In the Kabbalah, the mystical teachings of Judaism, there is a story that God created the world out of vessels of light made from parts of God’s essence. But some vessels shattered and the shards, representing brokenness, still carry power and need to be reunited with God. Both mystical and practical effort are required to … Continue reading “Tikkun Olam – To Repair the World”

Carl Jung invented the term “wounded healer” to describe therapists and other healers who are motivated to treat patients because they themselves have been wounded in the past. We extend this idea beyond the personal to the community, exploring whether communities like ours, filled with wounded people, may create healing from within. A special feature … Continue reading “Wounded Communities, Healing Communities”

In our Unitarian Universalist faith we make room for people holding a wide variety of spiritual beliefs. We particularly acknowledge that people’s spiritual beliefs can evolve. How do we build bridges in all this difference and change, and find areas of shared spiritual engagement? We invite you to bring a friend to this service in … Continue reading “Walking the Broad Path”

We come together for our Ingathering, returning to the Sanctuary for the formal start of the church year. We reflect on the 15 years since the 9.11.01 tragedy, on how we’ve grown together, and apart, as a country. We reflect on our church, as a merging of individuals, like merging streams, and celebrate with a … Continue reading “Bubbles in Merging Streams”

  Life planning is setting hopes, dreams, visions, intentions, goals for your future. For some, life planning is valuable, but for others, life is improvisation. Where do we find the balance? How do we plan, set goals, and work to meet them? Rev. Matt will also discuss plans for the new church year.  

  A Life Hack is a little thing — quick, easy, low cost — that makes everyday life easier. But what of your spiritual life? Spiritual practice — attending to your spiritual life, doesn’t have to be big, onerous and complex. We’ll explore some simple practices.  

The United States has been engaged in its longest war ever, with no end in sight, and we apparently have little interest in ending this war. We celebrate our military, we do not question our arms manufacturers — peace seems out of fashion, even among religious liberals. What can we do to seek a state … Continue reading “Peacemaking In Our Time”

Spiritual growth is often compared to a journey, but what happens if you take the wrong train? Or, alternatively, never even figure out how to leave the station? We will explore the routemaps and timetables available to us as we travel down the paths of our spiritual journeys.  

  Rev. Matt returns from sabbatical and reflects on his travels. We celebrate Kristina’s completion of her internship with us, and her graduation from seminary. At the end of this service, we will transition from the Sanctuary downstairs to Channing Hall for the summer; our Church Picnic will follow this service.  

“Oh Life That Maketh All Things New” is a hymn by Samuel Longfellow, brother to the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This hymn is our starting point as we consider Easter from a historically Unitarian and Universalist perspective.