Into the Mystic with John Dorhauer

When thinking about white privilege, what do you see? "Well-meaning" white people have the responsibility to be aware of their privilege and to do more than observe silently in the face of microaggressions against our BIPOC* neighbors. Listen to the podcast. *BIPOC stands for "Black, Indigenous, People of Color." The acronym is used to refer to members of non-white communities.

May you explore God's grandeur in ways that open up your soul and spirit, as John's was during this morning's sunrise over Star Island. Listen to the podcast.

Recrudescence - The Rev. John C. Dorhauer reflects on this new word that he just came across, and how it fully applies to what we've been living though these past couple of years - and how Faith will see us through it. Listen to the podcast.

In this week's podcast, the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer discusses white privilege. He asks this same question to all groups when the subject is discussed: "What do you see?" Listen to the podcast.

Let there be peace on Earth as we walk together in the footsteps of the peacemaker we know as Jesus. And let it begin with me, says the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, as he explains his thoughts on war. Listen to this week's podcast.

In the many years' quest to find a new location for the National Office of the United Church of Christ, we finally moved in this week to our beautiful new space, In many ways it was also a spiritual quest. UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, who spearheaded the move, has reflections after the long, arduous journey.

The Rev. Jess Chancey fills in for the vacationing John Dorhauer again this week. Jess' subject matter for this week deals with depression, and actually discusses their own vulnerability to this lying disease. But Jess says that hope in God and Psalm 42 is part of what is therapeutic for them. Listen to the podcast to find out why.

We welcome the Rev. Chancey back to fill in this week while Rev. John Dorhauer is on vacation. In this podcast, Rev. Jess talks about compassion. In the midst of all the grim news of violence these past few weeks, they say, "Let's water the seeds of compassion wherever we find them, so that those seeds can grow and blossom into flowers of empathy and interbeing," ...and hope that one day we can put down (if not get rid of) our weapons. Listen to the podcast.

Trumpery – by definition an attractive article of little value or use; something that is showy but worthless. The Rev. John C. Dorhauer has some thoughts on what should take priority as things of value in our lives vs things that might look valuable and worthy of time and/or money, but in the end - aren't. Listen to the podcast.

Modern Sporting Rifle or modern tool for killing people? Listen to the podcast.

Tears of compassion are a kind of baptism, washing away hate and arrogance, cleansing us of a desire to be proven better than. Though at times in short supply, they are nonetheless much in need these days, when racism and hate seem to fill the news every day. Listen to podcast, as the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer reflects.

In your exploration of God, whatever path you find your soul longs after in your quest for the Sacred, do that, and always watch over your heart's integrity

We are taught that we should always tell the truth. Yet, there are some truths that, when spoken, will do immediate damage. In this podcast, the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer discusses how an argument can be made that "slanting" the truth can sometimes be better than full-on abrupt truth when talking to people. Listen to the podcast.

The material world and the spiritual world are always competing with each other for our focus and attention. UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, discusses how he tries to blend the two in his own life in a healthy way. Listen to the podcast.

He is Risen. The fact that this is not a "past-tense" statement means everything, says the Rev. John C. Dorhauer. Listen to the podcast.

When people fast (for Lent for example), it's to deny ourselves of something or some-things that we like. Otherwise, what's the point, right? It's not a sacrifice if we deny ourselves of something we hate. This week's podcast is about a UCC church in Illinois. They decided for this Palm Sunday service that they would fast from "whiteness", and only play music composed by non-white composers - sacrificing music they love and usually play to celebrate music that they may not play as often. Well, the right wing media picked up on this and a firestorm ensued, calling the church "racist". But doesn't the term "racist" imply hate, or at least, dislike? If they were sacrificing "white" music in order to play "non-white" music for a day, doesn't it mean that they "like" and have comfort with what they were sacrificing, simply to celebrate the other? Where is the controversy here? UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, attended that Palm Sunday service, and offers his reflections on the "news" that certain right wing media created from it. Listen to the podcast...

UCC General Minister and President, The Rev. John C. Dorhauer, has a very simple way to tell whether something emanates from God or not: - If it is love, it is God - If it produces love, it emanates from God Conversely, - If it is not love, it is not God - If it does not produce love, it does not emanate from God. Learn more about this perspective by listening to the podcast...

UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, pays homage to his first spiritual director and mentor, who passed just a few hours prior to John's recording this podcast. Listen to the podcast.

In this season of Lent, after the last two years have been wrought with sacrifice and pain, consider centering your attention on things that bring you joy. Let each day find a moment when creation sings to you her songs of glory – and when she does, may you pause just long enough to listen. Listen to the podcast.

This past Sunday was the emotional closing worship service for the UCC National Office's Amistad Chapel. The National Office is moving and Amistad Chapel, regrettably, is a casualty of that move. It is a place that for 22 years has been a sacred space for joy and tears for the national staff, and also for the residents of downtown Cleveland, as it was a UCC church congregation open to the public for Sunday morning worship, as well. UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, offers some reflections on Amistad Chapel. Listen to the podcast.

The Lenten season is generally considered a season of inward-looking and self-sacrifice. But considering all the pain and suffering we've all endured over the past couple of years, the Reverend John C. Dorhauer has a slightly different take on Lent for you to consider this year, Listen to the podcast.

As war begins in Ukraine, United Church of Christ General Minister and President, The Rev. John C. Dorhauer has some thoughts and reflections. Listen to the podcast.

