October 22, 2017

Love isthe spirit of this program. The music spans many genres but has unifying themesof justice, love, learning and hope. The messages come from podcasts, sermonsand readings from Unitarian-Universalist and other allied sources inliberal religion.  The title of this program comes from the words of abeloved Unitarian-Universalist hymn, “Spirit of Life,” which includes the words, “Sing in my heart all the stirrings ofcompassion” and “Move in the hand,giving life the shape of justice.”

Introduction

Right now, across the radio dial, across America, hundreds of religious broadcasters are signing on with radio programs that tell you that you are not free, that there is darkness within you and that you need to change.  Usually, these broadcasters, conservative in outlook, tell you that you must change toward Jesus Christ and Donald Trump.  And it’s hard to tell sometimes about which savior they’re talking.  Jesus Christ will save soul.  And Donald Trump will save America.  Well, this is a liberal religious broadcaster.  I’m not here to tell you to turn away from Jesus or Trump, for that matter.  But I’m here to tell you that you are free, that there is light within you and that you are worthy just as you are.  Gay, straight, black, white, rich, poor, native or foreign born.  We believe that every person is important.  In fact, that is the first principle of Unitarian-Universalism, the inherent worth and dignity of every person.  This program is The Heart and the Hand, putting the UU in WRUU.  Thank you for joining me for a different kind of Sunday morning radio program, from a different kind of church.

Braver Wiser

“Making Space for Our Doubts“

Becky Brooks

Unitarian-Universalist Religious Educator

Sermon

“Sacred Vulnerability” (10/1/17)

Rev. Chris Jimmerson

First Unitarian-Universalist Church of Austin

Message

Excerpt from “A Year of Spiritual Companionship” by Anne Kurtz Kernion

Natural Silence

“Uluru: Australia’s Red Centre“

Andrew Skeoch and Sarah Koschak of Listening Earth

World Religions

Tuesday in Hinduism is Chhath Puja.  Celebrated mainly in Nepal and parts of northern India, Chhath is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya and his wife Usha, the goddess of the dawn, to thank them for bestowing the bounties of life on earth.  Traditions are observed over a period of four days and might include bathing in holy water, fasting and abstaining from drinking water, standing in water for long periods of time and offering prayers to the setting and rising sun. Some faithful also form a procession to river banks.

Tuesday in the Yoruba and Santeria faith is the feast day for Erinle, a hunting and fishing god and the patron god of LGBT people.  He inhabits two worlds, earth and water, and his life between worlds gives rise to his association with non-binary sexuality.  He is usually depicted as male, wearing fine robes, carrying a medicine gourd and holding a fish.  And fish are prominent on his feast day.  Yoruba and Santeria are traditional faiths of African and African-descended peoples in West Africa, the Caribbean and Brazil.

Tuesday marks the anniversary, in 1956, when the Presbyterian Church in the United States ordained its first female minister, the Rev. Margaret Towner.  A native Missourian and pre-med student, she studied divinity and guidance counseling.  Encouraged to join the ministry, she became part of the Presbyterians’ first class of female ministers and a mentor to many who followed her.  She served congregations in New York, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin before retiring to Florida.  Margaret Towner is now 92 years old.

Tuesday is United Nations Day, the anniversary, in 1945, of the founding of the global organization devoted to spreading democracy and peace and combating hunger, among many other missions.  Despite its failures, the United Nations can claim many sweeping successes in its aims and several specific ones, as well, including saving the pyramids, eradicating smallpox, protecting the ozone and promoting nuclear non-proliferation.  It’s a day promote the Unitarian-Universalist sixth principle, the goal of world community.

Saturday in the Catholic faith is the feast day for Saints Jude and Simon.  Jude, or Judas Thaddaeus, one of the apostles, but not to be confused with Judas, betrayer of Jesus, is the patron of lost causes and is usually depicted with a club and a flame around his head.  Simon, another apostle, is the patron of sawyers and tanners and is usually depicted with a saw or a lance.  Many shrines, including one in Toulouse, claim to have their relics.  Catholic tradition holds that they are buried together in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Message

“Matthew 25 Pledge“

Matthew 25 Movement

Sermon

“See Something, Say Something” (10/1/17)

Rev. David Schwartz

First Unitarian Church of Chicago

Conclusion

Seven Principles of Unitarian-Universalism