Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun Sermons

Restorative Practices for Conflict Transformation: What does Restorative Justice have to do with my life?Susan Raffo says: “There is no essential ‘right way' to do anything. There is only relationship, connection, being present with what is happening and then, even if that relationship is with disconnection, determining the next step.”Our relationships are complex and many are with disconnection. Conflict is everywhere. There are conflict zones, government shutdowns, political strife, family tension, work disputes, and traffic jams. How does your jaw feel after reading that sentence? Where are your shoulders? Conflict can feel stressful. How do we learn about and understand conflict? Is conflict bad? How do we determine that next step?Restorative Justice is a framework for strengthening and healing relationships with self, family, friends, community and society. Restorative practices have to do with the ways we view conflict and how we choose to respond to it. For example, sitting in circles, with no hierarchy, listening deeply to one another and also being deeply listened to…these simple tasks can profoundly change how we experience and move through conflict. Being grounded in our bodies instead of overthinking is a counter-cultural shift for many of us in the US. What are other restorative practices and how are they relevant to our lives? Where do they intersect with our UU values? And how does this help us to get through the day?

What has gone wrong with the Christ story for lots UUs, and how is it serving so many? Jesus Christ Superstar has lessons to teach, including our own UU theology: “We have the capacity to save ourselves.” Inspired by the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar" as the final service of this summer's theme - Broadway and Beyond: A Musical Journey of the Spirit!

One Unitarian Universalist's Perspective on Eternal Life. Inspired by the musical “Death Becomes Her" as part of the summer theme - Broadway and Beyond: A Musical Journey of the Spirit!

Inspired by the musical "Wicked" as part of the summer theme - Broadway and Beyond: A Musical Journey of the Spirit!

Inspired by the musical "The Greatest Showman" as part of the summer theme - Broadway and Beyond: A Musical Journey of the Spirit!

What Prayer Is, according to UUCL congregants:universal energy that can affect, shift, confirm, comfort, express gratitudemy avenue to whatever higher power there is, and my mirror into the truest image of my own reflectionmy way of consciously expressing gratitude and for putting my hopes out into the universemore like sending whomever my positive thoughtsasking a higher power for something that you need/want and a means for being grateful and accountablecommunion with a power greater than myself who I call God, hope verbalized, requests made, thanks given, awe expresseda type of thoughtful meditationsort of a meditationlike meditation, but not! a contemplative/meditative state to look inward, to connect to spiritnot the direct pipeline to God that many religions (not only Christians) assume it isa way to connect with the spirit of life and higher powers, an expression of hope and gratitude that taps into the collective unconsciousness and binds us to those we pray forcomplicateda means of becoming aware of the present moment, a statement of gratitude for my life and the lives around me, an articulation of aspiration about how I hope to live my life, and a wish that every being on earth may live his fullest lifesetting intentions, seeking hope, and resonating with others in the wider worldwhen I connect with something larger than myself; the greater interconnection between all lifea meditation, a shared song and consciousness with others who believe in love, equality for everyone, and how lucky we are to be alivedeeply focused attentionfocused intentionattention turned inward and intention turned outward either an act of desperation or an act of kindness, and maybe botha contemplative/meditative state to look inward, to connect to spirithope

Inspired by the musical “Into the Woods" as part of the summer theme - Broadway and Beyond: A Musical Journey of the Spirit!

Inspired by the musical "Rent" as part of the summer theme - Broadway and Beyond: A Musical Journey of the Spirit!

Inspired by the musical "Waitress" as part of the summer theme - Broadway and Beyond: A Musical Journey of the Spirit!

Edited for brevity between the introduction to the activity and calling folks back in with the chime.

A recitation of the work of Rev. Ashley Horan. More details here: https://substack.com/@revashleyhoran

Edited for brevity between the introduction to the activity and calling folks back in with the chime.