October 15, 2017

“Keeping Covenant” (9/24/17)

Rev. Shawn Newton

First Unitarian Church of Toronto

Read the sermon here

Listen to the sermon here

Message

“For When I Really Don’t Want To Learn This“

Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen

Standing on the Side of Love

Natural Silence

Australian Creeks and Waterfalls

Andrew Skeoch & Sarah Koschak

Listening Earth

World Religions

Today in India and Nepal is the first day of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights.  One of the most popular festivals in Hinduism, it celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair.  Millions of lights will shine on housetops, on doors and windows, around temples and on other buildings as Hindus worldwide begin a five-day celebration culminating with Thursday’s new moon.  It’s a national holiday in 12 countries. Traditions and dates vary by religious observance, nation and ethnicity but might include decorations, shopping, fireworks, prayers, gift-giving, feasts and sweets.  Each day of Diwali has a special meaning.  The third day is dedicated to husbands and wives and the fourth day is dedicated to brothers and sisters.

Over the centuries, Diwali also has taken on religious significance for Jains and Sikhs, creating a tour-de-force holiday across the Indian subcontinent.  Jains celebrate Diwali to mark the nirvana of Mahavira, a fifth or sixth century BCE sage who became the 24th and last of the saviors and spiritual teachers in the Jain faith.  Sikhs celebrate Diwali to mark the release from prison of Guru Hargobind, a 6th century guru persecuted by the Mughal Empire.  Jains and Sikhs follow Hindus in celebrating with Festivals of Light.

Wednesday is the anniversary in 1972 of the Clean Water Act.  A day to give thanks for the water that sustains us, the anniversary reminds us of our physical and spiritual bonds to water.  Most every religion on the planet gives water significant meaning.  Whether it represents purity, life, death, refreshment or gathering, water gives thirst to the soul.

Friday is the peak date of the Orionids Meteor Shower.  The most prolific meteor shower associated with Haley’s comet, the Orionids reminds us of the power and awe of the night sky.  It reminds us to keep looking up.  And it reminds us of the power that stories have to shape how we view the universe.  A randomly placed collection of stars through mind and tongue becomes a hunter, a Greek mythological hero, stung by a scorpion, Scorpio.

Friday in the Baha’i faith is the Birth of the Bab.  The Bab was Sayyed Ali Muhammad Shirazi, a 19th Century interpreter of the Quran who became one of two central prophets in the Baha’i faith.  The holiday has no special liturgy or rituals as Baha’is don’t have any liturgy or ritual beyond abstaining from work on nine holidays.  Communities might hold a potluck, read from the Bible or Quran, recite prayers or meet in festive fellowship.

Message

“I Cast My Lot with You“

Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray

President, Unitarian-Universalist Association

Sermon

“For the Beauty of the Earth” (9/18/17)

Rev. Matthew Johnson

Unitarian-Universalist Church of Rockford, Ill.

Conclusion

Seven Principles of Unitarian-Universalism