Planning holiday meals or visiting with friends or family can lead to deep satisfaction and beautiful memories. The holidays can also mean unmet expectations and needs. Many times, we have to let go of previous hopes and accept new realities. Can we accept the imperfections of holidays – and our lives – as blessed mess?
Author Archives: usguu
11.26.17, We Remember Them, Connie Simon, Intern Minister
11.19.17, Thanksgiving Bread Communion, Rev. Kent Matthies
As an important part of an enriching, multi-generational Community Day we will celebrate a meaningful, participatory Thanksgiving bread communion. At all ages, we go through exciting and challenging situations. Regardless of circumstance we can do what we can to give back to life with generosity.
11.12.17, Service Is Our Prayer, Rev. Libby Smith
Our theologies and our spiritual practices may vary, but at the heart of our religious life is a call to serve others, a call that transcends all our differences and brings us together in a shared expression of faith. The Rev. Libby Smith has served UU congregations in Rockport, MA and Langhorne and Warrington, PA.
11.05.17, We’re All in This Together, Connie Simon, Intern Minister
Census reports show that poverty in Philadelphia remains the worst among the nation’s big cities. Government doesn’t seem to have any answers. What is our responsibility as people of faith? How can we work together with interfaith partners to help our community?
10.22.17, White Supremacy Teach In, Rev. Kent Matthies, Connie Simon, Debbie Ward and the USG Choir
We will explore building a Unitarian Universalist faith where every UU feels called to not just get involved but to reside in the struggle for racial justice for the long haul. How do we move to a deeper understanding of all levels of anti-racism work? A caucus will be available for People of Color.
10.15.17, What Does Make America Great? Mark Bernstein
What should spiritual people do in these interesting times? Is it time to give up, or redouble our efforts to save the soul of our country? A mythological battle. Mark Bernstein has been USG’s Board President and is now our Treasurer. Last year he retired after serving 30 years as a Common Pleas Judge .
10.8.17, Living with Chaos, Rev. Kent Matthies
If we are lucky, we grow up with some sense of order. Throughout our lives though, we all experience moments of disruption or chaos from mental illness, addiction, moving, a natural disaster or just having lots of surprises in a day. How do we come to identify, accept and work creatively and positively with chaos?
10.1.17, When the Story Breaks: 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, Rev. Kent Matthies
500 years ago Luther posted his 95 theses, a major catalyst to the Reformation. Religion, a social construct designed to meet personal and community needs, is often deeply interwoven with prevailing narratives. When the story breaks, like learning the earth is not flat and the sun does not orbit the earth, big changes can happen
9.24.17, Begin Again in Love, Connie Simon, Intern Minister
We’ve all experienced hurt or disappointment because of our own actions or the actions of others. As we celebrate the Jewish High Holy Days, we remember that one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and others is the gift of forgiveness and the opportunity to begin again in love.