by Lorraine Ellis One of our interim ministers was fond of asking “can we treat this like an experiment?” At the time, I was a member of the predecessor to our Board of Trustees—the Prudential Committee— which did a whole lot more micromanaging than the current Board does. A new thing would be proposed. The … Continue reading Why My Heart is Here: Freedom to Experiment
I am here because I belong here. I feel seen and I feel heard. My husband, Craig, and I joined UU Concord in the fall of 2023, though my journey with Unitarian Universalism began about a decade ago. I was raised Catholic, but while going through a divorce, I began to re-evaluate my relationship with … Continue reading Why My Heart is Here: Feeling Seen
People sometimes ask me why I come to this UU church. The answer is simple: the connections we build together make us stronger as a whole. In this world that often feels rushed and disconnected, this community has shown me what it means to truly belong. One of the biggest reasons is that this is … Continue reading Why my heart is here: Connection
Are you religious? How often have I asked or been asked that question. I grew up attending Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, sharing Seders with extended family, attending Hebrew school and becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Rabbi Harold Kushner framed description of an individual’s religiosity as being serious or not. I was not a serious … Continue reading Why My Heart is Here
Why is my heart here? Easy. Village. Since joining the UU I have repeated this word countless times: my mantra, my purpose, my prayer. It’s the people who keep me tethered. These caring relationships, the love shared between us, the welcoming of strangers are where I find the sacred. Before the UU, I felt out … Continue reading Why My Heart is Here: Village
by Jeanne Ann Whittington We all need kindness. If we are to live well, it’s not optional. As babies, children and throughout our lives, we need to be held in loving relationship to thrive. And from this foundation of having received kindness and care, we need to be able to offer kindness to others, especially … Continue reading We All Need Kindness
It’s a rainy Saturday morning. Usually, it’s my day to sleep in after a long week of juggling my multiple roles as a parent and community home health nurse. At times it feels like an arduous task getting the kids to school on time, having enough energy at the end of the day to cook … Continue reading Why My Heart is Here: Children’s Programs and Community
Sincerity. Let me explain. When I got my first job out of grad school, it was through an agency. My work was spread out over several towns. I rarely went to the main office, but every paycheck had the boss’s signature and a sticky note saying “Thanks for your great work”. I had no doubt … Continue reading Why My Heart is Here: Sincerity
This is the third article in the series of ‘Why My Heart is Here’. This series showcases how individual congregants’ roles and activities at Concord UU help them find connection to and meaning in their lives at church. By spotlighting these individual stories, we hope to show how you might also find your heart’s home … Continue reading Why My Heart is Here: Service and Community
This is the second in the series of ‘Why My Heart is Here’. This series showcases how individual congregants’ roles and activities at Concord UU help them find connection to and meaning in their lives at church. By spotlighting these individual stories, we hope to show how you might also find your heart’s home here. … Continue reading Why My Heart is Here: Contemplative Practice
