UUCSW Reflections

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: we have a new minister!; the two-year rule; church is life with training wheels; the most loaded topic in UUism; muscular Christianity; process theology; no Birkenstock erasure; signing off! Referenced in this episode: Omnipotence and Other Theological Mistakes by Charles Hartshorne: https://sunypress.edu/Books/O/Omnipotence-and-other-Theological-Mistakes Radical Equations: Math Literacy and Civil Rights by Robert P. Moses and Charles E. Cobb Jr: https://www.abebooks.com/9780807031261/Radical-Equations-Math-Literacy-Civil-0807031267/plp Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

What does the word “God” even mean? So often, when people say they do or don't believe in God, they're reacting to one particular definition or image. This morning we'll explore lots of different definitions of what one might call God. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

In honor of Mother's Day, this morning we're focusing on all the ways to be a family. Sometimes we experience a deep sense of belonging in our families of origin, and sometimes we don't. Come celebrate all the ways we find our people and our way home. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: 3 months' notice; despair doesn't have the final say; etymology nerds sound off; operationalizing covenant; the need for collective catharsis; let's talk about The Thing; encampments on campuses; the potency of knowing where you're rooted; stories of rupture Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Today we'll tell the ancient Passover story and reflect on what it means to seek a new way, away from abuses of power, and towards a more just world. We know that what we do affect each other and transformation is something we can only ever achieve together. Referenced in this sermon: Rabbi Botzum's essay can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kNhiqgFP5NB3CCJaPn9VgArCJ8X5vM_T/view?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com Freedom for All Seder Haggadah: https://www.freedomforallseder.com/haggadah/resources More Seder Sources and Resources from Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg: https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/socialist-haggadah/ Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

The heart of Unitarian Universalism is not a creed, but a covenant, a promise to care. Considering changes to our seven principles with Article II asks us to remember that the promises we make in this congregation are connected to a wider UU web of care. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: gardens!; turquoise vs teal; flourishing is vulnerable; citrus allergies and equity; putting the Easter story in a post-traumatic wisdom frame; the worst sermon Laurel ever heard Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Resurrection can be a sticky theological concept for UUs. Come gather for this festive Easter service as we reflect on what it means to be transformed by love. Come one, come all! Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Spring has sprung – at least according to the calendar! Today Rev. Laurel and members of the Garden Team will share about how outdoor spaces can transform our sense of welcome and foster a sense of new life. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Come celebrate together as we kick off our annual pledge drive! We'll reflect on plans for next year and how we share resources as part of being in loving community. We'll reflect on what it means to value equity over equality, and the fact that equity is something we can only achieve together. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Please note that there are mentions of death and violence in this episode. The discussions do not use graphic descriptions. Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: A statement from Laurel about Aaron Bushnell and the public narratives surrounding his death; the Empowerment Controversy; the Capitol Crawl Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

We often think about justice as an abstract ideal, when the reality of justice is deeply entwined with the tangible and practical realities of our bodies. This morning we'll tell the story of the Capitol Crawl, a massive disability rights protest that resulted in the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

February is Black history month and today's service will focus on a key part of our own UU history that so often goes untold: the Black Empowerment Controversy. This was a crucial moment in our denomination as we grappled with what it meant to engage in the Civil Rights movement and what to do when our actions fall short of our ideals. Referenced in this sermon: Rev. Dr. Rebekah Savage's reflection on the Jefferson Ball: https://www.uua.org/worship/words/homily/promise-and-practice-healing-not-done-reflection “The Arc of the Universe is Long: Unitarian Universalists, Anti-Racism, and the Journey from Calgary” by Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Rev. Chip Roush, and Dr. Leon Spencer “Black Pioneers in a White Denomination” by the Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison-Reed “Resistance and Transformation: The Empowerment Controversy” by Rev. Colin Bossen and Rev. Julia Hamilton https://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/adults/resistance/workshop12/182676.shtml Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: what is love?; liberation: it's a good thing; what makes violence possible; grace is metal Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Our society often lifts romantic love up as the pinnacle of what love looks like, but there are actually all different ways we encounter love in the world. Today we'll focus on the quieter but stabilizing power of community. This service will also include child dedications, one of the ways we promise to love our young people as they grow. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

