Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part is the seventh principle of Unitarian Universalism. Interdependence is also one of the few principles that is carried over into the Article II revision on purpose and principles. At this service, we’ll explore how the Religious Naturalism movement is a source for … Continue reading The Religious Naturalism Movement

Communion is defined as an exchange that is so intimate, that it is spiritual. Communion is also the term for a ritual in Christian communities.  Some Christian traditions believe in  transubstantiation, or that wine and bread actually become the body and blood of Christ while maintaining their appearance. Through the Christian reformations, this understanding chaged. This service … Continue reading Transformation of Transubstantiation: Why Everything is Holy Now

In 1452, a Papal decree was issued that theologically justified the right of Christian nations to conquer and confiscate indigenous lands on behalf of Christendom. This practice eventually became international law known as the Doctrine of Discovery. The U.S. Supreme Court adopted this law as the law of these lands, and cases continue to be decided … Continue reading Religion and Justice: Repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery

Values are living force behind one’s beliefs and principles. If engaged, they lead from behind, determining where we spend money, time and energy without even being a conscious decision. In the 1970s, a study was conducted by Robert Miller in the Religious Studies Department of Tufts University to discover if there was a unique value … Continue reading The Value of Love

The Nativity or Christmas story is one of the dominant cultural stories in America, but is often told in ways that is exclusive to Christianity. At this multigenerational, interactive service, we will immerse in the season of storytelling, which is a tradition of the winter solstice. Throughout different cultures, people told stories of a child … Continue reading A Universal Christmas Story

“The Dead are our nearest neighbors.” John O’Donohue   This is the time of year that is believed to be a thin time, a liminal space, when the veil between this world and the next is most transparent. Cultural celebrations such as All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos, Samhain, and others all … Continue reading Service of Ancestors

Over the summer, the New York Times published a five-part series on religious “none’s”, defined as those who have no religious affiliation. One of the main takeaways from the reporting was that whether one attends a fellowship, church, mosque, gurdwara, temple, friends meeting or any house of worship, one of the key benefits is the fellowship … Continue reading Religious ‘Nones’: Trends in Un-churching Today

The Water Service, or Water Communion as some call it, is an annual ritual of coming back together after the summer months. Bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to you, and during the service, everyone has an opportunity to add their water to a collective bowl. As … Continue reading Water Service

Mary Oliver has been called the unofficial poet laureate of Unitarian Universalism. Her poems are so powerful in engaging the religious questions that many consider her work canon, or the sacred text that helps us find what is holy and sacred, who are we and why are we here, how we are called to live our lives, … Continue reading Delighting in the Poetry of Mary Oliver