just staring into space. Or dozing cuz it's very early in the morning. When i was looking at them. I was struck suddenly. By the power of the simple buddhist teaching as a teaching i had just come across. Play three or four times in the last couple months. It's very simple. All beings. Wish. To attain happiness. And all wish. To avoid suffering. That's it. Very simple one when i come across this teaching before. I didn't really think much of it. Let me know it seemed. True. But. I wasn't really sure what to do with it. But this more that morning as i looked at my fellow passengers. I was really struck by the truth of it. I would never know the particulars. Of their lives. Those people who surrounded me. I would never know what suffering they experience. Or how they thought about happiness what happiness. They longed for. But what i did know. But i could really sense that morning. Was that they all felt that same longing i felt. That longing for happiness. That longing to be free from suffering. And when i realize this. When i realized it down in my bones. My heart. Was flooded. With compassion. He was like a wave washing over me i felt just. Great compassion. For all these people none of whom i knew. And that's when i realized. That that was the point. Of that teaching. Compassion. Compassion means to suffer with. I believe that if we recognize. This longing in our fellow human beings. If we recognize this longing at the same longing that we feel. We can't help. But feel compassion. And when we feel compassion. When we really feel it. We feel compelled to respond. Even if we don't know how to respond. Even if there's no way for us to respond in the moment. We feel that pole. We feel that pole to offer comfort. To bring healing. To work for justice. To reconcile. Or to forgive. Compassion teaches us. The honor the fundamental unity. Of all life. To honor it. By caring for one another. Compassion. That's my credo. That is what gives my life. Purpose. And meaning. This is the teaching that i've heard about the rabbi simcha burnham. This is a teaching that's passed down to the jewish tradition. It is said that this rabbi simcha burnham. Fills his pockets. With two different pieces of paper. And when he needs he pulls out one or the other to remind himself of what he needs to be reminded of. And that particular moment. On one. He has written. For my sake. The entire world was created. For my sake the entire world was created. And on the other piece of paper. He has written. I am but dust. And ashes. For my sake the entire world was created i am but dust. And ashes. You might be wondering then. Which one of those two pieces of paper do i need to pull out now to remind myself. Of what i need to be reminded of. In this moment. The teaching that the rabbi shares. Is that you might wish to choose the one that would seem the strangest. The most. Alien. The one that would be the hardest for you to employ at this particular. Perhaps. You have made your way in the world. And all of the doors have seemed to be opened for you. So that you expect them always to be open for you. So that. When they're not open for you. You get angry. That they're not. Because they should be. Open. For you. Then perhaps the pocket you need to reach in is the one that reminds you. I am but dust and ashes. I was not. Born. To rule the earth. I was born of. The earth. But perhaps. As you've gone through your life all of the doors you have found have been close to you. When you've gone to open them and find the new path for yourself you find a lot. Closed-door and that's happened. So often. That you. Stop even trying. Open. The doors. Because you've come to expect that they will be. Close. Perhaps then the piece of paper that you need to reach for. Is the one that says. For my sake. The entire world. Has been created. This teaching is a strange one right. For my sake the entire world was created. Little bit of ego in there right. That's one way to see it. I look at this both theologically and scientifically. Theologically speaking. That phrase reminds me that. I'm a child of god. We are all god's children. Theologically speaking. And that. I was born to live out the particular grace or gift of my spirit. And that this world is set me up to do so somehow. But i have a purpose. Beyond the limited understanding in my mind i have a purpose that connects with the great. Theological universe. The cosmos we are apart of. That's theologically speaking scientifically speaking. The words for my sake the entire world was created. Reflect the reality that we are. The universe has children. Not the universe's mistake. Not the universe is off-gassing or accidents. But the universe has children born to a purpose that we can realize. Scientist daring enough to ask why why are we created have come to the hypothesis that perhaps humanity. Is the universe. Becoming conscious. Of itself. Perhaps humanity is the universe becoming conscious of itself. Consciousness the consciousness that only we with our reflective way of thinking can provide is something that the universe to personify wants. Or needs. Unnecessary development and its expansion. Without us this expansion would be impossible. That's a reminder that i need. That perhaps. I have a purpose beyond those i understand in my day today too. Complete my to do list. It's also a reminder i needed on the new york. Subway. You know john those underground trains really can mess with your mind. Reverend scott my husband and i took a few days up there in the big city for reflection and revelation we piled on the subway many times everyday we piled on with everyone else. All those souls you saw as suffering and seeking happiness a whole mass of humanity well-dressed humanity. Calm self-obsessed humanity broken humanity smelly humanity talking to oneself humanity texting humanity ignoring the mass humanity. That subway system is built. To allow multiple trains to pass through the same station at the same time you might be on one train watching another train drift past and through the window of that train you spy yet another going in the other direction. And an each. Of those windows you see faces humanity everywhere you can't help but ask. Meditate. Pray. Why. The rules governing social behavior on the subway. Are exquisitely precise. Ritualistic even. Everyone turns away. Stares at the ground there glantz goes fuzzy. The tourist's on practice than this behavior read the ads over and over. Somebody has to. But here's the strange thing. You are allowed to stare into the eyes of the people on the other trains. To stare directly at their faces without turning away. 524t faces stared into my own as we passed like ships on a darkened underground ocean. And the eyes they were searching. All of the eyes were searching for something. Connection. Recognition. Being seen. As fellow. Suffers. Seeking happiness. Perhaps. I suppose i was searching for the same. I am but dust and ashes i am yet another person ignoring the persons in this mass of humanity and yet somehow i'm utterly alone i'm going in circles i am one of many i am unnecessary. For my sake the entire world was created i'm here for some purpose. How do i know. I need to be seen and others need to be seen. Right. It proved we exist we are the universe becoming conscious of itself right here right now when we dare look. One another in the face. We are here to see others feel recognize understand others the ones that are easy for us to see. The ones that are like us. And the ones that are different. That are difficult for us to see the ones that challenge us that jerk us the ones that don't seem capable of seeing us. For who we are. Can you feel me. A little while ago we read the role of our dear departed. The role of the dear departed connected to this congregation. The catholic church and acts all souls day rituals where their parishioners do likewise. There they call the names and pray that any lost souls will be moved from purgatory. Into heaven. Purgatory for the catholics is a place beyond death of wandering. Of learning and of finding one's own path to heaven. Purgatory is that place. I think it looks a lot like costco. Or maybe the new york subway system. And it's for those souls that need to do some perfecting. Before st peter opens the doors for their deliverance. Or the check line opens for them to finally get through with all their grocery. When i picture purgatory i don't imagine it up there in the clouds. I feel it. Right here. On earth. With all of us. I feel it whenever we share space but refuse to see one another. I feel it when i watch the presidential debates. When the split between red and blue threatens to tara soul from soul so that we can no longer see. The inherent worth and dignity and those that hold a different political party than our own. Do you feel me. I feel it when i hear black lives matter contrasted with blue lives matter as if one statement should or does cancel out the other. As if honoring one life as sacred means you don't honor all lives as sacred. Do you hear me. I feel it when my brother or sister speaks and all i hear are the ways he or she is different than me. Rather than all the ways that we are the same. I struggled. I struggled with the actions of kim davis. Who refused to issue marriage license. Two same-sex couples. I hated the vitriol that rose up all around her decision i hated the way my dear friends. That i'd just been married themselves. We're all aware again that not everyone saw their union as holy. But now. Here's the challenge. But i had to. Even amidst all the stupid. I had to pause and see her. Kim davis. The truth is she's taking a stand i wouldn't. But she is taking it for a reason that i can see. Religious freedom. That's something i believe in. I can pause and see that even with all the other reasons i wholly reject her perspective. I can see. How we are in one small way. The same. That enters into my hate. And it changes me. It might be i can pray. What changes her. One day. Purgatory is everything that splits us body and soul from one another. And from our higher selves. Are greater more magnanimous selves that truly live the first principle of this face. That we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of all people. All people. All those out there riding the subway cars and other directions standing for the things you don't believe in or you don't understand all people. Even the one that you struggle the most to see as inherently worthy and. Because that person needs to be seen as well. And now i'm not only talking about kim davis. Or donald trump. Or hillary clinton. I'm talking about you. The person that is the hardest. The one you wake up with every morning. And go to sleep with every night the one you see in the mirror. The one. You struggle the most c. And to treat. With compassion. Yourself. Purgatory is the work. The daily work to find that middle ground between one pocket. And the other. Purgatory is the way we wander between the ego-driven fascination with self where we recognize our own greatness our own rightness. And deny the greatness and rightness of others. And equally. Ego-driven or deprived however you want to see it. Desperation of meaninglessness. Where we struggle to see any. Worth. And ourselves. And our being. Purgatory is the work. The daily work. Find the middle ground. All souls day reminds us of those who went before their unique ways of wrestling of seeking and a finding that middle ground. All souls reminds us that there is a limit. To our striving. At least in this manner. In this place. We are dust. An ashes. And the dust & ashes we will return. But while we are here. While we are here. All the wonders we can see if we dare because we have been given an amazing gift. One we must not forsake. Whether we see it theologically or scientifically. We are. God's children. Or we are the universe. Becoming conscious. Of itself. Look. And see where that pic. Amin.

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Is_Repentance_a_Dirty_Word.mp3?_=1

We have two readings today the first comes from a. Hasidic teaching from the jewish tradition. As an individual you cannot be redeemed. Until you recognize your flaws and try to mend them. Nor can a nation be redeemed. Until it recognizes its flaws and tries to mend them. Whoever permits no recognition of his or her flaws. Whether an individual or a nation permits no redemption. We can be redeemed only to the extent. That we recognize. Are cell. Our second reading is from tara brach from the buddhist tradition. When we release our stories of blame. We begin regarding ourselves. With compassion. Rather than living in reaction to past events. Rather than identifying ourselves as an angry person. A betrayed person. A bad person. We free ourselves to meet the present moment. With wisdom. And kindness. Have you seen them. They still exist. Not quite as rare as unicorns but involved in a similar mystery. Those sandwich board. Displaying some chapter and verse then the letters in bright red all caps. Repent. Repent. The end of the world is nigh. As if the rest of their statement deserved a poetical flourish. They've existed in all times and places apocalyptic theology is not tethered to any eero. Many of the teachings preserved of jesus our apocalyptic telling the end days. As many rabbis were doing at the time. The aztecs. The egyptians nostradamus they all assumed some great cataclysm wiping away the world as we know it. Some environmentalist now use the same apocalyptic frame to make their points about the ends of the earth. I'm sure if we looked long enough we'd find the equivalent of repent repent and nie. I think we're hearing it right now. I'm sure if we looked long enough we'd find the equivalent of repent and i on a cave wall next to a picture of an antelope. And a spear. We are as a people somewhat apocalyptic and outlook. It comes with our sense of time. We believe. In m. But the second will end. This minute. Even this aurora. That this life will end at some point if only anna transition to another. Time makes us believers in ends. In knives. But repentance isn't about. Not really. It's about beginning. Somebody should tell that to those sandwich board peep. There's a yiddish proverb. You are what you are. Not. What you were. Repentance is about moving from were. 2r. And it's letters need not be scrawled and caps and red ink they can be a soft. Turning of the spirit away from self. Deception. Towards a greater peace. A new beginning. When i started reflecting on my own experiences of repentance. One particular story jump to mind. And what it does. I thought. I don't want to tell that story. Which means of course it's the story. That i need to tell. It goes back 25 years. I was is my first job i was working as a production assistant for newsletter publisher. And a big part of my duties as each week with the layout the newsletters. And this was before the other says the early days of computers and so this is a lot of manual labor involving of light board waxing machine and exacto knife. And on this particular day. The newsletter was running late it got me late and i was rushing trying to get the thing done so we can hand it off to the printer whose to be driving up at any moment now. Cuz we didn't email things. While i was working the marketing marketing director walked in. We'll call him joe and joe with my supervisor. And he walked in he saw me at the lightboard he looked up at the clock. And he started laying into me about how the newsletter was so late we needed to get done the printer is going to be here any time and we couldn't be late and so on. And i was already kind of under stress from trying to get this newsletter together. And so my response. Under my breath. What's the offer a colorful suggestion. Involving to work. And one which i can't stay here. I'm not proud of it. But i said i said it under my brother i thought i did but as it turns out. Joe heard it. And so did the whole newsroom. And there was kind of a collective gasp. Because as it happens joe was also the son of the publisher. So this was not a great career move. And sure enough once the newsletter was out the door. Joe and i were called into the publisher's office. Will call him steve. I went in there fully expecting to get fired. But actually what steve did was he simply said. Grow up. And go back to work. And send us out. After i walked out of the office i must admit i had mixed feelings. On the one hand i was really grateful to have my job still. This was not i really did not want to be fired so i was grateful but it's funny i also felt a sense of resentment. Because i felt like i had been wrong. Because you see. The newsletter wasn't late through through fault of my own. And joe's behavior was also unprofessional and is badgering really wasn't helping anything so i was the victim here. It was quite a story that i spawned. To make myself feel better. And to deceive myself. Bus. As i grew older. Unless i began managing employees myself. I came to see my behavior for what it was. There was rash. It was immature. And it was simply inexcusable. My story. Was a fiction. I was only deceiving myself. According to the buddhist tradition. Self-deception. Should not be surprising. Over the centuries buddhist teachers have said over and over that one of the sources of human suffering. Is that we deceive ourselves. We have distorted views about ourselves and about our actions. We get caught up in our own stories. And we don't see things. For what they are. And as long as we're deceiving ourselves. As long as we're listening to our own stories. We can't feel remorse. We can't repent for mistakes. To truly repent. We need to let go of our stories. And face up to what we've done. Then. And only then. Is real change possible. A meme floated our media long before media was governed by facebook and twitter. Back when we were using exacto knives most likely. I remember seeing it first on a bumper sticker. We don't need to save the world. The world will go on. Long after we have exterminated ourselves. Repentance in the environmental frame. Is somewhat self. Serving. Necessarily. So. Dreams of a blue-green planet our dreams to save those things and i are environment that perpetuate life as we need it. Has all living beings needed. Every time we choose a reusable bag or recycle we are serving. Not the world really. But life. And that includes our own. Why that is it so hard to choose and environmental sustainable practice. Why does the family in west virginia fight for the coal mine that has blackened the lungs of every generation father grandfather great-grandfather that has. Polluted the streams they swim in that filled the fish they use to catch with poison. Not all families fight for the coal mine. But those that do feel they have no other choice. The mine sustains them. As it killed. We grow accustomed to swallowing poison to sustain the lives for which we have grown accustomed. Charlotte bronte write this not of coal dust but of an emotional or spiritual poison. Something of vengeance she writes. I had tasted for the first time as. Aromatic. As wine it seemed. I'm swallowing. Warm and racy. It's after flavor. Metallic. And coronavirus. Gave me a sensation as if i had been poisoned. Vengeance can be a poison anger sloth self hatred hatred of another jealousy greed the list goes on. Naming all the seven deadly sins and the countless others that passed in and through us we are. Human. Imperfect. As a coal mine. Repentance is hard. Because it is a letting go of something we have come. Trust. A piece of our identity. I come to see my own uncle as a pariah. Every time he would visit us. For thanksgiving i girded my heart. Blocked myself off. He was not physically abusive but i found him cold. Emotionally distant and a very difficult human being to be around. And when he came in through the door for the thanksgiving meal i would hug him and smile but. That was just a false front. For the anger i felt on the inside. And then one year not too long ago it turned out that we were going to a theater show the day after thanksgiving and we were seated together somehow. Right before the show. Waiting for the curtain to go up. And my uncle. Leaned into me. And said. I must be your lease. Favorite uncle. Ever. And the curtain went up. And i had the whole show. Process. I have to admit. I was pretty frustrated with my uncle for choosing that minute. And honestly i recognized it as a piece. Of cowardice. Fear. But. He was also. Downing lee. Vulnerable. To offer those words to. In that moment. And to open up a space for us. Breakthrough that division between us. Even if it wasn't going to be right then. That space was open. He gave me a space to begin the work. I did. Repent repent. Because the time was nigh. To let him in again. The hardy and honest welcome. And to indulge. A new beginning. Repentance. Is a tricky thing. As i said earlier repentance is about owning up to our actions is it about it is about seeing our actions clearly. Without getting caught up in the stories that we tell the make ourselves feel better. The trick is repentance itself. Can become another story. Remorse. And regret. Can get translated into a story about how bad a person we are. It happened so easily. I think about trying to be environmentally leaving at 10 and fire mentally sustainable life. And yet. I'll get a drink that comes in a plastic bottle. And i often forget bags at the taking that our bags to the store instead of getting plastic bags. And so on and so on and it's actually it's so easy. The begin to just feel this overwhelming guilt. Antigen. Buy into that. To buy into that and to be kind of cr fit this failing any failing. As a reflection of a deep-seated character flaw. As a flaw that is just inherent to our person. And this. Is a trap. When we identify ourselves with a mistake or failing. When we see that mistake or failing as intrinsic to our nature. We're just getting sucked into another story. It's just another story. Rather than blaming someone else for what's happened. We're just blaming ourselves. And the problem is blame is a dead end. If a mistake becomes a story about her failing as a person. We lose the ability. To learn from our experiences. Because if we being ourselves a failure. How can we grow. What possibility is there. For growth. This is why the buddhist tradition talks about the value. A self-compassion yes. We need to see our actions clearly. We need to see them clearly we need to accept what we've done and accept the consequences. But we need to do so with gentleness. And care. We need to recognize both our shortcomings. And the potential for change. Are you hearing this. This resonate. This makes sense. Your words speak to me. Rabbi yitzchak of work he said. Which is really a great name let me say that again. Rabbi yitzhak kevorkian. Sad. On the day of atonement the confession of sins is arranged in alphabetical order. Because otherwise we should not know when to stop beating our breath. For there is no end to sin and no end to the awareness of sin but there is an end to the alphabet. Repentance is not enough alone. There needs to be an end so that there can be a new beginning. Reconciliation between two parties often breaks down. Not because the parties are unwilling to forgive. But because the parties are unwilling to be forgiven. If you know these words. Please say them with me. God grant me the serenity. To accept the things i cannot change. Courage. To change the things i can. And wisdom to know the difference. After 25 years. I still feel that twinge of shame. When i think back to telling off joe. I wish i hadn't done it. And i also know that in time. Once i came to terms with it. It made me a better person. Over the years when faced with angry employees. I've often been able to feel compassion for them. Because i've been in their shoes. And now that i think about it i think about why didn't i get fired. I can't help but wonder if my boss have been there as well. At some point he had crossed the line he knew what it was like. And now. Then he treated me. With compassion. This is the point of the manure principal. We are all bound to encounter manure on the path we walk. It's inescapable there's no way around it. But if we learn from our experiences. We can grow as a result. No i want to be careful i'm not saying that bad things happen for a reason. But when they do happen. When we find ourselves with manure on her shoes. We have a choice. We can learn to live with it. Or we can grow from it. We can make it part of our spiritual journey. Now when it comes to repentance this can be challenging. Because the bad stuff. But we're talking about our own mistakes. And that's no fun to deal with. The weather it's our own mistakes. Or something someone else has done. The choice. Is the same it is a very same choice. Is it manure. Or is it fertilizer.

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What_Are_We_Doing_Here_Religion.mp3

Our individual perspectives. Do not. Prevent a common understanding. I might define a granny smith apple by telling you about it's round and shiny light green exterior. My friend who has a great appreciation for the fruit taste. Might explain its heart sweetness and near floral scent. And owner of a granny smith orchard might define the fruit. By sharing its growing seasons its predators. It's preferred climate. And if any of us was asked to define what exactly an apple is. The task would explode with complexity. Yet in most instances. When the word apple is shared in conversation. Understanding abounds. Our individual perspectives. Do not prevent a common understanding. If i believe that there was only one true and right apple however. My personal favorite the stamen and if i was willing to defend my prejudice to the death. The common understanding would suffer. I would think apple and in my mind and image of a pure and ripe damon would appear. When my friend held up a granny smith and asked me if i wanted to share some of her apple. Rather than enjoying the offering i might shout. Apple. That's not any apple i know. And demand a duel. A ridiculous enterprise to be certain. But none so foreign when the word religion. Is concerned. From the birth of monotheistic faith onward believers have conjured the notion that there is one true. Space. And a multitude of dirty little wrong one. A great example comes from the history of the early christian church. The word heresy. Came into wide use at the same point that the idea of orthodoxy. Or write teaching was born. In a vehement tract. Against heresies. Irenaeus an early church father revealed the gnostics. Has unrepentant. Unforgivable evil expanders and warns that all true believers should run from their false teaching. Rnas established the orthodoxy. The one true and life-giving faith. At the same time. That he rejected all the false ones. All the heresies. All those granny smith. But before we scoff at irenaeus. Let's turn the mirror on our own history. The unitarian church did its own heretic bashing. Before we came to embrace the transcendentalist emerson thoreau and others. Many prominent unitarians wrote track dismissing transcendentalism as ridiculous. About to turn in our movement. We might not choose to use the word heretic. But we too may believe that there is one true way. And a multitude of dirty little wrong one. And all of this makes the finding religion treacherous. My definition. Spring. From my prejudice. It will look a lot more like a unitarian universalist definition then say a buddhist or a jewish definition. But it is worth. The struggle. The purpose is not totally academic. Not for a unitarian universalist not for a minister or ale participant. Interfaith community. That hears questions from inside its ranks asking. Is this really a religion. And protests from outside demanding that it is not. Recently the not-for-profit status of one of our congregations in texas. Was challenged. Since our movement is non cradle. The legislation proposed that unitarian-universalism is not a religion. The challenge was quickly put down. But a fierce unwrapped. Remains in my heart. This is not the way that i've always felt. In my early teen years i was convinced by marked as observation. That religion is the opiate of the people. I thought our religion and mabel the inquisition. The witch hunter. Crusades wars the holocaust. And i could see no good in something that paired so easily. With such evil. At the time i was in a liberal religious youth group at my home congregation in connecticut. But i didn't call that religion. I drove a wedge between what i did on sunday and what religion did in the world. And at that time i needed that way. It gave me the freedom to learn to love this faith. But i no longer need or desire that wedge. I look over our religious history and see a bold engagement. Brilliant men and women willing to struggle within a tradition. To expand the definition of what it means to be religious. To demand religious freedom and encouraged free thought. Michael servetus murdered in 1553 by john calvin. For his unitarian heresies. Proclaimed. God gave us the mind. So that we can know him. A protest that paved the way for the unitarian universalist of sterling. Took away my face. Where reason and spirituality merge. And indeed for bettas charged us before his execution to further the cause of rational religion saying. I will burn but this is a mirror event. We shall continue our discussion in eternity. That eternity is ours. I hope our work for the cause of religious freedom will be so bold. So i stand here. Aware that i far too often let others define the word religion for me. That i far too easily welcome their label heretic. Try far too easily wrapped in the shadowed comfort. Of an outsider status. I stand here aware that i far too rarely. Defend this face. With confidence. 342 rarely let that fierce unrest that lived in my heart. Proclaim the beauty that is this religion. The awesome herald of life possibility. That is dysphasia. And it's for these reasons. That i defined the word religion. So i may know it. And claim it. And use it. With pride. So let's journey back first. To the etymology. Where the word religion began. The word religion dates to the 13th century loan from the latin religio. Reverence for the god or gods. Or. Careful ponderance of divine things. Going back even further the origins of religio are obscure. But many scholars trace the route llegar a. Meaning to bind or connect. Then adding the r e means. Again. We laghari. To bind again. Or to reconnect. But reconnect to what. Spell the word really gaaray comes from the greek philosopher plato's culture. And in his work the symposium. Aristophanes. Puts forth this creation myth that god's initially created near perfect beings that were basically. Two people. Stuck together. One man and one woman. Two men or two women. But these beings were to near-perfect. And their brilliance threatened the supremacy of the gods. So jealously. The gods. Put them. Into. And from that point onward the half beings would circle the earth. Searching for another to complete them. And only when they were reconnected. Would they find. Peace. Reconnection. Buddhist meditation is a process by which practitioners reconnect with their true self. The hindu faith calls believers to reconnect with brahma or a unified sense of being. Earth-based religions and a believers to reconnect with the earth. Or earth-mother the jewish faith encourages jews to reconnect with god by living their part of the covenant relationship. Christian believers. Hold that they can reconnect to god through christ islamic believers reconnect to god by engaging a disciplined faith. And all of these faiths and many others. And in all these face and many others reconnection is our path. To enlightenment. Or till oneness. Or at 1. And religion is the structure. That invites. And encourages. This reconnection. To occur. This is where my definition grows roots. This is also where it becomes apparent that i am speaking from a live liberally religious perspective. As a poet del alden rumi shares. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss. Rather than define religion as a particular approach to a particular problem. I define it as a vast field of approaches. To a universal problem. One that is hinted at. In the reading that we heard earlier. Why is there a mad rush for lingerie. Why does some people devote their lives to god hidden away in a monastery. The live we choose are built around our bodily needs for food and shelter. But not solely. And they are built around our political or social womp. But not only. There is more that we are in for. You might say that we are called. I remember only a little from the first adult service that i heard in my home congregation in new haven. But what i remain remember made an indelible mark. Within the service the minister shared a poem. Spoke of a troublesome event that happened somewhere in the world. And shared some on the emotional response. The tragedy. And somehow wove it all together. Drawing connections reconnection. She helped us explore a previously hidden meaning. Like a basic worship service our lives are a bundle of disparate bits and pieces. We have rational thought. Emotions. Physical needs. We want to act ethically but not all ethical decisions are clearly engaged in a political sphere. We have friends and relatives that need our care children that need our discipline. Our capacities are limited but our dreams not so much we read the paper. We read poetry. Religion is a structure that can help us re-connect. That can bind the bits and pieces. Of our lives. It provides a way for us to comprehend our existence. Not solely as a bundle of disparate bits and pieces but has a hole. Are unified. Meaningful. Experience. This can happen in a worship service. But it goes deeper than that. Forsythia this wholeness centers on god and god's relationship to the creation. Her religious humanists that maybe the recognition that we are all somehow connected. In this interdependent web of existence. But for all religious humanity this breath of understanding. Takes one step. Towards making sense. Avital. Albert einstein ask. What is the meaning of human life. Then responds. Answer this question. Implies a religion. He allows that all religions arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed towards the ennobling of man's life. Or woman's life. Lifting it from the sphere of muir physical existence and leading the individual toward freedom. But it is the religious question. That blatantly and directly ask. What does all this. Me. And here again my prejudices are apparent. An orthodox believer might say that it is the purpose of religion to answer that question. To explain what all this mean. I don't believe a religion must provide. An answer or even can provide one answer. But i know that it can offer a structure. A structure where we can meet. The question. Where are search can be encouraged. Where we can engage together with our tradition. With our community. And with all our senses and they active an ever-evolving process of answering for ourselves. And for each other. What all this means. It is. Dear community. A high calling. And a beautiful way to share in this experience of life. It is a base for ethical living. For compassion and empathy. A structure that is ever evolving. Holding us to answer for our actions to reconnect to that fourth or ideal or god. That will enable us to summon. The better angels. Ivar being. That's how i see religion. And i hope that will share more of this. In our dialog to follow. I'm in. And may it be so.

uusterling_org

Heretics_Rebels_Outsiders.mp3

The reading that steve shared came from the book a chosen faith. A book that all our new members receive and are asked to read. The author of the reverend forest church the author of that passage puts forth a challenge. He calls freedom one of our great principles but claims that it can and has become an idol. Something that we worth worship with so much zeal that we. Dishonor our boulder mission of nurturing our spirits and healing our world. The sermon deals with our persistent self-understanding as an outsider face. Not a mainstream face but somehow different than all the rest. Outsiders. Are free. They're free to challenge the status quo. Free to critique the majority opinion. And if they choose retain an unattached. Individuality. It's them. Nada. In the sermon i questioned the self-understanding. Are we really an outsider face or do we just play one on tv. Imagine for a moment. That you wrote a piece of poetry. Or a song that finally expressed your religious or your spiritual views. Now imagine that somehow your words are shared. An email somewhere goes to a stranger and in no time at all your precious gem of inspiration becomes a public gym. Garnering attention from distant corners. Ministers and rabbis use your words and sermons prayer groups and self-help circles recite them. Evangelical and fundamentalist preachers expose and quote them. And soon librarians and christian science reading rooms can find your words. Without knowing who wrote them. Websites document your peace as an anonymous prayer. Gift cards in prayer card shelled out in droves barrier words yet none mentions the authorship. How would you feel. Gratified. That your personal inspiration touched so many souls. Or frustrated. Maybe even angered that your precious words have been used in so many public ways. Ways that you did not intend and that all the while no credit was given to the rightful author. How would you feel. This is exactly what happened to the author of our chalice lighting. The poet edwin markham. A man whose name is scarcely known but whose words have traveled the globe. Markham was soundly a universal s10 in his faith he found an answer to our query. How did he feel. Gratified or angered. By the proliferation. Of his poetry. These are the words he wrote. He drew a circle that shut me out. Heretic rebel a thing to flout. But love and i had the wit to win we drew a circle that took him in. Markham's universalism was not conquered by the idol of his ego. His faith was a testament to god's unending love. And while others called him a heretic for his universalist belief. He welcomed even the unattributed quoting of his words by the preachers that rejected his very face. From arkham knight of the credit. Nor the acceptance. Were important. He said. You can draw a circle to shut me out. You can call me a heretic. But if my circle is wide it will win out. Is my face so strong. I hope so. Markham's time was different than our own. Born in 1850 to markham new a world that was mainly hostile to the universalist message. Ours is different. And boldly so. I meet with an interfaith group of clergy and lay leaders loudoun interfaith bridges. Soon after joining i was promoted to secretary. This is the only office. And their organization. A role that involves. Running our meetings. Organizing our materials. Holding our important documents. And communicating our message to the press. And the town leaders. The trust the group placed in me almost immediately was stirring and i admit a bit baffling. Yes i am organized. But i'm the uu. A small little-known face. And they trust me to be the spokesperson. At first i bought. I'll take notes. But you want me to talk to the board of supervisors. It's taken me a great deal of reflection to understand the poignancy of my position with bridges. And it's not just that i was the only one. Are plenty of people there willing to give time. When i began working with them i entered strong lad and open. My circle was already wide. It took them in. But not only mine ours and this is the real difference. Many leaders from liberal religious faiths hold a certain kind of universalism. But it's rare that their congregations follow suit. Or even ken follow suit. By the written law of their creeds and dogmas. On many occasions the clergy person is the most radical. Likely because they took classes at seminary with folks from all over the religious landscape and learn the beauty of interfaith engagement. Their congregations on the other hand. Never had this opportunity. As a uui enter our discussions at bridges with bravery. That others simply can't. I speak with them in the way that we learn to speak each time that we gather. We are already in her face. We did not make idols of our creeds are dogmas and so when we gather we bear our diversity knowing it will not inhibit. But will enable us to live the wide circle of our faith. When we enter the interfaith arena. Therefore we are not afraid. Some bordner inducted into more orthodox religious communities are taught to fear. The fear diversity. While holding tight to the truth. The fear reason while holding tight to the literal scripture. The fear a wider circle while holding tight to their community alone. The preponderance of interfaith organizations proves that a majority of our world's religious leaders have moved from this restrictive model. To embrace a more open face. Krista tippett. Author of the npr program speaking of faith. Recently announced that. There is a vast. Constructive. Middle ground. A ground where diversity dissolves and mutual understanding. And the shared commitment. To build a better world. Who's better suited than the unitarian universalist. His very practice thrives already. In this creative constructive middle ground. To usher in the next revolution of religious engagement. In prince william county my colleague at the bull run church in manassas rev nancy mcdonald ladd had the opportunity to test this power. Prince william officials had passed a number of policies that heinously ignored the civil rights of immigrants. The police were charged to pull over anyone who appeared latin american. Simply to check their immigration status. And county officials were petition to deny services to the children of illegal immigrants that children. Of illegal immigrants. Services like school programs. Library rights. Healthcare. Reverend nancy began first like the prophets of old shouting in the wilderness. Writing her elected leaders. Posting at at orioles preaching to her congregation and calling local clergy saying and patiently we have to do something. But from the wilderness. Her voice made no impact. Then she called her clothes collegial friends pastors in the town's large churches. Once she already worked with on an interface basis. A long conversation. And they decided to work together. But this is the important part. At that point. Reverend nancy stepped back. The other clergy move forward and using the impetus that her bravery had sparked. They raised a voice in the county that all could hear. Reverend nancy like our poet edwin markham did not get any credit. But her mission. Flourished. Let's get back to the title of the sermon. Heretics rebels outsiders. Three terms used by unitarian-universalist to explain our faith. And its place in the religious world. And while i revere the first to heretics and rebels. I can't you. How much fun. I really honestly reject the third. Outsiders. Reverend nancy acted as a heretic. And a rebel. But she worked and her face work. From the inside. To honor the civil rights of her immigrant neighbors. While upholding their and her. Human dignity. Her work would have been impossible of her convictions were outside the norm. They work into the convictions of her brothers and sisters in faith. And they stirred a whole county to witness. They were shared conviction. Felt and known. With a wide breadth of except. On the inside. Our history from the 2nd to the 19th century. It's full of like struggles. When our leaders weren't being burned at the stake their books were. The very terms unitarian and universalist were the labels for our heresies. Unitarian meaning the heresy of an anti trinitarian belief. And universalism meeting the heresy of imagining a wholly beneficent deity. Over the years we've had to work to own these terminator. To make our heresies badges of courage. For honor. On many occasions this took time. As we were not always comfortable with conflict. In this country when our liberal movement began our leaders tried initially to diffuse the divided saying that the trinitarian issue was not that big of a deal. Even trying to evade the unitarian label and remain a part of the congregationalists. But as they did they could not avoid publicly and intensely defending their beliefs. Finally after years of broiling debates and what we're called the pamphlet wars when folks literally are their positions and pamphlets and handed them out to as many people as they could. The father of american unitarianism william ellery channing celebrated in his baltimore sermon. The emergence of a distinct religious movements. And proclaim the need for a nun apologizing liberal face. I'm apologizing. I need to remember that. I can't tell you the number of times i have apologized. For our faith. A friend that knew me for most of my years related in shock. You're going to be a minister. You're going to go to seminary and be a minister. And i returned yeah. But not that kind of minister. What if i had said instead. Yes i'm going to be a minister in my work will be to live a face that i wholeheartedly believe with every ounce of my being. What statement carries more impact. The first which is one of an outsider. Not that kind of minister. Or the second. Which states boldly. My face that ministry. In the large cents. Is a powerful and beautiful. Thang. For any and all of us. And the way that we feel called. Yes tanning we need an done apologizing liberal movement. You and all the heretics and rebels that came before cautioned us to build a pure face. One that routes in our conscience and lives in our convictions one that is guided by our compassion. And one that may grow without the pollution of external creed's or dogmas. What would you. Who have taught us so well. Same to the claim that ours is an outsider religion. You who were calling rebel and heretic by your adversaries. And you who fought. So bravely. To turn those tan. And the epitaphs of honor. What would you say if i told you that we your children. Look upon ourselves and dm our faith and outsiders face. Different. Strange. Perhaps unworthy. What would you say. You who died to prove the truth of our faith. And died to prove. But they are the birthright. Of humanity. That reason and spirituality. Converge. That tradition should be balanced with progress. The integrity must be prized above allegiance. That hope and honesty. Can. Coexist. That face. And freedom. R1. What would you say our bold prophets of old if i told you that we were embarrassed by this face. And side from proclaiming it. What would you feel if i told you we didn't believe and its power. You might rage it first. Then with the patience of your universal love. You might ask me and us to look around with honest eyes. The creative collaborative voice is prized and interfaith circles. Our world is becoming a global community. Soon the majority of americans will not be of european descent. There's so much room for a faith that is empowered by its embrace of diversity. And you might tell us that each week. Unitarian universalist congregation have 5,000 new visitors. The people from this country and our world are hungry for spiritual sustenance. Freed from the staid dogmas of old. And you might remind us that now. Especially. We have a voice. That the president of our association was invited to attend the national and doggerel prayer service. And honor our association has not had any years. And you might tell us that envoy's from our washington office for advocacy have been called in to consult. With our new administration. Again. And honor they have not known for years. And you might remind us. That this insider status does not in any way detract from our bold and heretical stance. We have the only publishing house willing to print the pentagon papers. But millions read those papers. We are home to the largest majority of preachers charge by their congregations to stand-up resolutely for marriage equality. But these stands are making a historical impact. And willing time issue a new era of civil rights. We are now the table. Like we have never been before. Lettuce pronounce our presence boldly. Knowing we speak radical truths. With universal import. Knowing we may not get any credit. When we are done. But knowing credit is not the aim of our mission. Knowing this work is ours. A wide. An ever-expanding. Hours. Amin. And maybe so.

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Ubuntu.mp3?_=1

We are who we are because of each other. You probably. Heard me say it before and you will definitely hear me say it again. Are seven principles my favorite it's so beautiful i've already quoted it earlier in. Today. The mysterious interconnected web of all existence. The energy that binds us all together. Boo boo 2. In researching. About the three wise women. I watched a few interviews on youtube and this word kept coming up they kept using this word again and again or boone too. And when i googled it the first name that came up was desmond tutu so. It gives you an idea we're kind of walking around the same neighborhood. The same awareness. This is an african humanists believe that we are all connected. Literally means i am because we are. Boo boo choo choo. 4. Desmond tutu. It's a solid foundation for his christian faith he said ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact. That you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness you can't be human all by yourself. And when you have this quality ubuntu. You're known for your generosity. He goes on. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals. Separated from one another whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well it spreads out. It is for the whole of humanity. Brunch is not just for christians. Nelson mandela a secular humanist spoke of humanism. Ubuntu. Barack obama has said that a boon to is quote. Recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye. That there is a oneness to humanity that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others and caring for those around us. That sounds like he's describing the seventh principle. So i just named three wise men. 22 mandela obama. Three men of a slightly older generation who argue that this idea of abu2 is vitally important. But when we turn to our young prophet. These three women. Who point to boone to when they cry out black lives matter. These two ideas. Go together. Not black lives matter more than other lives or black lives matter some. Help makes other lives matter less. But it's an odd ubuntu. I only matter if we all matter. And all lives can't matter until black lives matter. If anyone of us. Does not matter. We all suffer. We all love then don't matter. I'm. Clearly not black but i need black lives to matter. It affect my life that affect everyone's life. Because we are inexplicably. Endemic. Trek ubly connected. My life matters when your life matters boom 2. I think it's safe. Yes. That we all want to be good people. I think most people want to be good. And. In this world we struggle with the best way to be good people that's an optimistic way of looking at things but. Trying to be optimistic on a nice. Sunny summer day. We don't all agree. How to be good and sometimes i tell my kids that this is actually what politics is it's just. Grown-ups arguing about the best way to be good what would be the best way to solve this problem and we argue and we argue. For the most part we have. For some people it's. The best way to make a lot of money. But from a lot of us it's the best way to be good and to solve problems. We have what we think. And we have what we are told. By our schools tv shows video games movies friends. For little girls. The world often tells us that being good means being quiet. Not asking any questions not interrupting not speaking up when we disagree. You wouldn't want to make a scene. For little girls there's a lot of rules about what we are not supposed to do and not very many options. About what we should do. I'm saying little girls. Because i was one then i remember what it was like. The world's still tells me to be quiet and small. But i think little boys are probably told this as well. Set a good little boy agrees with what people around him are saying. We're really all told this. We all want to be good people. And we're told that being good. Usually means being quiet. Sitting down. People. Quote how jesus said turn the other cheek when someone hits you. Instead of fighting back let them hit you again. And there is wisdom there but it can certainly be taken out of context. And be used. And very negative ways. There's of course a truth in the need for non-violence. But we don't need to allow others to hurt us. We remember dr martin luther king because of his stand against violence. Doctor martin luther king was not quiet. He didn't just sit down and agree with the people around him. So. Going back to our three wise women. They didn't act like how many of us are told to ask to be. Good. They work together. To have a big voice and to speak out and say something is wrong here. Over the past year or so. Many many women and many men have come forward. To have a loud voice together about the me-too movement. About being treated badly. Treated badly at work and in their everyday lives and imbalance of power people have been pointing these things out. Many adults hold onto the idea from childhood that in order to be good we have to be quiet. Sometimes. The people in power hold on that idea too. And when bosses and teachers and presidents want people to stay quiet. They can make people feel scared about speaking up. Martin luther king junior was scared to speak up. He was. Clear and honest about his fear but he knew it was the right thing to do he knew. It would lead to his death. And he still did it he still spoke up. The three wise women. Warbreaker afraid to speak up. Their lives are not easy right now because of their speaking up. But because they spoke up lots more people have found the courage to speak up to and. I would dare to draw the line. A connection between black lives matter. Giving the courage to the me-too movement beginning to start. I think these three wise women are. Really truly profits of our time. And that points to boom 2. I am who i am. Because of them because of us. Because of who we are. If you are brave. That help me to be brave too. It's a wonderful idea and it is happening all over the world right now. People are helping each other to be brave. I hope one day to be like the three wise women. And i would love to meet them and i also know that they would be very welcome here any any unitarian church. But certainly here. We also believe in speaking out when things aren't fair. We believe in speaking out for ourselves and for others. All of us. All of us can learn something new about how to be good people. Being quiet is not the same as being good. So. I invite you all to stop being quiet for a moment. And we're all going to say ubuntu together. Ready. Ubuntu. I am what i am because of all of us together. Amen.

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?download=%2F2018%2F11%2FRemembering-Who-We-Are-part-2.mp3

Reverend roberto for your insights into your window on the past of this congregation. We have old members new members and those who are somewhere in between. All have insights. And i believe all benefit from hearing your perspective. On the pass. I'm also reminded of that famous movie rashomon. Sun is up. Real filmed. In this japanese classic. Nothing happens. We don't have to focus on the specific thing right now. But a handful of people tell their versions of what happened. Some are self-serving. Some tell the story from where they sat. And what. Is the truth. My metaphor blurs because of that movie their people lying for self-serving motives about what happened and there are course. Hear that of courses. Yep the truth is that different people.

