By Rev. Michelle Scott-Huffman The opening words are Welcome Sweet Soul, by Rev. Dr. Rebekah A. Savage. Welcome sweet soul, to this place of renewal and hope.Here we welcome your tender places and yearnings to be fully present.Welcome sweet soul, to this place of meaning and belonging.Here we welcome your questions and wonderings on the … Continue reading Renewing What? Unitarian Universalism & the F word (faith…)

Message by Eva Riebold Moment of Perspective – Doris Seale and Cultural Appropriation – AJ Fox The opening words are from Black Elk, Oglala Lakota holy man, from the book Black Elk Speaks, by John Neihardt: Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have … Continue reading The Sacred Hoop

By Rev. Rod Richards – Read by Mike Brown The opening words are from The Tao by Lao-Tse: Before creation a presence existed,self-contained, complete, formless, voiceless, mateless, changeless,which yet pervaded itself with unending motherhood. Though there can be no name for it, I have called it the “way of life.” Perhaps I should have called … Continue reading Drawing on the Wide Side of the Brain

Drum Circle #2Performed extemporaneously by the First UU Choir and other membersPermission granted

By Rev. Michelle Scott-Huffman The opening words are Into the Circle, by Rev. Dr. David Breeden.We gather into this circle.We gather into this circle of careto dream,to envision,to embody and achievethe compassion we dream,the justice we envision,the dignity of eachin an ever-growingcircle of love and justice. Drum Circle #1Performed Extemporaneously by the First UU ChoirPermission … Continue reading Widening the Circle of Self

Chalice Lighting: From Side With Love – Adrian Ballou The opening words are “intentions and trust”, by Amy Lloyd. Today I want to greet joyWithout a trace of suspicionI want to open my eyes to the lightWithout a blink of dreadI want to look at my pastWithout a whisper of shamI want to look at … Continue reading Intent vs. Impact: Resolutions for the New Year

Message by Rev. Michelle Scott-Huffman Moment of Perspective – Introduction to Side With Love – AJ Fox The opening words are A Prayer of Good Intention, author unknown. Dear Lord, So far I’ve done all right.I haven’t gossiped, haven’t lost my temper,haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent.I’m really glad about that.But in a … Continue reading Living With Intention in Our Relationships

Message by Colleen Appel and Susanne Bounds Moment of Perspective – “Take 5” (Deep Breaths) – AJ Fox The opening words are from the article “Racial Bias, Even When We Have Good Intentions,” by Sendhil Mullainathan:  “…Ugly pockets of conscious bigotry remain in this country, but most discrimination is more insidious. The urge to find … Continue reading Bending the Arc

Homily by Rev Michelle Scott-Huffman The opening words are My High Resolve, by Howard Thurman. Keep fresh before me the moments of my high resolve. Despite the dullness and barrenness of the days that pass, if I search with due diligence, I can always find a deposit left by some former radiance. But I had … Continue reading A Moment of High Resolve