On Sunday, June 30, upon return from a week in Northern New Mexico, I preached a sermon entitled “Georgia O’Keeffe and the Spirit of Ghost Ranch.” In it, I lifted up some less conventional portals for understanding the “Mother of American Modernism,” whose images of flowers and cow skulls and red rock landscapes are so … Continue reading In Conversation with the Spirit of Georgia O’Keeffe
In the summer of 2011, while I was cleaning out closets in preparation for my move to Pittsburgh, I unearthed a one-gallon plastic jug of clear liquid from under a bag of scrap fabric. At first I thought it was spring water, but upon closer inspection, I discovered it was something quite quirky, long forgotten … Continue reading “Schweitzer Fluid”
When I turned 50 (some years ago!), my galpals thought it would be a stitch to amuse me with a small dinner party and a bunch of “now that you are so old (decrepit?)” gifts. You know, things like lip-line reducing balm, special circulation-friendly compression stockings, and an AARP letter magnifier. Someone offered to cut … Continue reading Not Feeling Bad About My Neck
Just this past week, I was surfing around for sermon fodder for my sermon on UU evangelism on the topic of “why people go to church and why they stay away,” when I stumbled on an article entitled, “People Flock To The Church of the Confused Chicken.” (Extra points for the “flock” pun!) When I … Continue reading What the Cluck?
Usually when we think of “surrender” we think “defeat.” Yet, there’s a way to look at surrender that is more positive – the Buddhist concept of surrender as “letting go.” Recently, I read an entry in a blog I like called Daily Om about a tool called a Surrender Box. The author tells us: “A … Continue reading “I Surrender”
If a month itself could be a “trigger,” it would be January, 2024. Honestly, we could throw December (or at least, some aspects of it) in for good measure. We’ve been justifiably triggered by an ice storm, a collapsed sewer line, porta-potties, and wrangles with insurance companies. Yet, through it all, we Eastrosarians have endured and … Continue reading Glimmers
Friends,Since late November, we’ve been meeting the moment of unexpected and extensive building repairs. I’m proud of how we’ve held together and faced the challenge with ingenuity, calm, and solidarity. Here’s to meeting the moment and “being where we are” together in 2024. This reflection below speaks to the moment and is as relevant in … Continue reading Be Where You Are
You’ve heard it said (probably a few times by me…from the pulpit!) that how we perceive the beauty and the brokenness in our lives is often a matter of perspective. Take a moment to read this poem (found on the internet): Today was the absolute worst day everAnd don’t try to convince me thatThere’s something … Continue reading Backwards and Forwards Blessings
For millennia, philosophers have asked: “Can you have too much of a good thing?” Um, two words – pumpkin spice! It is just EVERYWHERE and in my slightly grumpy opinion, should confine itself to the province of baked goods, seasonal beer, cider and hot beverages. I might have been more willing to be flexible if … Continue reading “Pumpkin Spiced”
On Sunday, October 1, we’re starting our monthly “New and Renewed UU” discussions groups after the service and the potluck. Hope you’ll pop in. These meetings always remind me of how tricky it can be to articulate our uncommon faith. Many years ago, when my kids were in the midst of UU Religious Exploration and … Continue reading UU Fortune Cookie!
