We are well and duly launched at the First Unitarian Church! Our inaugural Sunday with its water “communion” was a lot of fun, not so travelogue and much more recollections of home, neighborhood, and region. And the deeper purpose was met, I thought. It really did feel like a gathering of the streams back into the main current… There was some beautiful music. And a couple of prayerful moments, too rare among us, I usually feel. And we brought it... Read more

Two inestimable advantages Christianity has given us; first; the Sabbath, the jubilee of the whole world; whose light dawns welcome alike into the closet of the philosopher, into the garret of toil, and into prison cells, and everywhere suggests, even to the vile, the dignity of spiritual being. Let it stand forevermore, a temple, which new love, new faith, new sight shall restore to more than its first splendor to mankind. And secondly, the institution of preaching,–the speech of man... Read more

While I have to admit to having only the most passing interest in the scientific investigation of meditation, even my own beloved Zen meditation, that doesn’t mean I don’t think it important. And some good news for those with such a turn of mind, there is a fast growing literature. Neuroscientist James Austin has done yeoman’s work surveying that literature in his two books Zen and the Brain and Zen-Brain Reflections. Anyone interested in the subject will find a wealth of information... Read more

On this day in 1847 Henry David Thoreau ended his sojourn at Walden pond. This was a fruitful time for him. He wrote A Week on the Concord and Merimack Rivers (considered to be unreadable by many…) and vastly more importantly kept the dairies that would become the classic Walden. By now most every one is aware how he kept quite a lifeline out to the world during this time, the cabin was near the edge of town and quite close... Read more

Disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff declared before his sentencing judge “I am not a bad man.” I’ve been thinking about this. I am strongly inclined to feel we are defined by what we do. And, in fact, his actions are a mixed bag. He does have a long track record of charitable and generous gifts to others. And he corrupted politicians and defrauded clients. He was a central figure in further fouling our national political scene. He did very bad... Read more

(warning: some rude comments here…) Read more

It was an interesting run up. I was mildly surprised at how flat Governor Romney’s speech was. Perhaps he is getting tired of his far right sheep’s clothing. I would think it should be beginning to itch… But then there was quite a save. I was reminded again of how smart Mayor Giuliani is. Witty, sharp, very, very New York. He provided a perfect set up for Alaska’s governor. I suspect much better than the announced video, which was lost... Read more

Caroline Augusta White Soule, Universalist apostle to the Presbyterians of Scotland, was born on this day in 1824. Caroline White worked as a teacher and the unpaid principal of the female department at the Clinton (New York) Liberal Institute. The principal was Henry Birdsell Soule, who also preached at local Universalist churches. The two married and would have five children. Henry went on to serve a half dozen Universalist churches before his untimely death in 1852. For several years Caroline... Read more

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As those who follow the institution of Unitarian Universalism know we constantly struggle with summary statements of our faith. On the one hand we are fiercely non-creedal, suspicious of any attempt to box us in. On the other hand we are a community of faith, we have observable traits, and we have a need for summary statements. This last point is why we keep trying to come up with “elevator speeches,” brief descriptions of what we think and believe even... Read more