Rev. Leuchtenberger is our senior minister. Read more.
For each child that’s born a morning star rises and sings to the universe who we are. These lyrics by UU musician Ysaye M. Barnwell, remind us that the birth of Jesus is a symbol for the miracles of life we get to experience over and over. Today’s service will focus on a creative retelling … Continue reading Tikva and the Star
Our Universalist roots suggest that we cannot really fall from grace, or be pushed from grace. The universal love extended to us by God or the Universe is always around us, ready to embrace us at all times, even when it doesn’t always feel that way. Hell, in the Universalist understanding, is when we close … Continue reading Falling from Grace
We don’t talk about grace in UU theology very often or easily. What is the traditional understanding of grace? What are we missing when we disregard grace as a concept? What could grace mean to us? How do we relate to the experience of grace even as atheists or agnostics? Our first Sunday drop-in covenant … Continue reading The Meaning of Grace
Do you agree that the single most reusable answer to any spiritual (and emotional or material) question seems to be: It depends on finding the right balance? (If you can think of another candidate, please let Michael know.) So answering the question whether we should live our lives from a place of scarcity or abundance … Continue reading Enough Already?
The abundance of choices, freedoms, material things, (social media) friends, knowledge, medical provisions, safety devices, and religious truths ought to assure a life full of blessings and happiness. Compared to previous generations, we are living in the age of abundance, yet a look below the surface of human aspiration suggests we have fallen under a … Continue reading The Illusion of Abundance
For abundance to show its beautiful, peace-instilling, and joyful side, we may need to welcome scarcity into our lives as a way to discern what truly matters, as a teacher challenging our assumptions and cravings, as a reality that connects us with everyone else. Then less can be more and scarcity softens to simplicity, spacious … Continue reading When Less is More
Assuming we aspire to act with greater integrity, what practices might be helpful, what insights may prepare the ground?
Integrity does not imply a particular set of moral values. Opposing moral values can in themselves be consistent, coherent, and whole. Each side of a moral argument can represent and inspire a life of integrity, however distasteful the moral decisions will look from across the moral divide. How do we respect the integrity of those … Continue reading The Challenge of Distasteful Integrity
Integrity is about honesty, truth telling, principles, fairness, and good character. It’s what we expect in our leaders. It’s what we hope for in ourselves. Yet most of us consistently fall short – especially when we think we can get away with it unnoticed. As C.S. Lewis said: “Integrity is doing the right thing even … Continue reading Integrity – A Worthy Goal?
Unitarian Universalism has been at the forefront of advocating for a multicultural, anti-oppressive world that feels welcoming to all, a world that embraces diversity as a social good, ultimately leading to a kinder, gentler, more peaceful world. What if our good intentions have lead us astray? What if our approach is backfiring? What if there … Continue reading Diversity – A Balancing Act
