by Rev. Aaron Payson When the great Rabbi Israel Ba’al Shem-Tov saw misfortune threatening the Jews, it was his custom to go into a certain part of the forest to meditate. There he would light the fire, say a special prayer, and the miracle would be accomplished and the misfortune averted. Years later when a … Continue reading Remembering Your Story

by Laura K. Secor Solstice Blessings! The winter solstice is almost upon us in the northern hemisphere. The Gaeilge for the winter solstice is grianstad an gheimhridh, which translates as ‘winter sun stop’. This reflects the potency of this time to take a personal, collective and cosmic solar pause no matter where in the world you … Continue reading Solstice Blessings!

by Rev. Cheryl Leshay I have often said “Thank you” for a gift I would never choose for myself, knowing that the person giving it to me thought I would like it. I have received books I already have, clothes that are so not my style, food items I am allergic to, and so many … Continue reading The Thought That Counts

Rev. Aaron Payson The Holiday Season is upon us and we are planning a wonderful series of opportunities for worship, seasonal celebrations, and social events!  We hope you will join us!! Sunday, December 1 , 10:00 am in Person and Online – The Gift of PresenceAs we eagerly anticipate the coming season of gifting and … Continue reading Tidings of Comfort and Joy 2024

by Rev. Aaron Payson It is the holiday season again!  The older I get the quicker this season seems to arrive.  This wasn’t the way it was when I was young.  Christmas always seemed like it was forever away from where I was at any given moment in the year, until December.  December meant that we … Continue reading Living Into Each Moment

Once upon a time, there was an angelfish.  She was the only angelfish, and as you know, fish of different species don’t speak the same language, so she could find no good conversations to pass the time or give her life meaning.  It didn’t stop her from talking to the local octopus, the pair of moray eels … Continue reading When I Heard Your Song

As I prepare for our Religious Exploration program for this coming Sunday, I am choosing to continue our focus on kindness. Of course, the idea of kindness is peppered through every lesson that comes out of our Unitarian Universalist values, and at this time in history I want to ramp it up. Let me share … Continue reading Let’s Focus on Kindness

The Work of Citizenship by A.R. Payson  (in the style of Howard Thurman’s “The Work of Christmas”) When the last campaign ad has aired;When polling stations are closed and the count has been certified;When pundits and politicians have turned in for the nightAnd pollsters and political operatives are turning their thoughts to the next big … Continue reading The Work of Citizenship