Aspen Trees and UU Principles
Today, I am thinking of aspen trees. Aspens, with their lovely golden fall foliage and leaves that flutter like hummingbirds’ heartbeats, are nothing if not beautiful. Tender, fragile-looking trees, and yet fragility is the farthest thing from what they really are. Aspens also make a beautiful illustration of the two theological, most fundamental Principles in […]
Discernment for Hope
In the Soul Matters UU congregational curriculum, December’s theme is Expectation. When I think of expectation in December, I think of the phrase I heard over and over and over at every Mass I ever attended as a child: We wait in joyful hope… Joyful hope. In the UU congregations I know, “expectation” is turning […]
The Love of Valentine’s Day
Such an interesting holiday we celebrate this week. A holiday ostensibly about love, and yet one that emphasizes loneliness and bitterness for so many, financial pressure for others, and a weight of obligation for lots more. In Unitarian Universalism, many say that we are “standing on the side of love.” There is a whole related […]
UU Minister and Wiccan Priestess: Initiations
I am being ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry on April 19 of this year. If all goes well, the congregation of All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, DC will confer ordination upon me, and many people will come from many parts of the United States (and possibly beyond) to witness and join in the […]
Guest Post | Befriending Death: A Meditative Spiritual Practice
My Unitarian Universalist colleague, Karen Johnston, has graciously agreed to post on The Way of the River. Her wisdom and compassion—born of a committed Buddhist practice—consistently impress and inspire me. I commend her to you and hope you will check out her blog, linked at the bottom of the page. Blessings! As this sound […]
Orphaned Believers and Skeptical Dreamers
Orphaned believers, skeptical dreamers / You’re welcome. You can stay right here. / You don’t have to go ~~Over the Rhine~~ Thanks to my friend Oscar Sinclair for introducing me to the words above. They are, indeed, a fine encapsulation of my hopes for The Way of the River. Orphaned believers Some of us belong […]