“… naked but for the stories we have of each other….”
Oh sun, moon, stars, our other relatives peering at us from the inside of god’s house walk with us as we climb into the next century naked but for the stories we have of each other. Keep us from giving up in this land of nightmares which is also the land of miracles. This from the poem, “Reconciliation: a prayer,” that accompanies the lighting of the flame throughout the March-April 2018 worship series, “Listen 2.0: listening to one another.” The poetry is from Muscogee (Creek) poet, Joy Harjo who I first heard in our back alley as part of a City of Asylum summer “Jazz...
Read MoreSeeking Lead Religious Educator
Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church on Pittsburgh’s North Side is looking for a collaborative, caring individual to oversee our faith development program for pre-K through 12-year olds, teaching 8-11-year olds twice monthly, and recruiting and supporting adult volunteers. Love and clearances are must-haves. If you or somebody you know would be an asset to this ministry to children, please apply! About Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church We are a welcoming, urban congregation that puts Unitarian Universalism into action by celebrating life, nourishing the spirit and inspiring a...
Read MoreBalance & Emergence: Listen 2.0
Human biology and neurology have confirmed what ancient wisdom (and, frankly, intuition) has always taught: Healthy individuality is impossible without community. Yet community demands conformity—with some communities demanding more conformity than others. This makes fully human life at best a balancing act. The March-April worship series “Listen 2.0” moves from a rich inner life cultivated by last series’ “Listening Within” to the necessary and more authentic life of “Listening to One Another.” It’s worship that offers the opportunity to...
Read MoreListening within, deeply
I like to think that, at least at Allegheny, we have come to an understanding of the yin/yang aspect of individualism and communitarianism. That’s what I experienced when we worshiped with community drumming during “Drumming in the New Year” worship the first Sunday of 2018. Community drumming is not just a worship experience—an invitation to nourish the soul. It’s an opportunity to heal, if you let it; to create community, if you make it; to listen to your own drum while listening to others in a way that makes the whole sound better. Or not. It’s all in your hands. “If you feel...
Read MoreDays of Action
On Martin Luther King Sunday this past year, we gathered to celebrate Rev. Dr. King’s legacy and commit to live it out! The “word cloud” above reflects the key elements of the ways we aspire to live our values, to become the people we’re inspired to be, to be that church that opens its doors to go out and find and serve with those around us. This end-of-the-year holiday season, take time to reflect on the social concerns that occupy your thoughts and touch your heart. Focus on what you can and shall do. Write them down. Post them on social media #liveloveboldly. What...
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