On Sunday after worship as I was making my way to my office to change for the congregational meeting about our draft covenant, one of our leaders came up to me and said there was a young woman in the “newcomer’s cafe” who was weeping. She said she was a Polish national. I changed direction and went into the parlor we reserve as a bit less busy spot for newcomers on Sundays. We spoke a bit then walked to my... Read more

It’s been a week and a day since I tumbled into the depths of flu-life. After a nasty, nasty twenty two or three hours, I thought I was well. But in fact I went through a couple of relapses. The week has been on the yuck side… Including yesterday afternoon and into the evening and to a very early to bed. But today, while a bit shaky, I think the world is much better. At least my little corner of... Read more

THE ART OF THE DEAL The Work of Articulating a Congregational Covenant James Ishmael Ford 11 April 2010 A Sermon delivered at theFirst Unitarian Church ofProvidence, Rhode Island TextWe the members of the First Unitarian Church of Providence with respect for the worth and dignity of each person, with wonder at the light we know by many names and with gratitude for our deep connection, covenant to walk together in our search for truth, seeking the paths of compassion and... Read more

Thank goodness Mr Beck is here to put the record straight… http://cloudfront.mediamatters.org/static/flash/player.swf Okay, old news. But, heck. Glenn thinks its important. And, you know, so do I. May the president never forget the lessons he learned at his grandmother’s knees… Thank you, Valerie, for the pointer! Read more

The rite of Communion has been celebrated at the First Unitarian Church of Providence since the community first gathered in 1720. Here are three photos from Maundy Thursday, 2010. Our community minister and a visiting clergyman from another denomination co-celebrated. We were supported by six of our Deacons and there were about thirty congregants in attendance. Read more

In many East Asian cultures this is the time to mark the birth of the Buddha. Gradually we in the West will figure out our own best ways of doing it. Here’s how they do it at a Zen center in Victoria, B.C… I really like the pinata. And I love the cupcakes. I think they’re moving in some sort of right direction… Again, happy birthday, baby Buddha! Read more

People in my circles often think of Brad Warner as a Buddhist radical. Actually beyond his being a bit in your face, and willing to talk about sex and rock and roll (and the occasional monster movie), he’s a remarkably conservative advocate of the “shikantaza only” Soto reform movement established by Kodo Sawaki Roshi. You want radical, attempting to go to the root no matter the cost, check out Stephen Batchelor.  And happy birthday, Stephen. And fond wishes for many... Read more

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 On this day in 1930, Mohandas Gandhi began a little walk… Some people like to say this project couldn’t have worked with every conquering empire, Hitler’s Germany for instance, or maybe Tibet under China’s hobnailed boot. But it worked here. And for the sake of suffering humanity, we shouldn’t forget this. Read more

OVERFLOWING GRACE Three Easter Stories 4 April 2010 James Ishmael Ford A Sermon delivered at theFirst Unitarian Church inProvidence, Rhode Island Mark’s Empty Tomb Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome agreed, as was the custom in those days, that when the Sabbath was over they would bring sweet spices to Jesus’ tomb and anoint his body. It was very early on Sunday morning, the sun just rising in the sky when they gathered together and walked... Read more