A Moment For All Ages August 21, 2011: Sacred Spaces

We often hear a lot of talk about creating "sacred" spaces, but what does this mean and how do we know when we have created a sacred space?

Whether we are seeking time alone, comfort, safety or a desire to be connected to others, we can create spaces that fill these needs. Some of us have special items in our life that help us through tough times or remind us of the community which surrounds us and other have a places or people that they turn to.

How do you create sacred spaces? Where do you go when you need to feel comforted?

A Moment For All Ages August 14, 2011: Families!

"There are lots of different ways to be a family. Your family is special no matter what kind it is." 


This note from author Todd Parr at the end of The Family Book is a great way to remind people of all ages that Families are all special and important. 


Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to honor and celebrate families of all shapes and sizes. We also think that it is very important to share our message that "love makes a family" with each other and the rest of the world so that our children, youth (and adults!) can grow up in a world that recognizes each and every family as special, even though it might be different and unique.


What does "Family" mean to you?


Purchase The Family Book or find it at your local library.

A Moment For All Ages August 7, 2011: The Five Smooth Stones

We have many tools to help us develop and strengthen our UU faith; our powerful chalice symbol, our seven UU Principles and six Sources, the wisdom of our communities, and the ability to find bits of wisdom in everyone and everything.

James Luther Adams had an idea about some of the tools we need as religious liberals; he developed what came to be known as "The Five Smooth Stones of Liberal Religion."

Since Adams' developed these principles, there have been many different interpretations of his words; one of my favorites is from Rev. Amy Bowden Freedman from her sermon on this topic:

1- Revelation is continuous.
2- Free Choice and Respect in Human Relations.
3- Establish a Just and Loving Community
4- Make Good Things Happen
5- Positive Change is Possible

These stones can be a really powerful tool for our UU children and youth as well. Try using these words to explain the five smooth stones:

1- We are always learning
2- We are together by choice
3- We work for a fair a loving community
4- We work to make good things happen
5- We remember that positive change is possible

How do you use these principles in your life?

Thank you to the following bloggers whose interpretations of Adams' work helped with the development of this article:

Rev. Amy Bowden Freedman
Rev. Naomi King
Dr. Greg Smith

Check out this video by Rev. Naomi King to find out more about the Five Smooth Stones:

A Moment For All Ages July 31, 2011: The Sources of Our Faith

In a Unitarian Universalist congregation, you will find many different ideas and opinions. When we are together, we share our ideas, and these conversations help each of us on our own path to discovery. 


Sometimes, we need to look not only to our fellow UUs for inspiration and wisdom, but outside our walls as well. 


While our Seven Principles are central to our faith, we also recognize that we draw our faith from many sources:

• Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
• Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
• Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
• Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
• Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Where do you find inspiration and wisdom for your spiritual journey? 


Resources on this topic:
Six UU Sources workbook for kids from the UUA bookstore

A Moment For All Ages July 24h, 2011: Better Together

We've been talking a lot about why we come together as a church community; this week we explore how we can continue to be "better together" in community.

Many congregations write a covenant, or simply, an agreement or promise of the ways we want to behave when we are together. These promises are not always easy to keep and sometimes it is helpful to be a part of a loving community that can help us remember when we have lost our way or when we have forgotten the promises that we have made.

Staying in covenant takes practice, and we all need help every once in a while! Try practicing this at home by crafting your very own family covenant. Take a moment this week and think about the promises that you make to your family, your neighborhood community, your faith community, and your world community and write them down. Also think about the ways that we can peacefully and lovingly remind one another when we have broken these promises; how can we get back on track?

For more information on covenants, check out some of these resources!

Blog entry by Doug Muder
From the UUA website
Making a family covenant

A Moment for All Ages July 10, 2011; The Story of the Flaming Chalice

Have you ever wondered why the symbol for our church is a Flaming Chalice or why we light a chalice at the beginning of our worship services?

The story of the Flaming Chalice is exciting and inspiring! Take a moment and check out some of these great articles about the symbol of our faith. What does our chalice mean to you?

Wartime origins of the flaming chalice by Dan Hotchkiss
The Healing Cup by Noreen Kimball
Bring a meaningful chalice-lighting ritual into your home!