“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
“When someone deeply listens to you your bare feet are on the earth and a beloved land that seemed distant is now at home within you.” -excerpt from the poem “When Someone Deeply Listens to You” by John Fox I shared this poem in service this past month during worship and have returned to it and … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 5.20.26
This past week, I took a little bit of time off from my job at UUFM for a professional development opportunity through my other job at CADA attending the 2026 MNCASA (Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault) Symposium on Real-World Healing that took place on May 6-7 in Walker, MN. There were many touching, inspiring, and … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 5.13.26
“Our raft-making won’t stop the fires from flaring up, but it may teach us how to sit with the heat without burning away.” – Bayo Akomolafe Rather than sharing a reflection of my own this week, I decided to uplift this brief but gorgeous one: https://www.bayoakomolafe.net/post/sanctuary-is-not-a-place Upcoming Happenings: This Sunday, May 3rd, following coffee hour, around … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 4.29.26
I recently received the prompt to write a short love letter from Earth, and this is what I came up with. Happy Earth Day! I hope this writing gives you a sense of peace and groundedness today. Dear Beloved, My skin misses your warm attention, your playful presence, your sweet surrender. May time and gravity … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 4.22.26
“Ageism is a denial of you as a person, and like all other forms of rejection makes you feel sad, angry or useless. Get enough of it, and you start to shrink inside.” -Polly, a campaign supporter of Age Without Limits This past week, in the online depth immersion I am participating in, alongside a … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 4.15.26
“As long as you are concerned about improving yourself, you’ll always have a self to improve. And you will always suffer.” – Cheri Huber I celebrated my 33rd rotation on Monday, and as it approached, I reflected on the way aging was talked about during my younger years. There was abundant commentary about it being … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 4.8.26
“The most meaningful futures rarely arrive because we forced them into existence. They emerge because we noticed something true and stayed with it. A question that would not let us go. A grief that clarified what mattered. A longing that persisted beneath distraction. A quiet conviction that shaped our choices over time… The invitation is … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 4.1.26
“It is possible the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community, a community practicing understanding and lovingkindness, a community practicing mindful living. And the practice can be carried out as a group, as a city, as a nation.” -Thich Nhat Hanh Buddhist … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 3.11.26
