We would know that Renewal is in the air, even if Soul Matters did not share itstheme. It is time to go into the next church year, celebrating this past year, with allof the planning and joy and anticipation of each year’s transition PLUS a newminister! Our time together has been a time of transition, ...

Whether we think about it or not, we live in a religious pluralist world.  The person next to you, even in your own family, is a whole person with their own beliefs that are different from yours.  Even if you are in the same religion.  Being human is to have your own set of rules ...

April is upon us with its April showers, and Earth Day, and our theme ofinterdependence. For this month, more than reading and writing meaningfulwords, I propose we use this space to do meaningful things. Like, notice when weneed somebody or something just as much as it/they need us.Interdependence, depending on each other.Our cat brings joy ...

May Sarton wrote, “Without darkness, nothing comes to birth, As without light, nothing flowers.” We have been living through the necessary darkness, and the days are coming to watch all the flowering.  That is transformation.  In order for anything to transform, necessary changes will happen.  And we all know that change is hard, even when necessary ...

This graphic, by @restoringracialjustice, shows us what our aspirations look like in action.  February’s theme, from our resource called Soul Matters, is Justice and Equity.  Equality is a tough one to reckon with, because making something legislatively equal does not always cure the problem.  The Supreme Court granted equal access in the right to marry, but ...

Years ago when the city of Baltimore was experiencing violence, my friend theRev. David Carl Olson said that “My liberation is tied up with yours.” He wasreferring to a quote that was not merely academic, but lived inside of him. “If youhave come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you ...

Ah, mystery. I think of mystery novels and movies. I think of the Mysteries ofScripture. There are all kinds of mysteries…..but mostly, this year, at thiscongregation, I think of the Mystery of The Search. Who will apply to be the next minister? Who will become a pre-candidate andthen the candidate? Who will UU berks vote on ...

Happy Autumn, friends! The very first Sunday of November is when we experience a time change. (Fallback) At least with this kind of change that we all experience together, we know itis coming. So many changes that occur in our lives (like the Pandemic) happensuddenly, without our permission, or even a friendly heads up. Being a pastor ...

These days, I approach the word “heritage” very carefully.  So many traditions and customs, when carefully inspected through our 21st century lens do not hold up.  They were charming at one time, but only accessible to a privileged few.  As we see things through more of a global, multi-cultural, anti-racism lens that is more realistic ...

I have thoughts to share on the verb and adjective, welcome. When you walk into my house there is a Cross-Stitch that says Witamy.  In Polish, it means welcome.  I got the cross stitch from my dad’s house after he died and I do not know of its origin;  it was just always there. In the musical, ...