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Ambiguity.mp3

I entered my undergraduate studies fairly certain that i would be an english major. It was what i loved it was what i did. But i figured that what i do in my first year was get rid of all of those. Annoying requirements. Two things that i didn't really want to have to deal with. So i took. Calculus. And spanish. I love languages but i'm horrible at memorizing vocabulary. I took poli-sci. I took another i took a science class and i took. A philosophy class. Most of those you'll have to do it someday to luke. Most of those. I just sort of put behind me that was done over good. Riddance. And i didn't get the best grades of her. But one of them. The philosophy class really changed me. I didn't know that i would love it that much. And but that by the time i was done with that first 101 philosophy class i knew that that was what i was going to be doing. And i became a philosophy major. The problem was that in my pool the way that it worked for you to choose your classes for the next year. It was based on your grade point average when you got a chance to choose. So because i've gotten rid of all those requirements and my grade point average was pretty darn poor. And i was only a sophomore i was at the end of the list for tuesday. My next class is. So i got in there. And there were no more 200 levels philosophy classes open there were maybe one or two 300-level classes open. And then just 400-level classes. Tell. I chose 400 level classes and one 300-level class. And i asked the head of the philosophy department to be my advisor. I wonder what he thought about this precocious sophomore with a grade point average christy lowe. He decided to take all these 400-level classes. But i was certain there was no ambiguity there i was going to be a philosophy major and if that's what i had to do. That's what i was going to do. The funny thing is that philosophy itself. Grab me because it was riddle. With ambiguity. From aristotle to vet consign. To confucius. Great philosophers do right into ambiguity. Holding the audacious hope that they can make some sense out of the chaos. And i realized early on that they did. Make some sense. And then again they didn't. I could get caught in an argument aristotle proposing that the only way to become virtuous is by habit. By teaching yourself through repetition to be virtuous. Yes i agree. Then i could get caught in another argument. Kant proposing that to be virtuous we needed here solely to duty. To that duty that our conscience demands. Yeah. Again i agree. Or nicha proposing that to be virtuous is a false proposition and we need solely garner our creative power to live well. Yes. I agree. Good arguments one and all. Utterly contradictory. But good arguments. A philosophy student is washed. An ambiguity. It's like swimming close to the ocean shore. Each big wave that comes in pushes you towards the somewhat stable fans of understanding. And then comes the undertow. And washes you back out again. The contradictions the ambiguity. The big questions that remain even after the strong arguments. And you're washed out. Deeper into the ocean than you were before. Sound familiar. What we do here every sunday. If. What is it it's not dancing with the waves of ambiguity. The poem from rumi that. Steve said earlier proposes that too. That it will speak for god and. God. Says. I do not know who i am. I am in astounded lucid confusion. I am not a christian i'm not a jew i'm not a zoroastrian and i'm not even a muslim. I did not belong to the land or to any known or unknown sea. And some of us might say haha yes. I agree. Rumi's poem throws us into an ocean of ambiguity to meet. God. To meet the divine. And to some of us. That seems like an appropriate place to search for divinity. So what exactly is ambiguity. Ambiguity arises when a clear or distinct meaning cannot be determined. By the contacts. When a clear or distinct meaning cannot be determined by the context. This is different than vagueness. I could be vague and say i'll meet you at the airport. And if we hadn't previously determined that that meant the baggage carousel we could be running around in circles for hours. That's vega. Ambiguity however is context. Dependent. It relies on words or phrases that ken in certain contacts. Convey the stink meaning. While another is they create ambiguity. This may be most evident in humor. Take groucho marx. Who famously said. Last night i shot an elephant in my pajamas. What he was doing in my pajamas i'll never know. With the first line we are drawn in by the apparent. This ambiguity a man wearing pajamas. Shot an elephant. With the second line we are shocked by our naivete. When would seem certain suddenly becomes ambiguous. You might notice hints of irony and surprise. As well. Ambiguity and schumer works because it is relatively unthreatening. Ambiguity in other contexts. Is less easy for some to abide. I have love and respect. For my aunt diane. Not her real name. But we disagree definitively. On many subjects. And i find that with most if not all of them are disagreements fall squarely on the line between her comfort. With certainty. And my comfort with ambiguity. Religiously diana's a converted conservative catholic. Morley cedros hardlines like anti-abortion and that marriage is solely for heterosexuals. And i remember a conversation one time that happened interesting lee. Bossy and i and my father were walking on the seashore. I have not yet responded to my call to the ministry and i was. Just started trying everything out. Seeing where my life would take me and experiencing as much as i possibly could. Have different ways of being in the world. And my father said you know that's a great idea. Keep doing that you're going to find it. Diane on the other hand. Was. Quite upset with this. And told me. That i better to the past and choose it right away or i would be lost. Later she married a man whose middle name must be certainty. Or regimented. And she converted from her family's judaism to his catholicism. I'm not being flip when i say i have love for diane and her husband bob i've truly truly do. But i admit our interaction is rife with frustration. The divide between us. Between people who do not tolerate ambiguity and those who appreciate ambiguity. Is why. And it seems sometimes unnavigable. I don't know enough about bob history to try and understand his ideology but i can begin to embrace. Diane penchant for religious moral and social absolutes. She flailed without structure. And thought certainty for strength. And while i know there's a great deal more depth to her experience than i'm privy to maybe the beauty of the catholic rituals was on sparring and really spoke to her and that's where she found her strength. Maybe the beauty. Certain ethical arguments convinced her. And it would be rude and presumptive for me to say that the need for structure is all that guides her preferences. Regardless i know that there is a definitive difference between the way that she meets the world. And the way that i do. And it falls on the line between comfort with ambiguity. And comfort with certainty. Some of us have more and some have less. Of what called ambiguity. Tolerance. The psychologist david wilkinson coin this term ambiguity tolerance. Andy devine defines it as. The ability to perceive ambiguity and information in behavior in a neutral and an open way. The opposite is ambiguity intolerance. Defined as a tendency to perceive or interpret information marked by vague incomplete fragmented contradictory or unclear meaning. As actual or potential sources of psychological discomfort. Or threat. It's so difficult for me to engage the subject without making a value judgment. So i want to pause for a second. And say that ambiguity tolerance. Is a good thing it seems like a good thing to me a source of emotional resiliency. But. I also want to have. More understanding of how i'm ambiguity intolerant in many circumstances as well. For example. I can't stand movies. That end in ambiguity. I want the two lovers to meet and live happily ever after. I want the good guy to win. And the earth to be saved. Don't give me a fade out ending and leave me guessing. And if i'm lost while driving after i rage for a while at the stupidity of the situation. I'll pull over. And by map. Rather than driving around in circles trying to figure out my place in the universe. And i shared earlier how i struggle with languages so when i travel i memorize a few phrases one of which is fromage then we will play. Or sandwich con queso porfavor. Because i would rather eat the same boring cheese sandwich everywhere i go than end up with something indistinguishable. But this brings me to another example. Strangely enough one that happened again on the seashore. But this time in mexico. An english-speaking friend and i met a spanish-speaking family. My friend and i knew maybe 20 solid phrases in spanish and the family knew about twenty in english. So we had a conversation of spanish and english and a heck of a lot of charades. It was. Full of ambiguity. And confusion. But it was also full of respect. And some beauty. When we actually understood what the other was trying to say it was a hallelujah moment. There was a reason for real celebration because we knew we were both dedicated to the task that we had chosen. Not for its he's but for its magic. For the poetry of understanding someone whose language you don't. We were using with a psychologist wilkinson calls. Generative leadership. Using the ambiguity created by our language difference to find opportunity. Generative leaders are ambiguity tolerant wilkinson says and they can be innovators and learners. To get to the magic. To the poetry. To the new learning. You have to walk. In the valley of the shadow of ambiguity. Consider this example from a psychology experiment on ambiguity tolerance and this is a tough one. If you're fading off razor hand i'll go back. In front of you there's a bucket. Containing 30 balls 30 balls and all the balls are colored red. Black. And white. There's 10. Red ball. There's. 20. Black or white balls. You have a choice you can say i'm going to choose a red ball. And try and pick a red ball out of there and if you do you win $100. Or you can choose to say i'm going to pick a black ball and if you pick a black ball out of there. You win $100. Most people choose red. Because it's certain that there are 10 red balls. The interesting thing though is the probability of picking either a red or a black ball is the same. It's still on in 3. Mathematical mind over there. The even so most people will choose red and try and pick a red ball. This is despite the fact that there could potentially be. Double the number of black balls. But the uncertainty leads people to view this option less favorably. Not all people act this way but most people would choose the red ball. Some might embrace ambiguity. And see it as a challenge. Maybe a potential advantage. But the ambiguity is what makes the challenge seem more complex. Ambiguity makes life. Fillmore complex. The challenge may be replete with opportunity. But it's. Funplex. Again the poet rumi speaks for god. From the reading that steve shared earlier. My birthplace is placelessness. My sign to have and give no sign. You say you see my mouth ears nose they are not mine. I am the life of life. I am not cat the stone no one. I see and know all times. And worlds. What a beautiful a large view of divinity. But one might ask how can you worship something so immense. An ambiguous. Maybe there's one rule. Do not slight divinity by presuming to know its limitations. Where to buy sea moss. Without the hubris of certainty. It may feel complexed but it is replete with awe and opportunity. There's a wonderful story again from the poet rumi. About moses. How he overheard a shepherd. Praising god by saying how he would comb his hair. And wash his feet. And massage his hands. Moses was shocked by these statements. And he lambasted the man for imagining that god had a body. Godmother said of the spirit and we must worship him as that. Some hours later god visited moses and ask him in a reflection. Moses why are you driving my people away. And moses responded. But god the man was incorrect his worship was heresy. God listens and said. Moses who are you to say what i am. Let the man worship me as he is called. His heart is true. If we insist. On being as sure as it is conceivable we must be content to creep along the ground and can never sore. This is a quote from your order of service. From the front of the order of service written by the cardinal john henry newman. It calls us to walk in the valley of the shadow of uncertainty. And embrace ambiguity. Not because it is all that is there. But because it is the birthplace of all of mystery of wonder of beauty. And i daresay of truth. It is akin to the call from all the great mystical poet like rumi. It is a call from our story for all ages. The zen master who says. I wish i could have given him the moon. Is dug into the foundation for the unitarian universalist mission. And it may be that tolerance for ambiguity separates us. From others who are intolerant of ambiguity. But not absolutely. This is just another challenge among many. The shepherd that moses rebuked was certain of the god that he worshipped. It was moses who had to learn to open his heart. To accept another's truth. If not as his own. Then simply. As worthy. I'm in. And may it be so.

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?download=%2F2018%2F12%2FShared_Memories.mp3

The question why are they. People these wonderful people sitting up here. And there's like a fifth person who. Just over the edge and acts. He's on vacation. Steve deck. This is our ucf. Transitions. The group of stalwarts meet with me monthly in-service both assertive a committee on ministry for those who of you who know what that is. To me as a minister and preliminary fellowship. And as a focal point for congregational movement towards our next adultman. Of course the search committee. Thank you search committee they're doing it. But this group task as i think of it is to soften the soil. So your next minister lands in the type of tilled soil. That allows for rapid settling. And create route development. You know what i mean gartner's you don't go out on a day like today you'd make mud clumps you wait until the soil is at a certain place.

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Embracing_Being_a_Heretic_for_Change.mp3

Good morning. Today today. Caterpillar in silence atlanta caterpillar. And a dresser in a language. Opening. Alsip library. Mean by that. I'm afraid i can't. Brockhampton. Thank you to a bit cleaner. Different from mine. You. Which brought them back again to beginning of the conversation alice feld. You ought to tell me. Little allen. That talk. Contacts and the situation. How many parts of the world. Around the world. And yet he and his wife to live there today to serve their community. The world. Who are you. Part of understanding and claiming our path. Glorious history of. Radical revolutionary. My favorite part. Radical. Acres as a part of who we are. Around the world. Yet another time in this world. Examples of. Massachusetts. Local historical society. 773. Enterprise merchants and skilled craftsmen. 84. 84. Brother. Bateman. The hot iron. Something. Relationship. Our universe. And there is no predestination. We offer a cool cup of water. Originally from boston. Right. Later. Goodnight. 1940s. Part of our foremothers the universal. Imperfect world. Division of waterworld. Ideal. And we are. Illinois. Outside. Reminder. Local food pantry. Campaign. Ry. Celebrate our profound acts of love. Pennywise we commented. Measure not men. Medical side of love. Love. And women who have gone before. In september. 2008 highest honor. Universalism. Pronounce. Any window. Universalism. Quest together. Humility. Margate. We honored. Open and loving heart. Pacifism. How many friends. Something. Every generation ryzen passes we acknowledge. Amongst. Love. The advocate. Cast of love. Island. Redefined. Children. Sam. The girls. In our lives and in our world. Marginalized. My heart tells me that you. I leave you with. Wherever you go. Necessary.

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?download=%2F2018%2F09%2FNeptunes-Staircase-and-Other-Ways-of-Getting-Around.mp3

Summer. I took a journey. You took a journey. I don't know where. It might have been. To the back. Fight. Were you found a creek. It was fed by the many reigns. This summer is radha. You never knew why there. Was. Apple bridge. Over that gully. Little bridge. Was never needed. And it was. Rainy season. Your journey taught you about that. Or maybe a journey further afield. Some of you have already told me about the great trips you took. Past summer. I encourage you to reconnect and connect a new with your uucs community at coffee hour. We want to hear about your summer filled with trips to the pool.

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Seasons_of_Universalism.mp3

The only thing constant. Is change. Life is flux. Motion. Creation to catastrophe morning tonight. Parents must know this beth. Their closeness to their children makes the change that much more. Prominent. That much more exhausting. Jump when they're certain that they've caught up found in age of stage. She's teething. A toddler. A terrible two. Time speeds up. And only photographs remain to tell the tale. Long path. Moved. Early this august. My new husband scott and i were searching through our old family photo albums. We hope to pull together a bundle of funny images. To share with the guests at our wedding. We started out laughing. We found a great series of black-and-white photos where i was mocking some of my parents rowdy or friends. A two-year-old in a pood.. Chugging an empty milk jug. In the last frame i'm laid-back. Arm flared and eyes rolling like a drunken sailor. We found one of scott. A dapper sportsman. Swinging with all of his might as hopeful as could be. Out of baseball that it already. Cleanly landed in the catcher's mitt. Then there were the images of parents. Great-aunt. Great-grandmothers. Even the photo paper looked foreign. Guys that are current processes. Would be at odds. To reproduce. My great-grandmother's face. Look so. Solemn. But her hands and her eyes. They dance. What is that. Who is she. Was he. What was that dapper sportsman or the milk jug chugging child thinking. What did it feel like. To be in there. Soon our laughter was at odds with that unmistakable sadness. The yearning to be back there wherever there is. Just for a moment. Cano what can never be reached. At least not now. And somewhere in there. And in here. Which is something also unmistakable. An optimistic philosopher mike quality universal. An intangible sense that maybe we have all felt that. Have all urine for the unreachable. Have laugh. Dan language. While pouring over our history. This chance. But maybe there are such things as universal. Experiences or sentiment that you or i can speak of and we can understand. Substantially. In our being. Is a great. Optimism. An optimism that grounds 1channel of our face. Universalism survived on the possibility of universal. The possibility that in this great flock. There are things that all life. Well share. As a noun. Universalism has one definition. The theological premise that eventually. All humanity will be saved. This is a key to understanding. Ar. Theological legacy. But if we hope to understand our religious heritage. This one definition is not enough. Universalism is a face. That is lived. As george the beneville. Curious george. The evangelist born in 1703 testifies. Police can only do so much. They are stationary. Wildlife. Is in motion. It is important to live our belief. Not just priests them. Deeds not creed's. Proclaim the will of the religious. It's not crazy. Change our world. Are universalists history is varied. It runs through the lies of mystics. Who held that there is a universal experience of salvation. Evangelist. Who professed that universal salvation must be shared. Optimistic radicals who held that universal salvation is the ground for promoting justice. Millennial is. Yeah. Millennial. Who assumed that it was their right and privilege to bring about. Are universal kingdom of god on earth. Religious patriots. Who believed that the ideal of the american republic and the ideals of universalism. Ran 10 gentle. And should be linked. And. There were transcendentalist and healers and prophets. Celeste. Goes on. As we look back into the history. As if we were looking back into an old photo album. We may find some things that make sense. That's a foreign. Some that we understand and some that we can't quite swallow. Dr. james pullman. One of the faith leaders in 1894 exclaimed. You universalist have squatted on the biggest word in the english language. Universal. Now. What are you going to do about it. Assuming the name universalist set us up for a grand challenge. We are challenged to live. As universalist. People who truly believe and act on their beliefs. Betaal life deserves a chance. That all life is connected in some awesome way. Thomas malthus challenge. Others heating explicit beliefs. Acted in ways that compromised. The weight. And the potential. Of a truly universal outlook. And certainly there were some. Score between the extremes. My hope is not to condemn. Orca blithely celebrate. By looking back we meet our past. And we make a way for our future. Let's glance back. Into the universalist. Photo. On one of the first pages we find a scratchy drawing of a thin white haired man with a long beard wrapped in roman-style clothes. Origin from the second century ad is sitting amidst a great. Library. A greek and christian text. Busily translating writing and teaching. Women and men are gathered around him. They came to hear his ideas. His ideas on the universal soul. He explains. There is one power which graphs and hold together all the diversity. Of the world. He was certain that life would freely move. For the good. Did the creator had made it to do just. That. You can tell from his brow that he has had to fight adversity. But he knew that his ideas were worth teaching. They filled him with a sense of promise. With a breath of life. Next we'll move quickly through some of the most difficult pages. Many are filled with images of persecution signs that read heretic. Books being burned and proud people being forced. To move or renown. They're universalism. Get in the mixer some of hope. Various men and women struggling in poland italy england. For the right to recognize a universal religion. Further on in these pages there's some calm. A pastoral painting. With rich hughes. In the center of only white structure. With peeling paint. And a small white cross on top. When most nations were persecuting universalist. America's earliest 1700 offered religious freedom. Within a decade the face began to spring up and out of rural america. At a grassroots level. I've been on the nation was not established until much later and even then it was opposed. At the start. Baptist. Quakers methodist. Even some catholics. Became universalist. God was too good too damn anyone. This was a great optimism. A counter to the prominent calvinist line that some people were destined even before birth. To eternal torment. Early universalist figured that listening to 15 hour-long fire-and-brimstone sermon was enough eternal torment for any soul. Instead they founded their own small churches. Austin singing in the old style. Responding two lines that were called out by a leader and listening to a hope-filled message. On the facing page in the album there's another image. Of a home. This one is a drawing from 1777 estate in pennsylvania. Where george the beneville lived. Adidas. Porch with heavy beams stretches across the front. Welcoming settlers recent immigrants and native americans alike. No one was turned away from the home where the beneville offered both medical and spiritual care. You can see the beneville in a window frame. But he's not looking out. His faith called him to do the work of universalism. Not to take credit for it. He is writing in his journal. That all symbols. And all languages of faith. Proclaim proclaim the same. Truth. Outside his window are to gravestones scrolled with the names of english soldiers. Who had died in a battle nearby. All people deserve the same courtesy. In life and death. Even political enemies. Further on. There's a pen-and-ink portrait of a tall man with broad shoulders and a rough-hewn stature. He's raising his right hand in a dress. From behind a simple pulpit. Hosea ballou with commending his congregants to praise for worship. And irrational faith. But explaining. Never let your zeal. Outrun your charity. Behind blue are pamphlet. Proclaiming against capital punishment. Slavery and the inhuman treatment of prisoners. As well as his definitive universalist texts. A treatise on atonement. Within these pages he proclaimed that salvation or peace. Happens. Here. In this life. And that it is our privilege to make that universally possible. Further on. The image in our history. Get clearer. It's easier to recognize their beauty. But also their blemishes. There's a pamphlet scrolled with a manicured calligraphy. With an old tackle on the top. From its 1870 posting at the universalist general convention. It relays that it's time to align with our great republic. A republic that has done the great service. Ridding the country of slavery. But since our own form of universalist christianity best suits our nation. It will be universalism that will rent it when a righteous. Land. This one faith only. A few pages up an article from an 1890 publication in dark ink proclaimed. We shall be resolved by a deeper sense of responsibility for the salvation of the world. And as that universalist. Have the truth. The real gospel. And that we should endeavor to spread this face. The heathen lands. Biscuit back a few pages to see how this pride worked its way into social calling. A worn poster board during the words temperance now for god for nation. Covers two pages. Temperance foursome universalist. Was there opportunity to save others. To control the behavior of those they felt. Could not control themselves. These difficult pages of our history proclaim. If everyone would just quit their fussing and get with the program the american be universalist. Then life would be good. If everyone were more like me we be a lot better off. We've squatted on the biggest word. In the english language. What are we going. To do about. George the benevilla was sailing on a ship. A proud young man. He heard a great cacophony. He found that there were moore's aboard this ship. A people that he did not know. That he did not understand. Anna people that christians called heathens. He discovered that one of their comrades had been injured. The other moors were shedding tears. And consoling their friends. There were setting tears that were meant. To heal his suffering. De bonneville explained. Are these heathens. No. I confess. Before god. They are christians. And i myself. I'm a heathen. This realization. Expresses one of the cores of universalism. Accord that survived are mishaps. Kenneth patton universalist minister of the boston charles street meeting house. In 1964. Orchestrated this core. By filling his worship space with symbols of the world's face. And with the great. Books of all religious calling. He showed that it was possible to build a face that grew both mind and spirit. By looking outside of itself. Today we build this congregation. As so many others are built by looking outside. As we learn work. Unengaged. Universalism reaches out. It searches. It recognizes beauty that is not its own. And it holds dear. What it does not. Own. Our world is ready for this vision. But i must. Confess. As much as i would like to wrap it up and give it out. This is not something i or we can give. It is not ours to give. It is ours to experience. To live. And with our deeds. To share. How do we grow in this. Season. Efface. We can be proud of. As individuals united by a common call to worship and serve. We will eat answer this question in our own way. I hope that we will be guided. And every moment. By all. That we learn. From our histories. Both. Strain. And awesome. And that we will be held by that hopeful recognition. That life is bound to life. And that we can hold dear. What we do not own. Reaching out. Letting ardys. That's great face. Of universalism.

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An_Economy_of_Faith.mp3?_=1

But i'd like to begin this morning with the familiar story from the christian scriptures what's known as the parable of the good samaritan and actually few look at your order of service on the front. Is van gogh's presentation of that parable. Which is just a lovely painting. So this story jesus tells a story he had been teaching about love of neighbor from from the jewish scriptures. An expert in jewish law ask the question well who is my neighbor. And this is in jesus told this parable in response. He said a man was going down from jerusalem to jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. You stripped him beat them and went away leaving them half-dead. Now by chance of priests was going down that road and when he saw him. He passed by on the other side. So likewise a levite which is another religious authority. Likewise at levite when he came to the place and saw him he to pass by on the other side. But as samaritan while traveling came near him. And when he saw him. He was moved with pity. He went to him and bandage his wound having poor toil and wine on them. Then he put them on his only animal brought into an in and took care of him. Then the next day he took out to tinari. Gave them to the innkeeper and said take care of him. And when i come back i will repay you whatever more you spend. The jesus said which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers. The man said the one who showed him mercy. Jesus said to him go. And do likewise. This is what i would call a wisdom story. Well it's rooted in the judeo-christian tradition. It points to a truth that might be affirmed by anyone from any tradition. And you even notice that jesus not appeal to any authority. Accept common sense. Who is my neighbor. Now it does help to know that historically samaritans and jews did not get along. The idea of a samaritan helping someone who is jewish. Would have been seen as scandalous. And that is the power of this parable this parables often-used ottoline christian teachings but in popular culture to speak against prejudice. Of all stripes. To speak about an expanded understanding of neighbor. The story challenges us to recognize our inherent connection with others. Even others who are different. Even others who we see as enemies. This is the lesson of the story. But there's more to it. The new testament theologian amy jo levine points out that if this was the only lesson of the story the parable would have stopped when the samaritan put them in on his animal brought into an in and took care of him the story had enough power at that point. Can stop there no problem. But the story doesn't end there instead. The samaritan provides the innkeeper. With money for the man's care and then he goes even further he but he says take care of him and when i come back i will repay you whatever more you spend in essence the samaritan gives the man that the innkeeper a blank check. So yes this is a story about being in loving connections with others it's about learning to expand the bounds of our love. And it's more than that. It's a story about making our vision of loving connection. A beloved community. A tangible. Material. Reality. This idea of. Neighbor. Is not some abstract concept. It is something that can become a tangible. Material reality this parable is about the connection between our highest values. And our financial resources. In short it's a story about stewardship. That's you heard ucs is in the middle of its stewardship season. And stewardship really is vital to the life of this community because we depend. On the offering. Of our members and friends. All the money that sustains this community comes from within the community. But i know that stewardship season makes some of us a bit uncomfortable. That's because in our culture the connection between religion. And money. Gets a bit tricky. I suspect that many of us see money and spirituality as kind of operating in different worlds. And when those boundaries get blurred. We get a bit squeamish. And there's a good reason for this. Think about this other passage from christian scripture that you often hear in popular culture for wherever your treasure is there your heart will be also. This passage. Makes it sound like sort of an either-or proposition do we put our faith in our spiritual values. Or do we put it in our material values. This juxtaposition between the spiritual and material is a cultural norm. Even if we don't consciously affirm it it's in the air. And these days that juxtaposition is an important part of our unitarian universalist edition. A lot of our justice work. Has a financial dimension to it. And that's because systemic discrimination which were often fighting again. Systemic discrimination results and economic inequality in marginalization. Economic inequality and marginalization we run up against that again and again. Now that's not to say that we feel that money is the root of all evil but in the context of a faith community there's definitely a certain ambivalence there. Stewardship season also brings up another sticky issue. The idea of institutional religion. And this discomfort is part of ru history. Historically many of our early got unitarian and universalist churches. We're part of the congregational movement. These were churches that did not want to be part of some greater hierarchy that told them what to believe or how to manage their affairs. And today that spirit of independence is even stronger. You use affirm the value of a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. And so this principle attracts a lot of people who identify themselves as being spiritual. But not religious and often when someone says they are spiritual but not religious. When they say real religious they're associating that with institutional religion. There's a sense that once religion takes an institutional form. It's bound to be corrupted with material concerns. And its spirituality compromised. A sad truth of course is this does happen we seen this in the news over and over leaders of a religious organization become more concerned with perpetuating that organization. Then with serving the needs of its members. Or with doing justice work in the world. Such institutions might be financially solvent. But their spiritually bankrupt. And this is what can happen when the boundary is blurred between spiritual and material concerns. Spiritual bankruptcy. Done yet. Here we are in stewardship season. And this is when the financial material. The dimensions of this community come to the forefront and if and if we're uncomfortable with this blurring of boundaries this is when we get uncomfortable. This is when we get uncomfortable because there is no escaping the fact. That 45% of our budget goes to renting and maintaining this facility. That's more than $150,000 over the course of a year. And another 62,000 goes to providing worship services in $55,000. Is supporting a religious education programs. Those are some cold hard numbers. This is what it takes to be a community. This is what it takes to keep the lights on. This is what it takes to worship together. And to provide our children with a meaningful religious education program and it takes an institution. To make it happen. There's no avoiding that. But stewardship season invites us to think both got our money and our institution. In a different way. Because when it comes to supporting our faith community money is not something that's separate from our spiritual lives. Instead it is an integral part. Of our spiritual lives. The philosopher jacob needleman wrote this marvelous book called money in the meaning of life. And in this poky reflects on the way in which our spiritual concerns and and financial concerns seem to exist in two very different spheres. But this is an illusion money he rides is actually a key to what we value. If you want to know where someone finds meaning in life. Look at where they spend their money. Our lives taken deeper meaning when we are intentional about how we use our money. When we make conscious choices. Choices that reflect. Are most deeply-held values. We gather around we gather as a community around shared values. In our financial support for this community helps to express those values in a more powerful way than we could do individually. The institution then. The institution is a manifestation of our shared vision. It's past is to serve as a steward of the resources needed. To achieve that vision. That is what this institution is. That is what the board of trustees is. That's what the financial committee is this is a manifestation. Of our shared vision. Here to serve as stewards of our resources. So that we can realize. That vision. This involves a different way of thinking about our financial investments. Because when it comes to stewardship. How do we decide if our investment is a wise one. Is it enough to know that we keep the lights on. Is it enough to know that we had we can put new carpet up here make other improvements or that we can have beautiful music. Or meaningful worship services. That's all very important. But it's not enough. Stewardship ultimately is about building the world we believe in. And that makes it a little more difficult to measure the return on our investment. Actually got a taste of this while i was attending wesley theological seminary. I do most of the time i would eat in the cafeteria once twice or even three times a week using meal tickets that we are given at the beginning of a semester. Inevitably every now and then i would forget my meal tickets and i wouldn't have enough cash to pay for the food. But every time a fellow student would step forward and hand me a meal ticket. The first couple times has happened. I thought i saw this as though this is a debt i have to repay this debt you know when i come if i carried it with me. But i actually came to learn that it didn't really work that way. People did not look for that debt be repaid instead they assumed that next time i saw someone else in a similar plight. I would give them my ticket. I would pay it forward. Unifirst is felt kind of strange. But in time i really came to embrace this way of thinking even though there were. No money involved in these interactions. These weren't. Transactional relationship. There were no stairs no system of credit and debt in the cafeteria we weren't running tabs instead were building a community. A community of mutual support. And sustenance. This community was based on an economy. Update. Faith in the ultimate value. Of loving community. An economy of faith. This is what we see at work in the parable of the good samaritan. Why in the world would a samaritan go above and beyond in caring for the wounded man asking the innkeeper to spend whatever was needed. What was he hoping to get for his money. And caring for the wounded man in this way. The samaritan had shifted into an economy of faith he was investing in a vision in a vision of the world. In which samaritans and jews. Might see one another as neighbors. It wouldn't happen in this lifetime. But he was putting his money on it. And that's what we do during stewart's. Stewardship season. This is what we are asked to do we are asked to invest our money in the vision of this community. We are asked to enter into this economy of faith. Headache on ami built around a vision. At the heart of that vision here. Is a proposition. A proposition that we we repeat each week at the close of our service. And at the same proposition. At the heart of the parable of the good samaritan. I invite you to listen to it now with fresh ears. This church. Is dedicated to the proposition. That behind all our differences. And beneath all are diversities. There is a unity. That binds us together. And makes us one. In spite of time. In death. In the space between the stars. When we give money to this community when we give money to this institution. We are investing in a vision of the world in which this unity. Is recognized. And celebrated. We may not see that unity realized during our lifetime. But we are putting our money on it. To achieve that vision yes we need a physical space we need electricity we need a minister and re director maybe even intern. But as we move towards the end of the stewardship season. Lettuce keeper sites. On this higher vision this vision of unity. Maybach vision sustainus. As we seek to sustain this community. May it be so. I'm in.

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Conscious_Evolution.mp3

About 10 years ago. I had an experience of a lifetime or at least that's how i saw it. I was in new york city for a work conference. Just at the time when the american museum of natural history there had an exhibit on charles darwin. And i love darwin. And so i had a great time wandering the halls and looking at all the exhibits. No i was already pretty familiar with his life and work and so i wasn't really learning anything new but. It was just fun to see these artifacts. Associated with darwin. But then. I saw his notebook. These were notebooks that he carried with him during his travels when he was young. The notebooks were about the size of the like the palm of your hand and they would flip open. Auntie use these notebooks. Make observations as he traveled. As he was counting birds or turtles or what have you. And so he just. With making observations collecting data. But then he had a couple notebooks. That we're not for making observations. But for working out as thinking. About this observation. Pride understand what it was he was seeing. In these notebooks. It's written these notebooks where he began to develop his understanding of evolution. Looking at these notebooks especially that one were you seeing trying to work out what the hell evolution were. Looking at these notebooks. I felt like i was standing on holy ground. That's only a slight exaggeration because whatever the shortcomings or gaps in darwin's theory. His work eventually came to change how many people came to think about life on earth. Especially about human life. Because the theory of evolution not only provided a new understanding of how life evolved physically. It also came to shed light on all aspects of humanity. The roots of our behavior. Our social networks. Our cultural institution. And it all began. With those notebooks. We are still coming to terms. With the meaning of evolution. And that's why many faith communities are celebrating. A pollution sunday today. This is been going on i think for about 11 12 years. On the sunday closest darwin's birthday which was justice last friday they celebrate evolution day where they try to explore. What evolution means to them as people of faith how does the theory of evolution intercept. With their particular religious tradition. In faith communities were in faith traditions that emphasized the role of a divine creator. These discussions often focus on how does god work in the world that is. How what is the interaction between natural forces. And what day understand as divine will. But i wanted to look at a different question this morning and that is. What is the interaction between natural forces. And human will. Inhuman choy. And it's a question that became very popular in psychology circles in the 20th century. It was frank's den as nature-versus-nurture. That is to what extent. It's human nature den product. Of our biology. And to what extent can we temporarily nature. Through conscious effort. I think that this is a question that goes to the heart of the work we do. As a religious tradition. As unitarian universalist we are constantly calling ourselves towards greater and greater spiritual growth we are always working to nurture a more just and loving world that's what we do right. But i think as we think about the role of evolution as we think about the role of biology in shaping our behavior. It's worth asking. Is this a realistic proposition. How reasonable is this. And there is no question that evolution is a powerful force in human society today. Providence. I point to our current political debates. You can see in the political debates that we've been having over the. Over the issues of emigration race religion and sexuality. These are difficult issues no doubt about it. But they are made all the more difficult. By xenophobia. That is. By fear of others a deep-seated fear of people who are different from us. When we experience xenophobia. We experience difference. As threatening. As a danger to our well-being to our safety. To our way of life. Does this language sound familiar. Isn't this what we're hearing in the debates. This real fear of other. When i hear this it when i'm listen to say it actual say presidential debate and i hear some of this language it can be so puzzling inoffensive. Visayan casteless atmosphere of other the xenophobia. Is actually a product of evolution. At one time this beer served. A purpose. It actually helped us survive as a species. Innocence it's all about family. It's about caring more for people who are from your gene pool than four people from other gene pools. Caring more for people. Who are like you. Rather than those who are different. In early human history this tennessee meant that we would work hard to ensure the survival of our offspring. And us. Pass on her own jeans. Scientist sometimes referred to what they what they call at caring gene. The problem is the world has changed over the millennia. And our biology has not kept up. Our society is so complex now. Our society is so diverse. So suddenly this caring jean which at one time again serve the very real purpose. Is karen jean. Now results in xenophobia. And now results and prejudice. Discrimination. Injustice. So that's one of the downside of evolution. But there is an upside as well. Third gift that evolution has given us that continue to bless our lives in particular. Gifts that help us connect with one another. And this worship service is a perfect example. What's the first thing we do when we gather together look at order service. What is it. Wee sing. We sing together we sing in unison. And there's a good reason for that and it's rooted in our biology. Scientists have found that when people sing together. Or clap together. Or dance together. It actually releases chemicals in our brain. That make us feel good. And that make us feel connected to each other. Such feelings provide an evolutionary edge. Because people have a better chance of surviving. When they're part of a strong community. When they're part of a community that looks out. For that common good. But really just feeling a sense of connection is good for us. We know that from experience. For example what happens. When you're angry with someone. How does your body react. How does it react. 10th. The heart may pounds. The breath make it shallow you know in more rapid. This isn't your typical flight or fight scenario. And it serves a purpose. It actually serves a purpose at times. But. Again tight muscles racing heart shallow breath and don't forget the adrenaline flooding the system. These things are not good for us. They're not good for us physically. What happens when were with someone who we love. Pretty much the opposite isn't it. We relax. Are hard to study. Our breadth of study. We feel safe. To feel a sense of love and connection. This is good for us physically. And this is something to remember to be angry with someone to be alienated it is bad for us physically. To feel loved. Compassion and empathy. This is healthy for us we are wired. For connection. Industrial we are wired for connection. At a very deep level and recent years neuroscientist have actually pinpointed the parts of the brain. That come into play when we feel empathy and compassion. And what's really cool is those same parts of the brain. Are what work when when a mother. Is bonding. With a child. When we feel empathy and compassion for each other it is like the mother the love of a mother. Love of a mother. For her child. Isn't that cool. So here we are so here we have this dichotomy on the one hand we are born to love one another were born to be connected on the other hand. We are born to feel fear. Both are products. Up a pollution. Both. Have played an important role. In ensuring the survival of our species. And both are alive and well today. In our society. And in our lives now. But then evolution has resulted. In another gift. That makes the difference. And that is we have the capacity. To choose. How we develop. We have a choice we can choose. To feel fear. 250 fear difeel alienation for others who are unlike us. Or. We can choose to set aside our fears. And extend love to them. We have this choice is actually. Built into our brains. This is something that neuroscientist have discovered in recent years they call it a neural plasticity. In all that means really is that our brain can change. Based on how we use it. Insurance the more we exercise our capacity for empathy. The more that that part of the brain are those parts of the brain involved in empathy. Will develop. The stronger they will get. That sounds very mystical but it's not really different from learning other kinds of skills such as. Playing the piano. The more you play. The piano. The more the parts of the brain that are involved in playing the piano. Will develop. They actually did this really interesting study of cab drivers in london. Word london no very complex treats into no way to know your way around london it's really hard. What they found was cab drivers have been driving the streets of london for a long time the parts of the brain. That had that were involved in spatial recognition. We're incredibly developed. Bad day today just developed over time. We have that capacity. For change. It's in our biology. Do you know we seen change in our lifetime in a very big way. Just think about how much has changed with attitudes toward same-sex marriage. And sexual orientation. 5 years ago on this day. Faith communities from around the area gathered at the fairfax county courthouse. They were there to protest the county's refusal. To issue same-sex marriage licenses. And i was there that day and it was a very impressive turnout. A lot of you use. But there were other faith traditions as well. And there was singing and i think peter morales is there was auntie karen. I think he was there now. It was an impressive turnout there's no there's no doubt about it. And yet when i left the courthouse that day. I thought it meant i could have much hope. As impressive a turnout as this wasn't as inspiring it was in the moment. I also sensed that we are a long ways from anything changing there just seemed to be too much prejudice in our society. Too much prejudice. In our social institutions into much president prejudice. In our political institutions. It changed us. Sing nowhere near. And help look for we are. Attitudes have changed. Laws have changed. Why is have changed. So much has changed in and actually now especially when you use circles valentine's day. Has become the start of day for recognizing. This change that has occurred for really celebrating it. I just think it's amazing. Just amazing what a gift this is. That humans. Can change we can change how we think about things. I think about what this means to us and the work we do as a faith community. One way of looking at what we do here. Each sunday and what we do during the week. Is we gather together to develop our individual capacities for empathy and compassion. We develop these capacities. By caring for one another. Buy for caring for people in the communities around us. And. Perhaps by caring for people in the communities around us. We're helping other people. Develop their capacity. For empathy. And compassion. Slowly but surely we are making the world a more just and loving place. And we're doing it. I changing our brain. How cool is that. This is what i call conscious evolution in developing the capacities that we value the capacities for love compassion and empathy we are choosing how we wish. To evolve. We are rewiring our own biology. And this is a gift. And it's also a challenge. Because how much. Do we wish to change. How far. Do we want to go. I love to reading that i shared for a chalice lighting it's from. Omid safi who's a muslim theologians whose writings are very bold and they're very boldly loving. Indus reading detox about. The call for all people of all faiths to widen their circle of love. We have to keep pushing deepening widening the circle of love he rides he says that even when we think when we reasonably of egoism nepotism nationalism. Religious fanaticism even when we've arrived at a place that is truly worthy of us. We can't stop there. We have to keep widening the circle of love. I think about that in terms of same-sex marriage. Yes. We have come far there's no doubt about it. But we still have a long ways to go. The 2013 supreme court ruling rejected the ban on same-sex marriage in california which triggered similar changes in states across the nation and that was that was a wonderful thing but it was only a partial victory. It was only a partial victory however great that was for the individuals affected. By those changes it was a partial victory for humanity. Because there are still so many ways in which our social institutions can discriminate against same-sex couples. For example right here in virginia. Lawmakers want to make it legal. For court clerks. To turn away people asking for same-sex marriage licenses. If if the court clerk is a basted it goes against their convictions. This law would basically allow that court clerk. To send that couple to dmv. To get their marriage life. Does that sound like a quality to you. And there are similar obstacles popping up everywhere. There are people who are trying to make discrimination legal. Legal and binding. Who want discrimination to be embedded in our social institutions. So yes i'm happy that so many people are now able to marry that they're loving relationships can be recognized by the laws of their particular state that is something to celebrate. So yes let's celebrate. And then let's widen the circle of love. As a faith community in as a faith tradition. What's not claim victory until the rights of lgbt individuals are fully recognized. By the law of the land. Where discrimination is foley outlet. Anything short of that. Is no victory at all. And what about the t in lgbtq. What about individuals who identify as trans. You know what's interesting in many ways society now frowns upon blatant discrimination against people based on their. Sexual orientation. But that's not the case with gender identity. I saw this for myself last year when the fairfax county school board was considering policies that would extend protections. Detran students. I attended one of the hearings ahead of the vote. And the opposition to the proposed policy was fierce. And rancorous. Civility without the window. Listening to the debate that night. I realized how much fear some people felt around this issue. I never one person saying that the very idea of transgender was a fiction. That god created humans male or female and anyone who suggested otherwise was diluted and sinful. And other people were even more hateful. As it happens the policy pass. A victory. Something to be celebrated. But i was sad and when i realized that hate for trans individuals with still. Socially acceptable. People in a public forum could speak of trans individuals as being less than human. And feel no shame. In space no. Social recourse. It was all fine. Just. Is not acceptable. For too long trans individuals have had to hide their gender identity. Warface vilification. Violence. Or even death. Vince. Must. Change. We need to get to work in our communities. To widen the circle of love. And the good news again is that we have this capacity. People have the capacity to change. Darwin probably never imagined it but we but we have the ability to consciously evolve. To choose to become more compassionate and loving people are more compassionate. In loving society. The artist and writer frederik frank wrote a book called human against all odds and which. He was talking about this hell. Compassion and empathy. Are embedded in the brain hella comes from particular parts of the brain this is in the early days of that science. He felt that it was this capacity. That makes us human. Or at least makes us potentially human. As he had the saying born human. To become human. Born human to become human by that he meant we are born with the capacity to become human to become loving and compassionate. But we only truly become truly human when we exercise that capacity. Wouldn't it be great if someday valentine's day. With a celebration of this capacity. Perhaps we might use the stay to celebrate the ways in which we widen the circle of love so far. And also to reflect on the waze. In which we need to widen it still. We could observe this holiday in our school. In our political institutions. And in our hearts. Now that. Would be something to celebrate. May it be so.

