September 30, 2018
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.”
Stories about compassion in the immigration debate inform a sermon by Roger Fritts on today's program.
Commentary
Written by Orlando Montoya
I don’t call myself a journalist anymore. Writer, radio producer, yes. But journalist, a title I wore for two decades, doesn’t fit me now. There are many reasons for this. And I’ll explain some of them on Sunday when I’ll serve as guest worship leader at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Savannah. One reason is that I no longer believe, as most journalists do, that that sunshine is the best disinfectant. For a long time, I was motivated by this belief that if I tell people about bad things, people will do good. If I show people what’s wrong, they’ll do right. This belief no longer motivates me. Not after so many people saw “Grab them by the vagina,” “Very fine people on both sides,” mocking the disabled, and worse, their response being “I’m okay with that.” This belief no longer motivates me. Not after so many people saw videos of black men being shot dead, “I can’t breathe,” Philando Castille, their response being “I’m okay with that.” Climate change, so much wrong with our world, stuff that’s plain to see, caught on camera. The fact that people turn, not a blind eye, but a blind heart, means that sunshine, or truth, by itself, isn’t enough. A journalist writes the truth without opinion. A journalist can’t say, “I’m not okay with that.” But I will now. I’ll say very clearly that I’m not okay with truly menacing tides rising in America now. This means that I can’t call myself a journalist, at least not the kind of journalist I was. Of course, I’ll continue to seek the truth and report it. And I salute those still working on my former path. We need you. But for now, for me, if sunshine alone doesn’t work, I’ll try something else.
Sermon
“Something Better Than Comfort” (9/23/18)
Kendyl Gibbons
All Souls Unitarian Church, Kansas City, Missouri
Sermon
“Immigration” (8/12/18)
Roger Fritts
Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota
UUA Principles and Sources
Our liberal faith as defined by the Unitarian Universalist Association
UUA Statements
Messages from the Unitarian Universalist Association
Natural Silence
Used by permission of ListeningEarth.com
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
World Religions
Written by Orlando Montoya
Interfaith Calendar
Written by Orlando Montoya
UU FAQ
Written by John Sias from interviews with Rev. Steve Edington
Published by the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua, NH
