Noted religious historian Wilfred Cantwell Smith maintained that there’s a unity in the world’s religions, and developed the idea in his book Towards a World Theology. This unity, however, is found in the religious history of humankind, not in its theology or religious practice. What did he mean by this, and what are the implications … Continue reading Is a “World Theology” possible?
Direct link to YouTube stream HERE. St. Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun and mystic. Her writings are considered to be classics of the contemplative tradition. In “The Interior Castle,” she writes about two forms of inspiration or transcendence. One is like a basin that is filled from an outside source: this basin represents … Continue reading “Water from the Source: On Mysticism”
Direct link to YouTube stream HERE. Gnosticism was an ancient heresy in the early Christian church. Among its primary tenets was the idea that secret knowledge could unlock the “divine spark” within human beings. As a movement, Gnosticism was obliterated by the official Church, yet threads of Gnostic thought persist even now. What insights might … Continue reading “Well, Whaddya Know: On Gnosticism”
Throughout the church year, our 8th graders and up have been participating in a Coming of Age program, where they learn more about Unitarian Universalist history and beliefs. They spend the year working on a personal credo statement, and they will be sharing their credo statements with the congregation during this special worship service for … Continue reading Coming of Age
Direct link to YouTube stream HERE. As Unitarian Universalists, we focus not on heaven or perfection but on practicing our faith. Abstract ideas about how to live don’t really matter. It’s how we live that counts, even when that living involves a lot of falling down and failing. Today we pick up the ancient philosophical … Continue reading “Practice, Practice, Praxis”
Direct Link to YouTube Stream HERE During the last two weeks of August, our services are designed to introduce core concepts and principles of Unitarian Universalism to those who may be seeking a spiritual home or who are just curious about our liberal and liberatory faith. This year, we examine two terms that can be … Continue reading Faith (through a UU Lens)
September 27 is World Rivers Day. Rivers are life-giving resources, carrying water to parched earth, and serving as home to fish and other aquatic animals and plants. It was by wading through rivers and streams that enslaved people found a path to freedom. And, in the Christian tradition, it was in a river where Jesus … Continue reading I’ve Known Rivers (Theology of Liberation)
“In an age when so many struggle to find meaning, a community formed through a set of commonly held beliefs can form a stronger bond than one formed through antipathy towards rejected beliefs (p.14).” — Widening the Circle of Concern (2020 Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change) The theological roots of Unitarian Universalism … Continue reading Heretics! (Theology of Freedom)
The delta variant is keeping us from meeting together in person, but it can’t keep us from celebrating our community! Our church goes on. Today, we celebrate the beginning of a new church year with ritual. At our annual Ingathering service, we come together as a family of travelers reuniting after our many separate journeys. … Continue reading Ingathering/Water Ceremony (Theology of Relationship)
Our theme for this church year is “Widening the Circle of Concern.”* We kick things off this month with a focus on the empowering legacy of Unitarian Universalist theology. This Labor Day Sunday, we’ll celebrate our theology of relationship, our commitment to inclusion and interdependence, through the metaphor of a church picnic. Join us for stories and songs and please … Continue reading Picnic (The Theology of Relationship)