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PostChristian_Or_PresentlyPluralistic.mp3

I don't know if this ever happens here. In my office at my church back in manassas. I get phone calls every so often. From perfectly well-intentioned people. Who are. Trying to save my soul. Orbi. Greatly concerned about the status of all my congregants souls. Most of those folks are kind-hearted. They're concerned. There's a question burning for them to which they must have an answer. They want to know. Weather. This place. This. Kind of church we have created. Place that is our congregations home is christian or not. And so i sit there. On the phone with someone who is genuinely concerned. Knowing that a yes. Orono. Knowing that the real answer is so much more complicated. What are we really. What is this place you call your spiritual home what. Are we or aren't we and is there a good answer. In the wake of a couple of years ago the tragic shootings at the tennessee valley uu church to somebody remember that in in the wake of that. All of the sudden a whole bunch of people were asking and more public ways and in national press what this church in tennessee this uu church is church that inspired enough anger to be worth attacking really was all about. If you haven't heard that story was two years ago in a shooter came into the tennessee valley view church during children's service. And an attack them based on the fact that they were liberals he said in. And the idea the presses what is this church how liberal are they what was this man attacking and a lot of good and earnest and well-intentioned you use tried to give very public answers about who we are. Tried to give clear yeses our nose to the questions that so many people had. And one article in the washington post. Still a point of some controversy in my congregation. Teacher quote from janet hayes. Who was the us public relations director that's our denomination that uua. And this article said that unitarian-universalism is quote essentially opposed. Christian religious group. A post-christian religious group. And she provided some context for that term by saying we include the teachings of jesus and we appreciate the wisdom of the bible but we don't limit our sources of inspiration for the christian faith. That statement seems. Fairly enough. Maybe even entirely true. Post-christian whatever that means and being post-christian involves including but not limiting ourselves to the teachings of christianity. But nothing really is innocuous. When you're trying to describe something that is inherently more complex. And the media are all the people who called the office wanting to save us. One sister thing. Frankly nothing is simple when we try to describe or define unitarian universalism or unitarian universalist. Such as yourselves. On the uu blogs which by the way i do not recommend you take up reading unless you have an enormous quantity of free time and a very nerdy like i am. Unusual blogs a small firestorm started up that has risen again in recent months. That might have been a tempest in a teapot and it was over this use of the term post-christian. To describe. You use across the country were suddenly pinning missives about how post-christian or not post-christian we really are about how snotty it sounded to assume we are post anything at all and whether or not being post something automatically assumes you're somehow better than the thing you've left behind and the. Convinced of your own superiority. In an effort to answer some of those questions. Let me give you some background information. Post-christian basically means. Apps for christian. In reference to a religious group or a way of thinking it means that it comes out of the christian tradition but may not strictly fit within that tradition anymore it means that our roots live somewhere and that somewhere. Is actually. From out out from within what is commonly understood as the american protestant tradition. Unitarian universalism. Was most prominently given that description post-christian. I feel out the illusion that anya studied with nameberry dorian. He gave us this title that we were supposed christian in the midst of announcing that we you use being post-christian. Make the whole business of defining liberal theology sort of confusing. Some of the most prominent liberal theologians of the last 50 years have been unitarian unitarian universalist. And some of those folks have made major contributions to religious thought in america. All the while not being exactly what you call christian. Not even strictly believers in god. Get all the while not really looking like anything else. Gary dorian most you use the illusions of our recent history. Have. Followed a basically protestant thought process a protestant of protestant thought process that led them and leads us still in directions that the mainline protestant tradition would rather not go. To him that we are post-christian. And i basically agree. We are something. And we do matter. And that something doesn't fit comfortably in the christian box. We don't pop out of the ground fully-formed sometime around the summer of love and declare that unitarian-universalist were born in 1964. We are something rooted in the american religious tradition. And that something might accurately be described as post-christian. Now if you've ever been to a new member class. You know that unitarianism in universalism began is christian heresy. It's right. They have their roots in hundreds and thousands of years of the protestant christian tradition. We are basically the most protesti of the protestant. So much that we don't fit the definition of protestant anymore. And in this way we might be the pinnacle of the great protestant protest and it's no wonder that our very presence on the religious scene tends to confuse people including ourselves. And it's by the way you've been treating me out because i've been talkin history and theology comeback. I'm going to get to my point right now. As individuals. We are still mostly post-christian. But the operative word here is. Mostly. As a whole. We might well be described as post-christian. But often we unitarian-universalist are such individualist that we confuse what we are as individuals with what we are as a whole are we assume those two things oughta be the same. As individuals. We are still mostly post-christian. Mostly. The vast majority of us used to be something or another. And for the large portion of that majority the something or another we used to be is some flavor of christianity. Many indeed most of us are post lutheran post catholic post pentecostal post pentecostal or post general bland american product. But not uniformly. And so that identity does not really define us. As individuals we are post a whole lot of stuff. Or post nothing at all we are lifelong unitarian universalist. We are unitarian universalists christians we are post angry atheist to are now rather pleasant atheist. We are post jewish or post hindu or post pagan additionally we are members of our congregation who have always been and will always consider ourselves to be presently jewish buddhist-muslim or pagan we are as individuals a-hole. These individual journeys. Are what really defines us as searchers what creates our particular way of being religious together. This individual pluralism matters indeed it's our truest identity it's the bedrock of what you come together to do. I'm so we are at the core of our identity basically. Pluralistic. We're not christian or sort of christian or anything of the like what we are are is pluralist. A pleural ality of theologies and traditions and identity. And yet. There is this other reality that we must. See. One way or another. Or choose simply to run away from. As a historical entity unitarian universalism. Is the child of the liberal christian tradition. Like it or not. Admit it or not. We are born out of the fire. The protestant reformation. As a whole. Do not for all of us as individuals. The christian tradition. Is unitarian universalist. Most prominent theological parent. And the enduring question. For this present moment in the history of our tradition is not whether we are christian or not but how we choose to relate to our parents. I know. Relating to one's parents is hard work. Is relating to one's offspring as i'm sure my own parents would gladly tell you. Relating to the traditions and ideas and concepts that formed us for who we are is very hard work. And it requires of us the exercise of a generous tolerance and a willingness to allow our own sense of superiority fade. Under the terms of deep and abiding relationship. Children after all should not live in the shadow of their parents. They may be stuck forever within the identity of their parents but neither should they pretend there's nothing meaningful at all. About their origins. Even if that origin is every bit as problematic as it is black. There are. Two conversations. That both must happen. Here within unitarian universalism. If we're to do this honest work. Of remaining and honest relationship with our parent tradition. How do we individually relate to the traditions. That have been and still are. Formative part of our life how do we relate to whatever it is we are post of. And to how do we as a people relate to the traditions that gave rise to unitarian universal. Let's just take it as a given. That all of us who were raised in any specific religious tradition or none at all are on some level grappling with the inheritance that tradition gave us. To some greater or lesser degree most of us love aspects of the traditions we came from. An utterly hate others. We are simultaneously formed by all that we have been religiously. And we are called to react. The same is true for our unitarian universalist to youth. Folks who spend a lifetime in your congregation and who are themselves as to grapple with the inheritance you're giving them. That's not always easy either. Judging by the fact that some 80% of you youth leave our congregations and don't come back. For at least a decade or two. We are nearly as problematic as spiritual parent. Some of the traditions we came from. For the purposes of this sermon just cuz. Let's just say that's a given. Let's just say we are a difficult parent to grapple with two. We all have to come to terms or choose not to with the kind of spiritual or religious ideas we inherited from those who came before us and that includes our children will have to choose a path we will follow in our relationship to our parent tradition we interned rebell against the parent we can hate it and rail against it we can make fun of it. We can love it with the bittersweet love that comes with leaving home. We can as is often the case to a little bit of all of those things. Which is usually the closest thing to a correct course we can possibly take. What we must not do. And what we unitarian universalists are tempted to do. Is to simply become condescending and superior. Convinced that our parents are dumb. Well we ourselves having moved on. Are super duper smart. And here's where the folks who got all angry. The term post-christian. Have a point. Some of the people who were angry about that term opposed it. Because it seems like we're claiming we've advanced beyond or gotten better than. Christianity because everything of which we are post. They worried because we have become arrogant and dismissive children who don't leave any room for appreciation of the wisdom of our parents. And that concern doesn't come out of nowhere. The truth is that no matter how hard each of us individually works to relate with some measure of kindness and at least honesty to our own personal theological parents. We unitarian universalist. Relating to our denominational theological parent the christian tradition are often just a smidge snotty. Instead of believing that being you you. Is better or more true for us. And for our spiritual lives we do have to fight the temptation to think that we are actually better than other. I'm too often we do speak of our parent tradition as if it is a bunch of superstitious holcomb. That would only be held by someone rather less. Well-informed. In our enlightened liberal. As a whole. It is not cool around here to speak ill of someone else's. And as such we are not prone to bad-mouthing the eastern traditions. Eastern traditions like buddhism aren't put under the comparable scrutiny and you your circles that we do western one. But among us. Christianity is often fair game. Largely because it is our parent tradition. And what on earth is more natural. And rebelling against one's pier. So what's so bad about doing. 41. I truly believe it is spiritually unhealthy. It doesn't enable us to live our highest ideals. I need encourages us to be something other than the big-hearted people were committed to being. And more importantly. The tendency to utterly discount the wisdom of our parent tradition is bad because it cuts us off from forming deep partnerships. Friendships and collaborations with other religious people. Especially the ones who practice from within the christian tradition. Running away from are dismissing out-of-hand the traditions from which we arise. Is a problem for you use. Because it robs us of our power. And it has the potential to make of us a teensy tiny little minority. All hunkered down in our sense of superiority and quasi-religious ness. Convince. That were better but still functionally alone. In our effort. Change the word. We are. Most certainly. Post chris. As an organization. And we are absolutely pluralistic in our practices. What kind of post-christian are we going to choose to be. Are we angry. Running away from what we once were or are we proud of that history with people like olympia brown that history that got us where we are today proud of the gifts our history gave us proud that not only this particular story and this particular history coalesced to form us. Fundamentally pluralistic and does not expressly christian people. With room for all of our religious and such. I vote. That would be that kind of pee. Kind of people who leave room. For all that we were. And leave wide space for all that we will be. Even though. Those two things are very different. There is room for appreciation of them both. Not long ago i heard a story about a kid at my church who's 2 years old. And she went to one of those machines at like the the target or something machines that little plastic jewelry and bubbles you put two quarters in and you get a little thing out. And for. $0.50 or so she put in her changed she crank the handle of this little plastic jewelry machine and out from her plastic bubble emerged in silvertone and dangling by a chain the most prominent symbol of the christian tradition. This little uu kid in my church exclaimed to her mother. Overlook ikea. And she wanted to wear her beautiful and glorious tea all over the place. I hope. And i know. But somewhere down the line that little you you kid. Will know that t2b across. And you know that it doesn't have to be any more frightening than the black-and-white world of the yin-yang the mini pointed symmetry of the star of david. The wide arching letters. I hope. And i know. That if we relate to our parent tradition well. Well we bring up that child in the congregation i'm so blessed to serve that little kid will see a person walk down the street where in just such a symbol and no. That they might be a friend. Indeed. Instead of everything we have left behind. Instead of someone to feel superior about they will know that person. Wearing that symbol. Might even be. I feel logical route. May it be so.

uusterling_org

A_Play_on_words.mp3

I grew up in a house with a very large dictionary. Whenever it came out into the open off of its pedestal. I knew i was in trouble. Might be. A scrabble misstep. What do you mean there's no such word as grayling. The search for the holy grail. Or it might mean that i was in big trouble. The dictionary held a place in our home. Ken to the sacred text. Handheld truth. Plain and simple. Complete with the correct inflections. I can't tell you the number of times served as judge injury when i misspoke. As a teenager i wanted to stretch truth to play with the meanings of. I wanted to be a poet. A word didn't have one definition it could be molded by contacts. Unexplained by invention. Plain words weren't enough. I wanted to loop two together. And make new ones. I loved what you. He created his own language in his poetry. And so did i. But not so thoroughly. Just on occasion. Especially when i couldn't find the right word to explain exactly what i wanted to say. And then my mother would drag out the giant dictionary. Drop it on the counter. Make sure that noise was heard throughout the entire house. Turn to one of its faded. Pages. Yellowed. And filled with truth. I might protest for a moment. But my protests were useless arguing with my mother and hurt. Was like arguing with a fundamentalist. And her bible. There was no room for subtleties. Indeed. It was her favorite. Pastime. Let me share a bit more though. He grew up in a very troubled. There was. But there was also abuse. And there was constant instability. She grew up without much to rap about her. To call her own. And she held tightly to language. She loves words and their definitions again they are true. They are real. They are constant. I grew up in a very stable and supportive environment i grew up with the emotional space to stretch my boundaries. To play with words. Especially when playing scrabble. But i've also learned to love the awesome constancy of language and especially how that constancy math our experience. You've likely heard the quip that eskimos have numerous words that each expound on the simple english word for snow. Throughout their history. Environment. The claimant. The call it their own. Why do we name. Why do we categorize why do we plant words on what we experience. The hebrew myth of the first human adam begins with isolation. Loan in the garden. God created the beasts and the birds but not only. He showed them the adam so he could give them names. This was not enough to ask to adams isolation. Unless you have someone to speak them to. Someone who will understand and collaborate the truth same words in the same way give the same name to this existence. The book home ground with created. Are slipping out of our relationship. With the land. That we are growing more and more isolated. From our home. And therefore unable to communicate the beauty. Of this home. With others. So many words have slipped out of our vernacular preserve solely on old maps. Or by the rare poet or authors testament. And it isn't so much the worse. Out-of-touch with modernity. Have grown out of touch. With the deep. And a bonding experience of the land that would cost. Lost touch with a subtle beauty. That surrounds us. Preferring instead to isolate maybe in the sleek. Cavern of commerce. Step out this morning. And renew some of these connections. With our land. With our shared experience. Alcove. And it's common geological application. Alcove refers to aretha. Or niche. In a cave. On the walls of complexly formed canyonlands. This is one of many such terms with its origins and architectural expression. In a cave. An alcove may have the appearance of vaulting. As my alcoves in churches and cathedrals. In this instance. The lamp is named. For the work of human hands it's as if the earth build itself. Or the earth up depending on your perspective. In a style reminiscent of our greatest architectural dreams as if the earth wants to build its own cathedrals. In the may 31st 1805 journal entry. Meriwether lewis. Noted the sculpted light-colored rock among the upper missouri. Envision the landscape as evidence of god's handiwork. We see the remains of our ruins or elegant buildings. Some columns standing and almost entire with their pedestals and capitals. Niches and alcoves of various forms and sizes. So perfect indeed are these walls that i should have thought that nature. Had attempted to rival the art of masonry. Had i not recollected that she first began her work. There is a relationship right. We learn how to design and build structurally sound arches and alcoves through mathematics. More specifically structural engineering. But would we have dreams forms had we not known them first in the land. Isn't there a connection between our early cave-dwelling days in the forms that we can stretch for our houses. Grown. From the dirt and the rock floors of our past but don't our cathedrals still mimic the soaring beauty of cliffs or mountains. The features that we carve into our landscape speak to this relationship. What we do now in a day. Knows it's origin and something that was built over 80 on. Arch. Millions of years of earth time and earth water create a natural arch. Redbone of earth. Red sandstone. Pale limestone. Start basalt. By flicking small pieces of rock off of slender wall until the whole finally form. Water. The agent of erosion. Dissolves the rock. And gathers and it's small cracks and fractures. Freezing and expanding. Loosening rock brain sometimes too small to see. Arches are earth. Clean to the bone. A person walking through one. Boxster. There was an art near where i attended college in tennessee called and natural bridge. In the space that was carved out by water overtime. The rock was red heavy clay. And it felt warm there. Even in the shade. There i was beholding to eons of steady wear. To a constancy nearly unfathomable. In this time of immediacy. Where everything seems a mirror. Click. Away. We need to be reminded to seek beauty and worth in those than experience. Are not immediately accessible. We two can dig with constancy. Something miraculous. The land called us to know our potential it also remind. To remember our fragility. And then. And the angostura. The struggle to survive. Angostura. The narrow way. The narrows. A tight squeeze. The term angostura relates to the narrowest of mountain ravines or trail. The harrowing scene in cormac mccarthy's blood meridian. Where to mule trains meet. One going down the mountain. And the other climbing. And one meal train is forced to plunge off the cliff. An eerie silence. The classic portrayal of an encounter and angostura. You know what they say about the road to heaven. El camino al infierno a sancho. Pedo el camino al cielo es una angostura. The road to hell is wide but the road to heaven is an angostura. There are times in our lives when we feel that the world has opened that we could go and any number of directions per our desires. And there are times that we feel trapped. Like the mule train maybe by a decision we need to make or a financial constraint or the persistent needs of others. With only a narrow. To save us from plunging off the cliff. Times when we must cling to the edges holding to what we know is true. Praying the angostura will open into a wider more habitable valley. Lives are lost in such tight passages. But when you find yourself in one. Call upon an image of an angostura. None gone forever. They open in time to a valley. Or if they are carved by a river. Into the sea. The land takes us from one extreme to another. Even is with this next formation. That shows us. Wales. Can live in the desert. Diana. In the arid basin and range country. The southwestern united states and mexico. Cloudbursts and torrence of runoff down ravine. Cut into the flanks. Fiercely vegetated mountain. The flash floods may deposit. Enormous quantities of sand. Gravel and mud. At the mouth of a ravine where the sediments fan out across the basin floor. And are compressed overtime. And then carved into deep parallel grooves. An array of elongated. Bumps that resemble resemble the backs of whales. Immense whales breaching in unison on the desert floor. These are known colloquially as ballerina. Spanish for whales. Why do we give the land the names that we give it. We are working. We are working to make sense. Of this to name it where we are. It is how we derive our own significance. Naming is knowing. It ground up here. The strange hump like formations are odd but they resemble something that maybe we already know. Banana. And they are no longer other. Isolation has been rejected and connection established. And this is not something that only happened years ago. It is happening still as we continue to engage with this place. Badger. The term bachelor recorded in english as early as the mid-nineteenth century. Is french. And in the lower mississippi river basin most often refers to the elevated riverbed between levies. It is well-known that the streets of new orleans for example fly lower than the surface at the mississippi. Only the levees. When they hold. Prevent the river within the badger. From flooding the city and the surrounding countryside. Only the levees. When they hold. There's a battle of the butcher recorded in new orleans history. So famous in fact that thomas jefferson had his hand in the proceedings. The case was complex but it involved ownership of the butcher lands. Recently the tragedy of hurricane katrina reminds us of a deeper ownership. The river owns the butcher. The levees maybe week. But they will never be more than a chance defense. The river claims the butcher has her own. She carved it. It's silt and sediment. Is her floor. We have deeds to express our ownership but these are frivolous claims as far as the land is concerned. There are greater forces at work. These forces remind us of our place. Offering sometimes tragic remonstrance. Others speak a kinder piece. Bedrock. All the terms used to describe features of the land. This one. Bedrock. Is most often called up in literature and in religion. As a metaphor for stead. Steadfast dependability. Comfort. And security. The true enough illusion. The rock that lies hidden deep beneath the layers of the topsoil and the subsoil. Can be relied upon not to change its composition. It does not weather. Or shift in response to the atmospheric forces. That constantly rearrange the more superficial elements of the landscape. An unchanging earth is an illusion. There is constant change the very countenance move it. Perspective. Our foundation. And in its stability greatly influences that form above it. And we are one of those layers. Alcove. Arch. Angostura. Milana. Butter. Bedrock. Recovered only a and b. And we left many words out. Would have bermor borderland chuck. Eric. Glade. Or hassock. Humans name their experience and in so doing a part of it. We reject the fallacy that we are separate from it. From this land and most importantly the feelings that it evokes. When we dare discover its intricacies. This is our home ground. We don't own it. But neither does it own us. Yet we can continue to cultivate a relationship in word and in deed and a willingness to look deeper. Into the land. Into the home ground. Establishing a bedrock. By claiming. Truth. By naming and knowing our shared. I'm in. And maybe so.

uusterling_org

Evidence_of_Spirituality.mp3

It's wonderful to be here with you this morning. And so what prompted such a lively topic. As evidence of spirituality. Well is there evidence. Of spirituality and if there is. What does it mean. Can science and spirituality really coexist. And just get along. This question began for me during one of my courses i took at drexel university. It was evidence based practice. And evidence-based practice. What's the process of exploring scientific research into a specific treatment intervention to determine if indeed. That intervention did what we thought it was supposed to do. And what i found is a pediatric therapist that a lot of the treatment interventions that i was using really didn't have a lot of research or even evidence that supported that it actually did what i thought it was doing. Give you a couple of examples. Why did the children that i work with have difficulty walking. They have trouble controlling the muscles in their ankles. And they have weakness in their lower leg and so we usually give them a brace to wear. It helps support them and allows them to walk and run and do all the things that kids need to do. And over the years i've seen that it worked. And i understood the brace. Provided stability so that the muscles. Could work in waze to take couldn't work without the brace. Will the latest research actually shows that the solid type of brakes that most of the children have been using. Does indeed support their foot and ankle. It's so much in fact that growing developing children. Don't develop the strength and control. Inner ankle because the brace is doing it for them. And so based on this evidence i changed my recommendations for certain children and ask that they have a brace that actually moves and allows them to gain more strength and control. And so that's that was a a real big change in my practice intervention. Another example. That dumb. That is still kind of. What i find is when we see how things work and we have an understanding of our own perception of wyatt work. It's really hard. To move away from that. And this is what i find for some of my children and families. Fruit with children who have cerebral palsy and have specificity or tightness in their muscles. The increased tension in the muscle prevents active controlling movement. When i originally went to professional school we learned that you don't do strengthening exercises. Because if you strengthen a muscle that has best chicity. It will get tighter and that matter. A good outcome. Well somebody actually studied it and we found out that. Strengthening muscles that have specificity does not increase the specificity it strengthens the muscles. And actually improves function. Until without that evidence. We never would have considered a different intervention that really makes a functional difference. It was a major change in my treatment intervention and outcomes that i signed children. But yet there's a lot of parents who you know. I've grown up with their child thinking that. And sometimes it's hard to. To relinquish those beliefs. And consider something different. And i think that's where evidence comes into play. I think about evidence. In the scientific realm i began to think about it. In the spiritual realm. And it actually has made a very major change in my perspective about spirituality. I found amazing evidence out there. Ate yesterday when i picked up a book. I'd always done through the front cover and look at the process and read the inside of the the jacket. Now when i pick up a book. I go to the back to see if there's a reference list. Same for the other two that i never used to do that. But that's what i do now because i want to see if that's a book i'm trying to learn something from. I want to see what kind of evidence. Is supporting what's being presented in the book. Okay so here's. Evidence 101 a real brief overview. In scientific research the type of evidence. Reflects the degree we can say okay if you do a then you get beat. Randomized trials where. Subjects that are studied are placed in in groups. Randomly. Decreases what we called by a we all have bias. Just like. Children and families that are dealing with cerebral palsy too kind of a bias about how things work. And. When we're doing testing we have to be careful that we don't let that fire slipped in and and died tums. Down a path that maybe. That's not where they need to go. Not every topic or hypothesis lends itself to randomized trials. One example is for individuals with muscular dystrophy. Randomized trials are not considered ethical. For this group. As it requires a random assignment to either a treatment group. Or a control group who does not receive the treatment. And withholding treatment. Is considered unethical. So this type of study. Isn't carried out in that population however. There are what we call cohort studies. It's study individuals over a. of time. And look for significant changes that are indicative of a treatment intervention. So there's there's a spectrum of the type of evidence. That we can we can use and what we look at. At times there's absolutely no evidence. No research whatsoever on a particular topic. And all that we can find his research is what we call expert opinion. Someone who has. Who has seen. Someone perhaps with a rare diagnosis. And did a treatment that was successful. And that's really all that we have to go on but expert opinion is a form of evidence. To consider. These types of studies are what we call quantitative. We can measure things numerically we can measure things. And put them into statistical studies and and get numbers that prove. They're either valid significant. Or not. But there's also a whole field of information that doesn't lend itself to quantitative studies. We call that. Qualitative. Studies. And recently within the last probably 10 years. Qualitative research. Has developed into a well-recognized. And. Evidence-based. Tool that's being used. The parameters to study hypotheses with a qualitative study doesn't produce numerical values. But it reports on the functional participatory outcomes. Important to understand what the type of evidence is being referenced. We are exploring something that's new. A quick overview of research and hopefully nobody went to sleep during that cuz. So now to the evidence. What's out there. I was really surprised much of the evidence. Comes from buddhism. From the dalai lama. The dalai lama wrote a book called destructive emotions. And this is a place where he actually undertakes a scientific dialogue with researchers. Who studied functioning of the brain. Many buddhist practitioners were studied using enhance. Electroencephalograms recording the energy and electrical patterns of the brain we now have what we call functional mri. Which can examine the brain as. The brains being used so we can identify what parts of the brain are being accessed. During certain activities. And pet scans which. Her a type of scan that shows the functioning of the entire body again. During an activity. So versus the test that maybe takes a film to go and have an mri and you get a picture. Your brain at a certain instant in time. These types of studies in our ability to produce these types of tests now allow us to study. Are actual functioning. In real time so that we can see what's happening. And what they found was. That it showed areas of the brain that were activated during meditation. This visualization exercises. And experiencing or thinking about different emotions. With meditation or prayer. Intentional focus. I'm coming to mind and decreasing stress. Actually activated the parts of our brain that regulate reason. Compassion. And that also affect our biology. Injury positive ways. The meditation really certain neurotransmitters chemicals in our body. That. Passive signal from one cell to another. And it's really simple but it happens. It it happens instantaneously throughout our whole body. The neurotransmitters not only work in the brain. But they also work throughout the body. I'm almost every cell in our body. Inexplicable to ourselves. How to activate or whether to activate our genetic material. Rdna. And if so what part of that and and they tell the cell. How much. And when to activate it. And they do it in response to the stimulus in this case. Are actual thoughts. Super responsive other cells occurs. In our immune system in our circulatory system. Are digest. Throughout our entire body. I thought it was interesting the dalai lama shared what he called a disturbing conversation. He had with an american woman who is married to a tibetan. She warned the dalai lama it was dangerous science. To look at how science. Affects spirituality because it poses a threat to the survival of buddhism. She said that history attests to the fact that science has the killer of religion and she advised him against dialogue with scientist. Berber friending anyone. Representing science. I love his response. She said. I suppose i've stuck my neck out. My confidence and venturing into science. Flies in my basic belief. That as in science. Sewing buddhism. Understanding the nature of reality. Is pursued by means of critical investigation. If scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims and buddhism to be false. Then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims. I'm not sure how many other spiritual leaders would stick their neck out and make that that commitment. That i. That really spoke to me. Atlas full of reason. I think that what the dalai lama said highlights to very important considerations first. Are asking questions and searching for truth. For the nature of reality. Is something that we do is unitarian universalist. There is that sticking your neck out factor. Many people feel that science and spirituality are mutually exclusive. And that considering science. Will be in direct opposition to spirituality. And i think. At this point to sometimes people confuse. Spirituality with. A religion. And i think they're there. Different things. Where is the religion might might look at a hole. Population or a whole way of thinking where the spirituality i think it's much more personal. Approach to how you might perceive. Your religion or live your religion. The dalai lama says. Spirituality must be tempered by the insights and discoveries of science. Is there a spiritual practitioners we ignore the discovery of science our practice is impoverished. And this mindset can lead to fundamentalism. I don't think that happens much. In our in our country. Exploring the evidence of spirituality is really not uniting. Science. In spirituality i think. Rather it's exploring two distinct discipline for the purpose of developing a more holistic and integrated way. Of understanding the world that we live in. The seen and unseen. Do the discovery of evidence. goodbye reason. And i think that individuals are afraid to explore the science. Spirituality question for fear that. They feel it will invalidate their belief. Change is hard. And it's my boss. Always tells us. Happens. And it does sometimes it's not that you have to be banned in your belief. Sometimes you have to shift your perspective. Happens. That leads us back to the concept of the nature of reality. What we believe. Or understand to be true. And what we put our faith in and based our actions on is grounded in our reality. Much like the families who. Always believe that and i was part of that. That consciousness that you don't exercise kids who has fastest city because it makes them tighter. It's very hard to. To move from that. But we have to identify the true nature of that reality. Science has identified a major flaw in reality related to genetics. And dr. bruce lipton he calls this biology central dogma. It's the premise. That our genes control our life. I learned this in school. The genes regulate functions and expression in the. True. But. Gene's do not turn themselves. On and off. You're not as dr. lipton calls. Self emergent. Something in the environment has to trigger. Fat gene to become active. And this concept is very different from what we may believe to be true. That we are what are genes determine for us. However we know now. Through the evidence. That our thoughts. Our emotion. Can regulate which genes are activated and which are suppressed. To our thoughts that released the little neurotransmitters in our brain. The neurotransmitters or the gene directed hormones. They don't control our minds or our bodies were our beliefs. Our thoughts. Control our bodies. Ermine. And essentially our lives. We are not powerless biochemical machine. Has dr. lipton says. This brings me to the second experience that moved me along the path of exploring the evidence of spirituality. Which was my recent hospitalization. I thought i understood everything about how my body function. I knew what medications would activities would keep me healthy and well. So when i developed some shortness of breath. I didn't think too much about it and i was really shocked when i found myself in the emergency room in a life-threatening situation. In my hospital room for the next week can find a bed rest. I just anticipated that the doctors would come in and they give me an answer from all those tests you know science evidence they knew exactly what we were looking for. They're going to come in and tell me for the reasons i had all those blood clots in my lungs. There were no answers. There's still no answers. My doctors still haven't identified why i had them. Where they came from. And. During that time i started to do a lot of reading. And i discovered that. The way i believed i was taking care of myself. May very well contributed. To my disease. Of my winding up in the situation that i was in. And i. That was a very hard concept for me i spent a lot of time going. Not right. I know this isn't right. Yeah i've been i've been raised in the scientific community and this just doesn't make any sense. I started to go. I actually went to view ever get a chance this is a real need experience. Go to the national institute of health they have a site is called pubmed. Where you can research. Every journal scientific. Peer-reviewed non-peer-reviewed. Journalist out there. And get information on articles covering a variety of subjects. And when i searched. Spirituality. Actually got. Papers from peer-reviewed journals. That looked at. Spirituality related to science. And madison. And what i found out was. I wasn't embracing the fact that the power of my thoughts. And. The ability to meditate to really connect to myself. To raise my consciousness. And look at the true nature of my reality. Was. I was very biased. I really thought that i was. I was. Just kind of reacting to whatever happened to me and i didn't look at that connection of what we call him and in workout approach versus. And outward in approach. In tunein thinking about how my thought. May have contributed. 2. How i was healing. And how i was not functioning at myoptumhealth. I was taking care of what i thought i was taking care of myself. Taking care of renting the house and doing all this other stuff in. Doing a whole lot of things. You know i'm juggling and. I realized it. Some me that wasn't taking care of myself. And i was contributing to making myself sick. That fires perspective really created stress. And it fostered a lot of negative emotions that really impacted my biochemistry. And i found a healing methodology in combining. Science and spirituality. Science and using medication to prevent any further problems. And spirituality by recognizing and cultivating my internal resources to help myself heal and be healthy. Becoming more aware. Living in the moment. I lived in a lot of moments all at once but they weren't the one that was right here. Looking at the true nature of things. My bias. Snuck into everything. And my interpretation interpretation of the true nature of things. Probably not always really compassionate especially driving on the roads in northern virginia. But i've realized that developing compassion and kindness. And abandoning destructive emotions and negative thought. Which isn't really easy to do. Easier. And connecting to others. And recognizing that it's really not just me. That there really is a world consciousness out there. And that. It's good to be a part of that consciousness. Versus isolated. The evidence and spirituality might seem rather unconventional. And some of it is qualitative in nature there's not a lot of numbers and things to go with it. I'm still at the frontier that were just beginning to understand. It's similar to like the deepest part of our oceans. There's organisms that exist. In reality totally contrary to our beliefs. At the bottom of the ocean. We're just beginning to understand our own consciousness. The mind-body connection. The spirit that we nurture within ourselves. I'd like to close with a passage from the dalai lama i thought he summed us up. Really very well. Bring her spirituality the full richness and simple wholesomeness. Ever basic human values. To bear upon the course of science. And the direction of technology in human society. In essence. Science and spirituality. The differing in their approaches. Share the same end. Which is the betterment of humanity. At its best. Science is motivated by a quest for understanding. To help us lead greater flourishing lives and happiness. Just kind of science can be described as wisdom. Grounded in and tempered by compassion. Spirituality is a human journey into our internal resources. With the aim of understanding who we are. In the deepest sense of discovering how to live. According to the highest possible idea. 2. Is the union of wisdom and compassion.

uusterling_org

Beasts_of_Burden.mp3

So. I want to talk to you about about beast of burden. An angels. And the animals and the humans in our lives. The beach is the place that always makes me feel at home even when the sand drifts are snow drifts. And the waves crack with ice. Sitting near the ocean i hear something ancient. Something eternal a pattern of motion that is as elemental to life as life itself. I hear creativity. And i hear chaos. I hear my own heartbeat and i feel my breath and i hear how they contain that same elemental breath of life. And i know that i am not alone. The hebrew word for spirit. Is rua. Or breath. Say that with me. Rua. It doesn't just mean breath. It is breath. To say ruah. We have to take. Bear and let it go again. Ruler. The word and the meaning r1. Spirit. Is brat. All things share the same breath. The beast the tree the man they are shares at spirit with all the life it supports. Says chief seattle. And the hebrew bible begins with. God blowing the breath of life. Ruin. Into her creation. And into the first. Human lungs. We song of buddhist chant this morning when i breathe in. I breathe in peace when i breathe out i breathe out love. Breath is what sustains us and. It is also. What connects us. There is nothing that shares in the creativity of life that does not breathe. Even plants. I was sitting on the beach in northern california. And i was connecting with. As i am want to do at a beach. And i noticed this group of young men and women that had some stones in their hands. And they were hurling them there is a lot of violence. In their motion. And i walked up i stood. I was compelled up. Because i noticed that what they were throwing these rocks and stones at. Receivers. Seabirds that were perched underneath the bridge. These are pretty large young men and women. But there is nothing in me that said no you shouldn't go everything in me said get up. And i walked over to them. And i simply asked them. Why. Are you throwing those rocks. At the birds. They said because. Because why. Because we want to kill them. I said. But why would you want to kill them. And there was a pause. And nobody moved. Then they looked at one another. And they walked off. St augustine who judged humanity harshly seeing us as victims and participants in original sin wrote. We are certainly in a common class with the beasts every action of animal life is concerned with seeking bodily pleasure. And avoiding pain. Where did that anger that rose up in the eyes and the actions of those young men and women under the bridge come from. Where did the call to kill originate. Wasn't the response to some deep. Some horrible pain some injury that worked their souls did they hope that causing pain would do their own. This is indeed an animal instinct to answer pain with pain to seek solace. Empower. But what caused them to turn. When i stood to ask why. They could have overpowered me. The animal nature could have risen in their chests and they could have turn their stones on the questioner. Say the word with me now why. Why. Just like rua. The word wifelovers out like breath. As breath. The word y calls us. To our spiritual nature. We humans are poised somewhere between the gods and the beasts remark the ancient philosopher plutonium. And many others after. We have an animal nature. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it love. Bags mary oliver. But to be human is to ask why. The take in the spirit. The breath and let that spirit rise within and move us. Closer to what we deem as holy. To what is good. The ability to ask why distinguishes humanity it brings us to the point of choice. And makes that choice immoral one. But i'm not one to assume that we are the only one. Humans. That can do things. That are good. Or holy. So i told this story before but i think it's worth repeating. The story of the whale the sperm whale that was rescued. Only about few months now. The whale was caught in crab traps and they were. Tugging on its body and keeping the whales stuck in this space in the ocean. Couldn't get out couldn't get food couldn't really move the crab traps were so tight. And a couple of rescuers found the whale out there. And noticed. The predicament the whale was in. Now this is a huge whale this is a gigantic whale this is a whale that if it moved its tail the wrong way it could have killed any of those rescuers that dared come close. But the rescuers chose to go in anyway and start cutting away the crab traps. And when they finally did when they remove that last. Crab trap. The whale. Dumb down in the water almost as if it was dancing and saying i'm free. Right at one of the rescuers who as you might imagine was quite. Scared at this moment. But then paused. And stared that rescuer in the eye. And then went to every other rescuer every boat even. And stare them. In the eye. As if to say. Thank you. For asking. Why. Thank you. For rescuing. You have given me life again. The rescuers had to leave in the end the whale wouldn't go away. Just wanted to stay saying thanks. And i read that why in the story. Why would the whale move from rescuer to rescuer it had to be a choice. That the whale made to do so to show gratitude maybe love maybe. Maybe connection. Was it a moral choice. I can't say. But i know that the whale was moved. To love. What it's love. Not too many sure feels like what we call morality. Humans are somewhere between the beasts and the gods we can ask why we can breathe in spirit and we can choose to save the whale. To stop throwing rocks at the birds to treat our own pets with love to consider the lives of animals that we take for food and be grateful for their sacrifice. We can choose a moral response because we can ask why. But also because we can feel good and evil beauty and love and that would be impossible without our animal nature. This is the ultimate gift of our human condition. But it is also our ultimate responsibility. There is no doubt that the lives of the beasts are in our hands. Life in general on this planet is in our hands. We have assumed power by way of our opposable thumbs. And our rationality. But the only truth that moves us to sustained moral action is that we are indeed animals ourselves. And therefore bound to this earth. To the beast. To life. Connected by way of our shared nature. This is our burden. But would we have it any other way. Many of you and you are coming forward reminded me of a story. A story that i still remember with perfect accuracy. As a child i had my first kitten. Thanks. She was muffy. I think that was her name. And my feet one morning. Came up to me as i was sitting in the sun. And sat down on my lap. Which was great in an of itself. But then she you know cat's-paw their way into finding that perfect space. She started doing that in my lap and i didn't even mind the pinching. And she curled up in the circle. And then she went. To sleep. What an astounding feeling. To be holding life in that way. I felt for the first. Time my ultimate calling which i think many of us share. To serve. To give sanctuary. Talal. And i could ask of no. Other animal what muffin gave to me that day. And i could ask no other burden from myself. No other burden. Would be a greater gift. I'll men.

uusterling_org

Religion_Whats_the_Point.mp3

Let me tell you. Why i come to church. I come to church. And would. Whether i was a preacher or not. Because. I fall below. My own standards. I need to be constantly brought that to them. It is not enough. That i should think about the world. And its problems. At the level of a newspaper report or magazine discussion. It could too soon become too low. A level. I must have my conscience. Sharpened. Sharpened until it goes me to the most thorough and responsible. Thinking of which. I'm capable. I must feel again the love i owe my fellow man. And women. I must not only hear about it. In church i do. I need to be reminded there are things i must do in the world. Unselfish thing. Things undertaken at the level of idealism. Work today enthusiasms. Are not enough. They wear out too soon. I want to experience human nature at its best and be reminded of its highest. Possibility. And this happens to me. In church. It may seem as though the same things could be found is. But it does not easily happen so. We need each other. Friend. And neighbors. Anywhere and everywhere but. Deepest. Yearning. But in church we do. In a way that protects us from knowing that we have the same journey the same spiritual. And hope. We are brought together at the highest. Level. We are not merely. An audience. We are. Congregation. I doubt whether i could stand the thought. Of the cruelty. Misery. Of the present world unless i couldn't know. Through an experience that renew itself over and over and over again. Good afternoon heart. Up life. There is a sharan. Did i can hold and ultimate belief. That all is well. And it happened. Life. Must have its sacred moments. And it's holy place. The soul will always seek. It's nurture. For religious experience. Which is life. At its most intense. Life. At its best. Is something. We cannot do. The threatened the very powers that have kept. Forward. Just enough. To be obnoxious. I was a late bloomer. Of my newfound powers. I was in last we were testing our brainpower on algebra equations. If. I'd had enough. Over half a year. I raise my hand. She called on me. What's the point. Why are we doing all of this world. Stressed out. Real. Drawing attention to my real. In my mind the real world was that that would happen when we all had or apartments when we had. All the number games torture devices. Distractions the grown-ups through it us to keep us guessing. My teacher responded. Likely with some very relevant points. What question. I won. I scared the certainty out of her. After that i paid just enough attention to scrape by. But not enough to discover the beauty inherent in the algebraic and calculus equations. They're perfect shapes. The glory of solving. If i learn how to find x. Learning how to find x wasn't going to help me in the world. I would save my attention for something that would. So i went to home. And we made whole donuts. Doors. Somehow i never questioned and how. I think they were just a bit easier for me so i left and slide. For anyone. True religion i mean. Religion. Better person that carves out a way for you to engage with your world that asks you to be in touch with your soul. Is never. Easy. For a long time in human history religion was less chosen then assumed. If you are born in this town. To this family. You were that some such. Repercussions. Blossom in america still feel pressure to take on the family face and morning. Socially. To choose our own religious path. Is no longer. But chosen. Room for the question arises. What's the point. And its obligations chase. One can ask. How does this relate to the real world. How does a singing praying this praising and meditating this sitting and listening this rest. Relate. What does it accomplish. The protestant minister harry emerson fosdick asked questions. Grew up in a world at the turn of the twentieth century a world that had choked. Like my teacher had shuttered. I'm sure it's answer. This was a world of warring ideologies fundamentalism. The fundamentalist. What's the point. They said religion is not about this world. It is about god's world. And you better concern yourself with god's world or your eternity will be. Basically religion doesn't have any world you better do it anyway. Reason the real work for them was the world of facts nothing else matter. You better. Harry emerson fosdick was left in the middle of a liberal protestant. He likes science. I need this like dogmatic religion but he knew he needed. And he wanted to show the world how very real and necessary religion was. Forensics family life was trying. He never complained. There was no parents suffered from deep depression. An early in his own adult life while working as a community minister in a homeless shelter. He was pained that his efforts were not. And so he himself suffered a breakdown. And entered a long. depression. His parents depression was physical emotional spiritual. Call a real. This world. Experience. But fosdick respond directly to the of his ordeal. That religion must respond directly. To the pain that all humans experience when they make. New trials. Through the questions and the doubts. That can shake us all. From our foothold. Of course you might be saying. What would it do here. But at the time that fosdick was preaching and heresy. He responded. I should be ashamed to live in this century. Fosdick wanted a religion that would empower the faithful with the tools needed to work through real and often damning crises of spirit. I remember when i first started loving religion. It was when i learned that it could speak directly to me. Directly about this real world. I was in youth group but it's chosen to attend adult service on sunday. The preacher chose to reading. 1. And1 a newspaper clipping about torture and struggle. In her sermons. How we could use one to understand the other. Yes i said i think i get it now. Unitarian universalism is about weaving. Weaving the bits and pieces of our world together holding them. Together. Not holding them apart god's world and this world but helping us understand the wholeness of our existence. That there is pain. But there also is love. But there are politics but that the politicians are people that there is suffering. And it somehow they come together in us. In our souls. And how we choose to respond. This was a religion i could love. I didn't have to ask. But what's the point. It was obvious. It was about ultimate meaning. What matters most. Fosdick road. They come to church because they have real spiritual concern because there are other places. That meaning. He wrote. Some christians carry their religion on their back. It is a packet of beliefs and practices. Bear. At times it grows heavy and they would willingly lay it down. But that would mean a break with old traditions. So they shouldered again. Do not carry their religion. Their religion carries down. It is not what i'm over hard life hope real. Sacrifice. Worthwhile. It sets them free from fear futility discouragement and send. You can know a real christian when you see him by. 4 fosdick religion. It had to be people. To willingness. The doing good. Because they feel they must. For themselves. And for their beloved world. And we. Come to church not to ignore. But to the world. And to give a portion of our lives to the work of compassion and justice and the. Of mary oliver to the work of loving the world. Has a power shared from our reading. I need to be reminded there are things i must do in the world. Unselfish things. Is undertaken at the level of idealism. This is the work of religion. To recall us to the real world. At the same time that it would cause us to our ideals. To the great hope. That our efforts serve forces beyond our comprehension. Forces of love. A beauty. Of truth. Forces known in many ways by many names. Forces that cannot be explained only with facts and figures. But with engagement. In this. Real. I heard a member of our congregation she engages the other evening. How she reaches out to help her students in ways that go far beyond the requirements of her job. It is not a choice for her to do so not really cannot ignore the pain. And so she cares for her students needs. Our service is not an act of charity one of faith. Called to serve the force of love. And their efforts make a difference. Yes you have these stories to. They may not be glorious they may feel plain but they are far from it. Stories about the ways that you reached out to someone in pain. Times that you knew you had to do something times when you could not ignore. Is your faith. Speaking. This is religion manifest. In this real. World. One simple real life given in moments two things of ultimate concern. This is how we understand our purpose. This is how life becomes meaningful. And this is also why your vet castro green is here with us today. The take us from the sanctuary out into the world. To give form to our principles that we are apart of this interdependent. Let her and let us we are very real religion with our very real world. Thank you you that. Good morning. Can everyone hear me alright i'm not used to microphone what's the point. As a child i wasn't very good in math so but now i've overcome that obstacle. Thank you for letting me come in and speak to you all today it's a pleasure being here. And i just wanted to introduce to you love us of loudon and we have some information on the back table. And i'll be available after the service. If you have any further questions or. Are want more information. Reverend tanya told me to. To speak on a couple of topics today so i'm just going to go right ahead and and go right into that. The first. Question she asked me is why i chose to work for love us. And. For those of you who don't know i'm. I'm the director of levels of loudoun which is a nonprofit organization. Serving. The population here. And basically it goes back to. To my childhood i'm a first-generation latina. And my parents. Worth from central america. And they emigrated here. A long time ago. And. And i grew up by culturally. So that kind of gave me. The i guess the. Impetus to to participate. In the organization. As i grew up i saw their struggles i saw their. Did you know there. Their challenges. A lot of what we see today here in loudoun county. Which i'm sure many of you seeing your daily work and your daily community work with a church and so forth. And other organizations that you may belong to. Such as. English barriers. Substance abuse mental illness. One of the things. That i saw then and. And now is the lack of effective delivery of services. To the to the immigrant population. Prefer newcomers. Low-wage jobs. And exploitation. And last but not least discrimination. 7 years ago today. January 31st 2003. I was sitting in my office. And it was the last day of my job. I was waiting for my husband to pick me up. And i read an article. Front page article in the newspaper. The talked about the 365 percent increase. And the hispanic latino population in loudoun county. From 1990 to 2000. And so that that piqued my interest right away. Of course and. Cut out the article. And needless to say the rest is history. So it is talked about you know this new. Group called levels that was trying to address. Some of those issues that were had arisen because of the. Market increase in the population. So in my experience. I was often the only person who could communicate with some of these people and actually be culturally sensitive enough. 2. It's a deal with them. Many times i felt. Out of place and i felt that. That. That everybody around me didn't really understand. And had some sort of ignorance of people different from themselves. I thought love was the answer. For newcomers as well as established immigrants in the community. Who didn't necessarily feel welcome in their own home. Such as myself. And invariably helped me to make sense out of all the chaos.. Why is our work so important in loudoun county. Were the only community-based organization that's. Solely dedicated. To helping with immigrant and integration. In loudoun county and also helping providers. Who serve. Those populations to be more effective in their services. We give thousands of low-income immigrants. A voice in order to become more self-sufficient. Through the different programs and services we offer and that meet the critical needs. Let me tell you about a couple of our. Clients. But we've worked with. We have a leadership program graduate cecilia and i've changed her name for confidentiality reasons. Who participated in our program last year. And she has she's a low-income immigrant from el salvador she has a sixteen-year-old. Daughter. Who started hanging out with the wrong crowd. And actually almost. Almost became a gang member. And so she was happy to get in touch with love austin and participate in our leadership and community development program. She now is a regular volunteer for love us in and is. A l. In the community. Her daughter chose a different path. And helped us and actually volunteered for us and. Chose. That she could actually. You do make a difference in other people's lives and use her talents and skills. There's another family martin juan and i change their names again. And thereof. Another family from el salvador who. I have three very young children. They. Have received assistance from numerous sources from churches like yours from. The county government departments. From. Other human services agencies other nonprofits excetera. Martha's been calling us for like the past 2 years. And she has she suffers from depression. There has been work seasonal job such as landscaping you know cutting laws lawns etc so often he's unemployed. They fell behind on their rent and they were evicted 3 times. During that time that we were in communication with them. Martin juan are grateful to levels because. We were able to provide them with critical information and referrals. To get financial assistance rent assistance. Mental health. Support and so forth. So you know we're happy that that were able to continue that service. What we're hoping for the future what kind of world we're hoping to build. First of all. We want to place. We're newcomers and establishing immigrants alike. Can feel that they belong and can effectively receive services that they need. We also want to provide opportunities for. Immigrants to learn skills that are required to function in society and improve their lives things such as. What i've mentioned like english classes. Computer instruction. Health and safety information financial management seminars. Citizenship training and delight. Our collaboration with partners is very important. With faith-based groups like yours. Nonprofit organizations businesses government agencies. And this is the only way that we can make the love us vision a reality. Community assistance last but not least. Through the generous contributions of. People like yourselves from from churches. Like the uu church. And the expansion of our volunteer membership. We need new board of director members we need. New leaders. Participants in our leadership program. Low-income participants as well as mentors. Be there for those leadership. Participants. Without. The participation of our. Volunteers. And an r. Donors in the community there's. There's no way that we could deliver the services and programs. That are available. To the population in the. Mama. So. We hope that you'll you'll join us then again i'll be available after the service. If you have any further information or further questions. So thank you for letting me. Be here. It's a joy to hear from you.

