Liam and I plan to shop for a Christmas tree tomorrow. My husband is not an enthusiast for holiday decorating and Angus just takes it all in stride. So for over twenty years, the tree has been for Liam and myself. Christmas trees are records of family history. Every year we hang certain ornaments made … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – December 8th, 2023

This is my 57th holiday season. For my first Christmas I was 8 months old, firstborn to delighted older parents and surrounded by excited aunts, uncles, and grandparents. There had not been a baby born on either side of the family in over 20 years, so little Ruthie caused quite a joyful stir! What a … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – December 1st, 2023

Dear Friends, I hope your holiday is going well. May we all find gratitude still living in our hearts amidst the chaos of the world. In wisdom, grace, and hope, Rev. Ruth

Happy Thanksgiving Friends! I have been doing some deep cleaning, sorting and clearing out at my house. It’s part of the holiday season that I never look forward to but am always glad to have done. I have spent a lot of my life cleaning up other people’s messes. My parents were depression-era children and … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – November 17th, 2023

The first of our Unitarian Universalist Principles which all congregations affirm and promote is, “The inherent worth and dignity of every person.” We humans are still unsure as to whether every person on the planet is of equal worth and deserves to have their dignity respected. Most armed conflicts begin with the premise that someone … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – November 10th, 2023

Beneath anger is always fear or pain or both. I learned that many years ago in my ministerial training, and I have found it to be true every time. Whether it is my own rage, or the anger of others, if I look deeply and listen attentively, I will find the fear and/or pain lurking … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – November 3rd, 2023

This Sunday, you all will gather together to worship (celebrate what’s worthy) around the brunch table in Halloween costume! Oh, I so hate to miss it! You will include some elements from our usual order of service like lighting the chalice and taking up the offering. You will also enjoy your potluck brunch together and … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – October 27th, 2023

I have too much stuff! I have closets threatening to burst open. Every inch under every bed is full and every shelf is occupied. I just took 5 full boxes to the Good Will, but It will take many such trips to see a real difference. It’s not all my fault. My mother brought a … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – October 20th, 2023

There are a number of armed conflicts going on in the world right now including in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and now war has exploded between Israel and the Palestinians. Yes, I understand that the terrorist organization Hammas has inflicted terrible damage on the Israelis. The conflict is not new, but … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – October 13th, 2023

As I wrote last week, I call myself a “Skeptical panentheist liberal Christian Unitarian Universalist with humanist and Earth-centered sympathies.” What do I mean by “liberal Christian”? I am a social and political liberal and I grew up studying the teachings attributed to Jesus of Nazareth. I have evolved from a Sunday school understanding of … Continue reading Rev. Ruth’s Reflections – October 6th, 2023