So close and yet so far! The human need for familiarity and comfort is basically a mammalian thing. We long for the Baby Bear’s porridge -not too hot and not too cold. When we leave for a while, we’d like to come back and find everything the same as we left it. When we work … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – May 13th, 2022
Exploration results in education. Education leads to further exploration. Religious exploration and education are inextricably woven together. We UUs don’t like the idea of indoctrinating our children due to the implication that there is only one way to think about the big questions (Where did we come from? Why are we here? Is there a … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections May 6th, 2022
I’ve got peace on my mind. The deadliest war in human history was World War II with violence-related death of somewhere between 50 and 56 million human beings. Deaths from war violence declined from almost 600,000 in 1950 to 50,000 in 2020. That’s encouraging. Many more deaths from disease and famine are often connected to … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections April 29th, 2022
Some decisions are easy to make like selecting the firm fruit rather than squishy, to grab the umbrella when it rains, to say “yes” to a kind invitation and an open schedule. Other decisions are incredibly difficult: Which will be better for the children – to stay married or separate? Should I accept a new … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections April 22nd, 2022
Easter makes us UUs a bit nervous because it goes against our solid scientific foundation. What can the notion of resurrection possibly say to us? We know better, right? We know that sometimes people who appear dead wake up. We know that sometimes frozen frogs thaw out and jump around. We know that frozen microbes … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections April 15th, 2022
As I view the overwhelming horror of the war in Ukraine, I find myself broken open, and this prayer from Ann Weems has spoken powerfully to me. May hope and love continue to rule our hearts! In grace and wisdom, Rev. Ruth “I No Longer Pray For Peace” On the edge of war, one foot … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections April 8th, 2022
Happy Spring Equinox, Friends! I always find some comfort in the reminder that regardless of my own challenges, and of the chaos in the world near and far, the Earth keeps wobbling around on its wonky axis making its elliptical journey around our little star in this great big galaxy. It’s the consistent wobbling and … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections April 1st, 2022
I’ve been working on my tax returns, watching the news from Ukraine, catching up on house work and escorting family members to doctors and dentists for routine exams. Nothing like Spring Break to leave one exhausted! Life does seem to be a long “to do” list sometimes, and I often feel like I barely cross … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections March 25th, 2022
Had a meeting the other day sitting at the table outside the choir room at UUFEC. The pergola was covered with yellow flowers and the bees hummed about on their way, as we talked and sipped our coffee. I made the coffee in a pot in our freshly cleaned kitchen (and carefully washed everything afterward!) … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections March 11th, 2022
Ukraine is much on my mind, Friends. I know there is war going on somewhere in the world almost every day, and the internet and cell phone access bring it so close. It’s easy to become numb to it all. Why should we get so upset over Ukraine when civil war continues in Ethiopia, and … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections February 28th, 2022