uusterling_org

Hail_and_Farewell.mp3

River concerts edison brought unit in there. The green hills of tyrol and loch lomond. I lived. Lesson 13 miles from loch lomond. Just before the family moved to england when i was about 15. And italy. Quarterback time. We would go out on a sunday not 45 times sunday but. Over my brief lifetime we. The thing to do was stirred to cycle off the head of a lock. Atlanta cycle back to glasgow. Back bay. Saginaw zoo. Scottish people whether they have benefited or not. So. He went on saying goodbye. Since i last saw your just a week or so ago. A lot. Has taken place. Around here. High expectations. Heaven transformed. Into. Satisfied. Accomplished. Your chosen candidate anya. Has become. You administer elect. And i had the great pleasure of meeting. Anya. Headlong. A few days before she was unanimously cold. By the congregation. In discussion good lunch break is a what. Anya and chris me a great deal. Huerta. Has circle pies. And intellectual maturity. Oh i'll spare you all the complimentary. Adjectives. Since it was you that shows her. I didn't. But i would have chosen anyway. And i truly wish. You. And hug ministry. As time goes by. Godspeed. In this new beginning. No no particular theology implied by the phrase godspeed you know me better than that. The whole infinitely painstaking. Somewhat anxious. Search curtis i believe. The pad. A happy ending. And the promise of a wonderful. New beginning. So many thanks i'll do to the search committee. Provera. Incredibly hard work. On your behalf. A shakespeare might have said it. You know when you don't know what to say you always put shakespeare. He's a journey band. In lovers meeting. Every wise man's son. Stop no. Sohail to anya. And farewell to me. I've asked myself falling farewell to each other. We also wish each other not just farewell. But fare forward. Volume. I think we always honor the past best by looking to the future. But the backwood blunt. Is appropriate. Especially. Granny pics of omnibus action. And gratitude. And i surely feel such americans. As i backward land. At the last. 2 years. Affection and gratitude tavares i have come to know. Privilege to know. Especially those who gave me saturday. Overnight hospitality. At all of you. Who have had me out. So kathy ashley. In and out of the pulpit. Over the last. 2 year. My really short time. Among you with this is beginning its middle and it's and. Has given me. Michael and i was supposed to be with tired. Until i return untimely from the womb a retirement. Giving me a fresh scent. I'll be important to this very special. Religious movement. Once we take this movement for granted. We have lost it. And it behooves us. Two oscars why. It is so very important. In our lives and in the spectrum. Of american religion. How very lucky i was to find. Uuism at a time of my own theological crisis. Scott's know anything about anything. Illogical crisis. Can't exist without them. The theological crisis in the episcopal ministry. But which i have much effect. But had grown away from. Someone back then hitting the salmon. Send remember the congregation afterwards. But mango unitarian. I'm looking back that statement is very true. Although i did not know it. At the time. There's a crane. To play around with. I did not know it. No i have little problem with my own highly liberal indeed radical understanding of christian say. Had his edges not picture terribly different. From stranded unitarianism. I read my switzer both man examination. The problem was. And i love you sitting. Episcopal church in this music. Tinseltown. The problem was. But i was becoming intellectually and theologically. Schizophrenic. My loyalty to episcopalianism. Was increasingly weary. And highly conditional. And if someone rode wisely. In the end conditional locker. We are they the song. Let not your souls be wary. And this is as true in religion as in life. I didn't become a unitarian universalist because i didn't know what to believe. But because i did know. And pray that i believe. The essence of my understanding of faith. Could not be loyalty. To the dogmas of an institution however hallows. But the need for true intellectual. Read. This. Is the inheritance. Of the best part of the reformation. It is the inheritance. I'll be american. Revolution. The need for intellectual freedom beyond and inherited. And passive faith. Although we passed. No.. But whose story is not mine. Each person must struggle with a meaning and purpose. A pizza hut in life. And loyalty. Unitarian universalist. Motorola stragula stragglers in. Putting some preachers. But hampshire the nevada special pots. River has no dogma. No secure religious foothill i don't like the word religion but one has to use it sometime. And even god especially god. Is on foot. The movement of the place that welcomes verse. Cool maybe agnostic. Apu. Humanist. Pequea new one. Can be sure that they have the right answers. Or even. The right question. I'm up less do we have answers. Binding. On other people. And utilities must avoid not just. Dogmatism. Nothing. appearance. Have dogmatism. When we feel that we are being damnably right. We've been happy. German park. And celebrated say gutter. Sad towards the end of his long. Celebrated. And deeply wise live. I now know. But i cannot say no. But we know enough about gurkha to realize that he believed in such things. A passionate love. And wisdom. And difficult as it was for saturday gifted person. A real humility. In the face. Evidence protocol universe. We have fellow travelers and all religions even. Cardinal henry newman. Congregate solecism. Invited to rise. At a dinner party. To bring guitar. To the pope. And he said. Rising. I'll drink to the pope. He said. At first i will drink. To my own conscience. And yes community we do believe. In community. But not of the self. Define self-limiting pain. We do believe in reaching out to others. Because we believe that the spiritual quest. Is that it. We believe almost believe. But when everything is distilled. Balto. And all feeling. The essence of life. Is meaning. Found the search. 4 meaning. And the true is possible meaning. Is obedience. Two wongs own self-awareness. Nothing can replace. Though this may sound a little too serious. Little too high-flown. But what else have we if we are dependent on others. To define on a fade. Andante. We belong from other people. But we need not. Except what they believe. I've even had people say the answer is not a real humanitarian. sometimes. I accept it with equanimity. This has been my experience with unitarian universalist. Have not embraced. Heather peyton off. A purely passive. Or inherited say. But they are by definition passionate. About what they have come to believe sometimes joyfully. Sometimes i lack of pain and puzzlement. From past experience. Ladakh religious shadows of the past. Very explicitly or implicitly examine this use of faith. Anton disease. Heading in mind. Lebanon examined life. Is not worth living. A truly thoughtful person. An unexamined say. It's not worth having. What is life. Remove so easily from legend your life is suing an easy relationship. Between the two. But it ain't necessarily so. Religion can be 2 months. Ava self-contained thing. Even if that religion is unitarianism. What is life. Rafaella sent here so i can really be distilled. This ain't life a true in life. Is a play in three acts. A play that is with a beginning. And a middle. After that. Where are we in this play of us. In this unique life drama. The designs. And i'll go alone. Where is the. Play. Spiritual light shining in our own lives. Casting. Truck-lite. And shadow. What has become. Eovaldi discount. Have they been substantially realized. Or are we only undefeated. Undefeated because we have gone on trying. Crock-pot. The past. Has clung to a. Too long. And which should be. Decently buried. What belongs to the present. That truly brings us personal joy. And addie potent more compassionate. Self understanding. In life we are sometimes. Autowest anime. Robin autoinfection. What belongs to the future. We are. Set my tattify the best and deepest. What we have been. The truly unique and beautiful pass. Good we are. And yes. Yes yes. What we might. Yet. Wish to be. What's the tune of glory. Video of coloring. I asked the young to see visions. And the older children dream. Whatever it is. Don't let your dream. Guy. How old is. Missing part from the practicalities. Updated a things are you really not. The fundamental thing in life and in order indian religion. Is it always delicate balance. Of anxiety. And hope. Sadness. Enjoy. Indian whatever your personal parkway. Cordoba. Your life experience. It will be given you to say. Whatever religious truth is or is not. I have been obedient. Do my own. Deepest self-awareness. As i have been able. The crosby. But how hard the thing it is sometimes to be true to oneself. And strike the cord truth. Another people. Cuz we say our last good-byes to one another. My gratitude to you all. And my affection. Runs deep. I could only wish you and anya. The best. Of all success. Good fortune. And deepening wisdom. For me my time here. Has been a life-giving time. Amongst, quietly. And sometimes not so quietly. Wonderful people. I close with. Yet another act. Of self-indulgence. Perhaps. My favorite phone. I haven't have. Which says so much about goodbyes. And the need. To say them. And the need. Toradol. What they mean. Halle berry spam. As a gift to you. If you don't already know.. Drive to debbie blossom shades. At all you. Thinkcentre old age. So every life design each flower of wisdom. Every good. Achieves its prime. And cannot last forever. Edith livescore. The pot must be prepared to begin anew. Courageously in with no hint of grief. Submit itself to other. Nuad thai. Imagic. Do i do. In each new beginning. And protecting. Protective. It tells us. Honolulu.

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Assn_Sunday_Gratitude.mp3

Open. America. They use the word. Do they even know how. Boston new york. Universal. My grandmother. Open the door. Navigate. My grandmother is. When my grandmother got it. Empire. And control her in her grave. The last time then. Daughter brought her as well. You are home. It will. Toronto. Open doors together. Net worth. Never demanding. If you're in. Traveled. Are a composite. After 19 years. It was a good experience. Dance with the bison on antelope island in the great salt lake. We have pictures. Economy. I guess. By having general assembly. I think the thing. I believe he has the right prescription forgetting or growing again. Universal circle. I believe we need to concentrate.. To be better human and grow our movement. I'm grateful. And for the village. And grand river. I don't ever leave a general assembly without. It's obvious. That we are there for a spirit. And i really care about her face. That could find paula and grape. Gratitude. Challenges. Professor of african american. Found a home in a contrarian chicago. Chicago. Catawba craft how much elisa black christian experience. Cesar chavez an african-american christian. How to clean yourself. It may take out spider. Articulate. More people. And we are able to reach today. Carlton pearson. Authority. What prominent african-american. Reverend jerry falwell. Watching youtube. He was getting work. Persecuted. Feeling angry. Bellator turf reproachful prayer. Answer. Began to realize. Call world. Overwhelmed by his universalism. Tripping didn't. By blending. An intellectual thing. And it was inspiring. And i called the african-american minister mark. Reminder inspiring. Diversity. More and more people. What happened. I'll need perversity of diversity. Wide word about our work. Become more racially diverse. And forgive. I wonder what. Whenever i interacted with. Restaurants in elevators. She is not certain. Anywhere and everywhere. Every time i. Important part of the us. Colorado. We got it recorded commentary. Cross the boundary of diversity. And in that way. The keurig that can only come from. Commonality. Spirit of hope. Spirit of laughter. Bearded wonder.

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The_Spiritual_Discipline_of_Reconciliation.mp3

Is every good you use in preparing for a sermon i usually go to the history. At least go to google. So first thing i did i was struck with this idea of the spiritual discipline of reconciliation and actually in 2007 volin 2077 at the general assembly. You may remember a president bill sinkford asked what are r-truth. What are archers. Must we be reconciled. We have many stories to uncover hero genocide slavery oppression only by knowing our truths can we act boldly and our spiritual journey. Of healing. Any response to bilstein for its report that the delegates begin this hard work. By encouraging their congregations and the unitarian universalist association overall. To research their own and the association's history. To uncover the links and complicity with a genocide of native peoples. Was slavery and the slave base economy. You may be surprised to know that there are many unitarian ministers and congregations that actually owned slaves. And with all types of racial ethnic and cultural oppression. Past and present. Toward the goal of accountability. Through acknowledgement. Apology repair and reconciliation. And at that report on their progress of the 2008 and 2009 general assembly will be reported. We have seen the same type of historical and folding. Around the world. In the wake of violently oppressive regimes in particular. In the search for healing countries like south africa. Have called upon covert mass murder to come forward forward. And speak. The truth. Entire countries and generations are working toward the goal of countability. Through acknowledgement. But the ultimate ideal of reconciliation. When i read about the spiritual journey of healing in relation to our complex american history. As a good year you again. I pondered how spiritual reconciliation relates to our personal lives. In the midst of a very complex world. It has been said that once a minister is ordained. How's your day in 2003 this some of his or her career will be one sermon. Stated and restated over and over and over again. I humbly acknowledge that my truth the bone of my stated and restated sermon hopefully repackaged beautiful each time. Spiritual wholeness for me. Is the bone of my restated sermon. Revolves that journey toward spiritual wholeness. And for me it extends like a spider's web as i talked about this morning with the stone soup. Through all facets of our lives. Especially our. So this call for reconciliation and healing is most found most profoundly express. On a personal level. As we will be explorer. Sona recent lazy weekend you heard my husband travis. We caught a rerun of the great sammy classic. The. Unusually usual suspects. For the plot that twists and turns characters with murky backgrounds complex loyalties and parfaits of deceptions. It is an interesting ride of a movie. One of my favorite lines is when keyser soze tails a confident. The greatest trick. The devil ever pulled. Was convincing the world. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled. Was convincing the world he didn't. There's lots of complex theological implications that course through that statement. If you take it just simply or more complex. The meaning of evil to answering the question of why bad things happen to good people. The possible realities the consequences we can ponder that. A long time. Perhaps even a certain series of sermons. We can ponder this until we are more confused than resolved with esk illogical truce. Instead what i take from this quotes. Is the simplehuman tendency. To see what we only want to see. Or choose. Only. See. What we wish. Further the part of being human. That's part of human existence is a search for greater understanding. Beard of ourselves. Ourworld. An understanding more deeply and fully the sacred. Truth illusion maya reality. Receive this theme repeatedly and many different faith traditions traditions. In buddhism we understand the key to alleviating suffering is recognizing our attachments for the impermanent. An ever-changing world. In judaism a life of learning and study is considered godly work. To grow closer. To the divine. In the book of matthew in the new testament is written. But blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear. For i tell you the truth. Many prophets and righteous men long to see what you did see. But did not see it. And did not hear. We often hear what we choose to see. And we often see what we choose. Here. Our hearts. Allow us to understand. As we delve into the spiritual discipline of reconciliation. The process of acknowledgement is the first step on our journey. As the quote from usual suspects implies acknowledging thin evil suffering pain loneliness isolation and other maladies of the human condition. Is to make it real for ourselves and for others. To acknowledge a wrong is to open up the door to make it whole again. A sort of where's waldo of the spiritual discernment. We come you sometimes can't see that goofy little man striped shirt in it red hats. Unless we blur our eyes everything else on the chaotic scene. We focus on his small presents. In the midst. Of tragedy chaos. Different stories. Everything in our world. We sometimes can't acknowledge the pain unless we focus on is existed. Within ourselves it is often too easy to recognize pain. We know it's we own it we proclaim it. It can become a manner for living. Pain becomes our left and right limits as we call it in the army. Your boundaries for existence your left and right limits the thing that holds us back. The fear that keeps us from truly living full and meaningful and called lives. But it is more difficult to acknowledge the pain or suffering of others. Especially if we've had a hand in it. In both minoot. And paramount waze. For the last seven years as an army chaplain one of my most favorite joyce. Has been to leave marriage enrichment retreats. Four soldiers their spouses if you can believe that the army pays for a 4-star luxury hotel. I had one at the omni shoreham in downtown washington a few weeks ago for familiar with that. I had one at the monaco in baltimore the army pays. The hotel the meals the parking everything childcare. So soldiers and their spouses and their families can learn vital relationship tools. Or marriage enrichment depending on the curricular. We learn about communication. Conflict resolution. Everyone is in civilian clothes including myself. There no rank no titles. Everyone is john and rosie. Mario lynette. Everyone attend equally to renew and refresh their relationship. Parsley because studies have shown that many soldiers and families who are in struggle and chaos. Facing difficulty often relationship stress is one of the reasons why. It's not easy on all light material that we talk over these weekends. On the second day after the trust is built up i often will died heading to material of the topic that i call. Please excuse me the other f-word. Really that's how we talked about. Forgiveness. As the other. F word. Forgiveness is one of the most important relationship and spiritual tools that we can cultivate and grow in our lives. As people of faith we are called to forgiveness both on a personal. And community level. We're called about seek forgiveness. An offer it with a spiritual. When i teaches marriage enrichment weekend size i mentioned i talked about the little ass the things the small things we have to forgive with. And the big ass. The little esther the small ways we hurt little demean and disregard our loved one. Studies have shown. That were often the most. Kurt. The most disrespectful and the most. Dismissive of the people that we have our primary relationship. About that for a moment i know i do it i have to catch myself all the time. I shared the story last time i hope you hopefully you won't think less of me. For it. The military environment to know if commander says to give me the bottom line that means. Tell the commander. What what's your point. And get out that that and that's fine that's completely your cv. I'll get that all the time thank you very much and i'm out the door. Unfortunately my mother called me in a very busy day. Project officer so i'm usually dealing with like a hundred things at once in crisis and lots of different counseling and meetings and all this and that. And my mother calls me up. And she's goes on my mother's. If you've ever met her she's big heart. And she was going on to share the story with me and i said mother. Bottom line me and instantly i should have done asked for forgiveness i do for the rest of the day in the rest of the week. And disrespectful and not fully given others relationship that are primary in our lives so please don't ever say to your mother your spouse your children bottomline me. So the little f. If my mother hadn't told me that she was hurt i didn't even have to ask cuz i knew i'd hurt her. Those little ass if left unacknowledged and repaired. They lead to disarray. But if acknowledge and repaired they lead to stronger and longing longer-lasting loving relationship. Overtime those little less if unacknowledged can build up like sand. On the ocean. Was living in florida when i was first ordained. And. Folks often realize that in on florida beaches have to be replenished. All the beaches they have to ship in san. Because i get washed away every summer. And so are you received that analogy for our relationship fell apart the san just doesn't disappear by the truckload. The same disappears over the course of a year a few grains of time. Few grains that at. Those little apps that we don't acknowledge our like greens on the beach. I just washed away. Set a big-ass. Are the gross missteps and misdeeds perpetuated login loving relationships. Infidelity financial impropriety violence and abuse. The great wrongs we inflict or inter. That can lead to either ruin or redemption. Depending on how willing. And humble. An able both parties are to the hard work. A forgiveness. Lewis piece needs a theologian uniform tradition road. Forgiving is one of love toughest work. And loves biggest. Risk. If your twisted into something it was never meant to be. It can make you a doormat. Or an insufferable manipulator. Forgiving sins almost unnatural. Our sense of fairness tells as people should pay for the wrong that they do. But forgiving is love power to break nature's rule. We are reminded today of love forgiveness as loves toughest work. Just a few weeks away from september 11th. The ninth anniversary. Are the terrorist attacks. As a nation we are struggling rear-facing. A radical islam growing in this country that stands have dismantled all of the interfaith work we have done for so long. Part of his worker forgiveness. Is it disengage of violent fringe. From a peaceful religious tradition. And to respect our brothers and sisters of faith. I can probably stand before you as an american service member and call for the mutual respect of all religious traditions. In our great community. And seek forgiveness for myself. For the ways i have fallen short. As a defender of every person's right. To celebrate their faith. Even if it is no faith is all. Which is one of a chaplain. Greatest honors. In the military. The south african bishop desmond tutu has long worked with the raw pain of his country. Bring light and love and hope. To recovering land. His words ring true for us today. Forgiving and being reconciled are not about pretending. The things are other than they are. It is not about patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong. True reconciliation exposes the awfulness that abuse the pain. The degradation. And the truth. It could even sometimes. Make it worse. It is a risky undertaking. But in the end it is worthwhile. Because in the end the real situation helps to bring real healing. Spurious. Reconciliation can only bring. Spurious. Healing. You'll find much of the same sentiment and ruu campaign of standing on the side of love. And yes you can even friend them on facebook. Standing on the side of love has highlighted much of our social justice work across this country around the world. Recently standing on the side of love campaign stood side-by-side with immigrant families in arizona. Gay and lesbian families in california. And the flooded the white house with letters pleading for religious freedom in the face. Ivanti islamic extremist in this country. As people of faith. We are cute call to keep ever-vigilant to witnessing and working towards social justice around the world. But ultimately how we choose to embark on this journey of spiritual reconciliation. And work toward social justice depends largely upon the contents. Of our hearts. Example of the depth of change. An individual comes from europe. After the war. Experience of a french woman. Renamed ayran lori. She attended the co conference in 1947 reconciliation. Mister ray had been in the resistance when the germans occupied her country during wwii. Her son had been tortured. Our comrades have been executed. At the end of the war she had wanted germany wiped from the face of the earth. To become a member of parliament. And a leader of the socialist women. Miss lorraine in 1947 she was invited to the swiss conference. I was horrified when mr. a found germans. Intern mr.ray was challenged by the question how can you rebuild europe. Without germans. Miserere. Startled. And humbled and grounded in florida by the question. She retired to her room for several days and several nights. And thought about whether she would give up her hatred. For the steak. Avenue europe. When she came out. Mr. h hostess poke. She stood before the gathered assembly. Turn to the germans in the hall and said please. Forgive me. For my hatred. A german woman that came up to her from the hall and took her hand. And gave her a hug. Miss already said it felt like a thousand kilos have been lifted from her shoulders. She went on that day to germany and repeated her apology to everywhere she went. Where germans were willing. As a result. To face up to their past. For the very first time. And hatred mr. abe came to believe. There were always the seeds of a future war. She would have identified with semen frank's words no bombs. Not even atomic bombs none of the cruelties of war. Call so much destructive of normal conditions of life. For the cause of so much ruin and evil as the spirits. Of hatred. When we move through the first steps of acknowledgements and forgiveness. We are next call to move forward. In mister a story she progressed in inspired others. First by admitting her hatred. And seeking forgiveness. It is the most radical thought of all. But despite all cruelties and evils that civilization can cox. Humanity still bills itself towards the goods. There is still hope in this worlds. Mysteries of this world that still inspire us. Parts that still melt. At 11 touch. Humanity continues to evolve and grow in ways that we have even yet. To imagine. So in order to move forward with reconciliation we are called to covenant. With that which is greater than ourselves. Biaggi. Be at universe. Be at a higher power or simply humanity itself. We covered with the sacred partnership. For a better world. When where we acknowledge pain. Acknowledge evil eggnog acknowledge suffering. And ask and offer forgiveness. And help. And heal a broken and bruised worlds. That. Is a spiritual discipline. Reconciliation. So today i leave you the words from the buddha. Teach this triple truth to all. A generous heart. Kind speech. And a life of service and compassion. These are all the things that renew humanity.

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Who_Deserves_to_Marry.mp3

The purpose of a man. As ubiquitous as it might seem statement. Now. Do us in a modernize western world. The history of love marriage and how they intersect is complex and shows vast transformation over time. Purpose. Would be like. Is a christian concept built into the ideal that god is love. And we are created in god's image. That our purpose would be the loved one purpose one person. Is a modern ideal. Upheld by civic standards and social mores. Many of the trustees mores and do not want them to dissolve. Kanaan heterosexual partners. I want to understand more of the history of marriage and the evolution of and lesbian rights. Because the right to marry. Is connected to a painful struggle for equality. Legends to disenfranchise a whole population. Equals for a special rights or privileges. For three decades now. Evangelical voters claiming a commitment to traditional family values. Have rejected gay lesbian bisexual and transgender glbt values. They rejected them as alien. My fundamental or traditional family values are. Justice. Compassion. Fairness. An equality. To study struggle for equal rights to marriage in the history of oppression in this country i discern a different conclusion. I want to show that the participation in this democratic nation. Or subconsciously. Tied to a belligerent strain of prejudice. Advance civil rights for african-americans and women. There was one decisive game. Devote. The chance to lend the voice to shape the destiny of our nation. Sexism and racism remain. The power of hatred to sway policy. Is greatly restricted. For our lesbian and gay brothers and sisters marriage in the reason is not arbitrary. Who is allowed to marry and how also shapes this nation. Editor of the first game. Share this candid remark. When society finally accept gays and lesbians as a valid minority. With minority rights. It is going to first of all except the married ones. We are after all closest to their ideals. Participation in democracy requires the vote. Participation in society requires access to the most loved and coveted rites and rituals. Good little boys and girls go up grow up dreaming of marriage. Well maybe just the girls. True love. What are we saying when we deny access. First the history. World was always a civil matter. Romans considered men and women to be married when they say they were husband and wife. And again to share their lives together. Has christianity envelop the european world leaders focused on preserving marriages. Restricting divorce but they did little to change the civic customs. By the 10th century. Christian authorities had established some control over the proceedings. Then by the sixteenth century the catholic church required a public ceremony. And the presence of a priest. Control over marriage played a major role in the struggle between secular and religious authorities. As they struggle to win power over everyday life. Protestant reformers rejected wholesale the idea that marriage was a sacrum. Martin luther himself. See no conflict between his religious calling and the civic contract. Married. Actually elope with a one-time none. And reverend scott and i will be eternally grateful. And to this day clergy officiate as agents of the state. Marriages may have religious significance for the community. But the contractual agreement pertains to civil. Civic life. By the power vested in me by the state of virginia. Is what i'm invited to say. Where does love come in. John boswell from his text same-sex unions in pre-modern europe contends. And very few love and marriage are inexplicable. Prevail. And apparently was not common even in earlier. European cultures. Marrying for love was born within an individual's right to choose. Marriage became a testament of immutable. And the right to choose one partner. No matter how much that choice distressed ones family. Ethnic community. And co-religionist. My jewish mother had to work for years to be accepted by my father's catholic family. And my father had to suffer excommunication. But the choice to wed. Was easy. It was for them the true expression of their love. If legitimacy rests on mutual consent what guides the state's decision to accept. Or reject. It helps to trace our nation's history on marriage bands. Slaves were not allowed to marry. Many established informal marriages but slave owners were not obliged to honor these marriages or let them interfere with the economic value of their slaves. Even if it meant separating a couple by sale. After the civil war newly freed men and women crowded the offices of the freedmen's bureau to insist recognition. And the protection of their marital oath. How power is could so easily and stealthily rise up against them to deny their most private and palpable freedom. To choose and remain with their partners. As one virginia member of the vein called colored infantry declared. The marriage covenant is at the foundation of all our rights. Rights were conferred statutes banning interracial marriage which dated from early and the colonial. persisted. Sanctioning the american system of white supremacy. During the civil war and reconstruction states enacted laws banning interracial marriage and interracial sex in a mad blurry. And a new word. Race mixing. Was coined by the democratic opposition. To discredit lincoln's republican party. Only when forbidden from marrying non-jews reflected the heinousness. Of our embedded prejudice. Did the tide begin to turn. In 1948 the general assembly of the united nations unanimously adopted the universal declaration of human rights. Which proclaimed. The fundamental rights of humankind. In loving vs virginia. Virginia. Marriage was declared one of the basic civil rights. Of man. And thank you to all of them for sharing it. The massachusetts supreme judicial court built on these precedents when it extended the right to marry to lesbians and gays. Quoting. When is statute of individuals of access to an institution of personal and social significance. The institution of marriage color and perez. History must yield to a more fully developed understanding of the nvidia quality. Other discrimination. Taking us a long while to invidious quality of the discrimination. And there is more work to be done. Again to the history. Years ago law. There was no will & grace. Or philadelphia. Or milk. Indeed hollywood films were prohibited from characters. Executive order from government contracts. And advise agencies to ferret out and fire. The florida investigation committee turned from discrediting civil rights activist to finding and interrogating some 320 suspected gay men and lesbian teachers and students. 50 years ago. Were illegal. I'm gay people had no right to public assembly. And although it seemed utterly ingrained. Anti-homosexual sentiment is neither natural. Nor inevitable. The move to define a category of people as outsiders to the nation on the basis of their sexual identity. Was a specifically 20th century. Phenomenon. Georgetown co argues in why marriage. The great depression deprive millions of men of their role as breadwinners. And precipitated a crisis in gender and family relations making. Gacy more threatening. Then in the years following the second world war. When our attentions turn to. Communists and criminal syndicates and other half invisible specters. Homosexuals were stereotyped. And demonized. By government sanction. Indeed. To the nation and that's dangerous. A threat to children. All ministers have to take a test. To establish their emotional stability. The test is old that dates back to the 50s. I remember one question that asked if i read popular mechanics magazine. The question is there among others to determine my sexual orientation. Unitarian universalist. Do not reject. Popular mechanics. But in the night. Was the hallmark of psychosis. A woman's refusal to adjust to social norms. And there are similar questions that are there to ferret out the gay men as well. Don't ask don't tell a formalized policy in the military at present was the informal policy that governed gay life. Early leaders in a minority of american citizens. But they were not a subversive group of aliens from a psychopathic and criminal. Underworld. Homosexuality. From its list of mental disorders. In 1973 removal. Many protestant denominations reformed and reformation juice universal. Issued statements condemning legal discrimination. For a majority to be recognized for a majority to recognize the insidiousness of our projects. Prejudice. Scuse me. In 1998. Matthew shepard was walking down the street holding his partner's hand. The show of affection provoked a violent and deadly assault. Heterosexual affection. Provokes smile. Moral disapproval of homosexuality. They also shared a growing discomfort. Within tolerance. Which led me to oppose discrimination. Our obligation. It's a define the liberty of all. Not to mandate our own moral code. Moral code and service of liberty are prejudiced will have state-sanctioned. And the power to institute intolerance. Why marriage. Because in a democratic country human struggle against prejudice and discrimination is bound to mately for rights qualities. In a democratic nation none of us are free if one of us orange because it is too easy to link chains of hatred. To encourage systemic oppression. Opportunity to truly make marriage a sister. But only if we are willing to extend it. Who deserves to marry. Who deserves to visit their partner when they are ill. At the gates of death and a hospital or nursing home. Who deserves to make the decision of where to bury their loved one. Or how to care for their remains. Who deserves the unpaid leave reported by the family medical leave act without risking a job. To take care of a spouse or a child with health problems. These are all right. Afforded. Find marriage. And my marriage alone. I am honored to perform the religious ritual and would do so for any couple who came to me. To death do they part. But we even recognize a marriage without its civics. The rights that affords and the responsibilities that it establishes. Denying claims the right to marry was a denial of their humanity their inherent worth and dignity. This is true for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. From the declaration of independence. All men are created equal. With certain unalienable rights. That among these are life. Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights. Governments are instituted. And when the government know. People stand-up declare and their own voice. What is life. What is liberty. And what constitutes the pursuit of happiness. When we hear these prize. May we listen. And may we add our own. So may it be. And anna.

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Immanuels_Ground.mp3?_=1

I'm going to share from isaiah chapter 7 from the new revised. Standard version. This is some of isaiah and some of my own reflections. Isaiah was a prophet to the people of judah the southern kingdom of the israelites when israel was split into the northern israel and southern judah. His works are preserved in the hebrew bible isaiah spoke what he believed to be the prophecy of god to a people. Who were living through one of the most turbulent. And fearful times in their history. Sound familiar. The most common the most repeated phrase of isaiah was. Be not afraid. Be not afraid he said again and again to a people who were entombed in broken by. Fear. When isaiah set to speak the prophecy. In chapter 7 israel of the north. And syria had established a bond for political reasons. And were threatening to rise together again. Judah. When a haws. Judah's king heard of this allegiance and threat. As isaiah says. The heart of a hive. And the heart of his people shook as the trees of a forest. Shake. Before the wind. But isaiah says. Be not afraid. Don't. React out of fear. Do not let the fire in you determine your direction be patience. And all will be well. Aha's didn't want to listen. He and his people were afraid they were terrified and house was a proud man he would not be consoled. By isaiah's promise. God's promise of a piece to come. As the story goes god spoke to has through isaiah saying that he would protect his kingdom. Enter prove his promise he would even give a hug a sign. Butter has proud. And ready to act on his own said i will not ask for a sign. I do not need to see god's promise i'm just fine on my own. What do you think. What this sort of pride please the god of isaiah. No. Here then no house of david thunders isaiah. Is it not enough that you exhaust your own moral mortal neighbors with your stupidity. I hope these words along a little bit. Why do you have to exhaust my god as well. The lord will give you a sign. Whether you want it or not. And here's the prophecy the sign. Look. The young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him emmanuel. And by the time he's eating curds and honey he will know how to refuse the evil and choose the good. Then. The kings that threatened to rise up against you will be dead. But your people. Your line will continue. And will thrive. I promised peace to come. Is this what the prophecy means you've perhaps heard this one before the young woman with child the child named emmanuel. Emmanuel means. God with. Young woman might mean virgin or not. But let's not get into that controversy here. We wait till christmas eve for that one. Kristen see this as a prophecy of jesus the foreshadowing of the coming of the messiah hebrew scholars. Don't. They leaned into that strange line about the curds and honey. By the time he is eating. Curds and honey. He saw know how to refuse the evil and choose the good. Curds and honey we're only available during times of peace. Hebrew scholars see this prophecy of isaiah as instruction not for a future time but for all time. When we find peace we know the difference between good and evil emmanuel god with. Is only possible when we find the piece of our hearts and act from there. Fear. Will only. And. All the ways. Lita's. Fear will only and always. Lead us. Please join me in a moment of pause. May the meditations of my heart may the words that i share may they speak both of the trauma we have all been experiencing and the hope. And the love and the peace we seek in the world may what comes between us be a conversation. And may we all. She can find whatever it is we need in this space we share together. Amen. Give me a prophet. In this. Time. Give me an isaiah who will thunder against the righteousness of our world leaders who only. Stand up to fight with fear. And in fear when their sovereign lands are threatened. Give me a mica that will beg us to beat our swords into plowshares and our assault rifles into pruning hooks. Before one more innocent life is sacrifice to our madness. Give me a jesus that will walk with the refugees out of syria holding the hands of the children and reminding us. That they too. Are children of god. Give me a buddha who will sit in the meditation space in the. Bullets troon parisian cafe. And the bullet-riddled regional center in san bernardino california and the bullet broken health clinics. And the bullet. Splattered schools healing our hate with his. Witness. Give me a martin luther king. Rising from the dead. To remind us that his bold and beautiful black life even his. Bold and beautiful black life didn't. Matter enough. Didn't matter enough to save him from the assault. Of racist. Give me an emanuel. God with. Spirit of love with. To hold us to walk with us to instruct us to all us in this time of unprecedented fear. Confusion. I misplaced conviction. In this time of rising hatred and wars upon war. Give me an emanuel because i. Because we are all threatening to give in to our fear. Either in desperation. Interning away and hopelessness and oversaturated overwhelmed exhaustion or in a violence of our own. Give us an emanuel before it is. 2. Amman. The advent season. This build-up to christmas. Is supposed to be subtle. Calm. Mysterious it's supposed to be a reaffirmation of hope peace and love but quietly. By lighting candles. In darkened rooms and singing quiet songs and praying quiet. I don't think. Quiet alone or candles will hold. We need honesty. Not. Brash. Unthinking. But the honesty of our hearts. We need honesty to break us open to remind us of our vulnerability so we can see we all share the pain we care. Otherwise we will feel overwhelmed and we will grow numb. To the aching of the world. The other night at the. Board meeting. I was surprised and told out of distraction by the honesty that john our intern minister showed. John is the quiet one right. The peaceful one right. The buddhist. We were going around the table checking in saying how we were doing and john shared simply honestly i'm tired of all these bleep shootings. What are curse words anyway but magic words. I'm at. I'm glad you didn't say something else. What are curse words anyway but magic words incantations. Cursing is an inherently religious act. You either bless or you curse. Right. I'm not going to ask us to start shouting out curses. In the midst of our worship service we are an intergenerational community do not fear parents. But i'm going to do the unthinkable and affirm. Honest outbursts. We are tired of all those bleach. Shootings. Right. And they don't deserve our blessing. They deserve our curse. Are magic incantation words. That steaks are faithful ground that we stand in ardent opposition. That the peace within us knows the difference between evil and good and recoils in horror at the slaying of human life on men. White lies. Christian life. Muslim life black life. For what. Rochelle. For power for stupidity from madness. We curse what has been taken we bless the peace that shows us there is another way. I read isaiah much as many of the hebrew scholars read him as saying don't trust your fear and anger to lead you. That will only lead you to war. Aha's is scared. Syria. Imagine that. Is looming. A big and a dangerous threat a house is shaking like a tall tree isaiah says be not afraid. Prophet. Don't you have anything better to say. Be not afraid. You must be joking. Right. Did you not see what happened in paris. Be not afraid. Did you not see the news. Black men shooting and being shot white men shooting and being shot salvadorian children riding on the tops of trains to escape games. Parents toting assault rifles and murdering partygoers be not afraid. That is all you have to say for us trust a child will be born. Young woman and that child will know the difference between good and evil trust that. Sounds like. Fiddle faddle. Hari krishna kumbaya. What's that you say isaiah. Kumbaya. It means that really. I always thought it was just nonsense. It means. Come by me. Come by me holy one. Come by me. Just like oh come o come emmanuel come by me holy one come by me i cannot make it here alone. I can't make it. We unitarian-universalist can struggle with this. Come by me concept. This idea of a manual the holy one. We are rational right. We are intellectual. Right. I've been prideful. Like king ahaz. If there's a battle to fight i must fight it alone i thought it takes work for me to recognize that nothing i do is ever truly alone. My life isn't it with your lives. And with all lives this is a kind of emmanuel. And we unitarian-universalist can struggle with the idea that holiness will walk with us. If we're good with the word god. Maybe emmanuel god with is an easy concept for us to imagine. But if not. If you're not good with that. Picture this. Picture. Malala yousafzai. Walking with us. Her spirit of life and love transforming the way we see our world. Or picture. What day of her and shared about that helped portrait day. That our congregation sponsored for the needy in our community. Picture of the connections that occurred throughout the day breaking language barriers breaking social barriers. Sharing a moment of beauty and joy. That too is a manual. The peace that walks within. And with us. When we have the strength. Believe. In one another. And he'll. All that tears us. The holy is with. Sez'i. Be not afraid. Trust before you let fear conquer your soul. Christians believe that isaiah predicted the messiah. I believe he was calling us to see all the. Those we have come to see as profits. And knows that prophecy from within our own heart. There's an innocence within us all that has tasted the curds and honey of peace that knows the difference between good and evil between right action and wrong our child's eyes. As the buddhist might say. Unhampered. By the exhaustion of the world uncorrupted by the fear of the other. On my way in this morning there was a program on the radio and they were talking about how we needed self-defense we needed self-defense to protect. Our bodies. To prepare us in times of terrorist attacks. I believe that's true and i also believe. That we better learn how to protect our own souls. From the fear. Has isaiah told a haas he is telling me and maybe he is telling you that the emmanuel is rising now. Even now in this time of violence that threatens to violate all we have known of peace on this earth. The emanuel is rising. Within. Every time we allow ourselves to feel enough. That we curse. What has been. And every time we allow ourselves to feel enough that we bless. What has remained. Emmanuel. Rise within us so that when we hear the words. Black lives matter. We do not react in fear. That the protesters are trying to take something from. Let us hear what we need to hear and respond with something powerful enough to transform our world cuz that's. What we need. Black lives matter to maybe that's what you need to hear or black lives matter as much as all lives or black lives are holy live because we are all children of god children of this universe. Emmanuel rise within us so that we can hear the pain and loss behind the words and honor that pain and loss with our witness. And are striving towards a world. Where no one will need to fight to be seen as. Emmanuel. Rise within us when we see the syrian refugees carrying all of. Broken live. Rise within us when fear might steal their honest visits from our eyes when fear might corrode are empathy. So that we block their exodus. So that we reject them from sanctuary immanuel rise within us and remind us that yes the world is run through with danger. And compassion is not always returned. Compassion. But only. Compassion. Can save an. Emmanuel. Remind us that we are never. Safety. Is not. But that we. Given. Birth. The power. 2. Emmanuel. Rise with us when we would use the shootings that rock our nation. Has one more reason to engage the same partisan fight. Rise within us when we would think that this new manifestation of horror proves that all along we were right. Whether we were arguing for gun restriction or gun freedom. Whether we were arguing against the building of the mosque or for the building of the mosque. Whether we think video games are the cause or are not the cause. Rise within us when we would use the shootings that murder our children as one more reason. 2. Assert. Our righteousness. Lead us not into partisan rhetoric. But into a shared commitment to upend the powers. Collude. To birth. Emmanuel. Walk with us through conversations that begin with our pain. Not our rightness. And lead us towards healing through love. Emmanuel. Isaiah. We need you now more than ever. Fear threatens to steal our souls for we are on the edge of darkness. But perhaps. A child is for. In syria. In baltimore and san bernardino perhaps a child is born in our own hearts that knows the difference between good and evil. Entrust. But if we act out of love not fear. Peace in some small way or maybe a huge way will be born. This is hope. And it is hope enough. Here on the edge of darkness. May we all trust. In emmanuel. That walk. With us.

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All_Souls_All_Saints.mp3

The days are growing shorter. The wind brisker. The morning darker. Electric lights on impressively fill the void that the waning sun has left. In those dark morning hour. Dry leaves remind us that death is as much a part of our existence as birth. And yet. Dry leaves are miraculous. And their golden colored individuality. In their final breaths of bloom. As albert camus. Autumn is just another spring where every flower. Every leaf is a flower. And in the spirit of this partnership between life and death. Between a falling leaf and a blooming flower. The holidays of this season are born. One morning this past week i left from left my house. On a run. This is a run that i go to. Pretty often. Almost. Every other day. And you'd think i'd know it pretty well. But as i go along the path much of the pass is through. The dark woods. Through. Dance packs of trees and thickets. And i can lose where i am. But there are four points in this run where i crossed over a path. Where i go over another road. And then i make that recognition in my mind that all this is where i am. I've done that much i have this much to go. I know where i am now. Well in this run i was thinking very deeply. About the service. I often do this it's the way i i write my worship services actually it's usually happens in the middle of this run where i know where i'm not. And. As i'm going. I got so deep in thought. That i had no idea where i was and i couldn't remember how many of these pass i'd crawl. And how many more i had yet to go. And you know sometimes when. You're thinking about other things the song will come into your mind and you don't know why the song is coming to your mind but then it really starts to make sense. That's speaking to me of where i am. Well this song came into my mind as i was running and i don't have. As. Well tuned of voices as scott does but i'm going to try and do this. When do we come from. Huawei. Where are we going. When do we come from. Where are we going. Mystery. Mystery. Life is a riddle and a mystery. Mystery. Mystery. Life is already lana mystery. I wonder if you'll join me. I'll sing the first line. And then i'll ask you to follow will go through the whole song that way and then we'll sing it through a couple times. When do we come from. Where are we going. Where do we come from. Who are we. Where are we going. Mystery. Mystery. Life is a riddle and a mystery. All right now all together. Where do we come from. Where are we going where do we come from. Where are we going mystery. Mystery. Life is a riddle and a mystery. Mystery. Mystery. Life is a riddle and a mystery one more time. When do we come from. Where are we going where do we come from. Where are we going. Mystery. Life is a riddle and a mystery. Mystery. Mystery. Life is a riddle and a mystery. I was beautiful. I was singing this again and again over in my head. I was on a path that i knew. That i had run many times before but i had no idea where i was. I was singing still and running when i noticed for deer bounding off in front of me. Reeling in all from this gorgeous site and trying to follow their little white tails. I came. To a road. To one of mine own. Thresholds. And again. As if for the first time. I knew where i was. I was almost. Home. Life is a riddle and a mystery. Replete with chances for all and wonder. Life is often a winding and a turning a run through a thick. Glade of trees. The thresholds. Those experiences. That. Transform us. That helped us to see where we are. That helped us to see how far we've come and maybe how far we still have to go. These gives meaning to the raft. Learning to walk. Making first friends. Having children. Having grandchildren maybe great-grandchildren and then ultimately. Dying. If these thresholds help us understand our lives. Give our lives meaning. Then death. The ultimate threshold that's out there somewhere. May give our lives. Ultimate. Meaning. Our mortality. Are imminent death. Demands that we go forth. Do things. Protect ourselves. And those we care for. It defines the way that we live. And how we understand our very purpose. Recently i joined the minister's retreat where. Five big questions were posed. What am i. What is knowledge. Who are what is in charge. And what is my purpose. And then the final is. And what is the meaning of my death. We were charged with. The task of first coming up with our own answers which was hard enough. And then working in a group of six. To rescan center. Onnit. A task daunting to any group. Was even more daunting to a group of unitarian universalist a group of enigmatically and none to humbly. Proud of their diversity ministers. But we went forth. There was one person who is inclined to christianity. Another to humanism another to buddhism. And others. But as we listened to one another speak. Hearing all of our diversity. 1 equivalent. Sword. On the final question. The christian proposed that at jeff the individual soul unite with the larger soul. For god. The scientific humanist. That energy and elements return to their organic sources. Another that energy and elements return to their. Inequitable sources. Another that a distinct. Consciousness. Unite. With the universal consciousness. We all spoke of a transformation and we all spoke of a threshold. On one side of the threshold life is distinct. Personal it belongs to one body to one set of hope dreams and beliefs. On the other side of the threshold life is embraced by a greater life. Energy and elements by their organic and ineffable sources consciousness by universal consciousness. Life. Bye. All life. We recognize that on one side of the threshold that's gives a distinct. Life. Particular meaning. But on the other side of the threshold. Death allows meaning to be woven. Into the greater fabric. Of life. As we remember loved ones who have died. We illustrate this amazing reality. We paris. We participate in this greater fabric. Of life. Into which they have all been woven. We live in ways that they're alive showed us. We're possible. We tell their stories. In words. And in the way that we choose to live. Our very live. Tell their stories. As the autumn leaves in this holiday season. Begs us to do. May we look within and find their in our hopes. Fears loves challenges stories longings memories. Assembling. Of the lives that touched us. A semblance of the lives that we have embrace. With our own. In this way. We embrace. Staff. We embrace. Life. Recognizing how and in what wondrous ways. Both. Give. Fly. Meaning.

