November 10, 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 world’s definition of where our value comes from is a sham.  The Rev. Aaron White expands on this idea in the sermon linked below.

Commentary

Written by Orlando Montoya

Have you heard the phrase “Energy Vampire?”  No, I’m not talking about those electrical appliances that use lots of energy.  I’m talking about a phrase, shared on social networks and in the self-help crowd, referring to people who supposedly suck your energy, leaving you drained and bringing you down.  I’ve never like this phrase and, after studying it some, and at the risk of challenging those who use it and believe in it, I’d like to suggest that, like vampires themselves, this vampire doesn’t exist.  Stop using the phrase.  Get this idea out of your mind.  First, “Energy Vampire” seems to be a catch-all phrase that means just about anything.  I can’t get an honest description of it.  Anyone can be an “Energy Vampire.”  Second, if there is some consistency among the descriptions, people asking for your time and compassion, talking about their troubles, they just might be giving you a cry for help.  They might need a listening ear.  I had a friend commit suicide.  I wish I could’ve talked to him more.  No, these are not the type of people – and I know plenty – who make trivial conversations.  They want substance.  None of that seems wrong to me.  And finally, “Energy Vampire” seems one of those terribly dehumanizing, “othering” terms designed to shield people from what they’re really doing.  “Letting go” is sometimes just “running away.”  And if you truly need to go, go.  Physical violence, neglect, criminal activity, social pathology, really bad stuff, yes, go.  But if it’s just a phone call, my goodness.  Find another word to use.  Consider not judging or blaming.  Consider honesty.  Consider naming your own demons, your own desires.  I think you’ll find we all have a house of horrors and maybe, but not always, we’re better off in this house together.

Sermon

“Am I Enough?” (10/20/19)

Rev. Aaron White

First Unitarian Church of Dallas

Sermon

“Being Part of Something Larger” (9/29/19)

Shawn Netwon

First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto

Sermon

TBD

Sermon

TBD

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