Minister’s Message Dear Friends, During this month of Attention, I bring attention to the roots of this most common word. “Attention” stems from the Latin ad (toward) and tendere (to stretch), meaning “to stretch toward.” And the word “tender” is related, such that the tenderness of our attention comes both from our reaching toward something out of love, … Continue reading November 13, 2019 Minister’s Message
Minister’s Message Nov 6 Dear friends, This beautiful beast showed up in my side yard on Monday. Or should I say, my side yard overlaps with this beautiful beast’s territory. It is all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? From whose lens you look, and learning to look through a lens that is not naturally … Continue reading November 6, 2019 Minister’s Message
Minister’s Message Dear Friends, I had a wonderful weekend in Pittsburgh finding myself with the oldest connections to whom I belong. I was blessed to officiate the wedding ceremony for the middle child of some of my dearest friends from my college days, and connected with several other friends from that action-packed and rewarding time … Continue reading October 30, 2019 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, I’m looking forward to a weekend in Pittsburgh, PA, my birthplace, that of my children, and my home for 33 years. It is not really a place I belong anymore; I haven’t in many years longed to return to it. But I have a chance to re-connect with college friends, celebrate a milestone … Continue reading October 23, 2019 Minister’s Message
Oct 16 Dear Friends, Sometimes I think that the question of belonging—to whom and how and why—can feel a bit weighty. “Longing” is a lengthening word. It can pull on us in heavy ways. Reflecting on belonging might make us pensive, might invite us to re-visit yearning that has not been satisfied. Certainly, the unsatisfied … Continue reading October 16, 2019 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, I am fortunate to have been at a ministers’ retreat in Iowa the last three days. Regional Unitarian Universalist ministers gather for collegiality and to deepen our own spiritual practices so that we may be best prepared for all the beautiful work of ministry with the people of our congregations. I encourage you … Continue reading October 9, 2019 Minister’s Message
A great conundrum of our living is that we each operate as distinct individuals even as we long to feel part of a group, a community that echoes who we understand ourselves to be. We each view reality out of the front of our heads—out of our eyes, out of our frontal lobes, processing and … Continue reading October 2, 2019 Minister’s Message
Sept 25 Mother Teresa might have said: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Within this context, I think it is safe to say that most of us, singularly, will not do great things, for great things take effort beyond our own strength and fortitude, … Continue reading September 25, 2019 Minister’s Message
Sept 18 – Dear Friends, I see a marvelous, UU-oriented weekend ahead of me, and I marvel at the richness of my life in this community. Three different events claim my attention, and each resonates with a number of our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources. Through these events, we can move our thoughtfully held values into … Continue reading September 18, 2019 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, This day is always a day of remembrance, when our lives as both Americans and as citizens of the world changed in ways that continue to affect our lives. In a time when suspicion and hatred abound, in a time when clannish hyper-involvement rather than curiosity and inclusivity mark too many relationships, we … Continue reading September 11, 2019 Minister’s Message
