In threatening times it is common for us to try to take greater control of circumstances. Our immune systems will do something fascinating when faced with a new threat. You might even say that they throw in a little chaos as novel threats require novel solutions. Can we be inspired to view chaos in a different … Continue reading Chaos
We’re deep into the ‘politically divided’ time of the year. Many people struggle between taking a stand or keeping things calm, rocking the boat or going with the flow. It is one thing to be strident on social media or with your poster board at a rally. But how do we navigate ‘hot button’ issues … Continue reading How to Disagree with a Friend
The ACLU is tracking nearly 500 pieces of legislation with the potential to have harmful impacts on those in the LGBTQ+ community. The United States is facing deep social and political divides. How might an expanded definition of “coming out” help? We hope to see you in person! Our COVID policy has been suspended and masking … Continue reading The (Calculated) Risk of Being Known
What does it mean to be a people of courage? Each of us have counter-cultural “leanings” that we don’t lean into as fully as we’d often wish. How might we lean into our counter-cultural self a little bit more? Where are the everyday moments of courage in your life? Rev. Jennifer Hamlin-Navias recently retired from the … Continue reading Be Ordinarily Brave
Let’s dive deeper into the words of Mishneh Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers/Ancestors). Hillel used to say: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am for myself alone, then what am I? And if not now, when.” Rabbi Barbara Goldman-Wartell is in her fourteenth year serving as the … Continue reading If Not Now When – Reflections on the text from Pirkei Avot 1:14
UU musician Jim Scott wrote a song that starts with the line, “May your life be as a song, resounding with the dawn to sing awake the light.” How in today’s world can we greet the day with this kind of courage? It is our intention to wake the glimmer of this song in each … Continue reading Courage
How can we live with the great challenges of climate change without falling into despair or focusing only on the practical things we can do in our lives? One way is to bring mindful attention and ceremony to that which is passing. We hope to see you in person! Masks are optional. Here is the … Continue reading Earth Hospice
To create is to assert ourselves in a way that is risky, that invites moving into the unknown. What can you do to risk the gifts you possess to expand love and grace in the world? Rev. Jo VonRue serves as the Minister at May Memorial UU Society in Syracuse. Jo previously served as the … Continue reading Risking Everything in the Desert
