The title of this sermon is attributed to Polish-American scientist and philosopher Alfred Korzybski and became a premise in Korzybski's General Semantics and in neuro-linguistic programming. For me, it becomes a springboard for explaining my liberal worldview and theology. Notes on the phenomenon of projection, imagination, and poetry.
Inauguration Day was a truly moving and spectacular expression of America working together! Yes, I got a little moist at points throughout the day. Now we enter into a critical time that will make or break all that we have done to date. This is also the moment we consistently get wrong which resets a cycle that will repeat until we lose it one last time or finally wake up and move into a new era for the US and the world. Be prepared to uncover a simple (not necessarily easy) missing link. NOW is the time to advance to a new era for humanity.
Enjoy a light-hearted morning celebrating the sentient creatures we hold dear and near to us. The traditional blessing of the animals this year also includes an animal altar and a mid-winter break slumber party. Favorite animal stuffies, and pictures of your beloved animal friends are invited to spend the week at East Shore.
Let's honor the 250th anniversary of Universalism in the United States by remembering one of its most colorful characters!
The Rev. Abner Kneeland's unusual ideas and bold writing landed him in hot water more than once. Just how far did a minister have to go to be too radical for Universalism? How would Abner's shocking notions fit into Unitarian Universalism today?
The modern Western worldview has forgotten how to read the calendar of the wild Earth as both sacred text and a guide for our own soul formation. Yet, this inherent rhythm is our heritage as we are forged and fashioned out of the fiery elements of creation’s womb. Join with us as Mary guides a seasonal threshold crossing of deep remembering: remembering we carry wildness within; remembering we are related to other plants and animals who inhabit Earth with us; remembering we are on a common journey upon our common home with the whole of creation.
As ESUC begins its nearly two years of search for your next Minister, It will be good to consider styles of leadership and what style you think will fit most comfortably and serve most ably among you. Notes on George Patton, Abraham Lincoln, Rev Violet Kochendoerfer, and servant leadership as conceived by Robert Greenleaf and others.
Unitarian Universalism’s Third Source reads “Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life.” Reverend Furrer will consider what the simplicity and directness of Zen Buddhism has to offer us in the way of insight and deep meaning.
The story of Passover is one of having the chutzpa to allow for grace. Rev. Furrer on Moses, courage, and the path to liberation, then and now.
Mohammad was born in 570 AD in Mecca and began having visions at age 40. Eventually, he wrote them down: the Koran. Today we consider the month-long holiday of Ramadan, an integral part of Islam.
Some of the best storytellers from the past were those who needed to call upon a prophetic vision for hope and justice in dire circumstances. Our country faces equally dire circumstances today, especially around eco-justice. Join us as we explore creative ways to envision a more promising narrative for America grounded in the moral imagination around race, gender, ecology and theology.
How to be reconciled? With ourselves? Our family? Our fellow citizens? And is reconciliation always a virtue, or are there some betrayals so egregious that they brook no repair?
Rev. Furrer preaching on the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone to illustrate some of the attributes good motherhood calls for, and calls out of all parents. With a few memories of his late mom.
Paula Cole Jones and Rev. Stephen Furrer will preach on the 8th Principle, a proposed addition to Unitarian Universalism's seven faith principles. Come hear a bit of history, context, and why we should covenant to build the Beloved Community free from racism and oppression.
How do we reckon with a history of racial injustice in a way that invites us to imagine a more hopeful, just and equitable future? This question sparked a personal journey for Khari Wendell McClelland as he traced his great, great, great grandmother Kizzy’s escape from slavery from Detroit, Michigan to Vancouver, Canada in the 1800s. Music served as his soulful guide for courage and resilience as Khari researched the fugitive slave songs that Kizzy and others carried with them following the Underground Railroad.
Vocal activist Melanie DeMore has traveled the world, was a founding member of the Grammy -nominated vocal ensemble Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, and is constantly amazed by her life. But nothing is closer to her heart than bringing people together wherever she is to experience the healing power of music. Her mission is to make sure you unlock the key to experiencing yourself in all your glory and return home with the very same excitement and passion for living that she herself has. Her energy will charge the very air you breathe like a meteor shower, so get ready to rise up!