Minister’s Message November is the month of healing, and within this frame it would seem entirely sensible to imagine open wounds that become closed scars. That might work in our bodies much of the time. It is not so clear that wounds heal into scars within our psyches and our spirits. Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen … Continue reading November 11, 2020 Minister’s Message
Chinese-American philosopher and social activist Grace Lee Boggs (1915-2015) wrote, “Another world is necessary. Another world is possible. Another world is happening.” While the votes continue to be counted, let us remember these words. Whatever the outcome, we know after the last four years and this election season that our country is in serious need … Continue reading November 4, 2020 Minister’s Message
As we close out exploration of our theme “Deep Listening,” I encourage us to continue practicing this skill in our personal and social relationships. And let’s go deeper with this practice. We listen deeply through the lens of our values. Let me emphasize that listening is not agreeing with a perspective. Listening is not supporting … Continue reading October 28, 2020 Minister’s Message
Minister’s Message I don’t actually believe that I have a spirit or soul, that I am some sort of triune being, with a spirit, mind, and body. I understand myself as a human being, a unity, with humanness expressing itself in a variety of ways. Spirituality (or physicality or psychologically or materially) is, as I … Continue reading October 21, 2020 Minister’s Message
Minister’s Message How are you feeling today? Are you well in your body? In your mind? In your spirit? Are you feeling whole? Some of us may not be feeling great, and it can be challenging to know just why we don’t. I’ve learned that a relaxed mind follows from a relaxed body. And so … Continue reading October 14, 2020 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, Our Soul Matters theme for the month of October is Deep Listening. What is deep listening, and why might we practice it? Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, offers this reflection: “One of my patients told me that when she tried to tell her story people often interrupted her to tell her that they … Continue reading October 7, 2020 Minister’s Message
Minister’s Message Dear Friends, Living with pain and frustration deepens isolation in these times when we are all forced, for our health and safety, to remain secure in our homes and separated from those we love and need. It is easy to forget that we are part of a larger web of relationship. The interdependent … Continue reading September 30, 2020 Minister’s Message
Minister’s Message American novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, cultural critic, and farmer Wendell Berry (1934- ) published this poem in New Collected Poems (2012): “When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and … Continue reading September 23, 2020 Minister’s Message
Minister’s Message I woke this morning to the sight and sound of a scattering yellow leaves falling vigorously from the maple in our front yard. It seems early, yet I know that tree is not the healthiest. My weather app tells me that the skies in Seattle, where our son lives, are a gloomy gray. … Continue reading September 16, 2020 Minister’s Message
Minister’s Message What a joy it will be to gather this coming Sunday. This will be our third Ingathering since I was called as your full time settled minister! Though much about our ways of worshiping together has changed, the spirit of compassionate and justice-seeking community remains, vibrant and active even though we continue to … Continue reading September 9, 2020 Minister’s Message
