Thomas Moore called humility, “that low, sweet root, from which all heavenly virtues shoot.” Humility seems to be contrary to a lot of what our culture values but perhaps it is a way to help us understand our place in the larger scheme of things.
I don’t usually pay a whole lot of attention to Groundhog Day. Truth be told I have generally been kind of confused by the day—growing up I remember seeing images of the groundhog somewhere in Pennsylvania—a long way from where I was—and not being at … read more.
History has its eyes on me. History has it eyes on you.[1]
How will history look on these incredible and troubling times we are in? How will it look at our leaders and their examples (or the lack thereof) and some of the devastating consequences? … read more.
Grateful. Grateful. Grateful. Grateful. Gratefulness flowing from my heart.[1]
That may be as good a summary of today’s message as we’re going to get. That beautiful piece—thank you quartet—was a gift. A call to begin with gratitude.
We get the message at an early age that … read more.
We are beginning our monthly spiritual theme of prayer this morning. Last spring as we were choosing the themes, the election was certainly on our minds, and, well, prayer seemed like a good topic for these days. That was before COVID. That was before we … read more.
Carry me on. Carry me on.
What is it that’s carrying you on these days? What is it that’s keeping you going? What is it that’s helping you find your way home?
I don’t have to remind any of us, I expect, of all there is to … read more.
Call to Worship
We began this service with the sound of the shofar, which marks the coming of the holiest day of the year in the Jewish tradition, Yom Kippur, which begins at sundown this evening.
In the Jewish tradition, the High Holy Days begin first with … read more.
Our spiritual theme this month is identity. So what are the identities that first come to mind for you? Some of the roles you have? Spouse, parent, child? Grandparent, grandchild, friend? Retiree, teacher, worker, manager? Or maybe it is identity of race or gender or … read more.
Call to Worship
Words of the Persian mystic Rumi:
Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel … read more.
Call to Worship
I am running into a new year
and the old years blow back
like a wind
that I catch in my hair
like strong fingers like
all my old promises and
it will be hard to let go
of what I said … read more.
