Gospel Music Part II: For Women’s Month, we will look at the life and legacy of Bernice Johnson Reagon and how Gospel music was woven so tightly throughout the Civil Rights marches and demonstrations on the 1960s. Tinka Friend and her husband, Nick, joined UUCR in 1996. After decades of trying to find the “right” church … Continue reading “Nothing But Love in God’s Water” Part 2
“Nothing But Love in God’s Water” Part 1: What constitutes Gospel music? Where and how does it fits into American history? And the legacy of Thomas A. Dorsey, who is universally considered to be the Father of Gospel music. Tinka Friend and her husband, Nick, joined UUCR in 1996. After decades of trying to find … Continue reading “Nothing But Love in God’s Water” Part 1
Video recording We will explore two of the six UU sources — Jewish and Christian teachings and Earth-centered traditions — and their relationship to each other. Today, looking at the Old Testament, it’s hard to understand the cruel behavior of Yahweh, and we might not expect insight from pagan readings of these Judeo-Christian myths. What … Continue reading “Yahweh and The Goddess Earth,” by Alec Peck
Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) is a celebrated figure in American history. She was an abolitionist, social activist, and Union spy during the American Civil War. Living through the slavery era, Harriet Tubman faced three major challenges: She was black, she was a woman, and she had a disability. She also had three support systems: family, faith … Continue reading “The Life & Times of Harriet Tubman,” by Lauren Young
Love comes with responsibilities. It doesn’t matter which kind of Love it is: romantic love, sibling love, friendship, love for the stranger, etc. The biblical mandate to “love your neighbor as yourself” is frequently held up in Jewish sources as “the great principle of the Torah.” and Jesus said that to love Gold and to … Continue reading “Love’s Charge,” by Tinka Friend
Love is like a box of chocolates. Both can involve some choice and some risk. Love and chocolate can bring you joy but can also be kind of messy. We all have different tastes and different desires. We all have different expectations and different needs. There are many varieties of love, just as there are … Continue reading “Chocolate Communion Ritual,” by Rev. Sarah Movius Schurr
Transmogrification is the act or process of being transformed from one form to another, of stepping outside of the proverbial box. UU’s often ask “What” our principles mean, or “How” we affirm and promote them. But sometimes it is necessary to ask ourselves “Why” they are important for us to affirm and promote them. When … Continue reading “Transmogrified,” by Rev. Kimberley Debus
Imbolc, usually observed on February 1 or 2, is the second festival in the Wheel of the Year. It has its roots in the Celtic world and is heavily associated with the goddess Brigid, an ancient Celtic goddess of home, agriculture, spring, dawn, and fertility. Imbolc encompasses connections to land, community, and the self. Imbolc … Continue reading “Imbolc: A Celebration of Returning Light,” by Kasey Davis
Last week, we celebrated America’s most iconic black leftist, Martin Luther King Jr. Most people now don’t think of this Southern Baptist preacher as being particularly liberal, much less a leftist, and don’t know about the radical social philosophies that inspired him.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. He was an American Baptist minister, activist, and political philosopher who was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968.As we remember Dr. King today, let’s ask ourselves what we want to be remembered for, … Continue reading “Inauguration of a New Day,” by Rev. Dr. Brent Smith
