By Rev. Wendy von Courter

Ella Baker's words offer a poignant reminder that while we are keepers of the dream and the struggle, it didn't begin with us, nor will it end when we depart. Come join a service that acknowledges our place on the journey and places the question "What is ours to do?" on the altar of our souls for consideration.

By Rev. Wendy von Courter

Audre Lorde once said "When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid"
Today, in week three of our series on Love, we must ask ourselves if we are willing to dare. Are we willing to use our love toward the service of our values?

Three weeks ago today, when we began this journey, I told you that on this day we would dare to unleash the power of our love upon an unsuspecting world! But that we had a bit of work to do first. Together we faced the challenge of loving ourselves. Of accepting ourselves, flawed, beautiful and worthy creatures that we are. Of looking in the mirror each morning and greeting ourselves with the affirmation of “Good morning beautiful. You are amazing. I love you. And today, you can change the world by sharing that love.”

By Rev. Wendy von Courter

Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false 
witness; 19 Honor your  father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these;[a] what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to 
him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money[b] to the poor, and 
you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
These words from Matthew 19:16-22, aka The Rich Young Man

By Rev. Wendy von Courter

We return now to our story. UU religious professionals have argued about whether we have stories or not in our religion. Some of that comes out of a yearning to have a shared story – like the Exodus for the Jewish Community, the Crucifixion for the Christians, Muhammed receiving the word for Muslims or other stories that play a central and unifying role for peoples of faith. I have always argued that we do.

By Rev. Wendy von Courter

Last week you had an opportunity to see a picture of UUism. Using the Spirit Play method of story we laid out a picture of who we are as a people of religion. If you missed it, you can find it in the newsletter and it is also displayed in our social hall. The story shows us on a rainbow path, in ever-widening community, drawn together to engage the mystery of creation some call God, gathered in caring community that makes promises to one another.

By Rev. Wendy von Courter

Ohhhhh that horrible feeling when you get into your car and it doesn't start. And then the feeling gets worse when you realize it's your fault and that you left the lights on. And then the feeling gets worse when you realize you just told your mother “No I don't need a ride to the memorial service reception. I'll see you there in a few minutes.” And she doesn't tend to use her cell phone. And then the feeling gets even worse when you're on the phone with AAA and you realize you don't know the name of the street you're on.