I’ve taken to listening to podcasts rather than listen to radio or watch TV. There are favorite podcasts for me and one of them is Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett. More often than not, this award winning radio program makes me think more deeply about the intersection of science and religion and gives me new ways to think about spirituality. Einstein’s God is a compendium of several of these programs from the show interviewing key individuals adding to the thinking around the interface of science and religion. People such as Freeman Dyson, Paul Davies, Sherwin Nuland, Mehmet Oz, James Moore, Esther Sternberg, V.V. Raman, Michael McCullough, Janna Levin, Andrew Solomon, Anita Barrows, Parker Palmer and John Polkinghorne. Continue reading Einstein’s God »
Einstein’s God
June 19, 2010 — 8:23 pm
DaveK It’s the Passion thing . . .
June 13, 2010 — 8:05 pmI’m definitely not on the same page with those yelling that they want the President to “show more passionate speech” about the Gulf disaster and other events. I’m done with this passion thing. I learned long ago that a “man cannot think with his fists clenched.” Continue reading It’s the Passion thing . . . »
It’s all about commitment . . .
May 29, 2010 — 6:13 pmAs several of you know I spend a great deal of time working with business leaders – leaders of private, public, for-profit and not-for-profit companies. Inevitably at some point in our work together, we wind up having a discussion on their commitment to a vision, project or person and how it manifests in their business and personal lives. It’s worth relating some of the findings around commitment and pondering how they apply to Tapestry. Continue reading It’s all about commitment . . . »
How much are you missing in life?
May 27, 2010 — 9:12 amSometimes, I will get an e-mail that makes me stop and think. Here is one such e-mail which I likely read only because it came from my wife. I would have missed a great gift and certainly would have not had the chance to think about how I go through life mostly in a preoccupied, unconscious state!
THE SITUATION
In Washington, DC, at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
Continue reading How much are you missing in life? »
First impressions of China . . .
May 22, 2010 — 7:05 amFor many of you, this is “old hat.” For me, I just returned from my first trip to mainland China and I was quite taken with the warmth, generosity, industriousness and curiosity of the people I met. Admittedly, I was extremely lucky to be squired around the country by a native Chinese colleague who knew all the “ins and outs” of the places, customs and language. Thank Goodness!
We began our trip flying direct from LA to Shanghai. What a beautiful city – yes smog, but still, a beautiful city. It is quite cosmopolitan in that there were many languages being spoken, the hotels were “Westernized” so to speak, and the infrastructure was relatively updated. I’m sure much had been done to prepare for the 2010 Expo which was promoted everywhere. Unfortunately, there was no way we could get into Expo, but we did visit the site and could see the buildings and speak with the people going in. So there I was, in Shanghai, at the Expo and had to rely on my wife to tell me about the opening ceremonies she saw back here on CNN. Timing is everything. Continue reading First impressions of China . . . »
UUs Protest Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Law
April 29, 2010 — 1:41 pmFrom the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations here is a article on the UU perspective on the new immigration law in Arizona:
UUs Protest Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Law
In an email the UUA also noted that:
The recent anti-immigrant legislation enacted in Arizona has drawn criticism from secular human rights organizations and a broad range of religious groups, including the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). UUA President Peter Morales denounced the legislation in a statement on April 23, 2010. Morales’ statement was included in a press
release issued by Faith in Public Life (http://tinyurl.com/SB1070Release) and was noted in the media
(http://tinyurl.com/SB1070inStatesman).Despite passage of this legislation, the situation in Arizona remains volatile. The law will be subjected to constitutional scrutiny and may well prove to be unconstitutional; the Justice Department is reviewing the law to see if it violates civil rights; and proposed national immigration reform legislation might supersede the Arizona legislation.
Representatives from the UUA Board of Trustees, the General Assembly Planning Committee, and the UUA staff are monitoring the situation in Arizona and have been in contact with local Unitarian Universalist congregations and coalition partners. Because the 2012 General Assembly is scheduled to be held in Phoenix, the UUA will consider how best to bear witness against this reprehensible legislation and to support both those groups marginalized by the law and Arizona Unitarian Universalists who are speaking out against it.
