October 28, 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.”
The Rev. Aaron White talks about transforming shame into pride on this week's broadcast. You can listen below.
Commentary
By Orlando Montoya
I just finished my annual re-watching of all 19 episodes of the 90’s teen drama My So-Called Life. I’ve been re-experiencing this critically acclaimed television series every year since it was cancelled in 1995. I videotaped the original broadcasts and now they’re all streaming online. It’s something of a cold weather ritual now and pretty much the only TV show whose episodes I can recall entirely, some scenes word for word. Each time I re-watch My So-Called Life, I find myself identifying with more of its characters. When it first aired, I watched the show intently for the gay Latino high school student, Ricky Vazquez, a pioneering and transformative role, and for the socially awkward nerd, Brian Krakow. I was a gay Latino nerd. Back then, the cool kids, the partying Rayanne Graff and the handsome rocker Jordan Catalano, seemed beyond my understanding. Now after two decades, I see all of the characters, even the ones seemingly most unlike me, as in the process of becoming. Every one of them was figuring out who they were, as if, the main character, Angela Chase said, as if, your self were a definite thing, like a toaster or something, like you can know what it is, even. I don’t think we’ll ever know who we are. We only become. And if that’s the case, if we don’t know ourselves, how can we say who others are, like they’re a definite thing, like a toaster or something? I don’t understand many people whose words and deeds right now seem beyond me. I’d like to know their stories, the way I know this story, My So-Called Life. Perhaps in the re-watching and re-experiencing, I’d see them as I now see those cool kids: vulnerable, scared and ever-becoming, like every other character and like myself.
Sermon
“Turning Shame into Pride” (9/6/18)
Aaron White
First Unitarian Church of Dallas, Texas
Sermon
“Mariposa, Mariposa” (10/14/18)
Carol Bodeau
Westside Unitarian Universalist Church of Knoxville, Tennessee
Sermon
“Allowing the Soul To Emerge” (4/8/18)
Jennifer Nordstrom
First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
Sermon
“The Only Lasting Truth” (2/5/17)
The Rev. Guelen Guengerich
All Souls Unitarian Church, New York
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
