In the Western Abrahamic religious traditions, God is seen as a source of light, banishing darkness, and bringing hope. Yahweh impressively “let there be light,” Jesus is famously “the way, truth and light,” and Allah is characterized as the “Universal Light.” Darkness is seen as an enemy, associated with evil, with the shadow. It wasn’t … Continue reading Luminescence – Welcoming Light, Honoring Darkness
To deny that life has its share of disappointments, frustrations, losses and setbacks would be unrealistic and ultimately, counterproductive to our personal growth and well-being. Coach Ted Lasso, the folksy protagonist of the hit TV show, doesn’t deny it. Yet, he posts “Believe” signs around the locker room and asks his English football team at … Continue reading Ted Lasso, Maccabees, and the Miracle of Hope
The Speech Choir is reuniting for a special December performance and will lead today’s service! It focuses on poet Mary Oliver who overcame an abusive childhood through nature, books and poetry. Speech Choir lead by Char W. and Worship Leader Jean W. Music from Mary R. and A Time for All Ages from Tara T. … Continue reading Speech Choir: Mary Oliver
Which barriers do immigrants face in feeling welcomed to the U.S.? Why do other groups of people feel like outsiders, as though they can’t find a place in our society? What does it take for people to feel at home, as though they belong? How can we UUs in particular make a difference? Join us … Continue reading Immigrants & Outsiders: A Dream of Belonging
What does it mean to “belong” to a tribe, a community, a family, a congregation? One of the most rewarding aspects of belonging is the sense of having found a home for ourselves and, in turn, being found, supported, and accepted there as we are. In this sermon to celebrate our Eastrose tribe in the … Continue reading You Will Be Found – The Need to Belong and the Power of Tribes
In her upcoming talk, “The Joy Crazy Life,” Shannon Diffenderffer, M.Ed, explores how joy is not something we find, but something we practice—by honing our abilities to shine, learn, and connect. Shannon Diffenderffer, M.Ed., is the founder of Joy Crazy®, a joyful learning community built around pickleball. Why pickleball? Pickleball is fun, easy to learn and naturally social. … Continue reading Be Your Own Joy Advocate
In the words of writer David Brooks, “In a culture devoid of moral education, generations are growing up in a morally inarticulate, self-referential world.” Along with Mr. Brooks, I wonder why so many Americans have gotten so sad and gutted. And a companion question, why has a swath of America gotten so mean? This intermeshed … Continue reading How America Got Mean & Why Kindness Matters
When Thomas Jefferson debated his landmark Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786, could he have foreseen the troubling state of rampant official “Godliness” in our current political system? On this pre-election Sunday, we’ll explore how the President’s religious behavior has taken on new and surreal meaning in a White House rife with endorsed evangelical zeal and … Continue reading An Atheist for President?
In Japan, vintage disconnected telephones are bolted to trees in the forest or reside in makeshift “booths.” The Japanese call these “wind phones” and wander to their locations to communicate with loved ones they have lost. Wind Phones now exist all over the world, including the Portland area. The five stages of grief suggest this … Continue reading Wind Phones in the Forest and the Geography of Grief
Why do ministers preach from a pulpit, wear a robe and stole? Why do we light a chalice in our UU congregations or sing hymns? What is a chapel or a sanctuary? Why do we have a covenant and not a creed? Rev. Robin will share answers to some of these questions her sermon, “Symbol … Continue reading Symbol and Sanctuary
