As long as human beings have surveyed the heavens and survived the cold of winter, they have faced, and celebrated, the time of Solstice and the shortest day of the year. So, too, this long tradition at USNH–with music, story, meditation and reverie, this is a service that helps us navigate the challenges, and beauty, of … Continue reading An Impermanent Firmament- A Multi-generational Solstice Service
It is a great paradox in the spiritual life that one of our greatest responsibilities and duties lies in the realm of (and you’re right, this is a great time of year to remember and to celebrate it): to Make Merry. Yes, life is serious business, and we are constantly surrounded with daunting and towering … Continue reading The Lords of Misrule
Preachers rarely talk about money, and I’ve never actually understood why. One poll of the “unchurched” revealed that they left church because ministers did not talk about things that mattered to everyday life, and the top two listed were…money and sex. This week, we’ll look at the former, and see how generosity is one of … Continue reading This Generous Life
Three very different words, though close in spelling (you may have noticed I like the strange way words can link up). For some odd reason, these three notions have united in my mind. They pretty clearly define much of what I sense people are feeling and experiencing right now. The social and cultural environment swirling around … Continue reading “Scared, Scarred and Sacred”
The human heart is a complicated thing, and we are conflicted and complex beings. But across the years, and in my own life, I have come to feel that there is one root emotion that we long to access (not that it is easily done)–Joy. Joy is greater and deeper than happiness, and contains sadness … Continue reading What Are People Looking For?
One of the mysteries of our time is the source of a sudden cruelty in our national life. Life has always been difficult and fraught, but not always this brutal. The Romans defined political life as “Man is wolf to man.” As UUs we espouse compassion and listening as high values we treasure – how … Continue reading A Wolf in Wolves’ Clothing
Oliver Wendell Holmes (Sr.- not Jr.) wrote that he didn’t expect much of Boston except that it be seen as the Hub of the Universe (thus, its nickname…) This kind of “humility” has also been seen as indicative of Unitarian Universalism. As we get to know each other, I’d like to share the things I’m … Continue reading Things I Know – and Don’t
“A River in the Desert” We welcome Rev. Stephen Kendrick and ministerial intern Sunny McMillan who will challenge all ages to be like water and embrace transformation (even that which is beyond our control) as we flow on in Earth, sky, river and sea. All are invited to bring a small container of water from any place … Continue reading Multi-generational Water Ceremony and Ingathering – Transitions
One of the central statements in our history is the phrase, “The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Well, is this true? And who first said it, and why? Led by Rev. Stephen Kendrick
