Rev. Leuchtenberger is our senior minister. Read more.
The narratives we adopt to make sense of life’s vagaries and whims frame how we see ourselves and the world. Whoever creates the narrative has tremendous influence on how we feel and what seems possible – at the personal level and for groups and peoples. Claiming the power to tell our own stories can transform … Continue reading Owning and Shaping Your Story
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten” (G.K. Chesterton). We dive into our January theme of “story” by listening to tales of adventure and anguish, vulnerability and virtue, joy, jeopardy, longing, and love as expressed by the bards … Continue reading Ballads, Fables and Myths
How do we encounter the presence of the divine, of mystery, of God? What does that experience feel like in meditation, in prayer, in our everyday activities? How does centering love relate to our understanding of grace, faith, hope, joy, the mystery, God?
As Unitarian Universalists we readily proclaim our commitment to valuing diversity, to accepting people with varied beliefs and backgrounds. We see ourselves as welcoming people from a broad range of life experiences and as affirming diverse expressions of lifestyles. Yet many of us struggle right now to be present to difference, to respect difference, and … Continue reading Being Present to Difference
Rabbi Sharon Brous, in her book “The Amen Effect,” makes the simple yet compelling case for our need to “show up for the celebration, and to show up for the funeral. And to err on the side of presence.” Grieving alone is no better than celebrating alone. There is power and necessity in showing up … Continue reading Showing Up
Sometimes the scope of repair needed to mend what is broken feels overwhelming and out of reach. Sometimes repair may need to focus on small steps, on finding the bandaid that allows us to keep functioning – despite the wound, despite the uncertainty about what healing might be possible – as a person, as a … Continue reading Finding Bandaids
Near death experiences offer a chance to repair relationships and gain clarity about the principles by which we live our lives. Facing death offers a chance for similar repair and clarity. Yet what to do when both appear to be in tension, when relationships and principles clash? How can our humility to see the humanity … Continue reading Humility to See the Humanity
On this post-election Sunday, we strive to be a sanctuary for all seeking a welcoming and inclusive community. Come and engage the joys and sorrows of this moment as the choir invites us to find and practice peace while holding on to courage for whatever journey lies ahead. What repair will be needed in our … Continue reading Fresh Start
There is an emphasis on impact over intent in progressive social justice spaces – and for good reasons. Yet our behavior and actions are deeply rooted in our character, with our intentions reflecting our inner motivations and our moral framework. The integrity of our character offers consistency especially in difficult situations, allowing for trust in … Continue reading Character, Intentions & Impact
The “Four Noble Truths” are a core teaching of Buddhism that identify the nature of suffering, its cause, and the path to end it. The service will reflect on the relevance of those truths to our lives today. We will then imagine a parallel starting place to our inquiry into existence. We will look at … Continue reading Four Noble Truths – Inverted
