Conflict is among our most basic human experiences. The ability to engage in conflict without violence requires compassion, vulnerability, patience, intelligence and emotional grit. Storyteller Will Hornyak shares traditional myths, tales and poems that demonstrate the art and practice of creative conflict. The fruits of such conflicts can lead to deeper understanding, healing and shared bonds … Continue reading Rituals of Conflict, Paths of Peace
Also: New Member Welcoming Ceremony Watch the service HERE. The ideal topic for us freethinking UUs is improvisation! How do we get the balance right between practical planning and necessary routines in our lives, while nurturing some creative space for spontaneity? How can practicing improvisation lead to more creative thinking and better communication? Rev. Robin … Continue reading Yes, And…Improvising A Life
Watch the service HERE. Aside from being one of the summer’s boffo blockbusters, the film “Barbie” has sparked a robust and important conversation far beyond the iconic doll introduced by Mattel in 1959 as an alternative to baby dolls. The eye-popping production design, the memorable musical numbers and the snappy dialogue entertain. Yet, the film … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Barbie
Watch the service HERE. Looking around Eastrose at the quilts and artwork, you’re likely to think: “Wow, these folks are so creative.” And, yes, they surely are. However, creativity lives within each of us and extends beyond the visual, literary, or performing arts. In this service, we’ll explore where creativity originates, how it is sparked … Continue reading I, The Creator
Watch the service HERE. During times when we are under extraordinary duress (the pandemic, for example), “putting on a happy face” seems almost suspicious, and yet, social media keeps churning out perky family holiday snapshots and “think positive thoughts” pep talks. Subscribing to the “positive psychology” gospel these days requires us to reject our so-called … Continue reading Happyish: The Upside of Negative Emotions
Watch the service HERE. Letterboxing is a quirky hobby combining orienteering, puzzle solving, journaling, and treasure hunting, dating back to the 1850’s in Dartmoor, England. As we begin 2024 with our well-intentioned resolutions in tow, we’ll explore Letterboxing as a spiritual metaphor for getting “lost” (in healthy ways) — stepping off the well-worn paths of … Continue reading Letterboxing: Getting Lost and Found in the New Year
What seeds are you planting for the new year? How are you weaving your magic into your relationships with others? How can we center beauty and goodness and love in all that’s ahead? Char Woods, Worship Leader
Watch the service HERE. How do we lean into abundance and hope when we have no guarantee of the outcome? How is the story of Noah a hopeful one about creation and a cautionary tale about climate change? And why is the story of Noah and the ark, mythological though it is, an ideal fable … Continue reading Noah Built An Ark Before He Had Water
PLEASE BRING A MEMENTO OR HEIRLOOM FOR OUR COMMUNAL ALTAR Watch the service HERE. What is it about objects that can evoke such poignant and potent memories? What lost piece of your life might you be grateful to have returned by the “Thrift Shop Angel” of New York City? Why do we keep the memorabilia … Continue reading All Souls and Día de los Muertos – “The Thrift Shop Angel and the Power of Memory”
Watch the service HERE. Popular songs, art works, photos, favorite places, sayings, post-its, fridge magnets, popular music and other influences in our lives. We are all on an individual spiritual path and are influenced by many recognized and subliminal experiences. We are always in connection with life’s subtle lessons. This will be a light-hearted look … Continue reading The Seventh Source
