Rev. Leuchtenberger is our senior minister. Read more.
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
So much of the violence in our world seems related to the clash of people holding onto conflicting tribal identities. Yet Darwin traces the very existence of non-selfish, cooperative human behavior to the emergence of tribes and tribal identity. We need a strong sense of community to be our best selves, a strong “us,” that … Continue reading Healthy Tribalism
As we re-gather in our beautiful sanctuary for our annual water communion service we will remember what it means to be The Other, to feel the sting of exclusion, to deal with the taste of rejection. Us – Them is our theme this month. Connecting to The Other is our aspiration as individuals and as … Continue reading Connecting to The Other – A Water Communion Service
During our annual Flower Communion service, we are reminded once more of the life-sustaining role that sharing and a generous heart play as we journey with each other through the roller-coaster that is life. Please bring a flower if you can though we’ll have plenty of extras. We will also recognize our Volunteer of the Year, our … Continue reading Together We Share
