“Attention is the beginning of devotion.” -Mary Oliver In recent years, I have often been considering what quality time or rather, the quality of our attention, really is and the profound impact it can have on our sense of connectedness, happiness, and overall wellbeing. I used to find my attention very fragmented (and admittedly sometimes … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 9.9.26
“By acknowledging our dependence on dear Earth, and by connecting into gratitude for her amazing gifts, we will naturally move in the direction of living more lightly on her.” – Satya Robyn, “A Fourth Refuge: Namo Bhumyai” This past Saturday, I spent the whole day at my friends’ farm property, known as the Organic Compound, … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 9.2.26
Macey Forsyth, Director of Lifespan Faith Formation, alongside progressive Lutheran minister, Jenna Couch, are in the process of planning a 10-12 grade OWL cohort. This is the first time in over 4 years we have been able to offer OWL at UUFM. Both Macey and Jenna have attended training to guide this course and are … Continue reading Upcoming OWL Training Highlight 8.26.26
Last night, I spent time with a friend watching and discussing this gorgeous and tender documentary on grief rituals: https://tricycle.org/filmclub/just-our-heart/ The photo I included from the film is in Cerro Rico in Potosi, Bolivia, and I was particularly touched by this scene in which these women sing, dance, and create an altar they burn to … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 8.19.26
Three weeks ago, I spotted this Barred Owl on an early morning walk. This creature only caught my attention, as they were repeatedly screeching. How fortunate I felt to catch a rare glimpse of them in daylight through the perfect little window in the trees. I stood delighted, speechless, and grateful, just before another person … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 8.26
Our next non-fiction book will be A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most … Continue reading UUFM Book Discussion Group ~ Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Early yesterday morning, I spent a little time wandering Rasmussen woods, admiring the birds and the plant life surrounding me, noticing how the flowers are flourishing. The spiky, magenta Burdock flowers particularly caught my attention, right along the path – an underappreciated source of beauty. Later in the day, as I pictured those blossoms, I … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 7.15.26
Widening Circles I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world I may not complete this last one But I give myself to it. I circle around God, the primordial tower. I have been circling for thousands of years. And still I don’t know: am I a falcon, a storm, or … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 7.7.26
“How Did the rose Ever open its heart And give to this world All its Beauty? It felt the encouragement of light Against its Being. Otherwise, We all remain Too Frightened” ― Hafiz Today, as I anticipate our upcoming annual Flower Communion this Sunday, I am considering what it means to be in community in ways … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 6.3.26
One of the best-loved of Nabokov’s novels, Pnin features his funniest and most heart-rending character. Serialized in The New Yorker and published in book form in 1957, Pnin brought Nabokov both his first National Book Award nomination and hitherto unprecedented popularity. “Fun and satire are just the beginning of the rewards of this novel. Generous, bewildered Pnin, that most kindly and impractical … Continue reading UUFM Book Discussion Group ~ Wednesday, July 22nd