For this Martin Luther King Sunday, we're going to investigate some of the core building blocks that make racism and radicalized violence possible: dehumanization and moral exclusion. We'll look at how these forces work and how Unitarian Universalism pushes back. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

As we enter this new year, we'll focus on rooting down into our commitment to an ethic of love. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: Seasonality and slowness; a story doesn't have to be true to be the truth; patriarchy for $500; recentering attention to the margin to threaten empire; the career path to ministry is paved with glitter Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

The holidays can be a time of lots of excitement and bustling around, but the focus on family and celebration an also bring up grief and overwhelm. This service will make space for some quiet and rest amidst the complexity of the holiday season. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: theological frames for trauma and their power dynamics; redemptive suffering logic in the world; keep it cozy; love yourself as your neighbor; conflict is complexity Redemptive suffering as the logic for imprisonment: https://bulletin.hds.harvard.edu/prison-theology/ It's OK by Wendy O'Leary: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717893/its-ok-by-wendy-oleary-illustrated-by-sandra-eide/ Reparations steps as defined by the Movement for Black Lives, adapted from the UN framework: https://m4bl.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/defining-reparations.pdf Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | @patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Thanksgiving can be a difficult holiday and bring up all manner of self-criticism, be it around our relationship with family, food, politics, etc. This service will focus on the importance of being kind to ourselves Referenced in the sermon: self-compassion.org Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

This is our annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service where we gather together with other religious communities in our town. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

“What doesn't kill you makes you stronger” is a common refrain in society, but is tied up with some dangerous theological ideas. Today we'll dive into the problems with redemptive suffering theology and move to a post traumatic growth way of talking about the strength we find in ourselves after difficult experiences. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Cultural practices are fundamental to maintaining a sense of cultural heritage, to feeling connected to one's culture and ancestry. This is also why there was such a widespread effort in this country to strip indigenous people of those practices. In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, we'll reflect on the work of this month's share the plate organization, Ohketeau.

Do you ever find yourself drawing a blank when someone asks you what Unitarian Universalism is? We want to share this wonderful tradition and community with people outside these walls, and yet it can be hard to describe. Today we'll return to the basics: what's a Unitarian? What does Universalism mean? How do we talk about it to people who are religion averse? Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: keeping algae out of your blessing water; holy jalapeños; collectivism is about connectedness, not sameness; how does the post-Roe world feel different?; simultaneous cultural fear and relief; greenwashing and greedwashing; individual moral perfectionism is a trap; justice work as playful scheming “My Town is a Salad Bowl” by Tom Chapin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgjzZugJTUs The Sanctuary Boston: http://thesanctuaryboston.org/ Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

After the horrific overturning of Roe v. Wade, people all over the country redoubled efforts to protect reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. We started a reproductive rights group at UUCSW, which has evolved to now include issues of sexual health and gender more broadly. Today we'll reflect on SHAG's development and the ways that we all work to support queers rights, reproductive rights, and issues of bodily autonomy. Link to YouTube video of Laurel's Prayer for the Queer Kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jasQlem9Sl4 Correction: the poster Rev. Laurel mentions came from Portland, ME, not Portsmouth, NH. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first flower communion service. Bring a flower for this celebration of community, diversity, and the blessing of being together! This is our last Sunday of the church year, to be followed by our annual meeting. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: making things is peeking into Oz; maintaining agency and moving beyond despair in climate work; fighting The Man vs planting a garden; HAGS Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | @patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

