What if it is not inevitable that humans and nature are a bad mix? What if we could be as good for the earth as the bees are for the flowers? And flowers are for the bees?
The Middle, Deathly Stage in Transformation
Before the transformation, there is often a period of darkness, loss, death, disorientation. Reflections for all of us on the stories of Jewish Passover and Christian Good Friday.
Prayer of Gratitude and Surrender
May we be able to surrender to each of these, letting go of our own power and feeling held in the midst of something greater.
The Surrender to Transformation
May we find our own “deep yeses” to which we can surrender.
Balance
Our ability to surrender to this rhythm requires a dance of sorts, but even more so, it requires a stillness. A dancing that is stillness, and a stillness that is dancing.
Vulnerability
Spiritual practices can help us learn how to grow our tolerance with the realities and promises of vulnerability.
Sustaining our Hope in the work of Environmental Sustainability
Sustaining ourselves as we work for environmental sustainability.
"God Is Not One"
Might understanding the differences between religions help us relate better to one another?
Eulogy for Emeritus Minister, Rev. W. Leslie Pugh
Les Pugh’s favorite phrase for the mystery was “the silent working of good.”
Resistance
Reflections on the Jan 21st Demonstration in Midland, TX and the inseparability of the religious/spiritual and the political.
The Radical MLK
Do you know the radical MLK who opposed not only racism but also materialism and militarism? …who argued for redistribution and revolution?
Prophecy: Casting a Vision for the Future
The prophetic spirit uses the gifts of judgment and hope to cast visions that can shift us into a different way of living.
"Witnessing at Standing Rock: Making the Invisible Visible"
History and reflections on a witness. What does it mean to be an ally? Can this change what we see and how we respond?
"Waiting for the Not-Yet-Here"
How can you leave the window unlocked for “the holy thief” so that something new can be born in your life? The spiritual messages of the Christian season of Advent.
Post-Election Sermon: "Reality, Grief, Hope"
Accept the realities before us. Lean into what we feel in response. Move into hope and action. Repeat.
Charge to the Congregation
At the Installation service of Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon on Oct 15, 2016, Rev. Lora Brandis gave this Charge to the…
Installation Service for Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon
Listen to the sermon, call to worship, charge to the minister, charge to the congregation, and benediction. Or listen to the service in its entirety!
Healing the Heart of Democracy Part 5 of 5: Cultivating Beloved Community
The 2016 Presidential election has exposed deep questions about the period of massive social change in which we live. How do we build the Beloved Community?
Healing the Heart of Democracy Part 4 of 5: Personal Voice and Agency
Much depends on our Speaking Out and Acting Up. And we don’t do it alone.
Healing the Heart of Democracy Part 3 of 5: Holding Tensions in Life-Giving Ways
We are called to act from within “The Tragic Gap” – the tension between reality and possibility, between despair and hope, between confusion and clarity.