November 26, 2017

Love is the spirit of this program. The music spans many genres but has unifying themes of justice, love, learning and hope. The messages come from podcasts, sermons and readings from Unitarian-Universalist and other allied sources in liberal religion. The title of this program comes from the words of a beloved Unitarian-Universalist hymn, “Spirit of Life,” including, “Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion” and “Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.”

Braver Wiser

"I Ride Bus"

By Rayla D. Mattson

Unitarian Society of Hartford, Conn.

Interview

"Awaken to the Truth of Deep Presence"

By Francis Bennett

Finding Grace at the Center

Message

"Religious Leaders Denounce Trump Administration Decision to Terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians"

By America's Voice

Natural Silence

"Safari"

By Andrew Skeotch

ListeningEarth.com

World Religions

Today in the Baha’i Faith is the Day of the Covenant.  This holiday commemorates the appointment, in 1892, of Adbu’l Baha as the successor of Baha’u’llah, the religion’s founder.  Abdu’l Baha was Baha’u’llah’s eldest son.  His appointment played a critical role in the development of the Baha’i faith.  It unified factions and kept the faith together.

Today is the anniversary of the death, in 1883, of abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth.  Born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree in Ulster County, New York, she escaped to freedom at age 29.  And at age 46, she became a Methodist, changing her name and becoming a traveling preacher, saying, “The Spirit calls me and I must go.”

Tuesday is the birthday, in 1757 in London, of painter and philosopher William Blake.  Considered one of the greatest British artists, his work embraced the unity of religions and his books rejected religious orthodoxy.  He wrote, “I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s.  I will not reason and compare.  My business is to create.”

Tuesday is the anniversary, in 1975 in Detroit, of the opening of the Women’s Ordination Conference.  Advocating for women priests, deacons and bishops in the Catholic Church, the organization still exists.  Its mission is to address the root causes of exclusion and oppression within the Catholic Church and to work to bring about structural change.

Thursday is the feast day for St. Andrew, described in the Bible as one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.  Tradition holds that Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross at his request because he thought himself unworthy of being killed on a cross similar to that of Jesus.  He is the patron saint of Scotland, whose X-shaped flag bears the St. Andrew’s cross.

Thursday in Hinduism is Gita Jayanti, the birthday of the Bhagvad Gita, the sacred text of the Hindu people.  Hindus believe the god Krishna revealed the Bhagvad Gita to Arjuna, a prince, on an ancient battlefield.  The text is in the form of a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna.  It synthesizes Hindu beliefs on devotion, yoga, karma and other philosophy.

Friday in Sunni Islam is Mawlid, the birthday of Muhammad.  Celebrated five days later in the Shia sect, and unrecognized by ultra-conservative sects, the holiday has a carnival-like atmosphere.  Street processions, gun salutes, delicious feasts, music and decorations on homes and mosques are some of the many Mawlid traditions around the world.

Sermon

“The Profanity of Thoughts and Prayers” (11/12/17)

Dr. Roger Ray

Progressive Faith Sermons

Message

"The Boston Declaration"

A Prophetic Appeal to Christians in the United States

Conclusion

Seven Principles of Unitarian-Universalism