Death can come like a thief in the night, robbing us of future time we thought we had with a loved one, only to have that time pulled out from under us. Cherish the time with loved ones in the here and now. Things can change in an instant. Listen to the podcast.

Life can be a joy and life can be hard, sometimes all in the same day. The weal and woe of life tends to have a balance, and taking steps to re-balance your spirit can help when you are in a period of woe. Listen to the podcast.

The responsibility is yours to take care of your mind, body and spirit. Your body is prepared to tell you when enough is enough. Listen to it. Learn more on the podcast.

Artists being artists, sometimes they like to "go against the grain" in non-traditional ways to get their messages across to their audiences, and in turn, may touch our souls in non-traditional ways, as well. In this podcast, listen to why the Rev. John C. Dorhauer applauds artists who do this and why he encourages them to keep doing it...

On behalf of the Elected Officers of the United Church of Christ, Karen Georgia Thompson, Traci Blackmon, and John C. Dorhauer – this week's podcast is offered as a memorial of gratitude to peace activist and Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh and his enduring, endearing spirit. Born: October 11, 1926 Died: January 22, 2022

A time to rest is a great gift to our soul, and often greatly needed. The Rev. John C. Dorhauer is now fully back from sabbatical and offers his views and gratitude on the aspects of sabbath. Listen to the podcast.

In this podcast, the Rev. John C. Dorhauer returns from sabbatical to talk with the Rev. Jess Chancey about their hopes for the new year. Listen to the podcast.

In this time of advent, and in their last fill-in podcast, the Rev. Jess Chancey talks about tapping into your joy. Merry Christmas!

What gives meaning to your life? Do people ever misinterpret what you do, or what you stand for? Rev. Jess Chancey gives some interesting views. Listen to the podcast.

Thanksgiving is now past, but even though Thanksgiving isn't their favorite holiday (for various reasons), the Rev. Jess Chancey still has some things that they are grateful for. Listen to the podcast.

God's creation has all kinds of beautiful aspects, if we allow ourselves to stop and enjoy them. For native Southerner turned Northerner, the Rev. Jess Chancey (filling in for Rev. John C. Dorhauer on the podcast), snow is something that they actually delight in during the winter. Listen to why on the podcast.

As the Rev. Jess Chancey continues to sub for the Rev. John Dorhauer during his sabbatical, Jess talks in this podcast about how friends really are God's gift to us. That they are there to help us through the loneliness that is so characteristic of the human condition. Best friends are the reminder of God's presence with us, sometimes a reflection of God's presence in ourselves. Learn more in this week's podcast...

Grief is an aspect of life that we all must endure from time to time. The Rev. Jess Chancey (subbing for the Rev. John Dorhauer while he is on sabbatical) talks about this sometimes intense emotion and its effects on our spiritual being, from the perspective of a hospital chaplain. Listen to the podcast.

The Rev. John C. Dorhauer begins sabbatical for the rest of 2021 beginning this week, so the Rev. Jess Chancey begins her fill-in role. With John being on sabbatical, Jess thought it would be a good time to talk about the value of "rest." Listen to her podcast.

Occasionally, we all need a respite from the daily grind. The Rev. John C. Dorhauer is going on sabbatical, and here he describes what that means to him. Listen to the podcast.

Are sports part of your fondest memories of growing up? They are for the Rev. John Dorhauer. Listen to the podcast.

Do you have songs or music, that every time you listen to it brings tears to your eyes? Few things can touch our souls the way music can. Listen to the podcast.

May we all find our way to the sacred. May the ever-present God find a way into our conscience presence by whatever means necessary, as we remain always open to encounters that promise to surprise and enliven our souls and spirits. Listen to the podcast.

Like sanding the rough edges off of a piece of wood, sometimes we need time and mundane but persistent effort to turn the rough edges of our lives into smooth and silky works of art. Listen to the podcast,

Fear is a strong emotion that is easy to conjure and taken advantage of by those who aim to manipulate you. Love is the antidote that dissipates fear. Listen to the podcast.

Sometimes, it's the simple joys that get us through the days. Listen to the podcast...

We are made in God's image, so even with our imperfections, don't beat yourself up. Give yourself a break. We are here to "polish" ourselves. Listen to the podcast.

Do you have a predilection for friendly competition? To test your limits against others? It's good for the spirit to enjoy sportsmanship. Rev. John C. Dorhauer discusses this. Listen to the podcast.

This week, the United Church of Christ journeys through its next biennial General Synod meeting. This is a meeting of the denomination's leaders to vote on and set the recommended polity of what the denomination stands for - which in summation - is a Just World for All. UCC General Minister and President, The Rev. John C. Dorhauer, offers a prayer for this important meeting. Listen to the podcast... Read the transcript on ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-a-prayer-for-synod/

Do you let the light of God shine through in times that matter? Listen to the Podcast...

Ever hear of the word, "profligate"? Listen to the podcast to see how Rev. Dorhauer applies this little used word to describe God.

Beauty abounds and there is goodness in everybody - do you believe that? Choosing pathways of love and light, and choosing to see the good in all is what is needed to change the world. It needs a different mindset. Listen to the podcast.

The Holy Sprit does not discriminate whom she leads to do wonderous, spirit-filled, God-filled things. And in this month of Pride, Rev. Dorhauer reminds us of that. Listen to the podcast.

Memorial Day is upon us. It brings conflicting feelings for a lot people... from respect, admiration and deep gratitude for our own fallen soldiers, but also all of the other "hell" that is experienced in war, on both sides. Listen to Rev. Dorhauer's reflections on this week's podcast,,,