So often, when we think about nature, we see the relationship between nature and humans as adversarial. Today we'll explore what it means to be part of creation and contribute to a system of mutual flourishing. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Come celebrate with our teens as we mark their transition from childhood to adolescence. This service will be planned and led by our Coming of Age group. Come cheer them on! Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Throughout the pandemic many people took up new crafts and hobbies to help ground them amidst the chaos of the times. The practice of making is something that can be transformative, reminding us of our own capacity to generate and create. Referenced in this sermon: The Senninbari Project: https://makiaizawa.com/portfolio/senninbari/ The Revolutionary Power of a Skein of Yarn: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/27/opinion/sunday/knitting-fabric-michelle-obama.html Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: Religious Literacy 101; rest as anti-capitalism; drag, Passover, and making space for self-expression; courage is contagious; faith as a commitment to be engaged in the practice of looking for what is meaningful Referenced in this episode: My Rainbow by DeShanna Neal and Trinity Neal, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608313/my-rainbow-by-deshanna-and-trinity-neal-illustrated-by-art-twink/ Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, a season of fasting and observance for Muslims all over the world. Today we'll reflect on Ramadan and what it means to take time to recalibrate and reorient towards our values. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Easter is one of the most important holidays in the Christian tradition and one that can sometimes feel confusing to UUs. Today we'll tell that ancient, awe-inspiring story of Jesus's resurrection and wonder about what it means to find hope in impossible places. Referenced in this sermon: The Magdalene's Blessing by Jan Richardson: https://sanctuaryofwomen.com/blog/the-magdalenes-blessing/ Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray and Amanda Hall Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

What does drag have to do with passover? Resistance. Colorful, creative, community resistance. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray and Amanda Hall Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: A liminal season; defining a miracle; committee positions as an antidote to helplessness; ministry is not activism; where do you put your focus when everything feels on fire? Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | @patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

This is the first official Sunday of spring, after the equinox on the 20th. We'll reflect on the season and the gentle power of a world returning to bloom. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray and Amanda Hall Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

“Do UUs have saints?” It's a question one of you posed to me and left me wondering. In celebration of St. Patrick's day, we'll have Irish music today and reflect on sainthood. What is it and where do we turn for the inspiration of holiness? Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray and Amanda Hall Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

This Sunday we'll continue our celebration of the joy of being in community and the power of pooling our resources to create something more beautiful than any one could create on their own. We'll go over the goals for this year's pledge campaign and the power of mutual flourishing. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: Do the kids use blogs?; grief support tutorials; making sense of the unknown but in a UU way; a sense of belonging is ambient; allostatic load; no drones at the corn festival; a fiber arts sign-off Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | @patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

We know that connection and community are important for human flourishing, but we often overlook the power of weak ties – the people we don't know well, but are part of the fabric of our lives. Today we'll talk about the world's longest-running scientific study of happiness and what it tells us about the importance of those little moments of connection. Referenced in this sermon: "Why your ‘weak-tie' friendships may mean more than you think" (BBC article): https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200701-why-your-weak-tie-friendships-may-mean-more-than-you-think The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz: https://the-good-life-book.com/ Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Grief is part of life and yet knowing how to show up when people around us are grieving can be a daunting process. What do you say? What do you not say? Today we'll reflect on this question and the importance of caring well when those around us are hurting. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Amanda and Rev. Gray discuss: Dave Matthews Band songs on the organ; the UUA's proposed rewrite of the UU principles; embracing change; I want my inherent worth and dignity language back; the ultimacy of love; the hardest sermon to write; ministerial boundaries around chronic illness Sermons written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Theme music: Antidepresseur by Patchworker | @patchworker Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Tis the season of fad diets and gym memberships galore, an onslaught of messaging that our worth is conditional on our size. Today we'll reflect on the blessing of taking up space and the difficult truth that inherent worthiness leaves no room for body shaming, even of ourselves. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall

Before the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King became a civil rights leader, he was a pastor, a man of faith who knew that faith was key to resistance. His legacy asks us to reflect on our own deepest roots, the faith that carries us through the trying times and asks us to envision greater possibilities. Written by: Rev. Laurel Gray Music by: Kala Farnham Hosted and Edited by: Amanda Hall