Mental illness is more common than cancer, heart disease and diabetes (and the number one reason for hospital admissions nationwide), yet most health insurance is inadequate or non-existent to treat it. Mental illness is not rare, and yet, denial persists – “They’re weak.” “She’s only high-strung or moody.” That kid is just a little weird.” … Continue reading Question for the Abyss
In his masterwork, “Walden,” Henry David Thoreau explained that he “went to the woods to live deliberately.” In this sermon, we’ll explore what it might mean to live in a deliberate and conscious relationship with the sacred natural world. How do we and can we help Nature thrive and protect it through our activism and … Continue reading The Heartbeat of Trees: A Sermon for Earth Day
There is an old saying: “The only thing constant in life is change.” During times when the world shifts profoundly in personal and collective life the world’s oldest stories can provide insights into navigating the challenges of inner and outer transformation. Change is at the very heart of a story and many stories offer strategies for “shape-shifting” our … Continue reading The Art of Transformation: Myths and Poems of Transition and Change
In the Parable of the Widow’s Mite, an impoverished woman tosses two copper coins into the Treasury. Is this meager or substantial? Can we applaud her contribution or do we view it as insufficient? Is it enough to create a feeling of abundance and gratitude? This morning, as we launch our annual Stewardship campaign “Be … Continue reading Stewardship Sunday – Two Copper Coins: The Effort is The Standard
In the Exodus story, Yahweh makes four promises to the Israelites. Yet, when Moses ascends Mount Sinai, the Passover pilgrims falter and construct a golden calf (a forbidden idol), causing their leader to smash the 10 commandments against the rocks. These shards were placed in the ark of the covenant along with the second intact … Continue reading Shards in the Ark: A Sermon for Passover and Easter
Growing up, many of us were told to be good little boys and girls. Goodness, however, may not be the best spiritual goal. Perhaps we should aim for health in our spiritual lives, our bodies, our families, our communities, and our national democratic institutions. Rev. Katie Larsell preaching with Worship Leader Patty W. Music by … Continue reading Good or Healthy?
She’s an icon. A queen of country music, an author, entrepreneur, a voice for working class women, and a philanthropist. She’s Dolly Parton, seemingly beloved by folks of all stripes in our increasingly factionalized country. As we continue Women’s Herstory Month, we’ll explore how she does it and what can we learn from her “Dolitics” … Continue reading Dolly, Indivisible: Reaching Across the Cultural Divide in America
What does it mean to have a “heart of green?” In my view, it is a heart lush with love, grace and generosity of spirit. In the current climate of an epidemic of “every person for themselves,” what might radical generosity look like to you and how have you experienced it and offered it yourself? … Continue reading A Heart of Green – A Sermon Towards Radical Generosity
Five years into being a widow with no grandchildren, children in their 50’s who didn’t need me, I (Carol Knox) felt compelled to write my autobiography which may be found at Eastrose. In order to feel like I had a purpose–for a while–and maybe even discover who I am now. After having realized how valuable it is … Continue reading And Then There Was Laughter
Do women deserve rights and a voice in society? This quest has been a struggle for centuries. Two systems in our country shape an answer to this seemingly straightforward question. In one, we are fully entitled, and in the other, we’re not or we’re threatened to have whatever equality we currently have stripped away. Rabid … Continue reading Mainstreaming Misogyny
