Diwali is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.
In a world where some seek to close pages, lock shelves, and silence uncomfortable histories, we, Unitarian Universalists, want our Faith to be a beacon of open minds, brave hearts, and uninhibited exploration. We strive to search for Truth and Meaning. Therefore we believe it is a Sacred Duty to maintain the Freedom to Read.
Many churches take time once a year with this formal ceremony to give thanks and bless our companions in life—cats and dogs, birds and chickens, turtles and fish and so much more! This ceremony also acknowledges that our lives are made fuller and richer by the creatures that inhabit the Earth with us, not just … Continue reading “Animals Are a Blessing,” by Tinka Friend
We all make mistakes, we all get angry, we all harm others, we all want to be forgiven. Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is the opportunity for all of us, to realign ourselves with the Holy, to be forgiven, and to forgive others.
This Sunday, Sept. 6, is National Read a Book Day. It is an opportunity to send children back to school with a new book. Donate a book to your local library, swap books with friends, read a book you loved earlier in your life but haven’t read for a while, finally read one of those … Continue reading “Books Make Us More Human,” by Tinka Friend
Unitarian Universalism isn’t the only liberal religion, and many beliefs that we hold are held by many. Where does our theology lie? What can we point to when asked not only what we believe, but what is the bedrock of our faith? Rev. Karishma Gottfried believes there are 5 jagged rocks upon which our Faith … Continue reading “The Five Jagged Rocks of Unitarian Universalism” by Karishma Gottfried
This year, as we celebrate and honor our country’s 250th year since the writing of our Declaration of Independence, many Americans struggle with how patriotic they should be feeling. Indeed, if they should be celebrating at all, given how many liberties have been reduced in recent years. It feels as though this Bold Experiment of … Continue reading “A More Perfect Union: Patriotism with Open Eyes,” by Tinka Friend
This sermon looks at Jesus as a “Rabblerouser” to the Roman enforcers in Jerusalem. Was there evidence for them to see him as an insurrectionist? Given how our current federal government and law enforcement officers are looking at people (including American citizens) who put themselves out front, protesting, demanding justice and being labeled as “Domestic … Continue reading “Jesus as a Security Risk,”
Prior to deciding what we will pledge for the next year, we examine the spiritual connection to pledging—to giving generously with intention. We see how that enriches both the church and our own spiritual growth.
Service video In this month of remembrance of American Black History, we honor the life and the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson.
