Courage is our spiritual theme for October. Most dictionary definitions suggest that courage involves fearlessness, somehow being able to hold fear at bay. If you Google “Courage is not the absence of fear,” the words of several famous individuals pop up: Courage is not the absence of fear, - “but the triumph over it.”  Nelson Mandela - “but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” Franklin Roosevelt. - “but acting in spite of it.” Mark Twain. Let me add one more of my own: Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to journey…

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Nin Rev. Carol Cissel, our guest preacher last Sunday, spoke about the will it takes to visit our church, or any church. She spoke about getting up, getting dressed, checking the website, driving if we drive, parking, walking in…on time. “It is not an accident that our visitors are here.” Not an accident at all. There is all the effort required to get here on a Sunday morning, but beyond the effort, there is the uncertainty…

The theme of Radical Hospitality/Welcome this month has been an opportunity for truth telling about work we need to do. Our guest preacher this Sunday, Rev. Carol Cissel, will bring her own message about welcome to add to our resources as we engage this issue. Neither the Unitarian nor the Universalist sides of our tradition provide great theological depth in this area, historically. Universal salvation (our Universalists heritage) was rarely translated into a radical welcome of difference in this world. It was the dramatic decline in Universalist membership during the early 20th century that impelled them to consolidate with the…

Homecoming Sunday was, in so many ways, a good beginning to this church year: The welcoming smiles of folks as they entered the building. The energy was so positive in the sanctuary and the congregation in such good voice as we sang together. The beautiful sound of one of the newly re-organized choirs and our talented music staff filled the space. I love the blessing of the teachers and the children in our Learning Community as the church year begins. It was a good beginning, but not perfect. We had hoped to create a truly multi-generational worship experience, with all…

“We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been — a place half-envisioned and half-remembered, we only catch glimpses of from time to time.”           -Starhawk Homecoming. Coming Home. The language is powerful. It suggests that each of us, as unique individuals, has a place within the community we create together. Together, we create a collective religious home in which each of us is welcomed. This Sunday we will return to our two service schedule. We will dedicate the volunteer teachers in our religious education program and dedicate ourselves to the children of this community.…

Hi everyone!  As you may know, my time here is coming to a close, and this Sunday will be my last time preaching as your Summer Minister. I want to say thank you to you all!! It has been a formative, challenging, and delightful experience for me to be your Intern and Summer Minister this year, and I appreciate the whole-heartedness that you have brought to our experiences together. First Unitarian will always hold a special place in my heart, not only as the congregation where I served in my internship, but the congregation which made me a minister through…

It was good to be back in the pulpit last Sunday, although my message needed to respond to violence in the world. I might have wished to re-enter with a more personal and pastoral tone. These days, it seems there is always violence that needs to be acknowledged and resisted. This weekend will, very likely, be no exception. I have included the statement from Portland United Against Hate at the end of this post as the city prepares to respond to the planned White Nationalist/Fascist presence on our streets.  PUAH is one of the community coalitions that we support. We…

“Do Something!” The chant from the crowd gathered in Dayton, OH began spontaneously, or so it seemed. The Governor of Ohio was speaking, offering thoughts and prayers for the victims of the latest mass killing.  Gilroy, El Paso, Dayton…in one week. 250 mass killings this year. “Do Something!” Like those citizens of Dayton and vast majorities of Americans, if the polls are to be believed, there is broad agreement on what should be done. From universal background checks to banning assault weapons the people are in agreement. From restoring mental health resources to Red Flag laws, we agree. Majorities across…

The energy in the sanctuary last Sunday was unmistakable. I felt it in the lobby where flowers we had all brought were being arranged in the baskets for our flower communion. I felt it in the spontaneous response to our graduating seniors and the celebration of Betsy Riddell as Unitarian Universalist of the year. I could feel it in our singing and in the buzz as the congregation came down to take a flower and share a blessing… There was even dancing in the aisles. The Spirit was moving. So many of you have complimented me on delivering such a…

Last Sunday, while we recognized and thanked those congregants who volunteered as teachers of our children and youth this year, I looked out at the faces in the sanctuary. What I saw were smiles. Smiles on the faces of younger members of our community as they recognized their teachers. Smiles on faces of parents. Smiles on the faces of the teachers. And smiles on the faces of everyone else, too. Just about every face I saw was smiling. When the teachers had gathered at the front of the Sanctuary, Cassandra said a sentence or two about what each of the…