The audio from our sermons
Whether you believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus, or not, Easter provides a powerful truth about the possibility of rising again. Loss, pain and agony quite often subside and make way for resurrections both small and big. How can we move our doubts and skepticism out of the way and let grace happen?
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Dayenu (“it would have been enough”) is a song that is part of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Jesus Christ Has Risen Today is a Christian Easter hymn. These songs and other element of these two powerful religious holidays can guide us to a healthy, balanced, and life giving self-esteem. To sing “it would have been enough,” for example, is to say we must live into the eternal now. And, in like manner to proclaim that the spirit of love can arise from suffering and defeat, is to witness to the Easter message. This Sunday we will explore and celebrate these seasonal lessons.
Rev. Stephen Shick is Minister Emeritus of the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson where he served as Senior Minister. As a parish minister he has also served our congregations in Haverhill, MA and Portland, ME. He is author of two Skinner House books, Be the Change and Consider the Lilies.
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This line from a Walt Whitman poem, “Song of the Open Road” speaks to the value of healthy self-esteem. What happens when our self-esteem gets too small? We don’t believe we are good fortune. What happens when our ego gets too big? We think we are better than others and forget they too are good fortune. How do we balance out the dial in a spiritually vibrant way?
On this day we will celebrate all of our great fortune in having Beverly Gross Spencer singing as our lead Alto at USG for 26 years! We will highlight Bev’s talents and sing her praises.
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Pope Francis is the most exciting and hope inspiring new religious leader on the international stage in decades. Every person of faith and goodwill has an opportunity to cherish Pope Francis’ gift of hope and deep faith. I will preach my letter to the Pope thanking him for inviting all of us to a more complete church of the “bruised, hurting and dirty” and an abandonment of a church, which is “confined and clinging to it’s own security.” How can we all find deeper compassion and actual transformation?
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With Music by Raji Malik, farond soloist (an Indian sitar-like instrument)
J. Jondhi Harrell will share the similarities he sees between the mass incarceration of today and the system of slavery that existed in the past. Then the Underground Railroad led former slaves not only to freedom but to a new way of life. He will offer suggestions as to how the system of Mass Incarceration can be combated and how modern day abolitionists can assist in this process, how individuals can become a part of the New Underground Railroad.
J. Jondhi Harrell is Executive Director of The Center for Returning Citizens with a history of 25 years of incarceration in the federal prison system. A community activist and organizer, he works to decrease the incarceration rate in Pennsylvania, and support former inmates and their families. He is currently a graduate student at Temple University in the School of Social Work.
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The great Unitarian Minister Forrest Church offered an exceptional mantra for daily life: Want what you have, Do what you can, Be who you are. Today we celebrate USG ministries and programs, of which we all play a part. We all play a critical role in financially supporting the life of this congregation. Do What You Can is a great motto for a meaningful, enriching life. Don’t sell yourself short. You may not know your own strength.
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We often get caught in a mindset of scarcity: There is not enough. Not enough time. Not enough money. Not enough justice. Not enough compassion. How can we instead open our hearts to the abundance in our lives and in the world and become more generous of spirit?
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Intense, winter weather has brought many surprises and problems this year. The day-to-day changes have drilled in the truth that many times we don’t control very much. Many times we are best off when we just surrender. How do you go with the flow, accept (even the unacceptable) and find peace?
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In honor of Black History month, the choir will present “Changed My Name,” a powerful musical dealing with the Black experience of slavery in the US. The stories of Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth are told through songs and narration. If you haven’t heard this musical before, you owe it to yourself to experience it. If you have heard it before, you’ll want to hear it again – yes, it’s that good!
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The richness of life comes from both our connection to others and our connection to our own selves. Our relationships can bring us great joy and yet these connections can also pull us away from the solitude that puts us in relationship with our inner companion. How do we balance these two important spiritual needs and make space for our souls?
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