On a three-day weekend brought to us by and intended to recognize the labor movement, let’s also talk about the things that prevent us from resting: capitalism and the Protestant work ethic. In a world where even the concept of “self-care” has been monetized, what does it mean to truly care for ourselves?
Do you have memories of childhood summers? In play, we lose ourselves, honor imagination and enter a kind of time out of time—like summers. UU minister Max Coots wrote, “August made the Summer seem forever.” Play is a form of Unitarian Universalist transcendence that takes us into the world in a way that honors imagination and the power … Continue reading Play
A parable that has been attributed to community organizer Saul Alinsky tells the story of a village that’s being overwhelmed by a constant stream of babies that mysteriously keep ending up in their nearby river. In that story, we learn that we all have a role in solving the problems that threaten to overwhelm us, … Continue reading Saving the Babies in the River
In 1886, William Temple Hornaday traveled to Montana to kill as many bison as he could. He believed, then, that that was the only way to save the bison: by preserving their hides in the Smithsonian. But something changed, and Hornaday went on to become one of the founders of the American conservation movement. What … Continue reading Shifting Baselines
“I’m spiritual, not religious,” say many Unitarian Universalists. So what IS the difference between spirituality and religion? What exactly does it mean to be spiritual? How do we define such a broad term? What does it mean to be journeying together, when our spiritual journeys may be so different?
Every UU has certain hymns that move and inspire them. Revs. David and Gaye Morris will lead us in a singalong exploration of hymns that have deep spiritual and historical roots for our faith. Bios Rev. David Morris retired in June of 2022 as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Outer Banks in … Continue reading Hymn and Her: UU Hymns we Know and Love
In our Unitarian Universalist tradition, the way we understand the process of living together in community is through covenant. We do not organize ourselves around a creed. Instead, we enter into a covenant with each other. We will explore working and celebrating and covenanting together to build a community which has the power and commitment … Continue reading Covenant (A Touchstone Service)
Rev. Godette shares: “I am really concerned about current events: what is going on in our world, country, state, and yes, our community? I have had the opportunity to talk one-on-one with the people to whom I have been assigned. With everyone, the conversations have the same theme, ‘I am scared, what is going to happen?’ … Continue reading Just Smile
Among its meanings, regeneration includes spiritual renewal or revival, being born again, conversion, producing anew, and a “radical spiritual change in an individual accomplished by the action of God” or some other powerful force. All of these can elicit an awakening. This is awe! We will install our new board members, say goodbye to outgoing … Continue reading Awe and Regeneration (A Touchstone Service)
Liberty, like worth and dignity, as we refer to in our first and sixth Unitarian Universalist principles, is inherent. In the Declaration of Independence, liberty is one of three inalienable rights. In this worship service, we’ll explore the human condition called liberty. Back by popular demand, AFTERWORDS, an interactive discussion to further explore the topic, … Continue reading Liberty (A Touchstone Service)
