March 24, 2019
The unifying themes of this program are justice, love, learning and hope. The messages come from sermons and readings from Unitarian-Universalist sources. The program title comes from a beloved Unitarian-Universalist hymn, “Spirit of Life,” which includes the words, “Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion” and “Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.”
We welcome back the Rev. Stephanie May, who visited the Savannah church on sabbatical. She shares her “open road” sabbatical experience from her pulpit in Boston’s suburbs in the sermon linked below.
Commentary
Written by Orlando Montoya
Someone asked me recently to describe my qualities as a radio professional in a six key words. I wasn’t prepared for the question and, after mumbling words like “award-winning,” “experienced” and some others that I don’t recall, I fumbled for a sixth word and blurted out, “on-time.” I added, “On-time doesn’t get the respect it deserves these days!” And, the more that I’ve thought about it, in the weeks since, the more my gut reaction seems right. Indeed, on-time, on-budget, out the door and “the bare minimum” seem to be up there with “common sense” as things that aren’t so common anymore. So often, we fail to recognize that simply doing the things that we normally do, in the normal ways that we do them, is pretty amazing. For instance, what did you do at work this week? I have a feeling that, whatever it was, it took you a long time to learn how to do those things. I do historical tours for a living. And I like to think that even my “bare minimum” or “merely good” presentations, like perhaps the ones that I’m making this week, laid low as I am with spring allergies, are pretty good. We often miss the good trying to find the awesome, forgetting that awe is all around us. On time requires discipline and planning. On time in radio is important because “under time” you have dead air and “over time” you’re talking over someone else. Either way, you’re messing someone up. Did you mess someone up this week? If not, then that’s awesome because there’s a lot of messing up going around! This isn’t to discount achievement or celebrate mediocrity. It’s to recognize that every day is a key word in our definition of quality. Never fumble over your own awesomeness.
Sermon
“With Malice Toward None and a Tough Tenderness” (2/11/19)
Rev. Stephen Kendrick
First Church Boston
Sermon
“Choosing To Risk” (3/10/19)
Rev. Stephanie May
First Parish in Wayland
Braver Wiser
Used by permission of Braver Wiser, a publication of the Unitarian-Universalist Association
Quest Monthly
Used by permission of Quest Monthly, a publication of the Church of the Larger Fellowship
UUA Statements
Messages from the Unitarian Universalist Association
Natural Silence
Used by permission of ListeningEarth.com
UUA Principles and Sources
Our liberal faith as defined by the Unitarian Universalist Association
World Religions
Written by Orlando Montoya
Interfaith Calendar
Written by Orlando Montoya
UU FAQ
Written by and used by permission of John Sias from interviews with Rev. Steve Edington
Published by the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua, NH
