May 13, 2018

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 is “The Heart and the Hand.”  It 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

"The Story of My Birth"

Mandie McGlynn

Student, Chicago Theological Seminary

Sermon

"Great Storm Rising"

The Rev. Mark Ward

Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Asheville, N.C.

Message

"Freedom"

The Rev. Peter Friedrichs

Unitarian-Universalist Church of Delaware County, Penn.

Natural Silence

Echoes in a Secret Gorge

Andrew Skeotch

ListeningEarth.com

World Religions

Today in this country is Mother’s Day.  Celebrated around the world on various dates throughout the year, Mother’s Day celebrates motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society.  In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, the holiday is strongly associated with the Virgin Mary.  In Islam, there is no Mother’s Day concept, but some Islamic traditions hold that heaven is under a mother’s feet.  In Hindu tradition, Mother’s Day is called “mother pilgrimage fortnight” and pre-dates the creation of the American-inspired celebration by at least a few centuries.  In Buddhism, the sutras describe “ten kindnesses” that mothers bestow on their children, from bearing suffering during birth, to always thinking of the child when he or she has traveled far and the kindness of ultimate pity and sympathy.

Today is the 85th anniversary of the Humanist Manifesto.  First signed in 1933 by 34 signatories including philosopher John Dewey, the Humanist Manifesto has been updated twice, in 1973 and 2003.  All three manifestos elaborate on a philosophy and value system which doesn’t necessarily include belief in a personal deity or “higher power,” although the three differ much in tone, form and ambition.  Broadly speaking, Humanism emphasizes the value and agency of humans, individually and collectively, and prefers critical thinking and evidence over acceptance of dogma or superstition.

Tuesday is the beginning of Ramadan, the most important month for Muslims.  In Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, Muslims will keep a 30-day fast, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, cursing, lying or other forbidden behaviors from sunrise to sunset.  Keeping Ramadan is one of Islam’s Five Pillars, those activities considered foundational to Muslim life.  Each night of Ramadan, Muslims break their fast with Iftar, the break-fast meal, which often is eaten together with friends, family and other faithful.  Traditionally, Iftar includes dates, which the prophet Muhammad ate to break his fast.  But with Muslims all over the world, iftar meals are as varied as humanity itself.  Ramadan will end on June 14th.

Sermon

TBD

Message

TBD

Conclusion

Seven Principles and Six Sources of Unitarian-Universalism