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Gather_the_Spirit.mp3

As ministers have joked for decades when it has time to talk about stewardship. We called a sermon not the sermon on the mount. But the sermon on the amount. But i'd rather spend our time this morning engaging the topic of why give at all. Rather than how much. Yesterday i had the honor of giving the benediction at andrew mccormick eagle ceremony. Andrew is 18 and it's darn near grown-up in this congregation. Not quite grown up yet. But he's grown up here. He's wise and he's proud and complex. He's a gift. To our world. He's why we build community. To strengthen one another. As we grow so we may become our great ourselves. It was an honor to speak at andrews ceremony. And it is with that same sense of honor and expectation that i come to you today. To speak about this community and its future. When you look at it. At a cosmic level. Community is a phenomenon. If the universe is expanding as most of the science presumes. We should be going off in all directions. Rather than gathering together. And forming bonds. But science might help us understand why communities form as well. When the universe was only 500,000 years old. Now it's. 18.5 billion. 13.7. No i'm not talking about a stimulus package. The universe's age. Anyway at the young age of 500000 years old the stars and galaxies had not yet formed. As the bing big bang theory posits the universe consisted as we shared earlier of a hot soup. Of electrons and nuclear out of this hot soup atoms formed. When atoms form. There were slight variations. In density. Which grew into the variations that we see today galaxy. Clusters. The dents adams. Group together. Thing. Gather. That must be what's happening to us. Sin sin the cosmic sin. Means tightly packed. Anatomically. But then sometimes means lacking the ability to learn and understand quickly. Sometimes it's used to explain a dog in determinism to ignore the developments of modern culture. Preferring instead to hold tight. The pathways and behaviors. I'm proud to be done. Sometimes density is an asset. Maybe a better way to phrase it is countercultural. Our culture is shifting in drastic ways. Faster i believe over the past 100 years then it did the full thousand or 2,000 before that. Advances in technology have holy altered our human landscape. Communication developments have transformed our experiences of connection. We talk to distant friends and relatives while walking or shopping. Likely ignoring those people right there in front of us. We type mass emails and click send rather than venturing to the post office to speak to the postmaster and purchase a stamp. When we need a book. We consult the internet. When we do research again the internet. Which is why i got that wrong number. And we miss the interchange with the bookseller or librarian or scientists. Never mind handling all those dusty tones lining baggage shelves. That if nothing else would remind us. That we are connected. The something real. Perishable. And profound. When i was a child my parents and i traveled taking long car rides together. I get bored on occasion but i can find two great joys. One was the interaction with my parents playing those games trying to find all the alphabet. Letters on the sides of the roads. The other great joy. Was watching. I would. with expectation into other people's cars and especially at the giant truck cabs. Hoping that someone would look back. With a nod or a wave. Or hunk of the air horn. Hoping that someone would acknowledge my presence. When they did. I felt an honest sense of accomplishment i broken down the boundaries. Between their vehicles walls and mine. Now when i travel in a car i hope to meet expected little faces staring out of back windows. Like i did years ago. When i do i smile as large as i can and i wave. Excitedly. More often though i see the backs of children's heads. Maybe their eyes are turned to the center console watching a movie. On a small tv screen. Or turn down playing with a portable game. A few months ago when i saw for the first time in a long while a small child use that unmistakable symbol to ask a passing truck driver to toot his air horn. I literally. Pray. That the driver would acknowledge him. Please please acknowledge his presence. Let him know that you are listening and that he is not alone. After a long pause the truck driver did. And i jumped up with exaltation. Just as the child did. But. With a world of experience on my heart that knew just what that leaping meant. It was countercultural. Reaching out. Defying. Isolation. Each one of us has times in our lives when we need to reach out to another person. When we need to confide maybe a health crisis or a relationship issue. Possibly a job loss or anxiety over the current economic climate. We have times when we need to reach out to someone. We know we can trust. Who will listen and offer valuable counsel. Do you have someone that you can turn to in such times. I'm not talking about a casual friend. But someone you can open up with. With complete honesty. Someone to whom you can bare your soul. If you're like most americans your intimate circle of friends and family. Has been shrinking. Dramatically. A research study published in the american sociological review. In 2005 showed a decline and close relationships. So large and rapid. That the data shock. The scientist. I admit data has to be pretty impressive to grab my attention. And the static most certainly did. But just in case the numbers have that magical effect of lulling you into a trance. Just give us one of these. The study was in a large part of repetition of one done in 1985. Essentially both studies at the respondents about the people they felt close to. And ask them. The tally the number of people they knew that they would be willing to confide in. In 1985 the mode. Or the response most given. What's 3. Most respondents claimed three people that they would confide in. And 2005. The mode response. The response most given. Was. 0. The percent of people who said they had no one they could confide in jumped from 10% in 1985. To almost 25%. In 2005. That means that from 1985 to 2005 just 20 years. The number of people who said they had no one to talk to went from 1 and 10. 21 in every 4. In 2005 almost half of all americans said they had one. Or no. People they can confide in. How. And if a person has only one confidant chances are that person is their spouse. Which is wonderful. But this means that ties beyond the nuclear family are dissolving. If i could positive gas for 2008 i would say we've lost more than we have gained. The even now as we enter a time of increased anxiety. An economic instability. The time when we need close intimate relationships more than ever. We can claim even laugh. This for me is a religious issue. The word religion comes from the latin religio meaning. The bond. Religion is at coral response to isolation. Technological advances compounder sense of isolation but. A truth. Deep in our psyche and that's where we need to address it. The playwright tennessee williams lamented. We're all of us sentenced to solitary confinement inside our own skins for life. If what's inside as no chance of getting out if our true selves can never mix and mingle with other true selves. Loneliness. Is eminence. An exquisite voice of our time the poet maya angelou response. We allow our ignorance to prevail upon us when we think we can survive alone. Alone and passes alone in groups alone and races even alone in genders. But if our skins can find us and announce our separateness. What chance do we have to bind. To join together. And to know our brothers and sisters as ken. We song early in the service gather the spirit. Not gather the livers or lungs are arteries. And while the latter might win us more attendance from 10 to 17 year old boys. It wouldn't be an honest testament of our experience. It isn't our livers. The stuff inside our skin that yearns to shake its isolation. They're probably perfectly content being in there. By their lonesome. One recent sunday mary played climbing jacob's ladder. For an offertory i can't explain it but the way she played the note spoke directly to my spirit and lifted me. With a solemn rhythm. And just the other day i was joking with maddie chandler. And logan chandler who had read through my charade smirked. And said. Nice speech though. He was speaking the truth in love. In both instances i felt a closeness emerge from the interchange. Mary's music. And logan's words broke right through my separateness. And spoke to my spirit. Joined with my deep cell. The only thing i have found that builds a space for these precious interchanges is community. And religious community may offer the best ground. Other invites us to commune with one another. In the same space. That we commune with the holy or the beautiful or the good. In the same space that we meet our fears and our frustrations and our questions. In the same place that we meet the birth of children and the death of loved ones. Each with honesty and hope. In the same space that we encounter the competing desires to be right. Or to be compassionate. In the same space that we celebrate morn sing argue offer our hands. And in the same space that we still are busyness. Giraffe. Together. In the profound density of silence. It is in silence. That density become. Yes again i'm calling us dance. But again i mean this in a positive light. And this might be the densest community that i have ever encountered. The density comes from a willingness to gather but not just in body in spirit to gather and see what we can make of our connections. And they will gather by the well it's dark water a mirror to catch whatever stars slide by in the slow procession of the skies. These words are from the poem by eleanor wilner shared earlier by clarice. For me this is a poem about faith. Faith in one another. Faith in our potential to contradict isolation saints and our capacity to find something meaningful. In the embrace of religious community. And here and there some clouds. Well open at last. And let the moonshine. Through. The poem has a staring together into a well. Until the light of the moon a light that represents mystery shine from the darkness to surprise us with its brilliance. As we leaned closer. Swimming up from the well something dark but glowing animus like live coals. It is our own eyes staring up at us. The moon the beautiful mystery has a lean in and suddenly we are made aware of one another's anime. Majesty. Our own eyes have a brilliance of their own. Like the moon they are offering. And they who have gathered around the well take up their long-handled dipper the brass and one by one they catch the moon and the cup shaped bowls. And they raised its floating light to their lips and with it. They drink back our eyes. The universe is. Expanding. Our technology will not pull it back together. Nor will it draw sandy closer to one another. And sometimes i wonder if it will even help us draw any closer to truth. If we wish to gather let us gather around a dark well. Around our doubts and questions around the mystery of this existence. And let us tear into the well either in song or silence as our individual experiences. As well as the presence of our holy commitment illuminate. Our surroundings. Now especially we can use such illumination. I and i imagine we cannot engage in a conversation. Without touching on the economic climate. We cannot listen to the radio. I drive past an empty home without our hearts. Clenching and anxiety. We cannot look at our children or our parents without worrying about their future. Now more than ever we need a place that will stand with us. In our frustration and fear. To remind us that we are not alone. Nor do we have to walk alone. And this time when so much is uncertain i pray that you and all who enter our doors searching for what this community can offer. We'll find some comfort. Soompi. Some sense of connection. And may it be a testament of hope that our community is growing. As if it stood indirect resistance. To the contemporary plague of isolation. I'm convinced. That we need one another. And i believe that that conviction is a religious conviction. And that it should inform. Everything we do. And everything we give. Amin.

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The_Stone_the_Builder_Refused.mp3?_=1

Today's service. Takes its name. From psalm 118. Psalm 118 is a psalm of deliverance. A song of thanks. For victory in battle. It speaks to israel. Precarious. Vulnerable geography lying at the crossroads of travel routes between asia europe and africa. As such israel was often attacked or threatened. Sound familiar. The psalmist right. God i thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the lord's doing it is marvelous. In our eyes. This is the day the lord has made let us rejoice. And be glad. The stone that the builders rejected has become. The chief. So sometimes the stories that others share about us. Show us in a brighter light a more righteous light than we would choose to show ourselves. The storytellers they are the ones that love us that sienna something of worth and meaning that hold us with that agape love unconditional. Just like the love that the universe shines on us or that. The hebrew people were shining on their god with this song of praise. My mother is the teller of these stories for me. Reverend scott has learned to tune out when it's anya story hour in the sandler house. She speaks slowly. And softly. And the stories are there. I'm good really good. I'm an only child. My mother spends tales of my father and her mother but i am the usual suspects in the stories do go on for quite some time. These stories they're all part true and part love. And the part love part has its own kind of truth. There's one she tells of the stone wall outside our house we have one of those new england stone walls that's been there. For many years and it's held together just by the tension that the weight of the stones. Build among themselves and one day my mother was out there weeding around the stone wall and one of those large stones fell on her hand. And she was stuck there because she didn't have enough strength in her other hand to lift the stone. By herself and so she called out and she called for me and i was a young child at the time but as the story goes i came running and was there immediately and reach down and forgot all my childish ways and lifted the stone and carried it off of her hand it was a miracle. I only remember the story in my mother's voice i think i have an image or two from the day maybe but who's to say it's really been preserved for me not by me. It is a story of the way that we can act. At times in the interest of others without pause. Or deliberations simply because it is necessary and good simply because we have. Called. I'm glad to have the story of me because being human. And no matter what my mother believes i am quite human. I often struggle to grasp every stone that i should grass. Ipaws. I deliberate. Planet x i turn away from those metaphorical stones that need my attention my vigilance. The stones that might just be the cornerstones the strength that stability the hope. That i and others. The other evening i was walking home alone at dusk from a restaurant in our town and there are many homeless men and women that call our town their home. But i was still surprised to see one in a place that i've never seen a man sitting before that late at night he was sitting. On a step. On the way home at this apartment complex. And at first i just. Walked past him. And i. Nodded as i went sort of an odd to say hello and to acknowledge his presence but then. For some reason. A conviction moved in may. And i turned around. Sir do you have anywhere warm to go tonight. Oh yes he said. And as an afterthought. He added thank you. Thank you for caring. Two things broke in my soul. In those moments. The first. That blessing of connection a real moment of connection a blessing made. Far brighter. In contrast to the number of times i've walked past. Fearful. Deliberating. What should i say. Afraid to make that goodwill gesture. Afraid to lift. Stone. Amman. And the second thought that broke in my soul. What the heck would i have done if he had said no. Right. The stones that the builders and you and i we're the builders the stones that the builders rejected refuse those stones those opportunities that might break our souls open with connection. Are not without complexity. Not without danger not without struggle to choose them we must choose to step into a struggle of not knowing. Because. Simply. Because. We have been call. Yes you and i are builders. And you and i we all are called to build and to. B life preservers. Let me share a story of one. Life preserver. From the hebrew scriptures. A tale of one rejected the story of joseph. Joseph is the son of jacob who's the son of isaac who's the son of abraham. Joseph. Was jacob's most. Beloved son. Born of his dearest wife rachel. And joseph had 10 older brothers and one younger brother. Now the elder brothers. Knew their father favored joseph. What happens when siblings know the parents favor one child over another. Mcallister. Anna make matters more interesting joseph was a dreamer. And he was touched by god as the story goes with being able to interpret dreams. Joseph's father jacob made for him a robe. With long sleeves. He was the only one with such a robe. This coach became known as his dreamcoat. And joseph who seems in the story to nunnally be without guile. He seems really naive about his brother's jealousy. He tells his brothers of these dreams that he has like the one where the sun the moon and the 11 stars brothers. Are bowing down to him. Many of joseph's dreams. Seem to involve. His brother is bowing down to him. Not. Likely to cure their jealousy. So one day when the elder 10 brothers are tending jacobs flock. Basye joseph who's 17. Wandering around in his dreamcoat. Checking up on them as his father and ask him to do. And they snap. And they conspired to kill him. I need throwing into a pit without any food and no water. But fearing the wrath of god and their father. They are not. To shed his blood. They sell him into slavery. No olling slavery joseph ends up in egypt. First working for the captain of the guard in the pharaoh's palace but. Because of some other jealousy joseph ends up in prison. Now while imprisoned joseph soulmate is a man. Cool pain relief. Becomes a cup bearer. For the pharaoh he brings him his wine. So as this former cellmate is serving the pharaoh the pharaoh is sharing dreams that are perplexing and vexing him night after night dreams of seven fat cows and then 7 emaciated cow and he can't figure it out and none of the magicians at the court have any idea what these dreams are about. And the cupbearer seeing ferrovax. Patel's pharaoh of. His former cellmate fisky brew named joseph. Who was a grand interpreter of dreams. Tufaro calls for joseph he explained. The dreams and joseph says. God has shown me what your dream means there will be seven years of abundance. Seven years of famine. Pharaoh. Thoroughly convinced of the divine origin of the interpretation of this dream not only heats joseph message to prepare for famine. He put joseph in charge of the entire operation. From prison. The second-in-command. The rejected becomes. Exhausted. The time of plenty comes. Just as predicted. They store their bounty. The time of famine comes. Right on schedule. And the people thrive because of joseph. Interpretation. Couple years into the famine joseph's brothers. Home to egypt seeking relief they had heard that egypt had prepared for the famine. His brothers now all think that joseph is dead. So they come into the palace trying to buy grain. And what do they do. They all about him. Cuz he's the man they have to. By the grain from. Now joseph of course recognizes his brothers as soon as they enter but he doesn't reveal himself to them at first. In fact even will speak through an interpreter pretending not to understand what they're saying to test them. And his brothers. Unaware it's joseph thinking he cannot understand they begin to laments to one another. Enter week. Because they feel that. The reason they are in despair is because of what they did to their brother who they think is now dead. And hearing this. Joseph weeps. And. He understands. So much in this one moment his own destiny as well as what god had in plant in store for him in the story. It all fit into something so much larger than human ambition or desire. His exile his imprisonment and is being exhausted as the leader of the egyptian economy. We're all. Part of a larger transcendence plan. And joseph. Overcome with affection releases his egyptian guards working with him because he doesn't want them to see him breaking down in tears he's the chief he has to maintain authority. The joseph. Once the guards are gone. Reveals himself to his brothers. That's the one they sold into slavery 20 years. Everybody weeps and hugs and shudder. And joseph helps them understand that something transcendent held them throughout the time throughout the hatred throughout the selling into slavery throughout the fam and beyond their father's anguish. They were held by something immense. And beautiful something they chose to call god. Joseph is a life preserver he doesn't just save one life he saved the entire society. Like so many tales in the hebrew scriptures. We are shown that religious work is about nothing short of reordering society into more just and equitable relationship. As the giver of justice for pharaoh. Joseph. I can't believe i never really understood this before. I do this. So that none will have to come to poverty. The state's obligation according to joseph story is to prevent. Poverty to look out for the poor the widow and the orphan to be kind to the immigrant. Because as the hebrew scriptures will say later on. We were all once aliens in the land of egypt we have all been stranger somewhere. We have all been rejected. And we all deserve. Deliverance. As it is true as so many aspects of life the stories that happened on the outside in the world around us. They happened just as well. On the inside. And often sometimes the same words can be. Like poverty. This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrivals. The poet rumi. Ijoy a depression a meanness he continues some momentary awareness comes and unexpected visitor. Like joseph and his technicolor coat that we don't know what to do with yet. Welcome and entertain them all says room. Even if they are a crowd of star. Violent. Sweep your house empty of its furniture. Still treat each guest. Honorably. He may be clearing you out. For some new delight. The dark thought the shame the malleus meet them at the door laughing. And invite them in. Be grateful. For whoever comes. Because each has been sent. As a guide. These are some of the stones we refuse as well the stones of sorrow of shame of malice not all the stones meet us on the outside some come from within meet them at the door laughing and invite them in says our poet who is he kidding. Right. We're expected to be strong right. When you leave your home for your office you need to show up ready to get to work and to get things done right. When you care for your families. They need you to be the sturdy one. Right. The strong one the parent the grandparent that is consistent in your compassion right. When you engage at social events. You can't show up sad or angry who will want to talk to the angry young man or the sad sack right. When then. When can you meet the sorrow the shame the eggs. These guests when can you meet them and let them. When i grow weary. When the darkness of these days. Riddled with violence and. Or when my own expectation. Way on me sorrow. Settle. And my first response. It's a turn away. To refuse it. Projected. If i ignore it maybe it'll go away. Hide and seek. The post-adolescent version. If i let my mind grow numb with an a movie or facebook chatter maybe the egg will just subside. Right i see some nodding heads out there but then i wake in the night. Olly-olly-oxen-free ready or not here i come. Says the sadness. And now it is monstrous. And looming. Right. You've been here. We learn again and again in our social life in our work life in our family life that we need to be strong to defend ourselves against these guests these aching. But we were never meant to be. Nor a. When life was carved from carbon and nitrogen complexity. Without diversity life is impossible without hate. I would not understand the power of love. Without. Sorrow. We would not know the power of joy without shame we could not taste the blessing of honor. This is not defeatist philosophy. This is complexity. When i wake in the night and sorrow is looming the first task. To call it. Call it mine. When my father's father died he cried and. Tears day. Spilled. Cisterns. He showed me that vulnerability was strength. As vulnerability was love. Broken open. And invited in. This is paradox. And paradox serves us only when we meet are ache. Face to face. When we think it literally thank it for its presence can it teach us the truth of who we are. And that truth is that we contain more love than we thought a man. That are hearts. They are wide and deep. Vulnerable and vast and inherently connected interconnected. To all life. The stones that we thought the world was throwing at us. They become the head cornerstone. Our strength. Our wisdom. Vulnerability. Can be our strength. I had a hard time. Letting in. The guests that needed to be let in. One particular time in my life. The sorrows that visited me. Made me feel that love was no longer imaginable. I had lost. A significant relationship. I was about to lose. My house in baltimore. And all. I could think about. Was. Curling up. Shutting the door. Not calling any of my friends. This is me i'm talking about. My friends. And just wondering how i could be such a fool to let this happen to. I chase. Away. Those. Pains. That are really. Catalyst for transformation. So in the process of packing up. My old home and moving to my new one i got to my new house in havre de grace maryland. And. I ended up. Unpacking the books that were on my desk for my house in baltimore. I noticed there was a pattern with these books. We were all about. Spirituality. And the history of religion. Now's the time i was in a religious person. When i was a teenager i became convinced in about oh i don't know 1977. That religion was the biggest problem the world had. It was during the time of the rise of the moral majority so-called. And it seemed to me. That to be a religious person was to create. Permission for error to rule the land. But i didn't know. But there were people such as you. I didn't know that there was something. Into which i could pour. Myself. Through which i could find myself i didn't know that if i followed. Where that pain in that sorrow led me which was to the bookstore imagine that. And to stay inside. And discovered that there was something missing in my life my reading list show me what i was missing. And. I ended up finding a unitarian universalist church. And the reverend lisa ward. Who's my home minister who worked very quickly to kick me out of the nest and go to seminary. This was my life preserver. The thing that i rejected was being a religious. Person. And it wasn't until i was able to. Reclaim. That important part of my humanity. To honor and serve an institution. Which honored my own genuine spiritual search. And created what i like to call the mothership. This is our mothership of minister you're all ministers we all come here together to celebrate the notion as joseph says all people are my people. We come together to understand and to serve and to build the better world we know is waiting for us. To show up and build it. Because. We see one another in each other's eyes. And we know because of our own struggle. We know because of our own. Salvation army own path. Do we have come to a place. Where are natural response. His gratitude. And to serve. The holy as we understand it. So that no one need live. In poverty weather that's poverty. Spirit. For poverty. Resources. So i asked. Continue. To serve with the. Meet those cornerstone. And don't reject them. Amman.

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A_Faith_Worth_Sharing.mp3

Imagine. That the universe is a mountain. And the truth. Resides at the top. Abyss. Cosmic mountain. There are many trails that lead to the top of the mountain. Sometimes they cross. Sometimes they are parallel to one another. Sometimes they whine around and around. Seemingly in circles. Some tabs are very direct. They're travelers on all of the path. Some of them stay on the same path. All the way up the mountain. Others try a number of different pads. All of these many paths eventually reach the top of the mountain. I had heard this analogy before. But this time of friends was using it to explain her understanding of unitarian universalism. Focusing particularly on her own explanation of why we are such a relatively small denomination. You see its path represents a major world religion. Hinduism buddhism islam christianity. The list goes on. There are many ways to the truth. And we each have the opportunity to choose the path. It is most most meaningful to us. And all of the paths lead to the top. Except one. My friend added one more pack to the story. She added a path that circles around the bottom of the mountain. She said many people find themselves on this path circling the mountain. Crossing each of the paths that lead to the summit. It is a path that anyone might follow. And for as long as they wish. But if a person wants to reach the top of the mountain. And i'll tell you my friend was very sure of herself. If a person wants to find the truth. They cannot stay on the circular path. They must choose one of the paths that go up the mountain. You might imagine that i felt very sad when i heard my friends interpretation of. Religion and spirituality. Because i believe that unitarian-universalism is not a stopping place on the way to the true journey. It is not a holding pattern or some kind of earthly purgatory that traps up until we can find our way up the cosmic mountain. I believe with all my heart and all my soul. That unitarian-universalism is a separate and distinct. Pat. The mountain. Many unitarian universalist. Arnot. Themselves. Convinced that we are on a path that goes up the mountain. And if we are not convinced. Then how. Can we possibly convince anyone else. How do we convince ourselves that we are a worthy path up the mountain. And why. Oh why is it so difficult. For us. To share our faith. So many visitors to our congregation, congregations, from what a friend of mine called. With humor and a little bit of truth. Hostel. Religious. Territory. Those family members or friends who either do not support our brand of liberal religion or actively try to bring us back to their way of thinking. And so we are face. To articulate. Always as briefly as possible not only a concise explanation of the history of unitarian-universalism but also how are personal faith journey fits in and to answer very many very specific questions about particular doctrinal questions that had meeting and other traditions. I don't have any concrete statistics on this but i imagine that the average american has heard of unitarian universalism first and foremost as the punchline of a religious joke. Did you hear the one about the uu who got lost on the way to heaven. Why did the uu cross. Compelling. Oven if a person has heard of us the response to our name is all we yes i heard of that you're the ones who are allowed to believe whatever you want to. Well that's a pretty definitive conversation stopper. What can you possibly say. Will. Not exactly. Then if we do choose to continue the conversation. Where to begin. And so very often we let it go at that. I believe that it comes down to a fundamental issue of worthiness. If we allow ourselves to be referenced simply as the butt of jokes. Then how can we possibly expect anyone including ourselves to take us seriously. It's easy to fall back on the excuse that it is too complicated to explain too difficult to make clear. And we don't want to be judged. Nobody wants to be judd. So we end up perpetuating this because it is easier than engaging the discussion. And that my friends. Leaves us with a self-fulfilling. So what if we began to be out and proud as unitarian universalist. What if we spoke actively to our friends and neighbors. As congregations. One of the most common responses that i've heard his suggestion that unitarian-universalist actively share our faith. With others is. But we're here we're visible in the community and it's like minded people find us then they find us. But there's no reason to go out looking for. Try pushing pushing our beliefs on anyone. And i do appreciate the impulse that underlies this response. It's important that we don't create our own brand of hostile religious territory. The problem with this kind of thinking is that it does not do justice. To the complex beauty and depth of possibility both. In this congregation and in the larger denomination. Connect right back to this issue of worthiness. If we do not care enough. About what we believe. To share it with others. Then how compelling is it. Really. What are the reasons it is difficult to share our faith is that we don't agree on the use of the word face. We don't have a clear understanding of what that word means in a unitarian universalist contacts. Most often we think about faith is as a belief that is not based on truth. Hebrews 11:1. Does faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen. And that is the king james version of the bible. I don't normally quote but it was the best. Option. In terms of translation. Perhaps this is true for some people. But in the unitarian universalist contact i find that james fowler's definition of faith is much more you useful. Facebook pages of faith. Fowler says that face. A face is an individual's grounding assumption. Fundamental do unprovable. Envolve vision. One commits oneself and live loyalty loyalty with life and character shaped by that commitment. An individual's grounding assumptions. What are our grounding assumptions. We all have them. And so does our movement. Some might say that the seven principles are a grounding assumptions and a case can be made for that. In my opinion though. The principles are really more of a covenant. A covenant of behavior. Ben arce. If you're unfamiliar with the principles you can find them in the gray hymnal. And i encourage you to take some time to study them after the service. The sermon series that inspired this. Service for me. Was something that happened in the early 1990s. Reverend green emser and reverend brad greeley served churches in cherry hill new jersey and devon pennsylvania respectively. They identified six assumptions that are central to unitarian universalist belief. And then they did. Over a. of time they each preached one sermon on each of the six assumptions. And then they swapped pulpit and preach. The sermon for each other congregation and then i believe they did a final turn of wrap up. As well. Cemeteries is published. Bye. One of the congregations i think. And it was given to me by a mentor of mine and i was very. Very taken with it. The first of the the six attentions is the unity of all. This is the entrance dependent web of all existence. Are the connections we feel to one another and to the larger world. Some experience with a deity. Others do not. The second assumption. Is that there is goodness in all. This is the one about the inherent worth and dignity of every being. It is not a free pass to do anything we like because we are good. But an acknowledgment of the potential for good in everything and in everyone. Assumption number 3 is the continuous nurse of creation. Does the understanding that we have the capacity to constantly learn new things. Understanding and interpreting throughout our lives. Is samuel longfellow said revelation is not sealed. Next we have confidence in reason. This is where our experience comes in. Reason combined with experience. Equal critical thought. Is this. Is how unitarian-universalist come to define our personal grounding assumption. The fifth assumption is a requirement of personal responsibility. We are moral agents. Not solely at the whim of other forces. And as such we are accountable for the coherence of our personal taste. As well as our actions. And finally the 6th assumption is the essential nature of love. Which is how we experience the divine. Or how we can feel goodness around us. These assumptions are concrete. Logical. And dare i say it. Universal. They are not acreedor a dogma and they do not directly answer any fundamental questions. What they do is outline a vision for our interactions as a religious community. And they provide a foundation for our personal individual. Belief. Remember the definition from fowler. Faith involves vision one commits oneself and lives loyally. With life and character shaped by the commitment. We are immersed in a culture that wants easy solutions and definitive answer. We want our wrinkles to go away we want to know their gender of our baby before it is born and we want to know exactly what happens when we die. We are afraid to wrestle with the unknown. Afraid to take the risk. Involved in exploring the past. Up the mountain. One step at a time. This fear is completely natural and understandable it is i am sure connected to our basic impulse toward survival and based on the limits of our ability to know and understand. Exactly what is true. About what happens outside of us. And unitarian universalist. Are on it. About. That. Part of our uniqueness. Are essential you eunice. If you will. Is our willingness to admit we do not know if there actually is anything at the top of the mountain. Some of us may firmly believe that there is truth with a capital t. To be found. Others of us believe just as firmly that there isn't. But we have room here to see. And appreciate the beauty. And yes. Also the struggle and the pain. Of not knowing the definitive answer. The greatest gift of unitarian universalism is that each of us can sit in a room with someone who believes the exact opposite of us. And coexist. More than coexist we can be friends we can laugh and cry together. And neither of us need to feel threatened by one another's beliefs. Of course we all know that this happened between individuals outside of uu congregations as well. But for us it is explicitly stated in our covenant. In the fourth principle which reads a free and responsible search. For truth and meaning. But this gift is not enough on its own. It is not static. If unitarian-universalism is going to be a viable path up that mountain. Then we must not simply be sitting next to each other. Silently coexisting. We must engage in deep honesty and authenticity. Engage in sharing our individual face. In order to enrich corporate fey. It is only a gift if we each give give the other. Space to be vulnerable. And if we risk being vulnerable ourselves. If you have ever fallen in love. You may have some insight into how i wish we all felt. About unitarian universalism. Can you remember that getting new love feeling where you want to shout it from the rooftops and dance in the rain. That is how amazing i think this tradition of ours. Is. And i don't say that lightly. I have been in a relationship with unitarian-universalism for almost 20 years now. When i first set foot in a uu church. I knew deep in my gut that i belong. It was love at first sight. And i'll tell you i was a teenager. Not quite i was 11. And i was. Not thrilled. About being dragged to that church. And yet. Here i am. I had that story i knew love feeling where everything was wonderful and endearing. And then as time passed. I began to see the flaws in my beloved. Unitarian universalism began to snore. It began to leave shoes all over the house. And refused to ask. For directions. I struggle with the complexity of this creed with face. It spoils. And my own limitations. But as this relationship grew we became more comfortable together. My connections unitarian-universalism grew stronger and deeper. And the flaws and foibles provided the texture that define my personal relationship with our faith. In a sermon on imperfection. Mary katherine morn. Vulnerability. She said vulnerabilities are what bind us to one another. And love happens because of them. Not in spite of them. This is true about our religious tradition as well. Our vulnerabilities bind us together in our spiritual contact. And there is great strength in that connection. I still remember that giddy feeling. And i want to make it available to everyone. I still want to shout it from the rooftop. I wish that you would join me. Let us shout from the rooftop look at this. Beautiful living tapestry that we are co-creating. It is beautiful it is good. It is worthy. It has the capacity to heal the world. And you are welcome. Here. Now i've outlined all the reasons we should share our common face. But i have neglected to mention exactly how to go about sharing it. And you will each have to find the vehicle that works best for you. I began the sermon with a story. And i told it mostly without notes. This is not something i do often because i don't tend to think in a linear way. Not generally comfortable without notes because i get confused i forget the order of things conflate events and leave out facts. Which turns out to be not very effective. Do as you move through your days as you interact with people in your life. Don't give yourself ridiculously high expectations. You don't have to explain the entire history of the radical reformation unitarianism universalism are eclectic approach to theology the seven principles and how you personally fit into the whole constellation on the first try. Figure out what works for you. If you are a storyteller. Tell us a bird story. Use those little wallet cards that you the unitarian universalist association prince. If you are good at memorizing right out your elevator speech and memorize it i know somebody that has his. Print it out and laminated and he keeps it in his wallet so that he can pull it out whenever he needs it. However you choose to share the information. Begin by finding the place. In you in in our complex and beautiful tradition that makes you giddy and starry-eyed. Don't focus on the information. Focus on the places that animate you. More compelling than any list of facts and figures is a person who has clearly been changed by a community. Do not expect yourself to share our entire tradition in 40 seconds. Expect yourself. To begin a conversation. To whet an appetite. To peak interest in further conversation. Let your love of our face guide you. And rest assured that unitarian-universalism is. Truly worthy. World religion status. We are a path up the mountain. Regardless of what we may or may not. Find. May it be so.

uusterling_org

Creationists.mp3

Liberal religion. Has a project. Therese ink. Santeria imagine. Face. To make it work in an ever-changing world. Alongside technology. Diversity. And science. Deliberately religious recognize something essential. In a spiritual. And an ethical relationship with the world. But they reject the claim that there is only one. Traditional way. To understand that relationship. Liberal religion wrestles with traditional ideas hoping to wrap. From their grasp a bold notion. Of creativity. Traditional or orthodox faith. Both western and eastern. Imagine a supernatural creativity. Of course or a being. As the sole creator. Invade on tech. Hinduism. The oldest. Text. Imagine a pantheistic court of creators. Humans sustained the court. Feeding them with rituals and right actions. But the gods alone determines the forces. And the forms of the world. The hebrew bible originates with genesis. A book that catalogued god's creation of the universe. Adam. The first man is given the task of naming the plants and animals. But this is humanities. Efficacy. God creates. And humanity fits. The words. To the creation. Liberal movement across the theological landscape. Russell some or all of this creativity from the control of the supernatural beings and forces. They assume human and natural. 4. In the creative process. They propose that. Creation is something we can do. I affirm these liberal notions. And propose that we are creationists. Creators. Whose work. Is effective. In creating. And transforming the world. By creationist i do not mean those who deny evolution. But those who embrace. Their creative efficacy. In change. And in rejuvenation. When i was young i was often patted on my head and attended with the praise that i was a creative child. It took me many years to learn that creativity was not my own. But the product of complex relationships. This learning began with my deepest fears. Fear of the dark. Especially outdoors. Walking in my backyard on a dewey new england summer night the darkness was flat. Constant. An unrelenting. The celestial lights. Look like pinpricks. In a deep unknown. They were barely delineating the distance. Existence. Distance existence. Of another space. It was not a place of comfort for me it was the stuff that made me run home as fast as possible and stand at the edge of my door where i would jump the seven-seat to my bed pull the covers over my chin. And wait. For the fear. To go away. Yet when i close my eyes to sleep. The darkness. Was different. My room was pitch dark. With the shades drawn. Adeep almost purple black. And i would close my eyes then and weight. Chloe. But dependably. I would see a flicker of light in the reaches of my vision. I would watch anxiously as the light sumed closer. Spinning as it arrived. It blasted into a flurry like a hailstorm. I need tonight the bright forms were different. Consistent in their dance. But shaped and nuanced ways. In the deepest dark. My hoping awake dreams. Produce. A star storm. Visiting a museum many years later when these childhood. Fears and fantasies were only a memory. I encountered. My vision on canvas. Van gogh's a starry night. Was on tour. In the image a night sky. Is swirled primarily with colors like orange and yellow. And red. Squirrels that nearly cover the dark facade. The night is transformed by the artist's vision. Transfigured with light. A celestial vision in bloom. Van gogh's painting spoke both of my childhood fear. And fantasy. He took the lights that i imagined when i close my eyes. And painted them into the skies flat darkness. He rejected the impossible dark and showed how the distant stars. Have an eminent effect. His vision transformed my reality. Give me a new way to imagine the night. And a confidence. That rests with me. Still. When i tread and darkness. Both physical and figurative. His vision shows me. That light. Is only as close. And as powerful. As i imagined. And i also this transformation to the creative process. It did not come from me. From the preordained reality of a supernatural being. A top-down creativity. Nor did it come from a simple. Relationship from then go to myself. It's more like a matrix. Connections. Stars and dreams fears imaginations ideas paint. Hope. A life of influences that converge. Creating a new reality. In that way. The fear of dark. Was overturned. A unitarian thinker whose work has deeply impacted my own theological journey. Wrote about this sort of creativity. Henry nelson wyman imagined a creative process that works in our midst. Transforming our understanding. And in effect. Ourworld. He assumes that creativity belongs to no one. But that it can be harnessed. By everyone. We engage with others. In the creative process. He rides. That through the act of creation. We see through a million eyes. And we here. Through a thousand ears. It's a magical notion. With a concrete reality. When i look around this room. I see his theology. In action. This building was once empty. It was a relatively simple. Spay. It has become a home for a community. A spiritual and an ethical sanctuary a ground for the work of justice. Auntie. A few items recalled a religious purpose. Attalla. A podium. But the space as a whole. Has been transformed. Imbued. With meaning. Simple changes were were made. But the effect was profound. It was not solely the linen for the chalice. The congregation. The speaker the song the hymnals. They don't alone make this a religious. Space. It is the work. A creationist. The work of a directed and dedicated religious. Community. I've creationists the members of this congregation. Through a million eyes. And hear through a thousand ears. Joining in a creative process. Of in a relationship. Like sir isaac newton admitted about his work. If i have seen further. It is by standing on the shoulders. Abdalian. The giants include. The first humans who huddled around a fire wondering what makes the flames grow. And where the warm. Comes from. A dirt hut. The first. Hall of worship. A scroll in among cell that recorded the intersection of faith and reason. Hosea ballou. The articulator lee universalist who pronounced that all life could attain salvation. William ellery channing the spokesman of american unitarianism. And from the present. Numerous other houses of worship. And spark. Of innovation that enliven the unitarian universalist movement and the liberal religious landscape. And this is just a skeleton view of the interrelationship. The web is astoundingly intricate. It is a web that is powerful enough. To make a bear hall. A place. Of worship. Replete. With meaning. And you know. Somewhere in there i think there's a family of goats. I realized this possibility on tuesday evening while sharing a lovely goat free meal with members of this community at the roaches house. Just about every one of us had a story to tell about goats. And this comes after my time with the search committee we're just about every time we shared we talked about go. So. I'm not here to question the strange motivational capacity of ghosts. But i am here to affirm this community's potential. Something i can do. With the utmost faith. It is a bit of providence that while i've been residing here with you. I've been working through the essays of one of my favorite writers. Raymond carver. In one he deals with the writer. As creator. His expressions conform to my notion of a creative community a community of creationist. That i find here with you. A community that i believe we could grow. Together. He right. A writer sometimes needs to be able to just stand and gape at this or that thing. A sunset. Or an old. 2. An absolute and simple amazement. Sometimes a creator. Step back and enjoy the cleans bottom line of a budget proposal. The table full of potluck goodness. The power that convenes as this congregation stands to link hand-and-hand and read together they're closing words. It is in gaping. In awe. At these wonders. Better community gathers. The inspiration. To sustain. Dreams. Later in the essay. Carver conveys a writer's secret. But they often begin a story. Without the famous gas that how it will end. And yet they begin. A creative community. Like a writer. Relies on face. Our imaginations arvada. But they are not as bold. As the creative process. A vision is necessary. Choosing to go forward together we choose a beginning. And a profound hope. A willingness to walk together but not an end. In this way we have the chance to create something. That exceeds. Our wildest. Expectations. At another point carver rights. Every good writer makes the world over according to his. Specifications. This is a wonderful proposition for unitarian universalist who are certain that if they were in control the world would be a much better place. Creationists reimagine the world. Writers lay that world out in text. Painters in pigment. And a group of religious searchers. In community. Creative power is a gift. It is also. Responsibility. If we are creationists we live in and our our creation. We imagine a dan evolve. Our destiny. This can be burdensome. We have ran. The right books. The authors are in the right places. We offer our welcome in an open in a friendly way. Why have all our dreams. Yet. To manifest. In our creation. Earlier i spoke of the vastness. Of the creative web and process. How this creation is not just our own but is boulder and bigger than we could ever imagine. I want to beg your pardon as i stretch. My poetic license. Every spark of creation. In the web of free thought and rational religion. Collects. And the soul flame. Vitalis. Its brightness is the product of intricate relationships. This palace stands for afar. More. Then we could ever imagine. It lights our path. And proclaimed that we are not alone. Since its birth liberal religion has struggled to make. A stand. To overturn oppressive dogmas and breathe new life. Interfaith. No liberal theologian religious professional or lay member has ever looked at his or her creation. With a contented. Spirit. Restlessness. And perpetual revision. Is part of the tradition. We affirm the free search for truth and meaning. We affirm the search. Not the conclusion. Are face lives in the process. In the tension and the motion of transformation. When we like this challenge. Together. We can recall that our aspirations. Both fulfilled and unfulfilled. Are not a burden that we shoulder alone. But the burden that we share with this. Are great. Tradition. The burden of daring. The-dream. I call us creationists. Because our effects as a religious community far exceed our capacity. As individual. Our creation is far greater than the sum of its parts. Imagine for a moment. Encountering a great creation. A painting. A piece of music. A perfect mathematical equation. A dancer and motion. An enlightening novel. When the creation reaches you. When you are filled with awe. Home depot credit with the experience. Is it the author the performer. Are the artist. It seems to me that it's beyond that. We may be grateful. For the artist. Are all. Embraces creation itself. To experience creation. Is not to experience the artist behind it. But the truth. Of new possibilities. And actuality. A world disclosed a new. Creationist go-forward searching and ready for all. Prepared but not for everything. Aware but not all-knowing. With dreams. Rather than expectations. Startled. By truth. And an everest founding capacity. Not knowing the end. But having faith that together. Standing. On the shoulders. Giants. We can create. Beauty. Entrance. May it be so. Andaman.

