by Rev. Aaron Payson There is an old story told among Zen teachers. Once upon a time there was a family, the relatives of a poor sick samurai, who were dying of hunger. They approached Eisai’s temple, and the good monk there took the golden halo off the image of Buddha and gave it to … Continue reading On Mercy
by David Schowalter & The UUCW Stewardship Team A Reminder About Digital Pledging & Offerings As we begin the 3rd quarter of our fiscal year, we are aware that many of you continue to face financial challenges. Because of the budget surplus realized from FY2020, we continue to be fiscally stable as a congregation and … Continue reading Stewardship Notes – On Automated Donations
Presented by Laura K. Secor (Text by Rev. Richard Gilbert) When Life Is Messy by Rev. Richard Gilbert It is easy to pray when the sun shinesAnd we are grateful for another glorious day of being.It is hard to pray when wind and rain and thunderPlague our every step and spoil our every plan. It … Continue reading When Life Is Messy
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration & Education Being a quilter, I was pleased to see the book “Stitchin’ and Pullin’’” by Patricia McKissack suggested in the curriculum we are using this year for our Religious Exploration program. The curriculum, “Growing Anti-Racist UUs- A Curriculum for Children”, was written by religious educators at the Unitarian … Continue reading Quilt Stories
Rev. Aaron Payson This month’s Touchstone Ministry Theme is “Consolation and Desolation”. Included in the material shared for this theme is the following story: The farmer’s plot of land ran along the bank of a river. Years ago, he planted a bamboo plant, which grew straight and tall and beautiful. He called the plant, … Continue reading Lessons from the Bamboo Tree / Favorite Books of 2020
Rev. Aaron Payson; Rev. Cheryl Leshay, Affiliated Community Minister; Rev. David Miller, Minister Emeritus; Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Education & Exploration; Jennifer Landry, Office Administrator; Matthew Johnsen, Music Director; Susan Chaffee, Bookkeeper; Steve McNally, Sexton Please Click Here to view the UUCW 2020 Staff Holiday Card!
Presented by Laura K. Secor (Text by Rev. David Blanchard) Listening for Our Song by Rev. David Blanchard On sabbatical in East Africa, I heard a story of a people who believe that we are each created with our own song. Their tradition as a community is to honor that song by singing it as … Continue reading Listening For Our Song
Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration & Education Settle in, get into that comfortable place, in your best chair or propped up on a pillow in bed. Maybe you have a hot tea, or a hot chocolate by your side as you crack open the first page or turn on your electronic reader. Settle in, … Continue reading The Comfort of a Book
Rev. Aaron Payson As times of anticipation go, this has to be one for the record books. As we await the arrival of vaccines, a new federal administration, and the prospect of returning to a renewed sense of normalcy, we arrive at this season of anticipation and celebration with many feelings: ambivalence, curiosity, hope, sorrow … Continue reading Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Jessie Trowbridge As a child growing up, my family did not belong to any organized church, and while all of my grandparents were involved in their own church communities, religious exploration was not a part of my experience growing up. We found community in other ways – through creative pursuits, interests and activities, and work. As … Continue reading A Stewardship Testimonial
