They Lied to Us When I was growing up, all the adults around me seemed to offer the same life advice, “Work hard, go to a good college, graduate with a ‘useful’ degree, and it will all work out.” Mixed in there was also some messaging, as subtle as it was, about finding “the one,” … Continue reading Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation
‘Tis A Gift to Be Simple Hymn number 116 in Singing the Living Tradition is the Shaker melody ‘Tis A Gift to Be Simple. Growing up UU, I don’t recall singing this song all that often, but its message must have certainly permeated my religious education because I just could not connect with Mark Manson’s … Continue reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Let’s Make Stone Soup As a pluralistic religion, Unitarian Universalism is made of many stories, but there is one story that seems to have more staying power than others. It’s a story I heard when as a child at Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church, and one which I repeat regularly in my role as Director of … Continue reading Mutual Aid
This is Me As I mentioned in last year’s ‘Coming Out Day’ post, I’ve been questioning my gender for several year, ever since our minster at the time, Rev. Connie Simon, asked the congregation to wear pronoun stickers on their name tags. I encountered some ‘big feelings’ at her request, and at the time I … Continue reading The Body is Not an Apology
Rest I first encountered The Nap Ministry sometime around 2018. As an overtaxed mother, wife, and worker Tricia Hersey’s message of ‘Rest is Resistance’ resonated deeply with me. When Hersey’s book of the same name, Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto, was released I knew I had to read it for this sabbatical. Here are some … Continue reading Rest is Resistance
Sunday Afternoon Tomorrow is National Children’s Day; there will be arts and crafts as well as a children’s march at 11:30. The event will take place at Washington Park from 10-1; no doubt the food trucks will show up en masse so you can have lunch after church tomorrow. Wednesday at Noon MARCC’s delegate meeting … Continue reading Social Justice/Public Witness – Week of 6/9/24
Guess What… Hi! Hello! How have you been? I know… you can’t answer that question. Comments are turned off. But, still, for your own sake, I’d like you to answer it anyway. How have you been? If you find you aren’t doing too well, then I encourage you to stop what you are doing right … Continue reading Back from Sabbatical
One call does it all; here is the 411 on 211… Someone showed up at church this morning needing housing; just wanted to make everyone aware that anyone needing assistance can call 211 24/7/365 and the United Way will provide them with a range of resources from housing to food insecurity to mental health. Wednesday at … Continue reading Social Justice/Public Witness – Calendar Week of 5/20/24
Wednesday at 6 National Underground Freedom Railroad Center, 50 E Freedom Way, presents Music, Medicine, and Pieces In Between: Jazz and conversation with Dr. Alvin Crawford. A trailblazing orthopedic surgeon who was the University of Tennessee’s first Black student in 1960, he established Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Orthopedic clinic after military service. Underlying his story are systemic … Continue reading Social Justice/Public Witness – Calendar Week of 5/12/24
Monday at 2 Right To Be hosts its popular webinar: Bystander Intervention To Stop Xenophobic Harassment. You’ll start by talking about types of disrespect immigrants are facing right now — from microaggressions to violence — using a tool called the Spectrum of Disrespect. You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact bystander intervention has … Continue reading Social Justice/Public Witness – Calendar Week of 4/22/24
