May 12, 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.”
This week, mapping our cow paths. Where are we choosing the easy and well-trodden route? Also, mending what is broken. A commentary about hospitality. Plus all the usual segments and an hour of music from 1-2pm. Tune in for mostly words from 9-11am. It's all about the UU in WRUU.
Commentary
Written by Orlando Montoya
My spouse and I were driving up a mountain road to see a waterfall. Many waterfalls are miles from any Interstate and usually involve a strenuous hike. But I had found this one waterfall just off the Interstate and right on the side of the road. It looked like a good idea until we started driving this road – so steep that it seemed like the car was being prepared for liftoff, so narrow that “one lane” generously described it, so curving that it seemed like I could touch the switchback out the window from one side, so foggy that the view out the other side was a grey void, everything wet. It frightened us terribly. So, I attempted unsuccessfully to turn back, which you don’t do on this road easily. During the second turn-around attempt, a man driving behind us got out of his truck and offered help. He said he lived at the top of the waterfall and would show us whatever he could from his back porch. He invited us into his house. We met his dog. He showed us his antique cars. And he calmed us down. He said the road is new, the locals are patient and we’ll get down just fine. From his porch, we heard the waterfall but saw only fog. “On a clear day, you can see 50 miles,” he said. At that point, the view didn’t matter. His hospitality saved the day. Turns out, we had passed the waterfall on the way up but didn’t see it in our fright. But on the way down, we were able to stop and take a picture. Let us recognize the frightened and unaccustomed around us. Let us offer them calm and reassurance – for the road to Shunkawauken Falls isn’t for the faint of heart.
Sermon
“Let Your Life Speak” (4/7/19)
Rev. Margaret Weis
First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, New York
Sermon
“Mending What Is Broken” (4/7/19)
Rev. Joan Javier-Duval
Unitarian Church of Montpelier, Vermont
Sermon
“Bodies, Binaries and Being Yourself” (5/7/17)
Rev. Matthew Johnson
Unitarian-Universalist Church of Rockford
Sermon
“What Is a Unitarian?” (8/15/10)
Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
All Souls Unitarian Church of Tulsa, Okla.
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