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Guest_at_Your_Table.mp3

There is a distinct smell in the air at this time of year. Autumn. Sometimes it's hard to locate it emits the other scent. Permeating our suburban hans. Is that the smell of dry leaves and a crisp breeze or the scent of pepperoni on a thin crust. And the trouble is compounded by our noses. Peculiar preference for sneezing and sniffling as we respond more to the mold covering the leaves. Then the sense of the season. Yet there is a distinctive autumnal sent. And i believe it is one of the sensations that reminds us. Of where we are. How we should feel. And maybe that it's time to buy a turkey. This is my intuition. Neurobiologist presenta more studied case. They analyzed our brains and bodies. And are chemical responses to environment. Jock punks up in affective neuroscience the foundations of human and animal emotions. Gives particular attention. To the brain chemical oxytocin. The simplest way to understand oxytocin is to watch when a newborn baby is introduced to a room of normally sane adults. Cooling and googling in suzanne arms reach indiscriminately in the direction of the child. Infants have a particular smell. Sometimes more pleasing than others. But as we interact with an infant our brain produces oxytocin. As we continue to respond a bond. Increases. If we happen to be the mother. The oxytocin has a more concentrated effect. But no one is left out. The desire to nurture. Has a chemical component. Concept reports. Since there are circuits. And neurochemistry is for nurturance in the mammalian brain and since social bonding in mammals is largely a learned phenomenon. The possibility arises. That humans. Maybe able. To sincerely extend love. And altruism. Towards strangers. It root in our very nature. In our brain chemicals. The science suggests that if we are in the presence of an infant and that infant baby carriage is caught by a swift. Autumn breeze that russia's it towards the edge of a steep cliff we would for reasons of chemical connection at the very least least to save the child from danger. And indeed this would be one of the only situations where altruism would. Holy over,. Where we would not stall to think. Is this dangerous. Do i really like that child enough. And what is the meaning of life anyway. No we would rush off. With this oxytocin pumping. Nurturers. At the ready. There is something about a child. About the bonds of nature and nurture. It relinquishes us from the need to debate. And calls us. To altruism. Concept continues. The acquisition of nurturing behavior leaves a seemingly indelible imprint. On a creatures way of being in the world. We learn to love. Experiencing oxytocin experiencing motherhood whether we are the mothers or not. We learn how to nurture. And a bit about what nurture means we are encouraged to develop social bonds. Walt whitman poetry sizes this experience in his. I thing the body electric. From 1855. I have perceived. That to be with those i like enough. Stop in company with the rest. At evening. Is enough. To be surrounded by beautiful curious breathing laughing flash. Is. Enough. I do not ask any more delight i swim in it as in a c. There is something in staying close. Two men and women and looking on them. And in the contact and odor of them that pleases the soul well. All things please the soul. But these please the soul well. This broad albeit frail window of opportunity may be the best hope. For the future. Of humankind. Concludes our neurobiologist. I spent a few days traveling. In egypt with my family when i was 18. Off on a tour of the pyramids are bus stops midway at a rug factory. The place was impressive. Rooms filled from floor to gut with. Rug. Rooms dancing with light dyed silks and looms. Our guide told us the factories project. For children. They would go there to work from age 5. Learning the trade. They're small fingers indeed were the best. Tools. For the intricate rug patterns. If they stuck to the work they would advance in pay and crafts. Becoming someday respected artisan. When my group continued with the guide to the salesroom i stayed behind to take photographs. At first i was transfixed by the way the light played with the giant looms. Then i began watching the children at work. I bent down to ask one girl if i could take her picture. She looked up at me and said. Money. Little eyes started darting around. Room these. Little employees. We're looking to see if their bosses were near. And each one i passed put out his or her hand and asked. Money. Pleading. Unrelenting the faces that had. Been placidly at work when they were being watched were stricken and transformed. One photograph speaks this experience as well as any words. It dives through a fan of the factory. Through stretch. Threads. And the wooden expanses of looms to fix on the face of the first girl that i asked for her picture. She looks like a child. But nothing like a child. And her eyes are with me. Still. Pleading. As we left the factory we walked past the room of honored artisans. There were three. Below that room on the ground floor over 30 children labored. And i am certain and other left well-kept rooms hundreds and hundreds more. It took me many years before i knew what to do with this experience and honestly i don't think you could ever really know. But i'm getting closer. At first i was angry. Who would let this happen. I raged at democracy. And at the world economy i raged at the parents i read that the wealthy drugbuyers the factory owners i raged at myself. For all the labels i had not read. For all the times i have made purchases without considering the effects of my nonchalant. And none of this raging was without cause but little of it change. Anyting. Our world seems to move so quickly and in every situation astounding numbers of factors are at play we can rarely named one victim and one evildoer. The white and the black hat have gone gray. Yet when children are concerned. We are lad. Maybe buy oxytocin and early experiences of nurturance to stand in resolute defiance of their ill. Treatment. Get how to engage this defiance and respond is less. Clear. Unitarian universalist service committee. Engages in the world. With the hope of ending child labor. They advocate for and strengthen the right. Of child labor. And there is a story of success. Here's the example they provide. Living in a nairobi slum isn't easy for anyone but for a child living in a nairobi slum can be far more difficult. Conditions like overcrowding disease violence lack of access to water few educational opportunities are just a few of the obstacles. A child faces. But the rock women's group a unitarian universalist service committee program based in nairobi kenya. Is attempting to change this fact. The group coalition of over 20 primary school teachers who work in slums throughout the city. Is engaged in a mission of strengthening the rights of the child labor force. And they are making headway in the lives of children there despite challenging circumstances. Mary is one such girl. A sixteen-year-old living in a slum called. Coral kocho. Mary made it through the 8th grade and pass the entrance exam to high school a real feet. But when her mother died. Mary became the chief breadwinner of her household. Working everyday alongside her grandmother in the local open-air market. She had to leave school and her dream of further education. A member of the rock women's group worked in mary school and noted her absence. She look for mary and with the permission of her grandmother mary entered and informal high school in the evening. The rock women's group is also helping mary to take hair braiding apprenticeship. Giving her a trade in addition to an education. Mary has a chance for a better life. Now. If i pass in school she said i can go to college if i don't make it through school i can join the cooperative hair braiders. The teachers are helping me to go to school and also learn a trade i'm happy. Mary is just one of many children who have been helped. Do the informal education and training provided by the rock women's group. In her own words. Slowly creatively. And surely we will. Neurobiologist have proven that our brains and noses are wired to nurture. And yet children are sold into labor or forced to work long hours and dire condition. Something powerful must be a foot. To disrupt. The bond. Of nurture. I cannot accept that there are simply bad people. Do bad decisions and motivations are most certainly factors. But the disruption runs deeper than that. It roots and poverty. In the destitution and vulnerability of a family or a whole plums. Inability to feed. To nurture its own people. It is born in helplessness. In the absence of opportunity. We cannot punish the perpetrator when the perpetrator is destitution. The work the service committee is doing is not punishment. But social change. Rather than resting solely with legislation which is also important. The rock women's group c is a problem and breaks its hold on the society by creatively offering better option. This manner of response pairs well with the recent call that has gone out. To restructure the way the international labor organization is fighting the battle against child labor. A representative of the much decried ecuador banana growers association sums up the dilemma. Just because they're underage doesn't mean we should reject them. They have a right to survive. You can't just say. They can't work. You have to provide alternative. In many impoverished areas child labor is all that protects a family from all-pervasive. Life-threatening destitution. An outcry against soccer ball stitched and pakistan by children led nike and reebok. To relocate their factories and thousands lost their jobs. The sports companies can now credibly claim that children do not throw their soccer ball. But the relocation was only one step. In a much larger mission. It did not address the poverty. A recent review of the international labor organization's report on child labor proclaimed. Instead of preaching the elimination of child labor the ayilo should be recommended to ask exactly what could help to improve the situation. Of these children. Well actually listening. To working tildren and their organization. And beginning a serious dialogue marked by mutual respect. I'm thankful for the unitarian universalist service committee's work on this front. Not that it releases me from accountability. I still need to be wary of companies that promote unjust practices. But i can trust that good work is being done. Work that engages communities and creates opportunity. And today is offering will go to the unitarian universalist service committee. And as well. Will receive a guest at your table box. It's a collection box. And i encourage you to look into the work that the service committee does in our world. To see how our donations can make a difference on many fronts. Are upcoming december newsletter will explain the collection process. Any and all donations do make a difference. And if you happen to have an infant handy. And if any family or friends come by. Flip the donation box interview when everyone is cooing and googling over the tile. The oxytocin is sure to promote healthy giving. We have months. To be thankful for. Are in a. Pants. For connection. The nurture that we offer one another. The hope. That was diligence. And creativity. Our world will change. For the better. May it be so.

uusterling_org

A_Modern_Saint.mp3

Rodger williams. Thomas paine abraham lincoln. Jean adams. Martin luther king jr.. Ralph waldo emerson. Whitman. Kaufman. Reverend was inspired. Black and red brown. As intercessor. Human family. A poet and activist. Wrapped in brightly colored clothes wrinkled. The height of the podium. World ending. When i look at you. Worthy. For all of the people within that room. Heart & sole individual. Spark of divinity. Catholics celebrate all those. I owe gratitude and sergey. Our gratitude of all believers. Or a role model. I can't hold of reverence. I've read the biography. University. And found the biographies. Years later i still feel the holy at work. Is what. Catholic saints of the middle ages walkthrough. And they do not run. Birmingham alabama. When she was 1 year old. Nottoway from. Her travel. You might remember this. Black political radicals. Residential building. To wipe out an entire city block. The black political radicals. Including their children. Are you sure. Neighborhood. Are you saying that in a black neighborhood. How many times have i heard or read the news about a shooting in a ghetto. Eating. But as a murder. Another. How tide is it. Refer. Tragedy. Call zapata. Sentence for andrew. Terry corner. What is near there. Saliva. December mourning. Waking up. Choreographing. You are the sacred water. Not as punishment. Resolve feeling. Because you are the sacred water baptizing. Alone. Baptized. Struggle. Apart. Forward. Stepped off the bus. Apartments. Ghetto youth. On the other side. Slowly. Heart was racing. No other people in the street. And now. Home. And he did. Invited him to participate in the city. Employee creativity. Wondering. I've been there. Shana tova. And other. They are going to go out. Call arthur. Call people. Turn to all of us. Work. I would like to have a last word. Reflections after the march. Violated. Is the world ending now. An earth. Taco life. Rising up in the red white and blue patriots. I am here am i. Arousing. And anna.

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Immigration_Assimilation_Amnesty.mp3

Many associations are being drawn. Between illegal immigration. An economic instability. Between increasing immigrant populations. And decreasing safety. Between immigrants. And crime. Because association's like this are being drawn i feel it is necessary to prepare. A religious response. I say this blatantly for good reason this is a highly charged political situation. But the political forum does not often and compass ethical reflection. It rarely pauses long enough to consider the human element. The inherent worth and dignity of every being. When we begin making claims about people. About how their presence in our world affects our safety our way of life. We are calling into question their worth. As we worship together we are provided a great opportunity. And a great responsibility. We have the chance here to speak. Not about statistics. But about people. And how we wish them to be treated. With this charge. I hope to lead us backwards first. Through our history. So that we might better understand our present. Humans have always been migratory. The first upright hominids roamed out of africa. Across diverse expanses developing the tools to survive. In diverse climates. As civilizations developed in agrarian focus lines of demarcation were drawn. To establish civil borders. Walls were lane. Laws were enacted. Migration. Became immigration. In 2005 nearly 190 million people lived outside their country of birth. 3% of the world's total population. The prosperity and the character of many present-day countries is the product of migration. Immigration. Both legal and illegal. This country is the most immediate example. And our earliest history as a nation teams with migratory instincts. Not solely those of emigrants stealing away from trying religious restrictions famines or political turmoil. But as a body politic. Sold on the dream. Of manifest. Destiny. In 1845. The editor of the democratic review a popular paper. John o'sullivan declared. That it was. Our destiny. To overspread the continent. Allotted by providence. For the free development of our yearly multiplying millions. Providence. Means provided by god. The american myth was that god had provided this land. Land legally owned and passionately cherished by others. For our destiny. We spread west. Annexing winning. Hoarding. Responding to a push through the occupied southlands. The american review another popular paper wrote. In 1845. Mexicans must yield to a superior population. Insensibly oozing into her territories changing her customs and outliving out trading. Exterminating her weaker blood. California the land of rivers running with gold and of giant redwoods was the last claim of western expansion. And a stage. For the first grade. Immigrant. Conflagration. California was itself a stage of embattlement. It's lands were taken from indigenous americans and inherited from spain by mexico and 1821 governed by joint occupancy with britain in 1846 seized by the united states in the mexican war of 1848 then. Overridden. Buy white and immigrant minors in the very next year in 18-49. White miners went west to a brand-new america with big dreams unemployed and destitute they were fleeing oblique fallout of false promises for industrial jobs. In eastern cities. Similarly. Chinese immigrants were sailing the pacific in search of opportunity and to escape the warlords and dustin destitution that. Play. Their country. Americans and immigrants. Both followed tales of promise. This is what the chinese red on placards. Hoisted in the smallest of towns. Americans are very rich people they want the chinaman to come and we'll make him welcome. There will be big pay large houses and food and clothing of the finest description it's a knife. Country. Thousands of chinese abided is tails. Signed up for passage and left for america. In the years that followed some communities in california grew to encompass a 1/5 minority of chinese. It's important to note that the very message that called them. Are not unlike those that call to latin american immigrants today. That call them to risk injury and death to come north to a promise. America has a great honor of being a message of hope. Of being a land of promise. This is a cherished piece of our legacy. And for some. The fruits of this promised are sweet. For others. They are better. The book driven out the forgotten war against chinese americans. By gene salazar. Chronicles a bitter fruit relationship between our western lands. And the chinese immigrants. Food service built our transcontinental railroad and sustained our great western expansion. The story is not easily digested. I've been moving to the book for a week and it's. It's made it a difficult week. It's a history of an embattled relationship. A false promises. Of divisive. Of divisive prejudice. It is a history that we can and we must learn from. When the chinese were admitted it was on a temporary basis. From the start communities were united to secure the well. For white enterprise. The page act of 1875 ban the entry of nearly all chinese women. County and state laws banned interracial marriage our country welcomes workers. Not family. Newly international communities reacted in both practical and racist manners. The wealthier members of the society were concerned that money was leaving. They secured an exorbitant. Miner's tax. Sanctioned by the state. Labor organizations were upset that the chinese would work for so little. And for so many hours. Practices that they assumed limited their chance for a fair wage and a moderate workday. They worked with town and county governments to institute race-based. Initiative. Retrospect shows that many of the laws drafted under the auspice of legality. We're desperately racist. Even criminal. Laws were enacted that prevented companies from hiring chinese workers. Other laws targeted to specific practices of chinese entrepreneurs. Towns where would was the primary building material and the chinese were the only laundry owners wrote codes. That rejected laundries built of wood. Others prevented people from walking down the street with long poles. Pools like those that only the chinese use to haul vegetables and laundry. Ender ordinances were enacted. That made it illegal for four or more people not of the same family to inhabit a single dwelling. Currently. Similar ordinances are being drawn. Or have been drawn in communities across our country. They target poor people. Working for low wages. Without the means to live alone. Or only with one family. They target immigrants. When the anti-chinese laws were not enough violence erupted. A chinese marriage in a mining town in northern california in the late 1800s. Brenda pogrom. That resulted in the burning. Ava chinese settlements. And the driving out of the chinese population. This was one of nearly 200. Pogroms. That occurred between the years of 1850 and 1906. 1 of 200. One victim remarked. Some had poles and they use them to drive us like so many hogs. If any went slow or stopped. I was very much afraid. This is a painful excavation of a difficult. History. Yet it is exactly when this difficult history rings in our ears. And breaks our hearts that we have received a moral imperative. To see that it. Or anything like it. Doesn't happen again. Differences exist between our countries rejection of the chinese. At the turn of the century. And its present dealings with latin american immigrants. For example. The present concern targets illegal immigrants who arrived here without the blessing of legal codes. But they did. Have the blessing of our companies. Incorporation. Jobs were given. Homes were provided. Let's dive deeper into a few more similarities. The chinese flooded into california when their region needed warm bodies willing to work for long hours for little pay. Their toil built a railroad their presents and in turn their commerce secured the success. A virgin in town. And they're inexpensive expertise brought luxury. To the lives of western families who for the first time could relax. When someone else cared for their children. Clean their floors. And did their laundry. As our country erupted with technological industry and our farms grew to industrial-size. Are secure borders grew increasingly. Permeable. Undocumented immigrants fill the holes in our workforce provided the luxury services that busy families demanded and did all of this. For less pay and for longer hours than those of us with documentation would indir. When poverty ripple through the western united states. And the great promise of wealth in the minds of california approved fall. The chinese were driven out. Shortly after the great continental railroad was completed the records of chinese workers were exercise. The pictures were destroyed. They were a means to an end a commodity they were driven out. Now when we face a strange turmoil in our country when few americans are confident with our economy. And discomfort with our political stance in iraq. Which is across partisan affiliation. We too are searching for answers. Many of us are unsatisfied. It is in climate like this one climates of unrest and discomfort. Set scapegoats are targeted. Set a migrant are targeted. They are easy to recognize to group to blame. And at present they wear the badge of illegal. Aligning legal recourse with a social sphere. The religious question remains. How are we called to treat the human being. Whose efforts. Legal or not. Have sustained our country through drastic growth. The people who have lived amongst us. Who are here with us now. Who have become part of our community who are woven into the fabric of our lives. Our history as a country is split. We are a land of promise. We are a country that is witness. It's on. Perpetuate racist violence. And use immigrants. How do we respect humanity. How do we respect the inherent worth and dignity. After we share a him. Who returned to these questions. And share as a religious community searching together. We'll have a chance to to open a discussion.

uusterling_org

Standing_on_the_Side_of_Love_2008.mp3

Imma go our invitation to the offering began a bit differently. A few board members. Share that they were uncomfortable. Relating the opening line that was. We are an ethical religion. They rewrote it as. We strive to be an ethical religion. There is a horrible joke that claims unitarian universalist are great at using more words to say less. I don't agree with a joke. But i can see where it comes from. We like to make sure that we are saying exactly what we mean. The board changed the first lines of the offering from five words to seven. But in doing so expressed a far nobler truth. We are not already there. We recognize that ethics are tricky. Yet we pledge ourselves to the work of making ethical choices. And building at the goal line. When i first heard the song standing on the side of love. I wondered if it could use the attention of a typical unitarian-universalist editor. It relates. We danced to proclaim we are standing on the side of love. A little pompous i thought. And in my head i edited. We dare to consider the potential of standing on the side of love if their intent is a side and if there is ample room for us to join the other hundred million thousand people who are already there. But noticing the glaring lack of potency that the new edited line exhibited. I considered a different approach. Is it possible that we are standing on the side of love. And if we are. How might it feel. One story came to mind. I grew up in a small town that was primarily white. It was lower-middle-class to middle-class. And my parents had very strong open heart open mind values. And i didn't realize until later that we were different than a lot of the people who i grew up around. That we saw it a little bit differently there. And i remember one specific memory from when i was very young. My parents had very good friends that came over. They were an interracial couple. And in the small almost all white town this was the first person with skin that dark that i had ever seen. And i was fascinated. I remember staring at this man the whole night. And when i'm sure i made him very comfortable. And when my mom put me to bed that evening. I asked her. Mom. Can i please please have skin that beautiful when i get older. She said yes dear certainly. Years later i was in the sixth grade. In an elementary school in town. And the memory of this day is scored in my memory. I was walking down the hall and coming towards me there was a woman with very dark skin as well. She was about twenty paces away. And i remember it looking at her i was very envious of her hair. I was looking at how much body at had and the beautiful way that it was shaped and wishing that my hair would do that. And as i was walking toward her i heard a man yell out. You dirty nasty. And i was absolutely shocked. She didn't show any emotion. It was as if she expected. This hatred. I didn't expect it at all. And i was struck dumb. I didn't say anything. To this day i wish i could go back. To that moment in time. Say. Something. Do something. Walk with her hold her hand do. Anyting. But i was dumb. And it was years later that i first told the story and i told it in my unitarian universalist congregation in new haven. The service team was anti-racism and the worship invited us to stand and share our own stories. Telling the story profoundly. Change me. Speaking my truth help me escape from that debilitating. Shame. And since. The congregation and the greater movement of unitarian universalism. Has encouraged me to engage the work of anti-racism. In powerful ways. Has help me return to the work. I've loved. Standing on the side of love is not accomplished in one fell swoop. Declaring a particular value or stance is not enough. Standing on the side of love is a process. And it begins with admitting that we are not already there. The symbol for love is a heart. But there is something uninspiring of that often used flat symbol. At the risk of sounding gruesome. I prefer the vital beating heart. The fragile organ that pumps blood to the whole body that sustains life. That connects. That nourishes that beat. Consistently in a sound rhythm. In one body and in all bodies. Like the beating heart love is active. It is accomplished. In effort in what we do. Effort that the author bell hooks knows well. Her many books expressed her life's work of anti-racism and women's rights. Books that carry passion in every phrase. And all about love she begins with a definition of the force that compels her effort. She defines love as the will. Can nurture our own. And another's spiritual growth. Love. The will to nurture our own. And another. Spiritual growth. We are standing on the side of love. Begin to sound more palatable. Especially with reference to a strain in our religious history universalism. Early universalists and it's country trace their theology all the way back to jesus. Citing scripture they witness. The love that jesus showed to all indiscriminately. The god that jesus proclaimed did not die from anyone. But offered love abundant. The universal has proclaimed that this loving god could not condemn any soul to torment. But would make. Salvation possible. And universal. The ear that the universal esprit. Was an area where many preachers sought to conjure the most hideous and unnerving pictures of the underworld complete with demons devils and scorching flames. Universalist dare do away with hell's fury. And chose to profess instead that god's love. Was on neptune omnipotent. I am honored to be a part of a movement. That recognize divine loves abundance. And through the years continually expanded the image of the divine. To suit. A diverse and inter-religious world. This is a movement that knows love has no bounds. And that it is our calling to learn and engage with love possibility. And i believe that what we are doing here. No it can be easy to get lost in the muddle. Distracted from our vital purpose. Is this love. In one of our inquiries classes a new visitor raised a pointed question. Is the focus here on face. Or on the institution. Do we put our energy into living the religion. Or maintaining the institution. I answered in the positive. But of course we care more about and give all of our attention to maintaining the institution. Actually i responded that we are here. To be dedicated to the face. And then we work hard on our board. And in our committees. To maintain our institution the focus is on doing the religion as best we can. A few nights ago when nikki george michael mazak and i attended the loudoun county school board a session. I gained further insight. On the often divisive struggle between maintaining an institution. And advancing a nobler purpose. The story that john stephen sharer lieur and tango makes three was from many of the events lay attendees a major focus. But as the meeting went on numerous board members voiced their anger that a book about penguins. Had trump. The budget. The county was devised was dividing into a the county was focusing on a human rights issue a civil rights issue a human value issue a poignant dialogue. And ignoring the finances. Hallelujah i say. But some of the board members were adamant. They recognize their primary responsibilities to the county. As maintaining exceptional school. And felt that the budget shortfall would prohibit this end. I understand that. But i believe. That we recognize a different. Shortfall. A shortfall in compassion. A shortfall in the ability to appreciate love and all its diverse. Forms. To see beauty and a couple of male penguins who wanted desperately to nurture life and give love. To dream of a world where the inherent dignity of all is affirmed. We are an institution built for and dedicated to recognizing and addressing this. Very. Shortfall. We are called to hear the story through. To speak with our children about its contents and meaning. And to gather together to discuss with the story and its removal from general circulation in our loudoun county elementary schools means. What it means to us as individuals and to us as a community. We do the stain and institution. But it is an institution that recognizes this work. Work. That i dare call love. And it is a fitting parallel that like the school board. Our congregation is beginning its yearly campaign for financial stability. This is the first day of our drive which our stewardship committee has named. Standing on the side of love. Throughout this month congregants who have volunteered a stewardship visitors will meet with members and friends. Four conversations. And while the stewardship visitors will come with a commitment card handy. They are determined to spend the majority of their time in a deeper conversation. Asking. What do you appreciate about this community. What is difficult for you here. How can this community better support you or your family. What work would you like to see us do together. The money is necessary. It enables us to meet here. The offer religious exploration. To provide professional music and ministry. But neither the money. Nor the programs are the goal. The money that flows through us and generosity. Will flow through this institution. Nurturing our own and others. Spiritual growth. Another bold pronouncement. But i grow more comfortable with them as i work with this community. Just last night we had a dinner for our deep-pocket donors. The people who have given large thumbs in past years. And i came away from what was a truly beautiful open conversation about money. And why we give. Utterly. Humbled. I was repeating the words in my head. They make me want to be a better minister. Love teaches that we can be more. That we can do more. In fact i am quite comfortable standing here and asking that we give. Bowl play. I have never known a more generous group of individuals. Dedicating your time energy and money. To support and sustain this compelling work. And as always it is. Not how much you give. But why you give. The love-in the giving is what makes it compelling. And maybe i am so comfortable asking because i know that this bold generosity. Is the result of a bold knowing. That what we do here. Is. Precious. Not perfect. But growing. Sustaining an institution. That nourishes. And challenges. Recently we've enjoyed the presence of many new visitors. I've had occasion to talk with most. As many of us have. Certainly we are not a comfortable fit for everyone it just doesn't work that way. But what i have heard over and over is a powerful gratitude. I didn't know that a place like this existed i feel welcome here this is the sort of place. But i have prayed for. And these grace's echo beyond our walls. The other day i receive correspondence from an atom's center leader. It was a plea for an area in a religious community to witness the prejudice and hatred that was still being thrown on the muslim community. I responded with my sympathies stated that the unitarian universalist of sterling had long been supporters of the adam center. The area dulles. Muslim center. And asked if there was anything we could do to help. The response i received was a gracious. Account of the power of love. Said it teaches the difference between simply existing. And truly living. The letter concluded. Thank you very much for your care and acceptance it is people like you your community. That makes all i do worthwhile. And when this community responded to the fear and hate being hurled in the anti-immigration debate. Again we receive gratitude. The article that i wrote to express our commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of all human. Regardless of their legal or illegal status. Received a number of responses. A few were caustic. But an overwhelming majority boomed with thanks. Thank you for reminding us of loves place. Of compassion's ministries. Of our overwhelming commitment. The one another as human beings. We are standing on the side of love. A religious home. An institution. That is bound. To a cause. Overwhelmingly. May the energy enthusiasm wisdom. And money. That flows through us. Nurture something we feel is wholeheartedly deserving. Not perfect. But becoming. With every beat of life giving. Spiritual growth. Taking. Love. I'm in. Maybe so.

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?download=%2F2019%2F02%2FWhat_Do_I_Want_at_the_End.mp3

That last stanza of mary oliver's poem is so much about what today. And our worship service. Focuses on. To live in this world you must be able to do three things. To love what is mortal. To hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends upon it. And when the time go comes to let it go. To let it go. When my father died. I found a copy of a letter. That he had written to our at that time retired housekeeper back in 19 7. 4. My dad died in. 2014. Yes. He'd save that letter for all those years. Here is the relevant part. Dear elizabeth. There is a right to death with dignity which every person. Should have and which no government. Should have. And which no governmental organization. Can take away.

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aesthetics_of_imperfection.mp3

I have a pattern. I let my home collect dust and dirt. For 12 weeks. Then just when i can't stand it anymore i clean with a fury. My husband scott gets out of the way. Or snow or hunger can stop me. Only our cat dares stick around and keep me company because he loves to play in the piles of dirt that i've just swept up. Even as a child i loved a good cleaning. But i picked up my habit of cleaning with a fury. Later in life while training as a housekeeper. To seattle right after the.com bubble burst and employment opportunities were scarce. The only places hiring warehouse cleaning services. I was down to my last pennies but i was tired. My first day included homework. I was given a book to read on the art of perfect. House cleaning. I had to read and memorize it all. I was. Quizzed the next morning by my boss while we drove to the first boss. I soon learned that i've been hired by the ultimate cleaning service in all of seattle. One that promised a spot. Home. We scrubbed floors on our knees. Streak. Where are at. Weed on house cleaner tool belt. Stuffed with soap and towels. We followed that good book. We learn the art. About perfect clean. I still remember with. Horror the first flat surface black stove that i ever encountered. My boss was still training me and she stood about a foot behind me. Staring over my shoulder. The stove looked innocent enough. But there was something about its sheen i could not give up all of those streaks. I used a different cleaning solution i used a dry town so i pressed with all of my weight. I could count every hair on my head in the reflection. But right there in the shein a new streak would materialize. It needs to be perfect my boss said. That's why they pay us the big money. Perfect is what expect. I think i beat back those streaks in time. But the battle still remains in my heart. I still don a tool belt of solutions and a mass of towels so i can race around my own home now waging a war with the streaks and the dust bunnies. Telling myself when i forget to correct my hubris. Needs to be. But how to perfectly clean a house. Was not the only lesson i learned from this job. And it is the second lesson. That provides greater peace. Antipas. Towards holness. None of those homes that we cleaned remained in that state for a day even for an hour after we left. Return to a new battle. Entropy. That everything is in a state of decay or transformation. Spoiled. Entropy is a profound force. Are human constructs of cleanliness and perfection are otherworldly ideals. Entropy is of life. We learn the pressure of perfection the pressure of streak-free of dust-free and we make them our own. But entropy is always there. Waiting. That life itself is creative and is therefore naturally beyond are. Control. A hero of mine. The naturalist theologian henry nelson wyman saw how religious liberals. Choose one of these avenues. The center their lives around. He calls the first. Ideal. And the other. Creativity. And ideal centered worldview vision of what should be. This worldview usually includes a code of morals and ethics standards. And assumes that we should work to make these manifest. A creativity recognized is the incredible complexity and diversity inherent in life. And makes an effort not to oversimplify that complexity. This worldview usually includes an ethic of appreciation of listening of learning. And a call to continual transformation. Most of us. Need to give ourselves. In moments. To both. But it is too easy to allow ourselves to be imprisoned by our ideals. To hold ourselves to standards that are beyond our capacity. That are beyond the capacity of anything. Living in this wild unpredictable and chaotically creative. World. To achieve. The reading that rosalie shared spoke of. Wabi-sabi. A japanese aesthetic. That calls us back to the creative world view. Alter here is a testament to wabi-sabi created by trish harris. This gives us. A hint. Sometimes it's easier to understand wabi-sabi. Which is so much fun to say. When you consider its opposite. Which is modernism. Here's a basic comparison. Hobby lobby. Natural material. Modernism. Man-made material. Crude. Modernism. Slick. Wabi-sabi. Impermanent to everything there is a season. Accommodates to degradation. Corrosion contamination. They all enhance its butte. Modernism. Everlasting. Needs to be well maintained. Purity. Is the standard of its beauty. I'm a photographer. I love catching the spaces where modernism and wabi-sabi meet. A solid black rectangular building glimmers in the sun without a streak without a crack. Your eyes follow its clean. Exacting lines. And then you meet halfway up. The imposing. Structure the. Silhouette of a bird. Grasping ascendant shard of metal. You look closer. And you notice that that bird has made an f. There. Has pele that metal back. And stuffed the cavity with straw. You look closer and you see the beaks of the young. The cascades of dropping. The flecks of dust. The dust of life. Staining the shiny. Life is messy. Creativity does not happen without dust. And streaks. The perfect lines of the building manifestations of an ideal are compromised. But for what. 4life. The story i shared in our time for all ages speaks of the same potential. Baseball is a game it has rules you might believe that the perfect game or at least an ideal game of baseball would be played in accordance with those rules. With players adapt at hitting and catching and running. Shaya's father feared that the other players would hold his son to such an idea. Enter the game. Complexity entered with him. And with. It. The chance for creativity. The other players did not respond with clean lines with rules and expectations. Something beautiful. They responded with love. China's father says. That those boys reach the level of gods. Look around the canvas of your life. Where does love happen. If i asked you to draw a tour to remember a picture of love you might draw your mother's warm sweater that she wrapped around you when you were cold. Or you might remember that. Matted cat that. Curls up on your lap. Giraffe. And drool. Are you might draw food. Being passed from the hand of a sweaty rescue worker. To a child whose. Covered in dirt because he's been sleeping on the streets. Santa's house. The aesthetic of beauty in this world. In the hidden places. In the dirty. Complex. Far from the realm of our ideals. It is about finding beauty and ourselves. In the places we have hidden from the public eye. The aspects of ourselves where creativity runs rampant. The message. Shaya's father says. That day those boys. Reach the level of gods. If every bit of our existence was clean and neat. Enter. Where would god. Wholeness. This life is astoundingly complex. None of us enter clean or polished none of us makes it through our years without some bricks. And scratches. And none of us dies without leaving a wake of complexity. Full of loss. End. But who would choose to sweep all that messy complexity under the rug or polish it into an undisturbed. Complexity. That are meant to hide them. Wrap it all up. In some impossible ideal. I've heard from hospital beds. We're beside coffin. It must have been god's plan. Or everything happen. For a reason. I know those answers give tremendous comfort in the moment. But to me they always feel too perfect. Not true to this life. If there is a plan. It's messy. It's complex. It is creative. It's not perfect. At least not in the modernist. Sense. And it's certainly not streak free. The poet wallace stevens muses. The imperfect. Is our paradise. The imperfect. Is our parrot. It is we who throw ourselves. Of that paradise. When we are unable to see the roses of beauty growing up amidst the brambles and the dirt. When we are unwilling to walk through the underbrush of complexity as we've relationships of love and compassion. It is we who throw ourselves out of the garden when we miss the multitude of reasons for. Hours or rdr1. Messi live. We throw ourselves out of the garden. When we refused paradise. 4 it's in perfect. Take a step back into paradise. Try something that you know you're not good. Let someone else help you. Allow yourself to make. Pause a moment. When you meet someone who does not measure up to your standards. Who is not as smart or as strong or. Give them enough of your time so you can see past their imperfection. To their perfect. Beauty. Take a step back. Inter-parish. Almond. May it be so.

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The_Moving_Sea_of_Our_Living_Faith.mp3

For religion to be significant. Has to provide more comforts of community. It also has to provide opportunities for deepening. What i call spiritual growth. And for the casting down of false images of stereotypes which hurts us all. A good religion has to open us to the real diversity of our modern world. For our work as liberals. Liberal religious people is not be competitive with others. To supersede others. But rather to find ways to supersede ourselves. To grow beyond our limitations. Are constricted boundaries. Each and everyone of us. Each and everyone of us. Diversity you see must not end up being some sort of feel good slogan. A word we keep in our back pocket to make us feel like we're broad-minded. Diversity is a gift. But it cannot be a gift. Unless it is received. It is only received when their hands and hearts open enough to receive. And the opening of fists. Into welcoming hands and hearts. Is our spiritual work. And for our second reading please find. Responsive reading number 654. In the grey handle. Deepen ourselves resides the religious impulse. We have religion when we stop deluding ourselves that we are self-sufficient. Self-sustaining or self-drive. We have religion when our hearts are capable of leading up at beauty when our nerves are edge by some dream in the heart. We have religion when we look upon people with all their failings and still finding them good. When we look beyond people to the grandeur of nature and to the purpose in our own heart. So what religion is the root of civilization. What if we touch some of our secret. From any experience of the world. Connection to a sustainable development. So that we may come together music. Call. Bonnie. How are ever-changing world is calling us to move our. Because unitarian-universalism is a living thing. Since there are no creed's. There is no spoon. Stops. Change. Guys and gals i should say. Irrelevant. So we decided on this association sunday. Of which we are a part. Are reflections on how our faces is moving. And how it is moving. The reflections that paul bonnie will share come from their experience general assembly. Merciless from around the world. So. So the other day i happened to be riding. With my new boss. Well maybe happened to be is not exactly right we had just come from the bank and we're heading back to the office. And sentient catholic after 60 years. I thought i'd director down davis boulevard as we passed our church she looked at our storefront and quickly mentioned something about seeing the fairfax unitarian church once. Then she dropped the $64,000 question. What is it that unitarians believe. Recently got somebody to discuss of the elevators. The elevator speech of course is that two or three sentence description that encapsulates what the religion means to you so i had. Some practice. This is what i told her. Unitarian universalism is the combination of two religions. Unitarian and universalist. Universalist believe that god is too good too damn people to hell. Unitarians that descended from congregationalists. And traditionally that god is a unity not a trinity. Try as i might i could not go on to the things i knew i should say. Instead i told her about emerson's address to divinity students. And as we approach the parking lot of the office office i gathered up my courage and told her. I can tell you what it means to me. This religion is very important to me and it's made a profound difference for the better in my life. I first heard something similar from tanya. While she was answered that same elevator question that is joseph priestley district conference. I tell you this story as it reflects a theme i would like to see more of in uu circle. At my first general assembly last year in salt lake city high cast a ballot on behalf of this congregation. For the reverend peter morales. The winning candidate in current uua president. Is the first hispanic uua president. This comes fast on the heels of the first african american president. Uua has never had a female president. But that is a story for a different day. From what i hear from rev morales the current president. A fundamental priority for him is making you you more diverse by appealing to couches whence we don't usually attract people. Blue-collar minorities non-college-educated people. I think this is important work it happening yet in any significant way. Why is that. Well if you ask stranger what comes to mind when you min pin yuvutu her. If she knew anything about us at all she would probably tell you something about our social justice stands. She would say we have very active in the peace movement some gay-rights abortion-rights etcetera. But i'll bet you wouldn't say anything about our religion. It is hard enough for me to say something about a religion after having been inactive you you for 20 years. I am passionate about our religion though. Because it's the only place i can work on my own spirituality. In an atmosphere of love and respect. In community with others. I believe we ought to grow. In great numbers as we should. We must get the word out about how great our religion is. Too many uu churches i find this to be most of it at general assembly. Confuse political action with religion. I'm not saying they don't overlap in some instances. The people will not fly to our churches the way they should because of our stand on ethical eating. They will visit and stay because they are looking for deep spiritual support and community. We need to attract people who. Because our religion saved transforms and helps heal us when we have broken. To me this is the profound question facing the uu face. I believe with ruu president that to grow we need to address the cajun cultural demographics in the country. But to do so we must think of you as a religion first. That is capable of delivering actual salvation to people. This is what will attract people across cultural boundaries. In closing i have great hope for our religion. I happen to believe that new new young ministers. A wonderful job and getting the message out. I have every reason to believe they will be successful. And i have every reason to believe that we. All of us will be successful in making this a religion that matter. So far brought up his own copy. I am a unitarian universalist. Because i believe that people are inherently good. Without the threat of hell. Because i believe humans are spiritual creatures. And can be so even if we don't believe in god. There is a mystery to life. But even as we strive to understand that mystery we accept. That we can never fully understand it. It is powerful to belong to her faith but has been studying and affirming this mystery. For centuries. Are you community provides as mark bella tea set. Opportunities. For deepening. For spiritual growth. And as much as any individual congregation is such a community. General assembly is exponentially more. Ga looks like a big convention with four seminar sessions each day. And 19 seminar topic areas. Plus a huge room full of exhibits and vendors. Because i am your board president i looked first at the leadership and governance session. Then because i'm a spiritual person. I look at the spiritual development sessions. And because i'm a social activist. I check out the environmental and social justice workshop. Then i look at the schedule and have to start choosing. Some of the choices are really hard. Especially because i had to leave some time for the exhibits and shopping. Most of you know that i'm a systems person. I look at processes and procedures and i make orderly list. Some might say this is the antithesis. Spirituality. But i see it as a spiritual infrastructure. Without the committees that keep our facility functioning and our services worshipful. What would our sunday mornings look like. And i see this work itself as spiritual. When any of these committees meet. We keep very much in mind. That we are doing spiritual work. And when the discussion start to bog down which occasionally they do. River nanya brings us back to the spiritual base of whatever the topic is. Reminding us that the work we are doing is really. Spiritual work. Gta offers the perfect opportunity to learn from others. To gather ideas to improve the way we function. Define ways to make us work more smoothly. Here are some of the things i brought back from ga this year. We did not have a covenant for aboard. And now we do. We accepted and signed it at our board retreat in august and we repeat it before each board meeting. It reminds us that we are a team. Working for our congregation. Espiritual. From the adaptive challenge workshop to realize that not all problems have a technical solution. It's sometimes hard for those of us in the it world to acknowledge. But in our world many of our problems don't have a right answer. Our task at church leaders is not to solve the problem. But to facilitate a process that lets us arrive at the best solution for us as a congregation. As we voted at our annual meeting last june we will soon begin discussion. This is the perfect example of a problem that cannot be solved with technical tools. We have all heard the phrase elephant in a room. Most of us are probably more personally familiar with it in our lives than we wish. But it can fit a congregation to. The same workshop said that to counteract this situation. Build into each board meeting a time for members to share uncomfortable concern. We have done that. And while nothing huge has been brought up so far it gives me peace of mind to know that we have created a space for that conversation. And i want to invite each of you to take advantage of this to. If there is something nagging at you. Something you think they could grow into something unpleasant. Come to a board meeting. Or call me or river 9 you or any of the board members. I would really really rather discuss a problem sooner than later. Those problems are few and far between and disappear just because. Make the bowl choice. Congregations that demonstrate major growth over just a few years are designated as breakthrough a congregation. Three are selected each year to present video describing what they did and how they got there. The unitarian church of summit new jersey describe. When faced with a fork in the road do some soul-searching. And take the one that requires some work. The one that puts you in a strong position. This congregation in new jersey chose to celebrate their 100th anniversary by challenging every member to contribute 100 hours of volunteer or community service. And by raising $100,000. To give away. They made the choice and they succeeded. Gru. We can keep this philosophy in mind as we make decisions that affect our future. Attended a membership workshop. This was for professional membership people ministers of congregational life and membership committee chairs. I was the only board president there. It was interesting to listen to people from congregations large enough to have professional membership staff. And i brought back some ideas which i shared with our membership committee. But my favorite idea is based around the thought that our congregations are communities of choice. We choose to join this group of people. To be a part of this big family. One minister said that she includes this. And their new member ceremony. You do not become a member of this church the day you sign the membership book. You become a member the day you get mad at someone or something and you stay anyway. I like this idea because it really captures the sense of family i feel here. You can disagree. And still be part of this here you community. This is not part of my texts but given what bonnie said i have to share it with you. My first unitarian universalist church was in montclair new jersey. And i was part of the people who help the youth. At the end of the year there's a ceremony to thank you. And member of the leadership of the church. Was thanking everybody giving them a hug. And when i got to her she froze. And so i very bold. Took her hand and shook it. I've never seen a human being so relieved in my whole life. And i stay. So you're right. I drive in norma satisfaction from every gi attend. I have missed you other than 3 in the last 10. Why do i like gso. The short answer to quotes. Delete village. Happy sweetheart. Is that quote. For religion to be significant. It has to provide more than the comforts of community. It also has to provide opportunities for deepening. Gan decor by the way. Jay's one such opportunity. I go to ga to deepen my understanding of unitarian universalism. Thanks for the insides of you use from other congregations. I go to ga to deepen my connection to order you used and to our faith. I go to jay finally. To celebrate. Our church understanding universities of sterling. Breakthrough congregations. Weather in new york. And the dedication and achievements of our ministers. Lay leaders. Youth groups. And share with them i will comment hopes and aspirations. But it all begins with community. Remember that quotation. It says. That. Religion has to provide more than the comforts of community. That presupposes that we must have those comfort. Indeed and addison my. Native african dan language said that before you can be of use to any outsider. You have to be comfortable with yourself. So i begin with what matters to me what attracts me do unitarian universalism as a faith. And to us as my faith. Home community. In every culture i know. When you talk to non you use one-on-one. About god or divinity. At some point. They either admit to some doubt. Collapse into generalities about god's will. That tells me that you use usually ism. He's on the right track. Because it recognizes that divinity is a mystery. And strives to make all churches a safe environment in which to undertake our individual search. For truth and meaning. Because of the tolerance and understanding implied in such a face. It should be seen as a religion of peace and understanding. But to be truly a religion of peace. It must be accessible to more people than it is at present. And we must work. To make it so. That is a basis of my attachment to unitarian universalism. The reason why it moves me. My attachment to us. On the other hand. Is rooted in many experiences. But beyond marriott's of shared experiences of all kinds. Some of which many of you would recognize. There is a more personal reason. Wish i knew deep inside. Espiritual. And a gift. The gift i'm happy and grateful to accept. It is something i'm not sure i can describe that always inspires me. When i come here. The easiest way i can put it. He's a sense of security and peace i feel. When i see some of you. The person through whom this feeling comes over me on any given sunday. May not be somebody i speak too often or even know very well. The sight of that person tells me i mean my church home. I do not get this feeling. And i do not get it in any of the sanctuary. That may be a best better explanation for this sense of belonging. I haven't found it yet. But the feeling is real to me. I think my passion for unitarian-universalism nuus to every ga that i attend. Gar in turn helps me deepen my understanding of our faith. Through my interaction with ministers. Scholars community activist. And participation in workshop. That share the experiences of those who put our faith. To work in their communities and beyond. So where lectures. Give initial by prominent american who has made a significant impact in society. Inspires me to give more of myself. And learn to be a better unitarian universalist. Breakthrough congregation that i honored every year because they have made their church is more accessible to newcomers. I'm grown in that capacity to show our. Movement at his best. Encourage me. To learn more about the new ideas that are energizing such congregation. And pointing to a brighter future for all movement. The presentations and youthful celebration of our youth groups. And sebastian. Fuzzy humanitarian causes they defend. Give me hope for the future of our movement. Finally. The dedication and hard work. Of the u.s. staff that organizes g a year after year. And listen to the concerns of our members and mega congregation. In order to improve future gas. Give me a sense of belonging. To a movement that cares about each member. And each one of its members. Congregations. That is a lot to celebrate about unitarian universalism. And there's no better place to celebrate than general assembly. We thousands of words that you use. I encourage you to attend ga in charlotte. North carolina next june. And to end my remark let me add. That. Iga. He's going to have a particular significance for us. Because our own rev and you will get the final fantasy final finishing for ministers is he. Religious equivalent equivalent. Tenure for university professors. It is an occasion when. Grown ups. Make absolute fools of themselves so join us next year. I look forward to that. So the reason they were talking about our association today is because it's association sunday. If any of you would like to know a little bit more about what this whole universe.

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Strength_and_Vulnerability.mp3

When i was about six years old. I decided that i would no longer cry. I want to be dry from then on out. My next-door neighbors were five and ten years older and i never saw them with wet faces. Never read in the face running home for comfort. Never in the arms of their mothers and father. Never. They were strong i thought older. They stop playing in the dirt pile. And they stopped crying. I could do the same. I did not announce this. It was what i had to do i would be strong. I got cuts and scrapes bruises and burns no tears. I was strong. I could banded myself. Sometimes with my mother's help but she knew i would be okay. Because i told her so. If i was hurt. It was on the outside. I did not let it in any deeper than the skin or the bone. One evening i set out with a baseball and a mitt. I walk to my neighbors and i knocked at the door and i looked into the dark house and asked if dougie could come out to play. He would be out in a bit. That usually meant about a half hour or more. The time it would take for his tv show to be over. I found a spot between his yards and began throwing the baseball up and catching it in my mitt. The sun was behind the cloud. Up and down higher and higher watching the ball i could almost lose it if i threw it high enough. Then the small speck of a ball got bigger and bigger and then. Smack. Intimate. Dougie was as long as usual though and i was six. I needed more excitement. If i could just throw it a little higher. And i was strong. So i did. Just then the sun peeked out of the clouds. Wow i must have thrown it high i don't see it anywhere. Then it was huge. And right there. There wasn't time to get my mit up. There might have been enough time to dive. But i was dumbfounded. It got real big. Then smack. Into my teeth. Open now. Looking at the sun. Looking at the ball. Open now. Full of baseball. Angry at dougie for not coming out sooner. Angry at the ball the sun the blood. I am not going to cry i'm not going to cry what if dougie came out and saw me crying. Where's my tooth. Darn it dougie. And that was that. A nerve in my gum was exposed. Blood poured from my mouth. And the frustration of the moment. Caught up with my 6 years. I cried. I cried and i ran home and i was loud. I was mad i was frightened. Then i was with my mother. She was scared. And then calmer. Then i was crying a bit softer. And i knew for certain. That i've failed. I would cry. This is what it meant to be me. It meant that i would cry. And for a while i thought. This meant that i was weak. 10 years later. My father's father. Died. My father is the strongest man alive. I spoke about him some in my last week sermon. His hands are as big as a men who arm wrestle in the movies. He has hands that once. Reached out to span the width of my back. He milked cows for the first. 18 years of his life mostly without milking machines. His wedding ring is too big for my thumb. Still. When my father's father died. My father cried. This might have been the first time he cried it might have just been the first time that i saw. It might have been the first time that he cried so much. First i was scared. But when my mother asked me if i would be strength. For my father. If i would stand by his side and hold his hand. And ride in the funeral car next to him. I did so without thinking. The pain that stream down my father's face was not a paying i could fix. It was not the sort of pain that a doctor or a bandage. Could mend. It didn't come from an errant baseball. As i sat and i held his hand at the wake i didn't try to wipe his tears away. Tears were the one thing in those moments. But it felt like. We could. When i was a child i thought that when i grew up i would no longer be vulnerable. T-pain. The truth is that to be alive. Is to be vulnerable. To live is simply to risk. Dying. To grow up. Is to accept. Our vulnerability. I can say this but i feel like i speak it sometimes into a wind tunnel. Our world seems to mass-produce the stereotypes and policies that say otherwise. One that comes to mind is. Don't ask don't tell. A method embraced by this country's armed forces. This policy asks our servicemen and women to keep quiet about their sexual orientation. Should it be anything other than heterosexual. It's okay. If they will just be quiet. But if they wrestle the pride to show the world who they are. To make themselves vulnerable. The homophobia and hatred. They will be shunned and rejected. According to policy. This policy says that our truth is not welcome. That like tears it should be kept. On the inside. That that is the only way to keep up the guise of strength. We have a difficult time rectifying strength with vulnerability seeing how the two must mingle to make the man or woman. The greek philosopher aristotle said it quite plainly. He explained that bravery. Is necessary but it is if it is not tempered with a healthy understanding of mortality. Bravery becomes rational. He said the same for confidence. How it must be tempered with humility or else it becomes. Stupidity. Any would have understood how strength must be held in balance with vulnerability. Or else it becomes inhuman. Tall tall building. Can offer a metaphor. Like tall trees. Tall buildings must be able to sway in the wind. Thumb as far as 1 m. If they don't the wind would literally push them over. The earth. Forces like it's winds are tremendous and our greatest engineering feats must work with them. Be vulnerable to them. If they hope to sustain. I doubt it's very comforting to be at the top. Of a tall building. Swaying back and forth a m at a time. 85 stories in the air. But it is exactly that swing. That keeps the building. From crashing down. Strong humans to must bend a bit. As the forces of life. Play on our souls. I heard an interview of an actress a few days past. And she was being asked to share about her experiences of having to cry and movies. This gifted and confident woman remark that it made her terribly uncomfortable. She explained how public tears. Make everyone uncomfortable. And how they pull everyone's attention. To the crier. Have you ever had the experience of crying in public. And having someone bring you water. Have you ever brought someone water who was crying. I have. It feels like you have to do something. And well water that's logical. We all need it. And if the tears keep pouring down like that they're going to be dehydrated. We want to do something. Anyting. To make the pain go away. The fix-it. And thank goodness for ingenuity the desire to fix problems has led us to many great seats. But it leads us away from some. As well. Sometimes we can't fix the pain what then. If you're standing on the top of a tall building and a swift wind blows the building. He will sway with it. You are present to the vulnerability of the structure. Sometimes when those we love hurt. We can sway. With them. We can be present. To the vulnerability that lives in them. And in us. And it is amazing ministry when we honor the vulnerability as well as the strength in others. Saying go ahead. Cry. Go ahead and scream. Yes this is difficult and no we cannot fix. Everything. But we can sit here. And sway back and forth. Pushed by the weight of the world. Together. Many of our creation stories honor our vulnerability. From egyptian to native american. In some humans were created by tears. And other the life-sustaining waters came from tears. And others the raw earth was transformed and brought to life. B e r. This one is from the maori people. Into nothingness the gods arrive. Ran genui the god of the sky and papatuanuku. The goddess of the earth. They embrace. So closely that the earth and sky are joined together. They also have six children. But ran and papa hold each other so closely. That their children have no space. To move about. They can only. Crawl or just lay on their side. In one moment. Papa raises her arm and the children see a brief glimpse of sunlight. Once they see it. They want more. Each child struggle to pull their parents apart. With work. They succeed. The earth and sky are now separated. Forever. The grief-stricken ran and papa cry tears. That continue to flow as rain from the sky and miss. From the earth. And at this. The world. Is created. It is with strength. And vulnerability. Metlife. Is born. Please by all means fix. What can be fixed. Honor the strength that thrives in our hearts. And know that what cannot be fixed. May fall from our eyes. And our friends eyes. For our father's eyes. Tanaris. Something else. Maybe a new earth. May it be so.