More information about Unitarian Universalist protests against the Arizona law and the Association’s long history of support for immigrants is included in this article on UUA.org: http://tinyurl.com/SB1070Protest
If you have questions about this message or if you would like more information on the UUA’s work for immigration justice, please write here
You should follow us on Twitter at @tapestryuu, become a fan on Facebook at Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation and visit us on the web at the Tapestry website.
MichaelM It used to be said of Unitarian Universalists that if the Holy Spirit burst into one of our gatherings like a lightning bolt, we’d either miss, ignore, or analyze it rather than experience or exult in it. Not so anymore!
While maintaining our fierce commitment to intellectual integrity and social compassion, we religious liberals are increasingly open to the presence and power of the “spirit”. And I say “hallelujah”, for we need to be an exuberant and spirited faith for our own good and the good of all those who visit our site.
Now, having said that, remember there’s no definitive description of spirituality available, although plenty of religious folks have tried to package it in books and creeds, even on lampshades and bumper stickers–but it can’t be done. The Spirit can be caught occasionally but never captured finally.
Hence, we Unitarian Universalists describe spirituality variously: seeing beyond walls, communion with divine mystery, an internal caress, listening to our higher power or deeper consciousness, epiphanies in nature, or simply being fully awake. And don’t forget the basic, literal meaning of spiritus: breath or wind. Consequently, we’re spirited or spiritual whenever we catch our breath, when we receive surprise, graceful second winds during the course of our daily skirmishes, whatever the source of those second winds might be.
Continue reading Sermon – Unitarian Universalist Spiritual Practice »
THE THEOLOGY OF PLAY
— 7:00 amThis will be a celebration of being playful creatures in all realms of human existence, as we launch the merrymaking month of May.
The Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
Join us at 10:00 am for our weekly service.
You should follow us on Twitter at @tapestryuu, become a fan on Facebook at Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation and visit us on the web at the Tapestry website.
Earth Day Intergenerational Service
April 22, 2010 — 7:23 am
Sunday’s worship will include Tapestry members and friends of all ages, children, youth, and adults. Together, in community, we will honor the 7th Unitarian Universalist Principle “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part” and we will celebrate in worship through Dorothy Tucker’s creative puppet show, music, singing, story, and fun. Katelynn Riva
Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
Join us at 10:00 am for our weekly service.
You should follow us on Twitter at @tapestryuu, become a fan on Facebook at Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation and visit us on the web at the Tapestry website.
Unitarian Universalist Spiritual Practice
April 15, 2010 — 7:20 am
It used to be said of Unitarian Universalists that if the Holy Spirit burst into one of our gatherings like a lightning bolt, we’d either miss, ignore, or analyze it rather than experience or exult in it. Not so anymore!
The Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
Join us at 10:00 am for our weekly service.
You should follow us on Twitter at @tapestryuu, become a fan on Facebook at Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation and visit us on the web at the Tapestry website.
Recent Tapestry Sermon Podcasts- Food for Thought July 25, 2010Our food choices provide a powerful opportunity for us to practice our Unitarian Universalist seventh principle of "Respecting the interdependent web of all existence." Through the choices we make every day with our food, we can play a positive role in addressing a number of interconnected issues — environmental responsibility, agricultural susta […]
- Inevitabilities July 18, 2010Transitions in our lives are met sometimes very abruptly. Being prepared to have spiritual and positive outlooks require reflection. This Sunday we'll share insights on living in peace and facing obstacles. […]
- Making Peace With Our Fathers! June 20, 2010It's my measured judgment that we adults need to take a regular audit of the pivotal bond with our fathers (living or dead), being nourished by both the poverties and riches therein. I will also lead us in the powerful ballad by Dan Fogelberg, "Leader of the Band," On this Father's Day we will bridge into young adulthood our very own Vict […]
- Food for Thought July 25, 2010