April 2013 Blog Posts (9)

If there is one reality that has been affirmed on my budding ministerial journey, it is that people are messy. And I do not just mean in the physical, dirty-dishes-in-the-sink, underwear-left-on-the-bathroom-floor sense. I am talking about the emotional, psychological, and spiritual messiness that makes us the relationally complicated beings that we are. I am talking about the parts of our selves that behave in ways that are not always purely driven by love, that aspect of our nature that is…

I'm offering the upcoming course Having Your Voice to the End of Your Life at the Unitarian Society of Germantown starting in May. The following and many other questions will be addressed at a Seminar/workshop offered at the Unitarian Society of Germantown on May 12^th (12:30-2:30), May 19^th (1:00-5:00) and June 9, 12:30-2:30).  To register, go to…

Hi all!

This morning, I was honored to deliver the invocation to open the Philadelphia City Council session, at the invitation of At-Large Councilman Bill Green and his staff.  The text of the short reflection and prayer I offered is below.  It has been such a gift this year to serve as your Student Minister and feel the support of this congregation - I hope I represented you well!…

What’s the group about?

The Social Justice Ministry Team has formed a Food Justice Book Group.  Church members and friends are invited to read the book group selections and share their opinions about the book at a discussion table to be held at a potluck lunch and/or online through a book group that has been created on the Good Reads website.

When is the next meeting?

The next meeting will be held on Sunday, April 21st at 12:30 in Griffin…

This just in:

The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philly.com has featured the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia as one of their favorite spots to see local music in…

• April 7th  -  12:30 PM   -  Info Session: Executive Director/Minister Roles Proposal
• April 14th - 12:30 PM   -  Info Session: Crafting Our Budget
• April 17th -  6:30 PM    -  Board Meeting
• April 24th - 6:30 PM     -  Board Meeting: Budget
• April 28th - 12:30…

Dear First Unitarian Members & Friends,

The efforts for just and humane immigration reform have been gaining steady momentum, and success, in recent months. From the introduction of the Pennsylvania DREAM Act last month, to the growing support for reform across party lines, it is time for us to show our support for just changes to our immigration policies. It is time for us…

There is an inherent goodness at the heart of everything, but at times we find it difficult to see the good in situations or people that aren’t to our liking. However, what’s really needed is the courage to look deeply into all things occurring in our lives. In our active, goal-oriented culture, we tend to engage in busy work on the surface of life, while mistrusting stillness. This tendency to avoid stillness blinds us to the good that lies at the heart of all things. However, if we stop…