Memory is an essential part of consciousness and places embody our memories. Old buildings are like memories you can touch. However, in order to experience this connection, we must first know of its history. On this last Sunday of Black History Month, we welcome Funeral Director James E. Smith who will speak of his 40 … Continue reading Our Building: A Site of Memory
Author, educator, media theorist and social critic Neil Postman (1931-2003) argued that television was playing on our appetite for distraction as we amused ourselves to death. Writing on the cusp of the internet, Postman warned of the dangers posed by the false god of technology for culture, politics, and education. We’ll consider what he had … Continue reading Neil Postman, Prophet? Technology, Gods, and The End of Education.
On Sunday a look at a new, exciting focus. The Pathway to Membership becomes clearer, easier to follow. At least the Membership Team hopes so! Marion Hill will speak about a new approach to church membership that the congregation has voted to begin using. This Path to Membership, based on a workshop Hill heard at … Continue reading A New Plan for a New Year
A closer look at what it means to be persons-in-community and how awareness of this reality changes our self-understanding and sense of responsibility for the world around us. Dr. Davies has, for the last 23 years, been the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics at Oklahoma City University and Founding Director of the World … Continue reading Communitarian Personalism
Why meditate? In our driven, achievement-focused world, what are the benefits of learning to create stillness inside yourself? Elena Westbrook will introduce a few different approaches, including breathing techniques and Tonglen meditation, that can be a powerful part of your spiritual practice. Elena Westbrook returns to our pulpit this morning. Elena is an active member … Continue reading The Still Point of the Turning World
A hopeful look forward for the 2020’s – the make or break decade of the make or break century. Rev. Dr. Mark Y. A. Davies is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics, Director of the World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility, and Executive Director of the Leadership. Education, and Development Hub … Continue reading 20/20 Vision: Can We See Clearly Now?
The first Sunday of the new year is a time for reflection and introspection. It is a time of new beginnings and possibilities. To our ritual of letting go (flame), metaphoric cleansing (water), setting intentions (oil), and new beginnings (light), we are adding a way to reconnect to the Earth and growing things. We will … Continue reading A Ritual for the Season
We conclude this worship year, as is our tradition, with a morning assembly featuring all of us, everyone who would like to share a reading, song, poem, or a story. Being at the cusp concluding the first decade of the century and launching into the second one, what thought do you bring to this transition? … Continue reading Sitting On The Cusp Of A Year
Three special observances coalesce within this week-end. The Winter solstice on Saturday evening celebrates a pagan heritage. Christians look with Joy on this third Sunday of Advent and Jews light the first Hanukkah candle at dusk Sunday evening. Our assembly today will celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and Solstice in readings and music.
When life gets you down, whether from personal or global tragedy, it is important to find your laughter. As Josh Billings says about laughter, “Genuine laughing is the vent of the soul, the nostrils of the heart, and it is just as necessary for health and happiness as spring water is for a trout.” Come … Continue reading Laughter in Dark Times
