This week’s message was selected readings from Voices From The Margins: An Anthology of Meditations by Jacqui James and Mark D Morrison-Reed. This book is available in the UU Library downstairs and 100 copies of it were generously gifted to the church by the Crespo family. Since the book is copyright, the message is not available in video form this week, so you are encouraged to explore the book on your own.

Moment of Perspective – Introduction to Generosity – AJ Fox

Part of the Soul Matters Small Group packet each month (if you aren’t signed up yet and want to sign up, message Rev. Michelle or AJ!) is a rich collection of brief excerpts curated to deepen our understanding of the theme. These are two from the packet this month.

A quote from Nakagawa Roshi, Taiwanese-born Japanese rōshi and Zen Buddhist master:

A student went to his master and said, “I am very discouraged. What should I do?” The Zen Master replied, “Encourage others.”

And that is nestled neatly in the packet with a quote from the incredible 20th century writer Ray Bradbury:

“We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.”

If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking
Words: Emily Dickinson
Music: Leo Smit
Public Domain
Performed by the First UU Choir

From You I Receive
Congregational Hymn
Words and Music: Joseph and Nathan Segal
Video created by UUSGU Music Director Barry Hall
Performed by the UUSGU Community
ASL Interpretation by April Craft

The Final Reading is a Prayer for Living in Tension by Joseph M Cherry, found in Voices from the Margins.

If we have any hope of transforming the world and changing ourselves,
we must be
bold enough to step into our discomfort,
brave enough to be clumsy there,
loving enough to forgive ourselves and others.
May we, as a people of faith, be granted the strength to be
so bold,
so brave,
and so loving.