News (Page 90)
A Tale of Two Roosevelts
Like many Unitarian Universalists, I experienced depression and sadness after the most recent presidential election. My eyes would well up with tears as I thought about the fear and hate that have become so prevalent in my country. But then I remembered what one of my heroes once said. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified…
Oohs and ahhs of Mary Oliver
Happy New Year everyone! For someone like me who loves to read, receiving Christmas presents of new and interesting books is a delight. When I came home from our Christmas morning worship service, there were several beautifully wrapped books under our tree. I eagerly opened each with interest and curiosity. Although reading on a Kindle is nice, lately I have longed for…
Joined in Song, Coming Home
Future Plans
From the 8/28/16 Question Box service Can Anthony tell us his future plans? Can we keep Anthony after his internship? My master plan (my end statement)? To be an active duty military chaplain. This was and still very much is my clarion call to ministry, in the long term. My mission and my vision. My soul’s marching orders in this life. My working plan (the means to that…
Questioning Authority
When asked what I do in my position as a religious educator, I frequently describe my job as teaching children and youth to Question Authority. That description raises some eyebrows, elicits quizzical looks, occasionally raises gales of laughter. Why on earth would I want to encourage more questioning? Don’t children already ask enough questions? What does it really mean…
Walls and Hedges
My wife and I were listening to the radio program “This American Life” one morning a few weeks before the 2016 presidential election, when one of the interviewees commented “my dad had a wall around our yard when I was a kid — a big wall — that’s what we need in this country.” For me, a childhood memory was triggered. The year was 1959 and I was 8. My family had just…
Awe Inspiring
What to Expect of Families and Children in Worship?
This column is written in response to a question asked on the UUCC Family Support Group Facebook page: What should be expected of our families and our children during worship? We would like to invite you to participate in a discussion, please see the bottom of the post for more information. I came…