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Sermon_100712.mp3

Writer comedian willie allen says that. It's not that i'm afraid to die. Just don't. What is a unitarian universalist. Well no one is. Tell to a creed about this we do affirm that death is a natural. Experian. Even as we may hold rational. Younger in life or seemingly healthy york. Out of the blue. Nothing to do. And our inner child screams. He cried a personalized a reason for why illness or injury or death comes in a specific way or time. Because we just met. He have a. Sean and gucci. Figure it out. It is. Citizen cuz we did not pray enough we're brought. Too much negativity. Maybe we can correct those defects and change. But i feel this does is that it turns the holy or goddess god into a cosmic light guard. Yeah. going to you. No not her you. What do you mean you didn't do it. I saw what you did and frankly everyone around you probably felt. Rabbi harold kushner. Amazing books. Particularly one called. When bad things happen to good people. But i don't think he's going to put it out anytime soon. He says we find proof of god. Precisely in the fact that laws of nature. God has given us a wonderful precise orderly world. And one of the things that makes the world livable is the fact that the laws of nature are precise and reliable and always work the same way. We're not going to get into quantum physics. The changeling. He goes on he says our human bodies are miracles not because they defy laws of nature but precisely because they obey them. Are digestive systems extract nutrients from food. Skin helps regulate body temperature by perspiring. Etc. Laws of nature treat everyone. They do not make exceptions for good people. Work or useful people. The man enters the house claire someone has a contagious disease he runs away. It makes no difference why he is in the house. He may be a doctor or burglar. Cannot tell the difference. Laws of nature do not make exceptions for nice. A bullet has no conscience. He does a malignant tumor or an automobile going out of control. No matter what stories we are taught about. Daniel. Protect the righteous. Campari. God does not cause it. Cannot stop. He goes on to say that insurance company. He says i consider that a case of using god's name in vain. I don't believe in earthquake that kills thousands of innocent victims that reason is an act of god. It's an act of nature. Nature is morally blind. Without value. Not caring where what is in display. But god is not morally blind. I could not worship him if i thought god was. God stands for justice for fairness for compassion. For me. The earthquake is not an act of god the act of god is the courage of people to rebuild their lives after. And the rush of others to help them. Federal way. Whatever happened. Perhaps victim to god if we study the laws of nature.. I don't know why one person get sick another does not. I cannot believe that god sends still mr. specific person. For specific reason. I don't believe in a god who has a weekly quota of malignant tumors to distribute. Computer to find out who deserves one most or who could handle it fest. What did i do to deserve this is an understandable outcry from a sick and suffering person. But it is really the question. Or being healthy. The better question is. If this has happened. Is there to help me. It becomes much easier to take god seriously as the source of moral values if we don't hold him responsible for all the unfair things. But is that presents that is with us. And in our rebuilding. We also affirm that we all have the same old mistake. Whatever that maybe is universal. Our forebears affirm universal salvation of all and therefore heaven for everyone. Eventually. Sometimes they had a little. In our day we are more likely to affirm the nickname that universalist were given by there more orthodox detractors which is the name no heller's. Are universalists forebears and now we you use affirm that there is no hell or eternal punishment. I believe i can save the sincerity answer you didn't really ever you you would affirm this. Nineteenth-century unitarian universalist minister, start observing. Universalist believe god is too good to damn them the unitarians believe they're too. Probably if you hang around here. One of the beliefs that defines religious liberals as such is an emphasis. And a certainty of importance of the process as a mean. Rather than insult. How we get somewhere affect quality. Saucony the way you live by. And i'd help it affect the quality. The way that we face. I strongly feel that the beliefs we hold. This is no less true about our views of death on maybe an afterlife than anything else that you have faith. For example i know that i have never seriously contemplated suicide in part because i have a deep fear of having to come back and do it all over again. Maybe i'm just lazy i don't know. To some this may seem silly but i assure you that for many of us there is a sincere do not learn our lessons or try to skip out early so to speak. We will be back. Hawaiian them until we do now this may be the product of. This may be in school but. Our lives. For example if are you adapting what happens afterward is a highly individualistic nature send we will tend to view likes the same what. Unfortunately any active seeking freedom from awesome. It has been that many. This distorted individualism usually elevates the individuals of the top of a pyramid value rather than trying to find a balance of interdependence. Fortunate is that this type of radical individualism. Since you breed a growing isolation from others. Mistaken notion that we have to do things on our own or else. It says the goal is to be self-sufficient. He says that we are born alone we live alone we die alone. It's a lie. No one can walk that lonesome valley usually what we fear in our own deaths and grieving the death of others is our lost. It is the loss of the. There is also a fear of losing. Greece may be particularly poignant for those of us from healthy families. For we have not yet come to terms with the reality that someone our parents our sibling. He's not going to me. Our needs. This is. That person is alive or dead. Sudden death we are forced to confront this reality. In this way we may in fact be given a gift. We cannot get our needs. He can begin to meet our needs ourselves. And with others in healthy way. A source of hope for many of us is that even with the death of a loved one we can change. And how we. Relates to the interior presence. In our lives. This is actually a good reminder that the only thing. Is ourself. Is how we relate to others and. Standard time trying to change others. He get caught in codependent. Behavior. And we're probably going to be. His other people just don't do what we want. Hey buddy bands children. Is unitarian universalist. Embrace the idea of an ultimately optimistic universe. We have reflected that in our first principle. If all are worthy. We're all in this together. Unitarian universalist leopold the democratic process by which equity justice and compassion are manifest in our relationship. And this includes. Has john donne wrote about death. But we believe that death affects the way we live. Online. We have a belief. In death or an afterlife in which there are hierarchies and stratifications. And it's probably going to produce a vision of the world. I think that essentially the only promise. Is the promise of a more abundant life. It's our understanding of death. Hopes up to be healthier. Liberated. Killed a person in community. Cherish. But if an understanding of data limits our willingness and ability to love or to be kind. It makes us afraid of ourselves and others. If it threatens the very bombs of our solidarity with each other and all that is. It is not an understanding. Or god or the holy. Which. In life and death and we are not cut off from each other. Even after. Seventh principle the interconnected web of all existence of which we are apart. We affirm just reality. No matter how we view the death. An afterlife. We are always connected to each other. And as part of the cycles of nature or through the survival of the spirit into heaven of all soul or through some form of reincarnation or many others that we can explore speculate on this side. Event horizon. We are apart of a world community. Checking backwards and forwards. Through all the generations. He died not alone. Exist. Not alone. However we understand. Holy. Whatever may exist beyond. We are each other. In this life. And for.

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Sermon_082210.mp3

Couple weeks ago. Was attending our. Regional. Summer institute the southwestern you use summer institute in oklahoma. And at that gathering our district executive susan smith rev7 susan smith. Cold us unitarian universalist. The people of the promise and the struggle. This resonated for me i think 4in for a lot of people who are there. What i take away from this is that this means that we are a covenant o'face. Working for equity and justice in the world. And i want to start unpacking that a little bit this morning and starting with a promise of a covenant of faith. Okay so what is a covenant. Anybody out here. I promise. Okay. Commitment. I'm hearing a lot of money. Agreement okay. So a lot of lot of things in the general sphere of your things lot of satellites going on there around. Are my colleague jorge camacho beach rice that the word covenant signifies a framework. Within which the intentionality takes effect. I like that covenant signifies a framework. Within which intentionality takes. Affect. That's not just a promise. And the reverend robert latham who i think leave here served as an interim minister here many many years ago. Defines a religious covenant as a quote compact among a group of people which states their mission and how that mission will be transformed into reality by their life. Stewardship. So it's not just at mission vision thing. It's about how we're going to make it. Real in the world. This is in fact not the same thing as stating you believe for a purpose those things made out until any pledge or commitment to fulfill or carry them out. A covenant on the other hand is explicit. And its intention. Will feel its purpose. Latham writes that while purpose calls for an empowerment. Of its vision. Covenant. Empowers its vision with. Commitment. Covenants ask and answer to basic questions. Why have we come together and. How are we to be. Together. What are the purposes in making this tree and mutual agreement and in that light how do we go go about living with each other. Consequently covenant a living confers identity and feels community. Our own. Tear that we spoke in earlier in the service. For this congregation. Says that love is the spirit of this church and service is its law. This is our great covenant to dwell together in peace to seek the truth in freedom. And to help. One another. Now i'll probably spend a sermon sometime deconstructing that for you but right now. Know that that is an important. Statement for this congregation. For this specific. Gathered community. Covenant. Clarity. Crucial. On all of these questions of why. Al. If we do not know why we are together. Then we will lack focus and direction. Some of you experience this in your work life. You get things going and then you have no idea why you're doing these things. Some of you have experienced this in previous religious commitments. Other organizational involvement. Sometimes even in personal relationship. H salt. Somehow loses its flavor and we will. Often very likely fall back on formality and habit and structure is the central organizing principle of our collective existence. The motto of this kind of group or relationship is traditional sacred above all else and we have always done it this way. Maintenance of the structure becomes our purpose and our source of identity. Because there is no underlying focus or purpose. The threat of change to the ossifying structures is perceived as a threat to the existence of the community itself. Emily's settles over the group and it becomes inward-looking and narcissistic. We may have a beautifully made chalice but we have no fire. Now one of the things that. We understand this religious liberals. Is that sometimes because we may find difficulty in defining the why of why we're here together. And it's not just because we want to believe anything we want. But because we have the difficulty sometimes we rely on. Structure on habit on the way we do things where is ironically some of our conservative brethren. Who has very clear ideas of why they are together. Very fluid relationships with. Tradition. Is in habits of doing things their ways of worshipping. Institutional structures can be very very fluid. From one year to annex in order to try and accommodate that. Clear sense of things. When. People join a unitarian universalist congregation whose purpose is clear. Handheld high they understand why they are joining. Without this understanding a non-critical groups religious purpose is vulnerable to being reshaped. Into the images of personal agendas. On the other hand without clarity on how we will be together we lack security and trust with each other. We do not know how to manifest the purpose we have agreed upon. Communication can be holding and garbled at our energies are often diffused. Communities in which there is a lack of clarity by members about how they will be together are usually small ineffectual and distrustful. We may have the fire with thousand sons in our chest but we have no way to give it shape. In the world. Without knowing how we are doing we have no gauge for our actions. Some builders without blueprints. Sailors without charts. And stars and. When our covenant is clear about why we are together and how we will be so we know where we want to go and how we will get there. Together. The visible out workings of our covenant are our ministry. Visible outworking of our covenant are our ministry. Reverend latham writes that ministry is covenant in action. Ministry is covenant. In action. It is. Covenant. Stewardship. And the only appropriate gauge for measuring the effectiveness of ministry is the covenant it seeks to embody. No implicitly or explicitly explicitly a covenant expresses our collective understanding of what we hold to be of worth and value and what our relationship is to be. Get maybe a brief. Belief in divine salvation through grace. Or our inherent worth and dignity and the interconnections through the web of all existence. In this the purpose of covenant community is to call us back. Into commitment to our chosen relationship when we stray. From it. In a call to worship. I did earlier the words are from the poet rumi. Cam-cam whoever you are wanderer worshiper. Lover of leaving. Ours is no caravan of despair come come yet again come. But there's another part of that poem which sometimes gets used it as a desiccant. Do you have broken your vow 1000 times. Call. Whoever you are. Wanderer worshipper lover of leaving. What that sells is that in covenant. If somehow we fall short of it we may still. Strive to re-engage with it to be part of that relationship. We are not driven off from it it is not about a failure of some. Affection. It is. That effort. Be back in relationship. The whole biblical narrative. That eyes i was taught to understand it is one of people falling in and out of relationship through covenant. With themselves and with their god. So covenant is not about making a promise and then if somehow we stray from it. We are forlorn and forsaken. We may have to make amends as we know in 12-step but at the same time it is away. Understanding being held. Translate. And yet firmly. In creating or joining a covenanted community. We enter into. Commitment with each other and our covenant it is the act of entering. A unitarian universalist congregation covenant that determines when someone becomes. A unitarian universalist. Know how many of you ever heard other justina transversalis they just don't know it yet how many of you have actually said this more than a few yeah. Yeah. I probably done at 2. The reality is just like any other group there are no you use who do not know it anymore than there are baptist methodist from masons. You don't know it. Public entry into commitment with our covenant announces the point of which. Someone become. A unitarian universalist. This is not mean that those who have made the commitment and somehow laps are not you use. They're simply inactive but they have had to at least first make the commitment. You can't. Ba something-or-other with ashley. Without actually being a something-or-other. Can't be a non-practicing you you without first becoming a unitarian universalist. So there's opportunity for you there in a little spiritual discipline to catch yourself saying. Well if that's the case why didn't you invite them to actually become one right. Okay. If it's so obvious. Help them become more educated. Is unitarian universalist congregation. We are the direct inheritors. Institutionally and philosophically and theologically. The mayflower compact. And. The leiden compact of the pilgrims. As institutional descendants of the pilgrims and puritans. Through the congregationalists standing orders of new england and through our unitarian forbearers. Who became the standing order in much of new england. We have a claim to this part of history. We have an identity and roots in the democratic miss of the western tradition and are not simply eclectic borrowers who believe whatever we want. We didn't just merge sweet generous out of the mind of some new-age guru. What's his claim to history. This is important does not legitimate. The claims. The covenants have on us as religious liberals. He would be contrary in fact for us as religious liberals authority from tradition. Alone. Since that is exactly what liberalism. Came into being to reject. The idea that well it's always been done this way there for that's the way it must be just what we emerged 22 express. Dissatisfaction with. Part of the point of the whole enlightenment. But just because our forebears did it we should do it. High point to history not for authority but as an example from our own past. You can also claim the importance to us a covenanting because it seems to work. In the long-term. That we are simply better off using this model of relationship. While it is true that if a system doesn't work we won't have to worry about it for very long. Because it won't stick around. I believe it is equally invalid for us to claim authority for covenanting amongst ourselves they solely on its apparent practicality. Well is it attracted it is attractive to look at the bottom line of the efficacy of a method. Success is not a moral barometer. Corfu logical justification. This is one of the problems we have with the corporate bottom-line mentality we're dealing with in our world. Just because something worse doesn't mean it is right or divinely ordained. There are many functional systems. Which are inherently evil and oppression. Weather. It is through covenants freely and mutually entered into that we recognized. And exercise our freedom of will and choice. Since we are also called to recognize the free will of others. And our responsibility for the obligations we recognized towards each other. In particular and in general. Has adams said earlier in our reading like all that church free which enters into covenant. The ultimate source of existence. That's the staining and transforming power. Not made with human hands. It binds together families and generations protecting against the idolatry of any human claim to absolute truth or authority. This covenant. Is the charter and responsibility and joy of worship. In the face of death as well. Covenant themselves and their very nature and body very basic theological understanding that we as unitarian universalist hold dear. First. We all have free will to make sense of and express our understanding of our relationships with each other. And that which we consider of ultimate importance. Secondly we each have value in and of ourselves which must be recognized and respected by each other through our obligations to each other individually and collectively. Heard our emphasis on the ways we will be with each other as a process and not just as a means to an end. Is a manifestation of our understanding that existence is incremental. Constantly evolving. Revelation he is not closed. And consequently we do not know what will happen in the future that revelation a possibility or not closed or preordained. We can assume neither damnation or utopian progress. But have hope and optimism in the limitless possibilities of existence. Covenant we call each other into free and responsible commitment. To build our common good. Latham says that since covenants involve a pledge to make purpose reality it is a commitment of the heart. And all human resources follow the hearts lead. The non credo congregation has no ground of authority except. It's covenant. The centrality of covenant is the non. Religious religions life. In the sun is the source of its strength. And power behind is social witness. As such it is the sinequanon of unitarian universalist existence. No we talked about coming to grips. And this is a very particular way of creating. Things coming up groups are way of manifesting or making real in a regular practice. It is a spiritual practice to engage with each other in a covenanted group. Within a larger community to discuss and learn from each other's views and lives. The purpose of covenant groups. Is. Part of the church's ministry. It provides a structure within which amendment members can minister to each other. Covenant groups encourage people in their spiritual growth and help them develop relationships of substance and depth. The subject matter of these groups is the members. Lives. Covenant groups are a spiritual practice and a sacrament. A right relationship. Among members. And between the group. And between. The individuals and groups and the church. Spell. Those are not familiar with these covenant groups there about 6 to 10 people who meet. They're led usually by a trained or experienced late leader. And i usually meet twice a month for an hour and a half to two hours in someone's home. Covenant group serve to enrich our community. With the sort of conversation and attentiveness. That can be difficult in the busy life of a congregation. How many of you have spent years serving congregations this one or others or in other organizations where all you do is the hurry hurry ding ding of getting stuff done. And you don't ever talk about religion. Or values. Or the things that are important. Sometimes i find unitarian a little more willing to talk about sex than they are about religion. Shirley murdock killing time at both of those in money but. We'll work on that. These groups come together to listen. To each other but they are not there to solve problems. So those of us who are sort of problem-solving ranted especially lot of us guys. Somebody ladies to. Have to. Not do that that's a spiritual discipline for us. They're not therapy groups and they're not encounter groups. Each group's each of the groups makes and abide by a covenant the defines the group's relationships to the church. And to each other. Each of these groups includes listening without interrupting starting on time. Ending on time. Regular attendance and confidentiality. Covenant group members are supportive of each other but. These groups are not support groups. Remember is annie the other group members may provide assistance as a way of connecting with each other. The caring committee or myself is a minister. Can also. Fill in as needed with those things. Covenant groups are though a part of a caring religious community. The church. Groups are expected to also. Take onto service projects a year. For the church and or in the churches name for the larger community. So it's not just about sitting around and doing navel-gazing or. Self-talk. Sessions are planned. Plans are provided for each meeting. Some topics for spiritual. Denature they talk about joy trust faith. Prayer. Life and death. Others reflect universal human themes mentors loss forgiveness humor. Members respond to the topics by sharing their personal experiences and views. Covenant groups are not study groups or debate teams this is why there's no advance preparation for these. You just show up. What else in your life right now just show up. The focus is on respectful listening reflection. Creative interchange. Amongst members. Expectations include commitment to participation. She give attendance at these group meetings a high priority. Commit to listening to each other to other group members. Just paid in developing and confirming the group's covenant. Had to give church attendance a high priority. I don't hear what he say well i couldn't make it sunday because are coming a group that on saturday night and just went so late went so well we didn't see any purpose and showing up on sunday. Not going to wash. So. There is a covenant group sign up. As i mentioned earlier. In social hall. Hang around for the sessions after church today. And placing people in groups in general for the long haul. The primary consideration is the day and time which people are available and as new people sign up their welcome into a group that has openings. And by the way let me be very clear these groups don't come into being and then just perpetually go on forever and ever and ever. E-scripts. Come into being they may be slightly fluid if you don't like the group you're in you may go to another one. And then. At the end of the year. Please stop. We formulate new groups. Should we get to know each other. Ladder. Not just deeper. We are. The people of the promise and. The struggle. Historian conrad right says that unitarian-universalism is a covenant of faith. Become together not around religious dogma or creed that unites two walk together toward a vision. Are the beloved community as named in our statements. The principles and purposes as well as the vision of our congregation. As named. How we walk together. Holding and honoring our congregations. Diversity. Is a challenge and the value of covenant. I hope you stay afterwards and participate we will begin these groups at about noon. Has you use let us remember that we have a deep history to draw upon to help us. And in our covenant with addition. Perhaps we will find more maps. Encompasses and stars and ships. By which to approach the shores. Of the beloved community.

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20130901-Sermon.mp3

Okay i'm going to start right off admitting that we have a problem. You see we have these perfectly good words that mean more to us than dictionary definitions and attached to their syllables are memories and emotions that. Some of them are good and some of them are bad but if there are more bad feelings and good we reject the words we put it in storage or we use it pejoratively. It's the other way around we use the word again and again as if it were truth with a capital t. Before i get into the sermonizing i will give you a secular example. Mother. Wow did you feel that you feel all of those thoughts can pouring into people's heads did you feel that explosion of pictures and memories each head filled with a different variety of remembrance and sentiment good bad worrisome. Some words even influence how we act i for instance would never eat at a restaurant that had in its title or in its advertisement the phrase. Home cooking. When i hear or see you at the explosion my head just screams run there's a reason you see my mother fell in love with a pressure cooker when she was very young and everything we ate except possibly dessert was cooked in it. Chop suey. Can the pressure cooker. Steak. And the pressure cooker spinach. Home cooking now. The same reaction to words and i know you've experienced yourself happens all the time in church. The word pray comes through the sound system in half if you automatically bow your head and close your eyes and the other half screws up their mouths and determined resistance during wide-eyed at the prayer. You hear the word god and i kind of felt that little hiccup when it's 15 into the last verse of our first him this morning so you get the picture this is why today i'm going to start by defining poo of the words i'm going to use today. So that you don't spend half of the morning arguing with yourself or with me about what they might mean. And miss the good stuff. The first word is religion. I'm here to tell you there is no agreed-upon definition to the word i discovered that in seminary i thought that was the best joke i've ever heard. agree what religion is or means. It's one of those words that can mean anything you want it to mean just like alice in wonderland. So go ahead and use it use it with impunity. I'll tell you what i mean by religion for the day's purposes. And that's how each of us consciously and contemplatively respond. To life's experiences. If you would cry when a loved one dies that isn't a religious response it's an emotional one. But if over the course of time you contemplate the deaths that occurred in your life. Explore the idea of death with others gather wisdom from books and from teachers so that you have a sense of meaning and empowerment of how you live. Knowing you will die. That i believe is a religious response. Also today i'm going to talk to you about theology and one definition for theology is the philosophy of religion so you see why it had to attempt to define the other word first. If we can agree on those two then i can go on and give you my reflection. When i was in seminary the expectation was that each of us would develop each of us that we're going to become ministers would develop a unified theology of our own so that we would always be able to say to our parishioners here's what i believe i've done a lot of theology over the years but i'm not sure how unified it is. I keep changing pieces of it. And i get as i gather new wisdom. Still i think of myself as a theologian because i continue to do the work. The philosophizing the building of my own theology. Many of you think that that's the minister's job i happen to think i think that it's your job to. I see theology is putting together a huge jigsaw puzzle looking for pieces that fit the holes match the pattern complete a section of the picture. But it has to be the picture that you. Are working on. I believe that is the key. And what i end up with is what i called wisdom scraps. That's those little pieces of paper i copy quotes on or scribble observations on that i tear from larger sheets of paper at hand and stack on my desk until i find a place for them. And when i'm ready i tried to build them into my theology like a collage. Overlapping them intersecting them. And with each addition i believe i understand a little bit more about life in general and a tiny bit more about truth and meaning. But i find i cannot do it alone. I don't think you can either so i'm grateful for wisdom where i find it. In a book in church and people watching and listening to other people's stories. This is what i call living by theology. And i'll give you some examples. One sunday afternoon a couple of winters ago i attended a concert held in the church that i was serving at the time. I had come late and i didn't get my usual seat in the front row so i found a place in the jury box that's those those permanent fuse that on the sides as many churches we called them the jury box. It's right up against the wall that separates you from the emergency exit. And we have something similar to your candle thing except it's on a folding screen and all those little cups. That hold the flame for the joys and sorrows are placed in this wonderful rod iron screen. Well that scream folds up when they put it away when something else is going on. And there it was ready for the concert stored against this exit wall. I glanced at it looked away and then was drawn back in disbelief. Four and a half hours after the service had ended that morning after the screen had been moved out of the way. One of the candles was still lit somebody's joy or someone's sorrow was bravely pausing out its jubilee of life. I got out my calendar in which i always take a pencil in an extra piece of paper and i wrote myself a note. A wisdom scrap if you will. About the candle. So i wouldn't forget. Now that looks candle had no meaning and itself you know that don't you. It was a manifestation of a physical process of oxygenation made possible by combining fuel the candle wax. With the feeding mechanism for sustaining at the wick. Edible for containing it. But because i have the habit of theology admitted great deal to me it had connections to me someone i knew or someone i had seen that very day. Had lived it. Because of a story that is a part of his or her life. And important enough to make a physical effort. To emblazon a candle. It had symbolic meaning. Hope perhaps courage individuality community witness symbols that are all a part of my theology. And it reads religious questions for me as well why this candle and not others what is the meaning of life and death which candles apparently had as well as humans where is the inspiration for hope. At the end of the concert. The candle was still lit. Inspiring in me the twin sensations of all and mystery and providing for me a very theological afternoon of happy contemplation and wonder. One of my easiest and most favorite ways of gathering with some scraps is through reading. And while i read theology books specifically for their content i also read novels. So that i might add other life experiences to my own. I recently finished reading the night circus by erin morgenstern i recommend it to you. The first quote i wrote down was this. The circus arrived without warning. Not everyone will be inspired by the same pieces of wisdom i will give you that right away. It might not sound like much to you but it brought to my mind that some of the best things in my life had arrived without warning with no planning or exertion of my own. My most recent job the one i most recently retired from to move to fort worth calling me out of my second retirement to get paid for something i love doing cane like the night circus i didn't plan it i did not even apply for it. One day the circus arrived without warning and i simply bought a ticket. The quote also reminded me of the very c logical concept of grace. Gifts from the universe that we received without warning without asking. Often without even deserving. A wisdom scrap for my collage. Pay attention to the circuses that arrived without warning. You probably know that religion religion of all kinds is full of paradox. Inconsistencies absurdities contradictions and sometimes impossibilities. And you have to wonder why. I believe it's because life is full of the very same things. In another book i just finished re-reading the art of racing in the rain by garth stein i was inspired to transcribe this wisdom scrap. Paradox 2 mysterious circuses. What you manifest. Is before you. To me it says that we are co-creators of our own lives. We didn't create ourselves we don't know why we're here but let's not waste time speculating we have the power to become who we wish to be within the confines of our physical manifestations. In the story. The line was said by a race car driver to explain why some drivers come out of spins. And some don't. If you the driver. Look to the wall he explained your car will probably crash into the wall. What you manifest. Is before you. If you concentrate on the track even while you are in a spin you will likely be able to get back into the race. Don't look for the bad stuff. Don't look at things you don't want to happen. What you manifest is before you. If you manifest fear you are more likely to fail than a few manifest confidence. If you manifest happiness you are more likely to overcome grief than if you simply follow if you manifest an open heart the riches of the universe not the gold but the real riches. Will become apparent to you. If you leave your life entirely up to god. Well don't come complaining to me there are no guarantees of course the writer didn't say what you manifest you are sure to get no that's not even good theology. What you manifest is before you gives you a pass to walk down. Adore tanacon. Theological possibility to live by you see how i do this how i take these wisdom scraps. So that i can live by doing theology. Everyone can do it. But let me warn you it's not a one-time deal. Creating theology for yourself. Is a lifetime vocation and it takes practice. But if we share what we create it's even better and even easier we don't have to write a whole book to have wisdom scraps we can give to one another. Every life. Has them. The night circus was rich with wisdom scraps. Here's another one from near the end of the book. The truest tails require time and familiarity. To become what they are. Well of course. The true is tails are actual lives and they sell them in the way they started out we need time. And familiarity patients in abundance to learn to be ourselves and to love ourselves. And we need help. Lots and lots of help theologically and secularly. That's why we need to tell our stories to keep them before us to test their truths and to become familiar with paths that we have chosen. That's why we need to find acceptance for who we are. And models. For who we might become. Because the truest tails do require time and retailing until they are familiar in order to become the truths that we live by. And morgenstern reminds us that we need to tell the whole story of our lives not just the good parts. She asked this is not the dragon the hero of her own story. Old dragons abound my friends theologically and actually but even dragons can learn to cover their mouths when they belch fire if they are theologically adroit and wellground. Anna ministries retreat recently one of my colleagues tried to get a theological discussion going at lunch time. It was six of us at the table and she a relatively new minister thought that she could get us to know one another better and so she asked us. Do you believe in god or two of the people at the table said yes but they said it reluctantly because they didn't want to be criticized for not thinking rationally. I'm two of them said no but reluctantly because they could have been criticized for being irreverent. It was a group that didn't know one another well. And when she asked me the one with the longest service and therefore a longer practice of living by theology. And a great joy and saying what's on my mind i said to her. It's a non question to believe in something presupposes is something that exists. Thereby avoiding the question. Fifth however. I accepted your question my response would have to be which one. I understand the god concept which is that what you consider is the best the greatest of the utmost you can imagine striving toward. It can be addressed as metaphor like father god creator god or whatever is the most high and necessary to you. For me it is spirit of life and spirit of love. Possibility and potential but that's about what i said. And that's when the discussion really got started we were doing theology with one another. Everyone has an opinion based on their experiences their face their beliefs. Everyone has at least one wisdom scrap. And most of us many more. And stephanie calluses amazing story sing them home about a welsh community in central nebraska she offers this wisdom scrap at the beginning of the book. It is so hard to explain what the dead really want. The living are constant source of exasperation. The living pathetically obsessed as most of them are with calendars deadlines delivery and expiration dates estimated hours of departure and arrival with measurements quota statistics. Xqxq this energy for lack of a better word that frustrates the dead to distraction makes them so nervous that they jump out of their skins if they had any. The dead simply want to be on distracted. Made you want to read further tonight. The dead play a huge part in the story nevertheless. And why did i include this among by wisdom scraps. Because i think our options for thinking and talking about death. Our own and others. Are so limited. It isn't that we are in denial about death as many writers have presumed. It's that the existing explanations for it in many religions. For what comes after it are so. Unimaginative so much like this life except for certain supposed perks. Which i for one don't see is so great lying around on golden streets i don't know. That it seems silly for us to take such an arduous trip for so little value or variety. Before this wisdom scrap my favorite one about death was i don't know if there is an afterlife or not but i'm convinced if there is my response will be wow i didn't think it would be like this. How many wisdom scrap like calluses. Mix death and dying much more palatable contemplation to have with more leeway in your considerations than just heaven versus hell. And to have a little sense of humor. About it. My my final theological lesson of the day comes from a wisdom scrap out of elizabeth elizabeth berg's latest novel once upon a time there was you she is describing a lioness in the zoo. An old gal who spends much of her time lying in the shade and letting her keepers feed her and keep her clean. She is not sick. She is still beautiful in her own right. But berg explains. She has earned the right to stop running after things that don't want to get caught. I added it to my theological collage because it helps me to put into perspective my most recent decision to retire to move to fort worth in order to be near my daughter. Ministry is hard work even when you love it. You know that because i know that you do ministry of one sort of inner or another in your lives you go out into the world and you have courage and you support the faint-hearted and you honor all people. And i say good continue to do it do as much personal ministries you can and as well as you can. It makes for a useful and a very satisfying life but let me tell you this old lioness has learned earned the right. Just stopped running after sings that don't want to get caught. By retiring i simply exercise that right. Not that i'm not still a lioness. If some tasty little rabbit comes walking by i will reach out my papa and grab it which is why i'm here this morning something like being involved in creating covenant circles which is what i do at westside unitarian universalist church in fort. I'll do that ministry i will continue to manifest what i want before me i will continue to tell my story and ask for the stories of those around me. I will quicken to the circuses that arrived without warning and i will attend them until that last circus comes into my life. I will find blessings in the candles and the people that glow be on there a lot of time. I will continue to create theology and i will continue to learn from it and to pass it on. And my advice to you. Is that you do the same. It makes for a much more interesting life. And it ensures that people and ideas worth paying attention to. Our part.

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Reading_1_091111.mp3

The weight of terror. From anthology called restoring faith america's religious leaders answer terror with pope edited by the late for us. Church. Quest church in self has written. Adidas part of the sermon that he read. The candlelight service. 34 hours after the first plane struck world trade center. Holy half of the 800. Warners look handles. In memory of calling neighbors loved ones and friends in washington dc where the priest. New york city. How precious life is and how fragile. We know this has rarely have before deep within our bones. I am not certain how much more we know right now our minds and printed with someplace a horror our hearts bereft to the unimaginable loss. He faced a newly uncertain. Future. Sign have full blown away. The future as we know it is dead. Long after the smoke clears from lower manhattan in the banks of the potomac vision will be altered by the horror of september 11th. No longer can we measure human accomplishments by technical standard of living. For four years at least you shall be remembered by sue things above all others. One conveniently ignored the other too often forgotten over decades devoted to material progress. Unmistakably and forever inoculated against innocence by this full-scale outbreak of terrorism virus on our own tool. As a nation we shall be known by steadiness of our resolve and leading the war against perpetrators. And sponsors of terrorism around the globe. And as individuals truly now members of one in bottled body we shall be known no longer. Are the symbols of abundance and prosperity. Hurt by how well we learn to recognize our own tears. One another's eyes. Hope your answer hopelessness. Only had only. If from sacrament of his sacrifice. Channels for one another through which our faith. Play flo and wells of love which brought much-needed comfort and you scream. The chinese ideogram for crisis. Supposed to word pictures danger and opportunity. Even those our grief. Measured by our love. The danger we now face suggests a commensurate opportunity. The word crisis is used in the theater. It doesn't point to some terrible occurrence but rather to the quandary that follows. Fenugreek. The word crisis means decision. In the wake of this tragedy. It is the decisions we make that will shape our character into degree drive the plot of our lives will follow. He trying to decide decide to the angry vengeful hateful. Becoming like our enemies poisoning. Anyone. Poisoning the well. You can also decide that we won't do anything that the world is hopeless and go back to our trivial pursuit as if tomorrow were no different than the day before yesterday. Or we can rise to the challenge and pledge our hearts to a higher calling. We can answer to the better angels of our nature and join in a shared struggle but only against our foes are the world closed. It also on behalf of our friends. Our neighbor. We can listen more attentively. Is there nature center the voice of god within us. Never be cool. You can heat it surgeons. Acts of kindness and deeds of love. Never forget this. Never forget. Email sent by a employee the world trade center. Who just before his life was over wrote the words thank you for being such a good. Ingrate chrome. Never forget the man and woman. Holding hands as they left together to their death. Headhunting and to the memory of your heart. The future as we knew it. He's no longer. How no. At the very worst of the human beings are capable can bring out the very best. This day forward. Remind co-host aspects of irony. House of the former while aspiring to the ladder. Face the darkness. And yes today. Ascend hartford.

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20130714-Sermon.mp3

Morning. Several different activity for me to be having this conversation with you it's a pleasure on one hand not to be talking to you about church business. On the other hand. This is really stewardship you know. The care of ourselves. And of our elders. In our congregation in our lives in our world. Is the topic that i've been thinking about talking with you about for several years partly because it's related to the work i do. Psychologist that work with elders mostly recovering physical injury and illness elder. And because i'm becoming one. Maybe i'm already there. Show. Therefore questions that are in issues that i wanted to discuss with you and i wrote myself some notes but i'm not going to read to you. I'm going to have a conversation with you except i'm going to do most of the talking. So are you old. How do you think about that. When you think about age and yourself do you do you think of yourself as an old person whatever that means to you. Sometimes i feel that way and about myself and sometimes not so much. I've of a dear friend that i work with who somewhat younger probably in her 50s and has several grandchildren and describe to me. Going to the playground with her grandchildren and the grandchildren scrambling around on the various apparatus. And she said i look at watch mothers of children that age and they're sort of sitting chatting with each other grateful for a few moments to have an adult conversation. And me i get up there on the apparatus with the grandkids and crawl around with them. And she says i don't. I feel like a spectacle sometimes but i don't feel old when i'm doing that with my children. Rancho. So i suppose it depends a little bit on the contacts. In which we are as to whether we feel old now certainly you get up in the morning and as the anonymous readings suggest you look in the mirror and you wonder who is that person. But take a look for example around the church. You know where do you where do you place yourself. On the line of episodes we line up our birthdays from youngest to oldest. And you remember those old mathematical formulas mean median and mode. You know the mode being that clump where most of us are involved are largest population than and the mean being the arithmetic average. You know but if you have five people and four of them are 40 and one is one and you add them together and get an average it's 32. It doesn't tell you much. You know. On the other hand you say what what's the medium of the median is the middle one. Where are you on the middle-aged if we lined us all up ru-ru on the younger the older end. Where do you find that you fit. How about it work. You go to work and perhaps you're a new employee you know i came to. To texas. At the age of 60 and frankly i didn't know if i was going to get employed. But it turns out that among my eight or nine colleagues that work in the same practice group i'm the eldest. And people. Talk to me as if i know something. Frightening concept from time to time. Sometimes people seek you out even when you are younger person in your work setting they know that you have some new technology you have a perspective that is a contribution waiting to be made. And even though you're not seeing your your person that is sought out because you have something to give him something.. Well how about in your family. You know if you're in. Typical household you know perhaps you're on the older side of who lives in that particular household. Not so much in my household. My mother-in-law is actually here today is 95 or going to be and occasionally when she and i are having a conversation sometimes. When you go to a family reunions. You remember that time when you were about to embark upon decisions or. Make choices in your life that work seemingly important. And your family implied or said to you but you're not really old enough you have enough experience to make that choice yet. What something i've actually discovered along the way. You know when you were 25 and you thought you knew everything. You know i had it i had a doctorate when i was 25 and i thought was pretty hot stuff. Not so much. You know that you're at a point where you discover that the maturity of experience. The shared benefit of learning something from your peers and from those who are younger. And certainly from your elders. Is an opportunity that you want to take advantage of as opposed to rappelling is unneeded advice. That way that we were perhaps at times in our in our past. So one of the questions then is. How are you about being an elder. Remember the church language is different about elders and deacons you know that deacon's of the people that take care of the facility and elders of the ones that. Offering dispense spiritual guidance and leadership. So it's sort of depends on the context that you're in doesn't it. As to whether you are consider yourself. To be on the older side of the younger side or what do you feel like your junior even though perhaps you're older of an edge your junior experience. So. Thinking about how it is to feel yourself agent nose talking to one of my dear friends earlier before the service and she said to me you know. I don't like to think about agent. I don't like to think about my friends aging i don't think it likes to think about my parents and i certainly don't like to think about the end of life. And there are times when probably we all have that sense about how we are about aging. Aging is something to avoid it's hurting some joy thinking about. But here's the thing. You can't avoid doing it. If you're still around your aging. Talk about with me and you're mine. Elders that you have known. People let you know in this congregation people have been part of your family people that have been mentors to you people have been examples to you even though you never met them. You find yourself saying ouchy. I like the way they're doing that. I like the way they think i like the example that they sent or on on the other side please let me avoid being like uncle joe. Sometimes you know that old bumper sticker that says be nice to your children they'll pick your nursing home. And occasionally i terrorize my family my wife and my children by saying i'm going to be your worst nightmare is an old man. Hey i'll be the lecherous over hypo hyper sexual guy that pinches everybody that walks by. And creates a complete embarrassment. I mean i hope i don't but. Sometimes it started sounds like fun. So when when i come to church and in virtually every week you know i see bob bader here i see betty moore here i see cynthia maddox and doug has here you know people. Ar. They're here. Don't like presents. You know it doesn't matter what the subject is that matter whether i'm talking and we have another guest speaker patrick's in the pulpit. They're here. Like standing witness. To the aging process. In an exemplary way. That makes me think. That's something. That's important. Occasionally i have clientele say to me. I don't know why i'm still here. You know what what's the point of later life. I said that like i've got the answer. Elders in your family thinks for a moment. How about we talked a bit about church and and the advice and counsel. You know i've got to an age now where i actually am grateful for the council of younger folks. Account on elena a lot you know or. Sarah or. Dick hillenbrand or or john eldredge new expertise in the nra's our bookkeeper. There are answers that i don't know. And i've got to ask somebody who knows this stuff. And it's not. Who has a perspective or piece of information that i could. Hopefully graciously try to incorporate and make some sense up. But think about elders in your family so will you post your grandmother was it or not and uncle about your father do you go to the ball game with your father did some of the druncle take you fishing. Did your mom. Give you some bit of wisdom that you carried with you how do you think about those people in your family. Who were significant influences. I can from pretty small family i'm an only child my mother was an only child my father died when i was eight. I had two older siblings my father was born in the 1800s. And was going fairly soon after so. What do you do when you don't have elders in your family but you know the answer right you borrow somebody else's. You know this somebody else's family somebody else's father somebody else's. Aunt or uncle. Do you watch tv. And you watch. Ozzie nelson on television. That's how old i am. Buffalo bob smith remember buffalo bob's. If you don't look it up. So what did they offer you. That made some difference in it. Like i said certainly there are some elders that we say. Wow. Please deliver me from that i don't want to i don't want to look like that i don't do that. And on the other hand there are people who who are still creative contributing. Vital. Interested. Human beings. Twice laid into life. And who still are interested. You know there are times when even evening. It'll be my mother-in-law now on me. My wife perhaps is got a late meeting and and. To tell at the dinner table at our house often times when it's the three of us this conversation between mother and daughter and and i'm sort of paying attention but i'm not into grill 22 the conversation. Sometimes i am but not always. That one is just now telling me. The conversation is different. There is a. Talk you know. And we do talk. And she's as interested in what it is that i'm doing or what's happening at church. What's going on in my life. Has anybody among my friendship group. And we have good conversation. It's a good thing. So there are elders from our past their elders in our presence. That are of significant influence in our lives. And not necessarily somebody just be tolerated. But someone from whom you can still draw. Influence example knowledge. Something that means something to you. By the way that's one of the first parts of what the answer about. What do you do with later life. So. That's my mother-in-law. 1941 to wish she and two of her brothers she waited until. Until the marines would accept women women didn't do in the service then what they do now. But my mother-in-law wanted to be a marine. And so she is. You noticed intensive after. Marines educate me and telling me that. When you're a marine you are always emerge. One of her brothers didn't come back. The others are brother that i knew. And. That's pretty good picture. Stupid. Hourly. So i've been pretty lucky about it was. Nails actually my second in while i was married before and my father-in-law. They're on the right. Albert trask. He's actually a month older than my mother-in-law. Not related not the same family or anything that he lives in southern illinois. Hippie 95 in september. That's pretty good huh. A while back one of my daughters got married and i hadn't seen my former father-in-law for quite some time now he was probably 85 at the time. And he was with my wife and other members of the family in. The rehearsal dinner at the far end of the room. And i came in the room and he trotted across the room and gave me a hug. I like so i cried a little bit. You know. Those kind of connections that last i've known altraz since 1963. And i don't see him that often. But he was still important in my life. Interesting lee just decide story about him he's been married three times and it had two children by each of his first two marriages and three of the four of them are left-handed. You want to know what his nickname is. So there are people in your life. From early on. That's still our contemporary with you and your life now that you draw something from. And whom are important influences. My my first supervisor is as a clinician. A guy who. When i would he would supervise me doing work with with clients. And i had to tape record everything and he wrote down by the number on the tape recorder. Comments about things that i had to say but he could comment on it. And when i would go in and say. Arne isn't arnold miller i said i can't think of what to say or what to do with this particular client has three or four things that you could do. Finally one day i went in and i said to him if there are three or four things why can't i think of any of them. Because you're not mature enough. Which i didn't get he didn't say this. But when i've gotten is because i didn't get it. Now i could do that. But i couldn't do it then. I didn't understand why i couldn't have it then. The maturity the judgment. That comes and that is exemplified by those people in your life. Who were meaningful influences. So. The question coming up. Are some of the elders in your life gone. Influences. From earlier in life. We probably are. I said my dad's born 1897. He's been dead longer news a lot. And and he had an older brother and an older sister. Play longer. My mom this year if she were living on august 11th actually but we have a stepdaughter. Who's dead target due date for r12 grandchild is august 11th. That was my mother's birthday. Well if you were here she'd be 105. This summer. My dad. 117. If he was still living. That's a stretch. Just a funny story about about my mom. On my mom's hundredth birthday she's been gone you know for 7 or 8 10 12 years and that time. But i happen to be talking to an elder in in one of the facilities that i serve. And it was a woman and i don't usually i don't always ask this question but sometimes a person's ethnicity their history. Got a speaks to me and i said to her. So i don't remember what her married name was but it was. Jones johnson whatever i said so what was your unmarried men. And she said reagan. Unusual name and i said how do you spell that. But you said reagin. What's my mother's maiden name. Under 100th birthday. Gives me goosebumps to tell the story. So i have one of my twin daughters her first name is reagan. But you know there are things. Influences that come back to you don't you find from people who've been influential in your life that somehow some occurrence happens in in your space that puts you in mind up and enter a time when my mom been dead twenty years. And i will set you tell mom. My boy by figure out how to do that. Make a dollar or two i'll tell you. But even just spontaneously i'll have that like urge to talk to somebody. From my past who's not really available any any longer to me. At least on this planet. So. Have you had the chance. To participate in the care. Of an elder has that come your way yet. You know perhaps your parents or a neighbor or someone that you love. Have you had the chance to actually. Step forward and offer something of service. To an elder who. Need some assistance. If you have you know what the experience is like and it's that is this could be something as simple as. You know asking. Your neighbor needs their driveway swept or shovel. Philip north. Or. Running an errand or can i give you a ride can i bring in your newspaper. Can i do your grocery shopping can i take you someplace you need some chance to go to the somewhere to take you to the doctor. It could be arranging for. Happy somebody come and take care of of your elder. It it could be visiting. Yourself making regular visits because you want to make sure that that elder knows that you still care and that you're involved. It could be more details as you know you could have an elder in your life who was having some problems with dementia of one type or another. You know we spoke. Sort of happened just before about word-finding problems name finding problems directional problems getting lost. The things that happened when. Forgetfulness becomes more than just forgetful. And having to make some decisions about. Another's welfare and making sure that they have the care that they need. One of the things about my mother-in-law my wife and i were we thinking. In her later 80s. The driving for her was becoming more of a problem because she has some visual. Impairment. As do we all. But. Thinking about having the conversation about. Is it time to stop driving. And before we ever got there she came and said listen i think i need to stop driving. I thought boy there's some wisdom there huh. Don't you hope you'll have the wisdom to know that. You know. Or it's time to stop living alone dad. You know. It's not safe for you you know you've had a couple of falls. It's it's time for you to make sure that there are care services in place with his family or professional caregiver. My mom. My mom was. I love my mom a lot but she was a troubled lady. Head long term alcohol problem. It was still living in the midwest i'd move to connecticut to get about as far away as i possibly could but then later life. She became impaired and trying to arrange care long-distance was just too much. Just too much. And so i arranged for her to move to connecticut i had young children by that time and they were 89 i thought involvement with the family. By the way if you've ever worked with people who have substance dependence aren't you ever hopeful. You're ever hopeful. But today will be a new day. Well anyway it wasn't so much a new day and there were continuing problems. And after her second fall when she. Broke her second hip and could finally not get to alcohol any longer. In one of my. Uncharitable moments i thought. See if that was all it took. In any case. Making sure that when she had to have some nursing home care. That. The place that she was was between my office and home so i could stop there everyday. Everyday. Always stay long. And you know you work. By the way. When your relationship you have with elders in your life goes i've been close to an influential. The perhaps your parents or your significant other family members who can still say things that bite you. They have that ability just to find a way to say something that that doesn't make you feel so good. And you go. In nu find you patrick head up a whole month that he talked about the issue of forgiveness right. And in most of his kind of got the message by the way the forgiveness is never about the other person. You're not forgiving somebody else they don't need it. What you need. Is the forgiveness that you can give. Because that cleans away your resentment it cleans away your. English. The things that you held onto. About your elders another significant people in your life. What's up. I said to my mom if we've gotten quite closer later in life and i said you know mom i'm really glad we've gotten closer and i love spending this time with you and. I just wanted you to know that. The tensions that we've had in the past that anything that i was holding onto a really forgiven them. She patted me and she said that's nice tommy i didn't realize realize i ever did anything that needed for giving. Okay. So. Don't drive the lesson. I need a. I need. So. Caring for your elders. Canby. Enlightening it can increase. The closeness of the relationship it can make you feel like you're doing something worthwhile. It could be an inconvenience it could be a hardship it can be tension. And. My position about this is you will never regret. When you're lowering the casket. When you're scattering the ashes. The care that you provide now. It's something you'll never regret. Not doing it in standing on the other side and you've seen people. Don't be there. Now's the time to think about. How you want to be about the elders. In your life. And to make sure that they get. The value that they are. And the contribution that you can make. Flashpoint. So how you doing and getting old. You know. They said that was talking with one of my friends here so i don't want to think about it i don't want to deal with it. I don't want to imagine it. I couldn't and my grandmother whom i loved and was just great influence on them. She said i'm going kicking and screaming into old age. Well. Not so much me. How about you. Think about it for a moment are you kind of like. I don't want to think about it. I don't want to know about it. I don't want to plan for it. So. Doing things simple things like having a will. Have you best directives. Having those things have your finances in order. Getting long-term care insurance if you haven't. You know it. Doing the things. That take care of yourself. Andara contribution. To those who love you and will be your caregivers. Down the road is always a great idea. Mystics of this is less when i'm talking about i'm really talking about how are you about it. Are you gracious. Are you avoiding. Can you have the conversation. Can you talk to your children. When i say to my kids. He was going to come a time when i can't do this anymore. You're my kids are still in connecticut i-5 kids in connecticut i go every 6 or 8 weeks. He's going to come a time when either financially or physically i'm not going to be able to do that. And they're of course like many of us and many of our offspring they say things like oh dad don't say that you're fine you'll be fine. Until i'm not fun. Is going to come a time when i'm not fine. You know i'm a guy already had a hip replacement i've had a heart attack. I'm overweight. There's going to come a time probably in the foreseeable future when i'm not going to be up here able to have this conversation with you because i'm not fine. Just give me a time when you're not fine. Have you thought about plan b. You know plan b is not wait till the last minute tell there's a disaster in a crisis and everybody has to rally around and figure out how to take care of you plan b is doing what you can. Even as you anticipated. And. I see some people you don't try to recover. From illness or injury or falls or strokes. And in the rehab hospital. And they. Are struggling with it. But they're down in the hospital gym. Doing the work. And you've heard me say this phrase before if i can't learn something for that. I'm not paying attention. People motivated determined setting the example for how to be in later life those examples are all around us. They're here they're here in this room. They're hearing your family. They're here for all of us. And that for me is the guidance about how i want to be is an elder. So. How i want to be is. I got your back. As long as i can. I want to be that with my dearest friends. I would be like that with my family. I want to be like that with my fellow congregants i got your back. Until i can. And then i hope you'll have mine. Thanks.

