Category: Blog

Friends,

Today’s brisk morning is a reminder of summer turning to fall. Kids and grandkids are back to school, Friday night lights illuminate the field for our communities, and we find ourselves returning to a life that seems almost forgotten—talk of football, colder mornings and anticipating the end of gardens and crops, the button bucks losing their fuzziness and fawns losing their spots… Continue reading “Message from the Minister”

Dear Friends,

“In the inhalation and exhalation there is an energy and a lively divine spirit, since He, through his spirit supports the breath of life, giving courage to the people who are in the earth and spirit to those who walk on it.” Early Church reformer, Michael Servetus offered those words, describing his unitarian and humanist perspective. Continue reading “Message from the Minister”

Dear Beloveds and Friends,

As the warm summer breeze graces our days and the sun bathes us in its golden rays, we find ourselves in a season of abundant growth and reflection. July has arrived, bringing with it a cherished opportunity to explore the essence of freedom of belief and deepen our connections within our beloved community. The warm sun reminds us of the promise of abundance, and the climate-change induced smoke in the air reminds us of our responsibility to care for the earth. Continue reading “Message from the Minister”

Friends,

As we enter the month of June, as we reach out and experience Pride Month, as we begin to enjoy the summer… Continue reading “Message from the Minister”

Friends,

I recently was invited to participate in the Ohio-Meadville District Ministers retreat. One of my takeaways was being present to the deep questions in front of us, just under the surface. Continue reading “Message from the Minister”

Friends,

As I watch our days increase, the rain and the clouds, and the culmination of both in our of late amazing sunsets, I cannot help but to think about the connection of all. We are material, matter, and so is the rock. We are alive, and so too is the bright green moss on the forest floor. We move and run and billow and crawl, so too does the wind. We frolic and play, so too does the doe. Continue reading “Message from the Minister”

Dear Friends,

Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. Continue reading “Message from the Minister”

Dear Friends,

I hope February finds you in peace and love and purpose! In this lovely month, I hope you can pause to appreciate all of the different types of love in your life. With Valentine’s Day, we typically focus on romantic love (Greek: ‘eros love’), but with Galentine’s Day, we fellowship focusing on friendship love
(Greek: ‘philia love’). In families we experience love (greek: ‘storgē love’). And, through Black History Month and when we engage in Justice work we love (Greek: ‘agape love’). Continue reading “Message from the Minister”

Happy New Year!

I show my inner Trekkie to reveal an unanticipated joke, just as I share that life has taken an unexpected turn. Sometimes it does that, and it behooves us to not only take it in stride but to dance along. There is a line from the musical Beetlejuice that says, “We should have carpe’d way more diems. Now we’re never gonna see ’em!” Continue reading “Message from the Minister”

Friends,

Advent is upon us, and we are preparing for the darkest day of the year, and we are preparing for the return of the light. We anticipate the struggles of busyness, obligation and the annoyances that find us, all the while the joys of Christmas–the sparkle of the lights, the giving, the receiving, the hope and wonder of it.

This time of year, as the trees bare themselves, clad with only the cold wind upon them, I am reminded of Mary Oliver’s “Blackwater Woods.” Here is an excerpt:

Everything I have ever learned in my lifetime leads back to this: the fires and the black river of loss whose other side is salvation, whose meaning none of us will ever know.
To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.

I think of the Magi and the three gifts they brought: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These parallel with Mary Oliver’s three things. Gold is for provision, providing for a family or friends and our responsibilities. Frankincense is the heaven-bound incense that connects us to the divine and to one another. And, myrrh is the embalming oil for the departed–”when the time comes to let it go.”

I pray each of you have joy and connection this holiday season, that you can connect at our different gatherings, and you connect with friends and family alike.

Peace beyond all understanding, may it be with you!
Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!

— Rev. Wil