November 4, 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 Hindu goddess Lakshmi is celebrated during Dawali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, the religion's most popular holiday.
Commentary
I’ve kept silent in recent days about subjects weighing heavily on my heart. To watch my public profile, it would seem as if I care more about soccer, music videos, old TV shows and self-promotion than this past gut-wrenching week. And it makes me feel guilty. The deadliest attack on American Jews in history. Another racially-motivated killing. A promise to repeal birthright citizenship by Executive Order. The deployment of armed troops against refugees at our border. The celebration of violence against journalists. And the loss of a beloved woman in our local music scene, her death blamed on lack of affordable health care. The assaults against my values come daily and ever-more assaulting by the month. Forgive me if I can’t scream as loud and as often as circumstances warrant. As you probably can tell, I’m not much of screamer, anyhow. I do my screaming in small, daily acts of resistance. I curate five hours of religious radio programming every week, the capstone of days of work keeping my values broadcasting on this radio station. For our visitors, I give tours which lift up the histories of marginalized communities now under attack. This week, as I often do, I gave a complimentary tour to a newly arrived refugee. And I began publicizing tours to raise money for an environmental group. I feel sorry about not attending the vigil for the Pittsburgh attack. As some people know, my spouse and I share a car, partly for environmental reasons, and I’m often transportation-challenged. But I did get myself to the most important resistance that I did this week. I voted. I voted with a scream on my finger: no more, no more, no more. Let my vote and actions speak louder than whatever I could’ve put on my social media this week.
Sermon
“Everything Happens for a Reason?” (8/26/18)
The Rev. Lissa Gundlach
Neighborhood Unitarian-Universalist Church of Pasadena, California
Sermon
“Is There Sanctuary for Us on Earth?” (10/7/18)
The Rev. Amanda Poppei
Washington Ethical Society, Unitarian-Universalist
Sermon
“Confessions of A Curious Cleric” (6/18/17)
Rev. John Buehrens
First Unitarian-Universalist Society of San Francisco
Sermon
“A Radical Welcome” (5/21/17)
Rev. Tim Kutzmark
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
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
UU FAQ
Written by John Sias from interviews with Rev. Steve Edington
Published by the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua, NH
Interfaith Calendar
Written by Orlando Montoya
The first week in November is Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. One of Hinduism’s greatest festivals, it celebrates the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. Millions of lights will shine on homes, temples and other buildings as Hindus worldwide begin a celebration culminating with the new moon on November 7th. Over the centuries, Diwali also has taken on religious significance for Jains and Sikhs, creating a massive holiday across the Indian subcontinent. Jains celebrate Diwali to mark the nirvana of Mahavira, a fifth or sixth century BCE sage who became the 24th and last Jain savior and spiritual teacher. Sikhs celebrate Diwali to mark the release from prison of Guru Hargobind, a 6th century persecuted guru.
November 8th is the birthday, in 1897 in Brooklyn, New York, of Dorothy Day. A social activist, journalist and Catholic convert, she initially lived a bohemian lifestyle before gaining fame as a social activist after her conversion. She later became a key figure in the Catholic Worker Movement and earned a national reputation as a political radical, perhaps the most famous radical in American Catholic history. She died in 1980.
November 8th is a day of remembrance day for Rabi’a al-bint Isma’il Adawiya, sometimes called the first true saint of Islam. An Iraqi-born eight century Sufi who preached in Basra and Jerusalem in the first century following the prophet Muhammad’s death, she emphasized the importance of selfless love and the seeking of truth through love, wisdom and action.
Novemer 9th is the birthday, in 1914 in Greensboro, North Carolina, of Thomas Berry. A Catholic priest, cultural historian and cosmologist, he championed “ecospirituality” and believed that humanity, after generations spent in self-glorification and despoiling our planet Earth, is poised to embrace a new role as a vital part of a larger and interdependent “communion of subjects” on earth and in the universe. He died in 2009.
November 11th is the birthday, in 1793 in Nantucket, Massachusetts, Quaker minister Lucretia Mott. And November 12th is the birthday, in 1815 in Johnstown, New York, of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who published a Woman’s Bible in 1895. Together, they organized the first women’s rights convention, at Seneca Falls, argued for suffrage and economic opportunities for woman and African-American and challenged the traditional position of religious orthodoxy that women should be subservient to men.
November 12th is Veterans Day, a time for us and honor those who have served our country in times of peace and war. Although war is never holy, each of those called to service is a beloved soul. Veterans Day is a time to circle them in love, hold their stories and reflect on building a future worthy of their sacrifices. Thank you to all our veterans.
November 16th is the birthday, in 1835, in Lincklaen, New York, of Orello Cone. A Universalist minister, he was one of his era’s foremost Biblical scholars. Promoting modern ideas, he considered science and religion as mutually supportive. He encouraged Universalist associations with Unitarians, Jews, ethicists and religious liberals.
November 20th is a day of remembrance for Eckhart von Hochheim. A 13th Century German theologian and philosopher, his central theme was the presence of God in the individual and the dignity of mankind. He spoke little of church ceremonies and stressed the futility of outward penance. He preached in vernacular German and used language that often strayed from orthodoxy. Accused of heresy, he died before his tribunal was concluded and is today considered in good standing within the Catholic church.
November 20th 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 festive mood. Street processions, gun salutes, delicious feasts, music and decorations on homes and mosques are some of the many Mawlid traditions around the world.
November 20th, Trinity United Methodist Church will host Savannah’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. A tradition hosted at downtown houses of worship since after World War Two, this ecumenical gathering features Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and other voices joined in prayers of thanksgiving. It celebrates our common humanity and our religious pluralism. The event is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at six o’clock.
November 22nd is Thanksgiving, a day to express gratitude for life, family, friends, food, the entirety of existence and the blessings that surround us. A uniquely American and ecumenical holiday, Thanksgiving calls us to express a universal message: the need for giving thanks in words and deeds. Call someone. Tell them you love them. Notice your surroundings. And, for goodness sake, do something for your spirit on Friday. Stay at home. Take a hike. Volunteer. Be with friends. Watch a movie. Avoid Black Friday.
November 26th in the Baha’i Faith is the Day of the Covenant. This holiday remembers 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.
And now, for Diwali, a song of praise for Lakshmi, the Hindu and Jain deity, goddess of wealth and prosperity, sung by Sadhana Sargam, noted film and religious singer in India.
