by Rev. Aaron Payson “Suzuki Roshi, I’ve been listening to your lectures for years,” a student said during the question and answer time following a lecture, “but I just don’t understand. Could you just please put it in a nutshell? Can you reduce Buddhism to one phrase?” Everyone laughed. Suzuki laughed. “Everything changes”, he said. Then he … Continue reading On Transformation & Loving Kindness
by Dave Schowalter & Moira Rouse, Stewardship Team As our 2024 pledge drive kicks off this coming Sunday, our Board of Management and Minister are heavily focused on the long term sustainability of UUCW’s finances. In recent years, the pledge drive has essentially covered the salaries for our staff–our Minister, RE Director, Music Director, Bookkeeper … Continue reading It’s A Wonderful Church
by Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration I asked the question to the Coming of Age teens : How do you stand up for something that is important to you? We were talking about justice and how people have things that they are concerned with in the world on a variety of levels. What can … Continue reading Ask The Question
by Rev. Aaron Payson In honor of this month’s Soul Matter’s Theme, “The Gifts of Justice and Equity” we continue a theme that was the focus of last week’s Religious Exploration class for Potpourri Sunday, namely the anniversary of the birthday and celebration of the historical legacy of Rosa Parks. The history of Rosa Park’s … Continue reading Justice, Equity, and Rosa Parks
What is Potpourri Sunday? Potpourri Sunday is an opportunity for those attending worship to engage each other in dialogue and conversation about programs and opportunities for service and social support throughout the church year. During the service participants are invited to attend any of several extended conversations instead of a reflection by the minister. Conversations … Continue reading Winter Potpourri Sunday – February 4, 2024
by Melissa McKeon, Board of Management Each year, your board of management re-examines how we may best serve the interests of our church community, our staff and the many, many volunteers who keep the wheels turning here at UUCW. As 2024 commences, these are the goals your board is pursuing and the questions we hope … Continue reading Goals For A New Year
by Laura K. Secor Hello my friends, It is snowing. Because it is January in New England, this makes perfect sense. My brother lives in Hawaii, where every day is 72 degrees and sunny with a light breeze. Isn’t that strange? Sometimes I get on a plane in February and go from New England snow … Continue reading Connecting to Stillness
by Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration In 1983, after years of advocacy, Martin Luther King Jr Day was established as a federal holiday. What did that mean? For many, it was another day off from work or school. For many schools and churches we would nod at MLK Jr. and perhaps watch a video … Continue reading How to Celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
by Dave Schowalter, Stewardship Team In this season of joy, reflection and celebration, let us seek inspiration in the diversity of our beliefs and strength of our connections and pledge ourselves to this world, our world. This holiday season, as our war-weary world struggles in so many ways and places, let us not choose sides … Continue reading A Holiday Nugget from Your Stewardship Team
by Laura K. Secor Winter’s Sweet, Sweet Song Let the darkness of the longest night hold me,Let the peace of the Winter Earth enfold me,Gently,In silence,Resting in the embrace of soil,On a bed of fallen leaves,My Mother, sleeping, breathes. Free my mind of restlessness,Show me not what tomorrow will bring,As I lay in this moment … Continue reading Winter Poems
