May 19, 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.”
The bough breaks and the baby falls. But why are we putting babies in trees? We'll learn how to make repairs when trust has been broken. Also, what we will explore theologies of love and power, resistance and resilience that have fueled movements for black liberation.
Commentary
Written by Orlando Montoya
“When you triumph over us for an hour, you croak and clamor merrily like frogs of the water. And when we conquer you and subdue you for an age, we remain as silent giants.” These words from the Syrian poet Khalil Gibran address the Sons of Sorrow and the Sons of Joy. Gibran, quite Christian, believed that those who now unjustly have sorrow will triumph over those who now unjustly have joy. He concluded his poem by suggesting that what we see as the world’s order now is “naught but a thin and wavering pillar of smoke.” But I’m starting to hear the frogs of the water croak and clamor, aren’t you? In recent weeks, there was another school shooting; the United States started preparing for war with Iran; the government drove Uber drivers further into poverty; scientists again warned of the collapse of life on earth; reproductive rights retreated in Georgia; the President joked when one of his supporters suggested shooting immigrants, a suggestion that made his crowd cheer wildly; and the official opposition, responding to this, expanded like flatulence into incompetence, infighting and all the wrong messaging. The frogs see dawn approaching. And if you think dawn for croaking frogs is another election, you haven’t heard their night song. We, who Gibran called the Sons of Sorrow, have been silent giants for too long. Humanity’s progress has been rapid and constant for most of our lives. So we see shocking things as shocking things, not the dawn of a new normal. I hear you, those of you who are rightly shocked. Gibran concluded that poem, “We are the sons of sorrow, and sorrow is a rich cloud, showering the multitudes with knowledge and truth.” Shower, my friends. And thunder. May our storm be healing in the frog pond.
Sermon
“When the Bough Breaks” (2/17/19)
Rev. Deborah Cayer
Eno River Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, Durham, North Carolina
Sermon
“Dismantling White Theology” (2/17/19)
Rev. Alison Miller
Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, New Jersey
Sermon
“Practice Makes Imperfect” (2/26/17)
Rev. Aaron McEmrys
Unitarian-Universalist Church of Arlington
Sermon
“Moncure Conway: Journey to Free Thought” (3/18/18)
Rev. Doug McCusker
Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, Virginia
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
A Year of Spiritual Companionship
Written by and used by permission of Anne Kertz Kernion
