Justice, Elections, and Whiteness

Last updated on: December 29, 2014 at 12:50 pm By David Breeden

Brits By the Boatload When that boatload of Brits showed up in Massachusetts, they quite literally considered themselves god’s gift to the continent. Subsequently, they decided which religions were acceptable; which ethnicities and countries of origin were acceptable; who could vote; who would be enslaved; who lived and who died. This norm has functioned continuously since, letting some in and refusing entrance to others. This normative power is what Professor Ignatiev meant by “white” in her book How the Irish... Read more

Election Day, November 4, 2014

Last updated on: November 4, 2014 at 6:31 am By Rev. Deanna Vandiver

Today is the day, friends. The day to VOTE. This is the day when we get a chance to be citizens and constituents, rather than just consumers. Today is the day this nation decides party control over the House and Senate, decides who will address the looming issues of raising the minimum wage, immigration reform, equal pay, and – let us not forget – going back to war. In New Orleans, many judicial races will be decided today – criminal court,... Read more

Be Still

Last updated on: January 7, 2015 at 7:38 pm By meganlloydjoiner

My daughter is learning to nap. Again. Not on a shoulder or on a lap. But in her crib, with a stuffed wolf and a pacifier. To fall asleep on her own; To quiet her mind and her body and her mouth — practicing, practicing, ready to talk; To turn away for a few moments from the excitement of life; To turn off the stimulation of the every day. I am trying to help: To set the scene, to rub... Read more

Conscience and Choosing the Hill to Die On

Last updated on: December 29, 2014 at 12:54 pm By David Breeden

As of this writing, Maine nurse Kaci Hickox is under house arrest for her resistance to what she considers a fear-based, anti-scientific, and politically-motivated quarantine. In 2012, the US military experienced a odd occurrence: for the first time in US history during time of war, more active duty troops died as a result of suicide than combat. Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhiseng disappeared in 2009. He reappeared recently, in prison, with no charges against him, and no release date.... Read more

Plenty and Then Some

Last updated on: October 27, 2014 at 5:40 pm By Rev. Heather Rion Starr

This blog post, and the excerpts of a sermon on which this blog post is based, are both inspired by a song, “Help Somebody,” by Susan Werner. “I got plenty and then some….what do I do?” I can not get this song out of my head, once it’s in there…and because of this refrain, I don’t mind that at all. I love the question and the reframe that this song poses when it pops up yet again in my mind,... Read more

The Neighbors are Zombies Living in Maslow’s Basement!

Last updated on: December 29, 2014 at 12:51 pm By David Breeden

Imagine the laid-back life of a zombie. First of all, you’re dead. So. No more taxes! That’s for sure. And monthly bills will bother you no more. Besides no more worries about death and taxes, look at how focused you are: your meaning and purpose have boiled down to searching for brains to eat. Admirable focus. And zombies have lot’s of friends. Being un-dead has its moments. You’re well beyond all the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.” Your only... Read more

Please

Last updated on: October 21, 2014 at 8:24 pm By Rev. Deanna Vandiver

Tonight we stood together around candles that marked the spot where his body was found this morning. Tonight we poured out our stories and our songs, our prayers and our tears. Tonight we reminded each other that we are loved and loving, that our lives have value and are valued by each other. Tonight we said good-bye to a good friend and a committed organizer. So tomorrow, when you read in the paper or hear in the news that another... Read more

Twenty Inches

Last updated on: January 7, 2015 at 7:00 pm By meganlloydjoiner

Twenty inches isn’t all that high. It’s less than two feet. My daughter was 20 and ½ inches long when she was born. But when you are staring at a black box twenty inches high and you’re supposed to jump on top of it and land on your feet and you’ve never done anything like that in your entire life, it feels impossible. It feels like if you were actually able to get on top of the box, you would... Read more

Where Is the I in Me? Emotions, Self and Soul

Last updated on: December 29, 2014 at 12:51 pm By David Breeden

A child falls down and begins screaming. It’s common. You did it as a child. I did it. What happens next? For me, my parents said, “Get up off the floor! Boys don’t cry!” When this happens at an upscale pre-school nearby, I’m more likely to hear, “You feel sad!” Or, “That’s frustrating, isn’t it?” Or, “You’re so angry!” What’s the difference between the two parental responses? Fact is, any time I cried as a child, I got the same... Read more

Companions on the journey

Last updated on: October 14, 2014 at 8:14 pm By Rev. Deanna Vandiver

“May beauty and passion and compassion be our companions. May we be fully alive. Amen.” ~Rev. Kim Crawford Harvie (Healing Places, 9/14/2014) Keep the faith, beloveds. Keep showing up. Keep paying attention. Keep speaking your truth. Because we have changed, the world is changed. And you are not alone… #blacklivesmatter #FergusonOctober #MoralMonday #Not1More #RaiseTheWage #ClimateJustice #bethechange Read more