When we want to push someone or something harmful or undesired away, our feeling of aversion usually erupts in anger, hatred, fear, or rejection. Yet in Buddhism, aversion itself is a cause of human suffering. Its opposite is the practice of loving-kindness. As we cultivate compassion this month, let’s explore what orientation toward our current … Continue reading Is Compassion the Antidote to Aversion?
***THIS SERVICE WILL BE HELD ONLINE ONLY*** We are living in a broken world and it is important to see that. Equally important is how we respond to the brokenness around us. If we can help repair some of the hurt by listening, being present, talking with, and extending grace and compassion to those in … Continue reading ONLINE ONLY – Building Belonging One Piece at a Time
In a world constantly shifting, we are invited to deepen our connections—not by resisting change, but by embracing it. This service, inspired by Karen Hering’s book Trusting Change, explores how building belonging is not static but formed and re-formed through transformation. Together, we will cross the threshold of change into an inclusive and defiant love … Continue reading Becoming Thresholders of Change
This Sunday in a special ritual, we confer the title of Minister Emerita on UUCG’s former minister Reverend Jan Taddeo, and we hear her reflection on our inclusive and defiant Love! We explore how the “flame of belonging” that we build at UUCG can spiral outward to warm and embrace communities beyond our own. Please … Continue reading The Flame of Belonging: Honoring Rev. Jan Taddeo
Belonging to each other is written into our DNA! So let’s defy our current culture’s efforts to divide us and instead embody the ways we recognize and cherish each other’s gifts and vulnerabilities. For our Annual Water Ceremony, please bring a small container of water from home, your travels, or other source. You’ll add your … Continue reading We Belong to Each Other
The Rev. Dawn Skjei (SHAY) Cooley writes: “Loving the hell out of the world means loving each other out of hell.” We consider this a challenge not to turn away in fear and disgust from the malevolent darkness of mind and spirit that is spreading across our Country and destroying our Mother Earth. We consider … Continue reading Loving Each Other Up
How do we as Unitarians allow love to be at the center of everything we do? What exactly is love that is inclusive and defiant? Let’s look into ourselves and see where Interdependence, Justice, Equity, Generosity, Pluralism, and Transformation intersect in our lives. Come hear a range of voices reflect on the meaning and application … Continue reading Revolutionary Love
Theologian Frederick Buechner says that when we’re looking for what we are called to do and be as people of faith, we want to look for “where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Can you name two or three sources of your deep gladness–the joy or meaning that abides even in hard … Continue reading Where Our Deep Gladness and the World’s Deep Hunger Meet
What do we love about our faith? When looking for the truth in love whether historically, communally, or personally it is important to have a trusted source. This morning we will look at some of the sources we as Beloved Community love about our faith. Some might be surprising and everyone doesn’t need every THING … Continue reading Returning to Love at its Source
We begin this new program year by “Returning to Love,” August’s theme. Love sits at the very center of our faith; it is the fuel, compass, sustenance, and support for our lives, both communally and personally. But Love is a wide-encompassing word. What kind of Love in particular do we learn, embody, and carry out … Continue reading What Kind of Love Do We Carry? Blessing of the Backpacks!