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Sermon_102509.mp3

So how many viewers sick of rain. Now in north texas that's not a really wise thing to say and we might have. Never know what might. But this is one of those too much of a good thing. So it creates problems of its own. Such as you matter success we've had here. Create problems on the song. I know for me the consequences of all this rain has been in my yard continually grows more faster than i can mow it. And i have vines which are currently trying to take over my back fence. In fact i have an iv line. Then one of my nemeses lately. I've also been reminded of a struggle i used to have with mysteria vine. In south carolina they have cables run to the ground. The size of a child's wrist. Four years excavating. Get rid of those things. They still have to deal with it. And then driven across country and using kudzu. Which. might get it free but because you take a forest. Or hillside pretty impressive stuff they have found your account like eating now. There is. We have to marvel at the. Things as a. Embody. Idea of up. Above and beyond. Because that is exactly where they go if their classes. As unitarian universalist we know that we are. Each. Acceptable. As we are. Yes we also know that. We are called to reach or greater stillman. Of who we can be. We are called to go up over above and beyond. Transcend who and what we are to become the greater cool. How cool you can be. Religion. Our living traditions is about taking risks and becoming wise. It is supposed to force us to make choices to prioritize to make sacrifices. That which we know to be right and good and important. Liberal religion. Esa lifepak. The holding its majority of our lives. In ways that show us just how strong. You really are. Religion is a place where we can be reminded that to use traditional religious language the kingdom of god. What is martin luther king junior's words. Beloved community. Is within each. And everyone of us. In the early 19th century 1838. Reverend dr. william ellery channing who was is considered now to be perhaps. Father of american unitarianism. Delivered important lecture culture. As an opening address to series of public lectures specifically to and for working people. Where is changi. Those who were occupied by manual labor. Now cardin please do non gender inclusive language of his time. He was speaking to all of us. He says there are two powers of the human soul which makes self culture. Ausable. The self-searching and his self warming power. We have power not only a tracing our powers but of guiding and in telling them. Not only a seen our faculties grow but of applying to them means and influences to aid their growth. Call discovery. Richmond need to make. The most important. That'll be self warming power measured up in themselves. Transcend's. In importance all our power over outward nature. There is more divinity. Innit. That's in the force of which universe. This makes self-culture possible. And it finds it. Honest. As a solemn duty. Cultivate anyting plant and animal a mind is to make grow. Road. Expansion is the end. Nothing. Admits kulture. The cat with you has a principle of life. Capable of being expanded. He who does what he can to unfold all his powers. And he's abilities and capacities. Especially his nobler ones. So as to become a well-proportioned vigorous. Excellent happy d. Practices. Self-culture. A man who is to cultivate himself because he is a man. He is to start with the conviction that there is something greater within him then do all material creation. Then all the worlds which passed on the eye and the ear and that inward improvements. Worth and dignity in themselves quite distinct. The power they give over outward thing. Undoubtedly a man is labor to better his condition. The first. Better. Cherish a true respect for yourself. Feel that you are nature is worth more than everything just lauren to you. He has not caught a glimpse of his own rational and spiritual being. Something within himself superior world & ally 2 divinity. Once the true spring for that purpose of cell culture on which i have insisted. The first of all the memes. No referring to to self. Is channing does does not mean the psychological. Constructs or models of we in this. are familiar with. Remember that concept of the self. Came out of psychology and freud was not even born yet not even a glimmer in his great-great your daddy's eyes. Channing use the idea of stealth refer to the soul the spirit divine essence divine speed which at its core is at the core of our being. So that is. That which makes up uniquely makes us uniquely and divinely. Er. He uses culture. Not in the sense that we often hear now is referring to the arts or. Human culture. Rather. In the term of agriculture. Cultivate. Macro. What is offering us our lessons on the nature of cultivation of our spirit. Arhoolie being. We might be more hole. These words and others had profound effect on those around him. Heard and read them republic very widely. These ideas of subculture and a divine within each of us. Which can be nurtured transforming us and the world. One of those who took self-culture as her aid was elizabeth peabody. Are there any teachers here do you know where we're going. Her contribution to modern. Widgeon modern education. Is the kindergarten. This was a an idea that she borrowed from german before movement. And was a distinct of kindergarten as a garden for children. But ashley kindergarten is actually a metaphor. Replace metaphorical garden in which children are cultivated and nurture to flower and bear the fruit of their inner being. It's a little deeper than kids in the garden. Elizabeth peabody understood education any sense that is draw out. Education mean. Not you put in to draw. As a drawing for for the potential. The child as an unfolding sea. Other social reformers work equally affected horace mann. Knowing himself as the father of american public education. Antioch college. The unitarian and influencing publicly supported by channing. Transcendentalist journalist a political revolutionary margaret fuller. Wrote in her memoirs. Very early on i knew that the only object in my life. Even today we see this idea echoed in our own coming until statement. Our unitarian universalist principles our purposes. Deferment promote encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation. Tennessee urology of cell culture. Was. And is a double rejection of calvinist doctrine. By saying that they sell can and should be cultivated he meant that it was worthy and not depraved. As calvinist would have. And in saying the solar cell can the influence. And cultivated. Jenny was also rejecting the calvinists believe in predestination. But there really isn't anything we can do to influence. Air condition. Pertaining we are both enough. And have the potential to be. You're inherently worthy. And have free will. Channing and us as the inheritors of his vision religion is not about keeping doctrines or rules religion nor is religion about instantaneous transformation or conversion as is a common in many conditions. The religious life the spiritual life is about growth. Process of becoming. Life and religion are about the poultry developing the unfolding of ourselves as wholly being. It is about spiritual development. Acquaintance of channing's asked him if he had ever had a conversion experience. The chanting replied. I should say not unless the whole of my life. To be called. As it truly has been. Process. Conversion. Channing scholar david robinson rights. Unitarians that's reformulated the spiritual life not in terms of depravity and election or instantaneous conversion as we find it in the oven jellicle and fundamentalist traditions. But as a process of growth. Improvement. And the nursery in cultivation of the spiritual potential of every self. Pretending the great end of religious instruction is to awaken the soul to excite and cherish spiritual. This is not a gospel. Progress. One of. Soma. Another maybe some of those somebody right here who work. Not necessarily for all but this. Culture is not about self-absorbed navel-gazing. We all have this divine seed with anise then we are all carriers and expressions of holy potential. We are all interconnected in this holy state of being whether we understand it as a manifestation of evolution. Quantum physics or is a metaphysical reality. As channing road. Subculture is religious. When we look into ourselves we discover the powers which link us with his outward visible finite ever-changing world. We have cited other senses to discern and a power but cannot stop at what exists within the bounds of space and time. Continue the improvement of the soil consists in raising it above what is narrow particular individual selfish. The universal and uncombined. To improve a man is to liberalize. Enlarged him in for healing and purpose. Narrowness of intellect and heart. This is the degradation from which all culture and rescue. Despite in our religion. Google dialogue in this country. The idea that narrowness of intellect in heart. This is the degradation from which all culture aim. To rescue va. Something that we need to remember. For me personally. Growth is a purpose of our lives i noticed every fiber of my being and i have known it for most of my life. I chose an accepted. Because we're me. Prysmian. To engage in the act of being. Not more than i am but a being the coolest me. Possible. Dino that scares my family. Senor pudgy already. Acorn does not become something else besides and oaktree but it moves all the time for being more fully in oak tree. All the time. Roshes change and change often means. Discomfort as things go from being what they were to what they are becoming. Is right now. He changes. Chances to grow that come with these changes. And a change is not an always welcome one. Grandma colleague has coined the acronym asko afgo for another freaking growth opportunity. You're freaking. Efco mother freaking growth opportunity. Is common response to these unwanted intrusions into our stable though unfulfilled why. No. How do we embrace. Self-culture. We can start by internalizing the reality of our own potential. By embracing ourselves as. Powerful and precious and holy. Right now i want you to join with me in saying something you done this once or twice before but. Let's play again. Please repeat after me. I am. Powerful. Precious. And holy. I am powerful crashes holy. I am powerful precious. So when the day is got you down. Remember. That you are powerful. Russian. And it is. When we understand ourselves to be rooted in the midst of a holy reality and that all others are as well then our perception of the world and those who compromised it is fundamentally alter. Can we carry this in our hearts and mind doesn't ongoing meditation of our being we cannot be changed in the world with us. The next step in our cell culture. Is that we honor what has been given to us by virtue of our simply. Find nurturing. Divine c. By making the most of what and who we are and candy. We use our providentially given self-searching and self-forming powers in this we accept the opportunity or way even if initially they are another freaking growth opportunities. And with these we can move through the pain and discomfort. Change. This is. So painful. Then the question becomes why do we do it. Well i do it i enjoy the incidental discomfort of change because i have faith that what is the on the pain that i sometimes experience and growth is more than worth the effort. I do not choose to change because i don't like myself. For my life. Because at my work i probably love myself. And want to be even more of who i am. I also choose this path the nurture this holy potential because i am grateful for all that i am and have. Good the bad and the ugly. There's an old saying that what we are is a gift of god and we become is our gift. We seek fulfillment for ourselves and for others. All that has given us life into all those who believed in us and who nurtured us and is amazingly complex and interconnected garden. Of our own existence. Think of all of those who have been there. Recorded in richard you along the way. Tanning offers that civically anyway the individual is called to determine measures affecting the world being of millions. The destinies of posterity. You must consider not only the internal relations of his native land but his connection with foreign states. And judge of a policy which touches the whole world. He is called by his participation in the national sovereignty cherish public spirit. I regard for the general wheel. Man. Discharge papers. These obligations. Is carrying on a generous self ulcer. We are then in a culture run out of ourselves or like a vine up over above and beyond into the life of our larger existence. Guitar calling to tend to the garden of the common good. Provide those conditions which are most favorable. The nurturing the seeds of holy potential in everyone. Interra universalist minister roy phillips. Summed it up this way. The environment the congregation provides. Is that of a fertile and cultivated field with uniqueness. Preciousness and power of the divine sees people bring chance andrew brown. Culture. Condition. In community. Icon unfold from within reaching outward and upward actualizing a potential, gloriously just flour. Bearing fruit for serving the needs of wool. One of the primary aims of religious religion in cell culture we are saying. The cultivation of the spirit. Meaning that we must support unique on folding a person. What a beauty. The flowering fruit it will bear. You know reading earlier mark morrison reed talked about the necessity of a community because. Alone our vision is to narrow in our strength is too limited. Gather our vision widens our sprinklers is renewed. Is it similar to. 1053 stones of liberal religion adams articulated that i spoke about recently. The denial of the immaculate conception of virtue. An affirmation of the necessity of social incarnation. What that means is. Good things are necessarily going to happen on their own and we have to take steps to make sure they do. And we have to build institutions. And structures in our society that support those things. Happening. Is a part of their mission. We are particularly nice and concrete being exists in a very substantial reality. Another. If we take adams at face value then part of our mission our faith or religious lip as a religious liberal used to give hannibal concrete expression. Intangibles within values such as work dignity justice. Freedom and mutual interdependence. Physical presence simple embodiment. Is necessary. But it is not sufficient. But the social and societal. Carnation. Albuquerque. Those of you who have been part of this liberal religious community for some time changes it has undergone have been significant as was pointed out earlier. It is gone from a handful of people meeting rental spaces for many years. Calling ministers buying buildings educating children. Standing up for gay rights in age of racism a healthcare. Many of you have been coming here recently have likely had similar experiences another settings and you are now seeking ways to add your wisdom to this house of memories. Continue building the beloved community on the foundations laid by those already here and by many were gone from here. I feel that a church that can openly. Honestly engage itself. And it's larger community. Its operating in the realm of the tapir. Earlier this morning sarah rawlings r. Yes. That was my plan. Earlier sarah and denise. Asus. Do. They gave us a witness to our faith. I gave us their reasons for supporting this particular place. This greenhouse. I have previously spoken about what money means. That it is a vital part of a power to support this congregation as the workshop of our dreams wilson garden on our common endeavors. Murchison says money is like manure. Get spread around it as a lot of good. Pile-up in one place stinks like hell. So we have another chance to perhaps. Running around a little bit. Very specifically want to talk with those of you who are not evil. Beauties not give a lot of financial resources. Variety. Simply this. Do what is right. Healthy for you and your. That is the most important. This is why we come together as a community. Come together. Jezebel. That those who can do. Do gas. Sure that those who need a place of restoration. Ceiling. Restoration. Here to nurture each other as we are and as we are. Our congregation our church our larger uu movement is not a secret garden. Sole province of those of us who are lucky enough to find it raven up to keep it. Root beer. We are more like a community garden or village commons. You must be visible and central birthright. Every person who chooses to the long-anticipated. All the privileges. Responsibility. We cannot do this if you do not reach out to them to provide the settings. Support for this holy work. This means that we are currently offering our message. Watch them as many people as we can. Provide the means for sharing our good news. Work what we find here is a value and importance for us and for our lives. Then how is it any less likely that for others. We're still waiting for the water and nurture of a good news. It may liberate them from their here. Ender dormancy. Reach out to them so they too may stretch engine life of our race, life is they grow. Call amy. Together we may show the world. Ways of being that transcend the huts of consumption. Competition. Mc. As unitarian universalist we know that we each. Acceptable as we are. We also know that we are called to reach the greater fulfillment. Candy. Is called. To go up. Over. Indian. Transcendence. Who and what we are. Become the greater fool. Ashanti. Why are we. We are here to change the world. You've done it before. We are doing it now. What's the record again. And again. I growing also. Sharing our good news that everyone has choices. Powerful precious. Do it like knitting to share our resources our collins our lives. Each other for the common good. Weddings in irvine seeds in each and everyone of us. Creating not just a garden or a field or his plane. The whole world. Made work there.

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Sermon_110611.mp3

What is beauty. You know it when you see it. Yeah i got it figured out. Children. Sonny makes you smile. Things that make you exhale. Okay. Smallest beautiful biggest beautiful young beautiful artist cd music is beauty loves beauty. Beautiful is as beautiful does. Coors annie difranco. Singer-songwriter says. Uses beauty money is beauty health. It's difficult for us today. Sometimes it's listed as just physical attractiveness mean. But there is an aspect. We also. Influence of physical appearance and beauty starting at birth. Recent studies show that. Pretty or cute babies get picked up first or more often and if i caregivers who have not yet learned to be aware of and leafeon. Also we know that. Henderson. What are the things i think we can save. In our encounter with ut. Whether it is physical or otherwise. In fact i would posit that in many ways that the amount of beauty. For this.. Has-beens in this world we want to be valued for who we are recognized by. Other assassin. Lahore. It's someone we feel it's attracted to us gives us attention. Or wait. And respond to it more readily than. Maybe more. Cosmetic surgery shows. What are things from. Physical attractiveness symmetry. Important aspect beautiful attractive so symmetrical. Qualities. So. And. And setting courtship relationship issues. Those were physically more symmetrical. Seem to be those that others are fine for bettas more attractive. Or even beautiful or at least initially. More desirable. But those of us who are symmetrical a. Same researchers 10 to find that the more symmetrical or physically better put together to have higher rates of relationship fragility. Heading to valatie. And mainly because of the increase of opportunities. The prettiest flower gets picked sooner. As most people move beyond initial physical encounters. These include creativity. Some researchers tend to feel that these qualities can indicate greater internal balance especially psychological. So beauty gets associated with help. Play song. And all this issue about it being connected with healthiness. It's greek. Is also attractive and beautiful. Which is often based on symmetry balancing healthiness these all seem to. The elements of what you know on a more intuitive level as harmony. He's a beauty is understood as a kind of harmony he would be fine both and energizing excitement. Center. The navajo people. And by the universe. And no it through their traditions. Much of what is called healing in shamanic traditions around the world is more to healing. Predator than as a way of curing hill. Beauty that is the way of expressing the qualities. Being because they appeal to our sense and our need for balance. Harmony. Traction healthiness. Then others and ourselves and in relationship to the world. The pleasure we feel relationship use as a measure of is the result of a restoration. Or at least a temporary filling of a need or longing. To walk in beauty. Used to find ourselves. On a cat. That takes us where. Fart. Spirit. Ar. With each other. Poet and philosopher kahlil gibran. Beauty is eternity gazing at itself. The mirror. We all come to church. Because we're looking for something. Perhaps a form of salvation. From some aspect of our lives which is not as we suppose it should or could be. Roll a king something. We do not feel in harmony with how we assume or think we're into it we should be living. The truth of our lives is not the truth of the universe as we understood it to ultimately. Harmony of our lives. It is shallow. Superficial. I feel less full of the beauty of life and the universe as we might otherwise. Does unitarian universalist send people of faith. I like most people of faith. We try to be very good at loving truth. But we do not. Who is good a job of living in the beauty. Living in harmony with the truce whiskey. Embrace. Perhaps we can begin by living in conscious awareness of our location in. And our intimate relationship with our immediate surroundings. Could each other universe. Beauty. Is not about perfection. Perfection requires that there be no error no mistakes. Azhar full of errors and mistakes just knows the service earlier. Price of what i said about celebrating kelly. Screw up. But it's fine i just want things we're full of errors and mistakes perfection. But i was a boy. Am i saying in texas boys choir. They really had this thing about perfection. Physically horse tack. Physical punishment if you weren't perfect. And it really screwed my head up around. Performing into doing park. Music. I figure out that. Perfection was not really what we wanted to achieve. Because. Call profession does not tolerate. Excellence incorporated. I think for the best examples of. How frank sinatra used to sing on stage. People talk about creative he was a savalas until he's messing up more. And and what do you mean by that. And. And he would take it in a hold of the rent increase something really fan. And turn it into harmon. He would use it as an opportunity for creativity. And originality. And more harmony. And more. So what can you do. Sometimes. Equality in our relationships. He requires. The one experiencing beautiful experience even if both are ourself. I need some of us think that's a little narcissistic. It's not. Pleasure and encounter with a beautiful is most deeply rooted in our lives from knowit and experiences. In ourselves. Self-knowledge universe this is why the oracle at delphi said know thyself. Principal. Florida after mason's as soon as becomes cliche. Joe. Because there is a core of power and strength. I am beautiful. You are beautiful. Stay with me i am beautiful. I am beautiful. But we are. Etsy we make me laugh easily because like that tension that we just created by saying i am beautiful oh my gosh i've got to deal with this reality. We are aware of the truth of our lives. And the beauty and harmony inherently possible our lives. Then we have the possibility of being grateful. For that. And it is in our gratitude where we put our family on the joyous the beautiful trail. It is gratitude which is our shortest passage into the ways which harmony. Twist the world it is our gratitude and makes us truly liberal open-handed in response to that. Hand. To those whom we are. It is. If we know the university ultimately a place of justice and equity. A place of healing place of peace and reconciliation. Pick plate for everyone and everything is respected embraced. Precious strands of the holy web of existence. Then we will find ourselves in a world made fair with all her people. Perhaps this is. One of the greatest truths of all. No. Beauty. Aware. Conscious gratitude. For ourselves. For everyone. And for all. That is. Apps. Then. Beauty. Heat again.

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Sermon_050309.mp3

Well with the rise of social networking tools and technologies such as facebook. And twitter. Name the most visible. And how many views on facebook. And and twitter anybody doing twitter out here. The twits. Just using your parlance. Somebody asked me the sermon title you know about church something to tweet home about what the heck that meant i had to say well if you're on twitter the message you sent send our tweets. Really. So if we're thinking too much. Speaking of technology. Hello. No. Why yes i am in church. No i'm not alone. Course. I would say we're probably all never alone but. No. Really. Well i think i'll tell him that. Okay. Well. Bye. Where was i. Oh yeah. We are in the midst of a large-scale shift. In the way in which we interact communicate and understand the world. This includes the ways and reasons we gather as religious communities. For the next several months i will be exploring these larger issues of what they mean for us as unitarian universalist and as a congregation. The people of faith living here and now. Especially as we begin to engage in our strategic planning process. It's good for us to begin thinking about the deeper issues of what is it mean for to be together as a community here and now and how is that different from perhaps the ways it's done been done in the past. Noted jesus scholar marcus board defines the word emerging. Emergent christianity or the emerging paradigm. Has been visible for well over 100 years he says in the last 20 or 30 years has become a major grassroots movement among the laity and clergy in quote mainline or old-line protestant denominations. Emergent carradine's central features our response to the enlightenment. Borg describes it as a way of seeing the bible and the christian tradition as a whole historical metaphorical and sacramental. And way of seeing christian life relational and transformational. According to wikipedia. Emergent is something sometimes more closely associated with emergent village that's actually a website. Those participants in the movement to assert this distinction believe emergence. Ts or emergent village to be a part of the emergent church movement but prefer to use the term emerging church. To refer to the movement as a whole by the term emergent. Is more limited. Other words it's a subset. Emergent is a subset of the emerging church. Anchor that way so. A lot of what we talkin about. Is the emergent. Church. Within the emerging church movement. Many of those within the emerging church movement to do not closely identify with emergent village. 10 to avoid that organizations interest in radical theological reformation reformulation. And focus more on new ways of doing church as in praxis or the ways to do things and expressing their spirituality. So they're less interested in. Changing what it is they believe but changing the ways in which they express and practice those beliefs. So i'll be talking more about the emergent church since it is one of the largest and most influential invisible. Of these grassroots groups and i will use the work of tony jones wear red from earlier. First let me give a couple of definitions here and some of you may actually had better definitions but this is what i came up with. New reformation is taking place in the context of a larger cultural shift. That we previously had a reformation some 500 years ago but tony jones wants on a radio. Interview i heard said was something like. Churches rummage sale every 500 years. Take out everything you don't want or need and sell it off and get rid of it you know. Clear the space. And. When we did that the last time there wasn't quite as dramatic a shift in the cultural context. But what he's implying what others are playing now is that there is a shift in cultural context. And a shift in. Are paradigm. At the same time. So the contact and the way in which we live in the context about shifting. Elements of modernism. There's an emphasis on boulder experimentation in style and form reflecting the fragmentation of society. We see this in. The arts. We see a lot of the emphasis on. Technique. But not necessarily in content. So there's a very strong emphasis on. Breaking things down into their atomized parts. Rejection of traditional themes and subjects. A sense of disillusionment and loss of faith in the american dream. Rejection of the idea of a hero as infallible and favor of a hero who is flawed and dissolution but shows grace under pressure. How many clint eastwood movies have you seen. For that was the anti-hero. Are the spaghetti westerns. And even if the comic books now that we're saying come out. Fmovies. Interest in the inner workings of the human mind. Sometimes express to new narrative techniques such as stream-of-consciousness. And also the depth an exploration of psychology and psychiatry. Now the elements of post-modernism. And humanism are very. Here are some of the more popular. Topics of interest in postmodernist postmodernist often profess individualism over god and country. Desiring the liberty to establish personal truth and allowing each person's choice to be tolerated. Many postmodernist promote the ideals of globalization including any traditional. Excluding excluding any traditional moral or civil laws. Free enterprise or governed. Buy a traditional political system. And many feel that no single person or group should be have dominance. Special interest or wealth over another. You can see this in some of the. Wto protests. World trade organization protest. That's a place where you see some of these things coming to the fore. The ideals of post-modernism confront and surpassed the modern way of thought and lifestyle which relies on science and technology for progress. Postmodernist tend to blame modern capitalism for causing the evil in the modern west. Ironically this was written. Or last fall. When everything went south. I think some of these aspects of these are important things because this is really short of the crucible that all of this happening at this this shift. From post for modernism to post-modernism. Away from the way we've done things to new ways of doing things. This is why a lot of us frankly are bewildered by the social networking. Phenomena. That's going on. Or technology i feel like i'm caught on that customers one 1961. Yes that dates me for some of you. So i'm technically sort of not a boomer sort of not a texter. Generation x. And consequently i understand a little bit of both worlds but not a lot of each. Concerta vinni find a lot of my peers or like that. That we're technologically savvy enough to be really really dangerous to ourselves. You know what i use email but we're not really good necessarily not doing the wrong thing to it. And i'm sure somebody would know that i was so much. So. All of these changes are happening and in this is central question trying to understand what it means to be religious community. And i think for unitarian universalist are some informative aspects. Of the emergent church and somewhat the emerging church movement. That can. Help us. There's a strong emphasis on authenticity and conversation. Their rules were having conversation on interface basis would put us to shame. They never leave the table. And a steak rupiahs. And they say. Focused and. Present necessarily. But they do stay engaged. It's tough to do. I've done a lot of interstates working man that's hard. Living in line with their beliefs. Call orthopraxis. And it doesn't have anything to do with braces or anything like that. What do practice means right belief or right for right practice right practicing. So the way which we live out our lives. Is. Tremendously important the way it sits back is more important than what we say we believe in. What we do is more important than what we say we believe in. How different is that from what we were raised with. A lot of it's right. Grace through faith. And this is one of the. Court issues that postmodernism in that we're seeing an emergent movement. Across religion in. Politics in sociology. All these other areas is this. Living our life. Is the key marker if people. I think it's the consequence of a really good marketing campaign. All these years i mean if we grew up with with 50-60 years of really intensive marketing. You become jaded to what people say. You don't trust what people say. But you do trust what they do. And i think this is one of the issues we encounter. Generationally and socially. Is what we do says more about us than what we say. Now those of us who have children know that what we do speaks louder than what we say. Right. So i think society just catching up to evolution. Unis groups and in this. Change new technologies are very important. Social networking. Tools are very important not for their own end. I mean they're probably going to pass away in something new will come along that the rotation of change technology in these things is pretty fast. But the main point that they're trying to achieve again the end there. Is connectivity. I've taken a number of webinars on from some of these. Big megachurches now there are dinosaurs now. And the religious movement there consider to pass a almost. And they're only 20 years old. But a lot of these places are now trying to get on board with this understanding of the post-modernism and the consequences. That it poses for us as religious communities. And that is connectivity. That we would have multiple points of connection with each other. As many as possible author. And. That is not the same thing as communication of content. That's why there's so much trivial. Children's room and. On some of the content but it's because people want connection. They want connection with each other. And that is what is paramount. A lot of that comes from our culture which is. Fragmenting. People of the the. Loyalty to geography is no longer paramount. And. So. Loyalty to subcultures and identity groups are becoming more important. Ironically. I'll talk more about that some other time. According to wikipedia. Emerging church groups use the internet as a medium of decentralized communication again this is another aspect of. Post-modernism is decentralisation. Church websites are used as announcement boards for community activities and they are generally a hub for more participation based new technologies such as blogs. Or something online the other day. What is it when you have a phone campaign real people in one place at one time. I know you know this. I'm sorry. Show me speak out loud please. No not conference call. This tells you. There's a generational gap here i can tell. Basically it's where you get a lot of people together for an instantaneous event. Flash there we go there was a flash worship service in in new york in times square and several hundred people showed up for it took their shoes off over there for a few minutes we're gone. And they also have the same time because they had this capacity for viral communication. Through the different technologies and both mechanical and in software. So these different technologies allow us to do these interesting things. Whether we doing them in fun or or seriously. Do you have a block and then especially popular an appropriate means of communication within the emerging church. Three blogs members converse about theology philosophy art politics social justice but both among their congregations and across the broader emerging community. These blogs can be seen to embrace both sacred and secular culture. Side-by-side as an excellent example of churches focus on external on focus on. Contextual theology. That's another important aspect is well we might lose our sense of geographic. Identity. Are contextual. Send a relationship and identity is heightened. The context in which we reside. And the contact is not defined by where we live but it's in what real fear or or web of relationships are we. Suspended. I think that's an important thing to a different kind of metaphor to think about. It's not where you stand it. All the different connections you have that kind of. Define. The cosmic reality that you understand that you perceive. And that is how you perceive the world as these become extensions of our sensory. Abilities. Another concept i think it's very important that these groups especially in the emergent church group. That. tony jones is part of. Is using that i think is very hopeful fresas unitarian universalist is what's called centered set. Now. And i quote wikipedia here a lot because they do a good job of summarizing someplace it i spent a lot of time reading chapters in chapter books. Dumb using their comments here. They say the movement appropriate set theory. I'm even know what set theory is. Math students. Mathletes. Set theory as a means of understanding a basic change in the way in which they talked about christian churches but i think churches or religions in general. Think about themselves as a group. Set theory is a concept in mathematics that allows an understanding of what numbers belong to a group or set. 8 bounded set. We describe a group with clear in and out definition. As. Definitions of membership. The church has largely organize itself historically as a bounded set. A lot of people left those charges because you. Cross those lines. Of the bounded set. Those who share the same beliefs and values. Are in the set and those who disagree are outside. The set. The centered set does not limit membership to preconceived boundaries. Does this sound familiar to you. I've been looking for a way to try and describe what we do for a long time i went. The sentence that does not limit membership to preconceived batteries instead a centered set is conditioned on a central point re-centered point. Membership is contingent on those who are moving toward the point. Elements moving toward a particular point are part of the set but lms moving away from that point are generally not. Should we think of the values things we hold in common the things that we say we are in an act on that we're trying to move towards. Trying to bring the world into being. That is a easier way to define ourselves now i think for you use this is important because defining. A defining element of the liberal project actually over the last 200 years has been the opening up of borders of tearing down those bounded set. Of increasing participation in the community the polis. Problem is that in a world where many want you to find things by boundaries because it's easier. This creates confusion and consternation. How do we talk about. Who we are. Without relying. On who we are not. Some of us some folks have been in this movement a long long time. Have. Had to unlearn talking about. Our faith. In the negative. I'm seeing a lot of nodding going on. Good that means i'm right got it. So. This is an opportunity. Again to kind of. Move that. Ball down the field as they say. The centered set approach offers us a very reasonable way to. Do all of the talking about ourselves without it being in the negative. That's a double negative isn't it. We discuss what we hold sacred or central to our beliefs as the targets were. Center towards which we live our lives. Emergent church. Consequently with all of this changing. Is deeply if not radically inclusive list. That is open to and with others but they still think that christ is the answer even if they're not sure what the question is. Reverend tony lorenzen who is our minister at pathways in southlake. Has written this on his blog about the slippery slope. That they may find themselves on. About perhaps maybe they can't put the genie back in the bottle. He says that what jones and emergent critique in general seem to miss is that the emergent critique of christianity leads to an inevitable next step theologically and ever-widening liberalism. This battle within little christianity has already been fought. Bias. Unitarian universalist throughout the nineteenth century as the struggle between liberal christians and transcendentalist gave way to the struggle between liberal christians and humanists. The emergence think they can adopt the postmodern stance and not let it go down that road. That emergent is a christians only movement. I don't think so. Tony says. I think the movement bags for serious study because their critique of the religious left is that spot on as their critique of the religious right. Emergence also to refuse to issue a doctrinal statement. Sound familiar to you use. To the consternation of the evangelical contemporaries. Tony closes. Interesting things i find is if this is a reformation movement were talking about. The last reformation movement. Broke away from the dominant religious group in western society which was the catholic church. This group is primarily coming out of the oven jellicle.. And are primarily defining themselves in contrast. To evangelical ism. And fundamentalism. That one of the things that this movement is emergent movement also reminds me of is a christian version of reconstructionist judaism with a little more openness about it. Reconstructionist judaism is a. Fourth tradition of judaism. In which the entire tradition is open to exploration and use often resulting an interesting and selective use of various practices. Various forms of kosher various forms of kabbalah. Various forms of different kinds of religious practice mixed in ways you might not normally think of. But the idea is to find what works. Take a bath and leave the rest. Not quite time yet. Now. Good responses to they also offer are very good responses to critics that correspond to the way in which we already do religion. Very very helpful. Examples here. When someone asks what is the gospel in a nutshell. I often quote my friend philosopher of religion jack caputo who wrote with the philosophical impulses of deconstruction. Nutshells clothes and encapsulate shelter and protect reduce and simplify. Well everything indigent deconstruction is turned toward opening exposure expansion and complexification. Didn't know that was at work. Releasing unheard-of undreamt-of possibilities to come. Toward cracking nutshells wherever they appear. The statement could just easily be made about the gospel the kingdom of god or jesus himself. Many christians take umbrage at the emergent assertion that gospel is complex and irreducible and how many of us are currently being asked to put things in a box of people can digest them. Okay i know we've been on this kick for 15 years in our movement about elevator speeches. Okay. And yes it is important to be able to summarize something that might be relevant to the other person about what we believe you cannot summarize everything you believe. In 60 seconds or less. Not possible. The pope can't do a catholicism. We can't do it unitarian universalism what this guy is saying is that's not the point anyway. Had to try and do it is simply dishonest. And not a good idea. In other words emergents are drawn to a gospel that messes with our own experience of the world. A gospel that doesn't shy away from the tough questions. This again sounds familiar.. Or in the words of another emergency was planting a church in a bar in germany. To every answer there is a good question. I had shivers down my back when i read that. Visa kinds of goodies. But about how to respond to things and i'm i'm just having a great time with this. So you can hear more about it. So the good news for us is that. We have possibilities. For the future this is part of our theology anyways that the future is open. We simply have to find the doors in the windows and the. Ceiling lights and whatever else. Inno. Skylights. The good news is that the holy the spirit of life has equipped us and is equipping us and all people to do something about the state. Of our world and our lives. That we can all people. Are inherently worthy expressions of creation. Is our opportunity is our gospel to share. The divine caesar the kingdom of god the beloved community reside each within each of us and collectively. And that they burn for release into a springtime of amazing possibilities. Liberal religion is not is a life practice. For holding it for geology of our lives in ways that show us just how strong we actually are. Liberal religion hours is the place where we can be reminded that to use traditional religious language the kingdom of god or to use martin luther junior martin luther king junior's words to beloved community. All of this is within each and everyone of us. Liberal religion diss religion then brings this knowledge and experience this together. To project to erect an affirm. Does visions of world mayfair with all of her people one. Into focus in the here. And the now. And for one moment at a time one act at a time. To see that vision that dream brought into being to see what lies behind the shrouds of our fears. And with each breath and each heartbeat and each thing that we do that is in line with the profoundest authenticity. Who we truly are then in those moments as they become longer and more common. That veil between what is. And the restorative justice of what can be becomes just that much. Unitarian ethicist at the illusion james with her adam said by their groups you shall know them. So how will be you known. By others. Now in the future. Question. Maybe open. But so are our possibilities. For creating. The future. That we want. That we understand. That we envision. And i willing to risk.

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Reading_051511.mp3

Our reading this morning. Is ann from. A book. Old. Michigan the title of a book correct year. An emergent manifesto of hope published in 2007. The. Chapter is from is called converting christianity the end and beginning of faith. And an article about this was written from which this has taken called goodbye religion hello spirituality. It's written by barry taylor who teaches at fuller theological school seminary in california. And taylor says it offers us the following. What it means exactly when a person declares himself or herself to be spiritual-but-not-religious. Is a matter of some debate. Some people find spiritual and irritating term that means nothing of any real substance. A marker for a sort of wishy-washy sentimentalism that passes himself off as real fake. Others have embraced wholeheartedly. And the rise of spiritual language in sermons and discussions as well as a growing interest in spiritual directors in many churches. Pointman embrace of the term on some levels even amongst quote the religious unquote. Taylor goes on i don't think there is one definition for the term or for its usage. Spirituality is an umbrella word a catch-all concept used to characterize a commitment to the sacred elements of life. It defies a singular definition hence the fluidity of the usage of the word. It is also an evolving term rather than one with a fixed determination. One thing that it does signify almost universally. Is the rejection of traditional face. As a primary source of connection to the divine. I would argue that traditional face are no longer the first source that people go to in order to develop and nurture their spiritual lives. But instead function more as a secondary archives. Which which new spiritual permutations are created. Those who do choose to explore their spiritual quest within traditional faith environment. Do so with very different eyes and intentions. Than previous generations. Seek the precinct precinct previous generations of seekers have. For me spirituality is the religion of the 21st century. He says. This is a dramatic shift and one that. Some might contest about the momentum seems to be toward this perspective. It should come as no surprise to us that our understanding of religion is undergoing a transformation. In times of significant cultural change. All the ways in which we order ourselves socially are usually unaffected are usually affected. For instance religion as it was experiencing the post-reformation. was quite unlike. It's pre-reformation incarnation. That faith in the postmodern world is showing itself to be markedly different from faith in modernity. Only serves to underscore the significance. Are the cultural changes we are presently experiencing. If then we truly find ourselves in a situation one in which the old way simply no longer suffice. What then of the future of christian faith. I have already raised the notion that there may not be the future for christianity the religion of christian faith. I mean no disrespect to historic christianity when i make this comment he says. Nor do i seek to simply dismiss centuries of faithful service worship and theology. He goes on. I think that the christian faith has been held captive to a pseudo orthodoxy for much of the late 20th century. Christianity's love affair with modernity and its universalizing tendencies created a climate. In which the general assumption has been that would constitute the christian faith has been quote settled unquote. And therefore any challenge to the status quo is often rejected as under local or unorthodox. Assumption is a singular understanding of the face. The easiest way to undermined different perspectives on issues like faith in practice during my lifetime i've been to call one's commitments orthodoxy into question. The christian faith is open to discussion. Historically it always has been it can be questioned and reinterpreted. In fact i would argue that it was meant to be questioned and reinterpreted. Religion is always a cultural production. And socio-cultural issues cannot be discounted from the ways in which we envisioned and understand faith. Issues and questions raised by our particular cultural situation. Not only inform but shape. The various ways in which we interpret the gospel. If there ever was a time to question the status quo. It is now. So ends are we.