Speaker: Rev. Janet Newton

 Change, Renewal, and Hope with Rev. Janet Newton, Dr. Ursula Goodenough and Ewell Hopkins

Mizuta Masahide, the 17th century Japanese poet and samurai penned brief but lasting lines on the nature of what might be called transience, life after loss, or renewal: My barn having burned down, now I can see the moon.” This Sunday, Dr. Ursula Goodenough and Ewell Hopkins will join Rev. Janet for a service that … Continue reading  Change, Renewal, and Hope with Rev. Janet Newton, Dr. Ursula Goodenough and Ewell Hopkins

Traditional Sunday Morning Worship from this Year’s General Assembly: “Weaving Our Lives.” 

This Sunday we will gather in our chapel and online to worship with Unitarian Universalists around the world. The service will be the traditional Sunday morning worship from this year’s General Assembly: “Weaving Our Lives.” We are all tangled up together in a great web of life that is woven with beauty and hardship, love … Continue reading Traditional Sunday Morning Worship from this Year’s General Assembly: “Weaving Our Lives.” 

“The Tale of Goldilocks and the Bylaws: Too Big, Too Small, or Just Right?” with Rev. Janet Newton

The Tale of Goldilocks and the Bylaws: Too Big, Too Small, or Just Right? Throughout history we find stories that highlight the importance of moderation. Wisdom seekers — from the Ancient Greeks to 19th century Jewish theologians to English storytellers and their porridge-eating bears — described the importance of seeking equilibrium and moderation in the … Continue reading “The Tale of Goldilocks and the Bylaws: Too Big, Too Small, or Just Right?” with Rev. Janet Newton

“Take Us Out to the Ballgame: Shared Humanity in Unlikely Places” with Rev. Janet Newton

“Take Us Out to the Ballgame: Shared Humanity in Unlikely Places” with Rev. Janet Newton As the cost of a ticket to a see a live professional sporting event has risen astronomically, many of us have lost the opportunity to engage in that form of collective connection. If we want to embrace a pluralistic perspective on … Continue reading “Take Us Out to the Ballgame: Shared Humanity in Unlikely Places” with Rev. Janet Newton

“Managing Chaos in a Pluralistic World” with Rev. Janet Newton

Much has been made recently about the ease with which some people seek to gain or hold power through sowing chaos and division. How might we use our appreciation of diversity and pluralism to respond to that chaos? What pragmatic practices do we have access to as we seek to manage the fear, anxiety or … Continue reading “Managing Chaos in a Pluralistic World” with Rev. Janet Newton

“Letting Ourselves Get Lost” with Rev. Janet Newton

The quieter pace dictated by winter weather and shortened daylight is the perfect opportunity to slow down ourselves and invite deeper reflection on the tools and ideas we habitually turn to for meaning making. This Sunday we’ll explore what might emerge for us if we let ourselves step off well-trodden paths and lean into new … Continue reading “Letting Ourselves Get Lost” with Rev. Janet Newton

“Both Sides Now” with Rev. Janet Newton

“Both Sides Now” with Rev. Janet Newton When the list of things that seek to undermine our faith in humanity starts to grow longer and longer, what can we do to reclaim our place in the flow of life? Follow this link to view the Order of Service:  UUSMV OOS for February 11, 2024

“Still Dreaming After All These Years” with Rev. Janet Newton

Still Dreaming After All These Years When we take the time to articulate our dreams for the future — when we let ourselves think big and dream big — we are taking essential steps toward acting those dreams into being. What world-changing dreams have we inherited that still need our devoted attention if they are … Continue reading “Still Dreaming After All These Years” with Rev. Janet Newton