November 19, 2017

Love is the spirit ofthis program. The music spans many genres but has unifying themes of justice,love, learning and hope. The messages come from podcasts, sermons andreadings 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,” including, “Sing in my heart all the stirrings ofcompassion” and “Move in the hand,giving life the shape of justice.”

Braver Wiser

“The Dyanamics of Silence“

TheRev. Erika Hewitt

Unitarian-Universalist Association

Message

“In Praise of Thin Places“

The Rev. Michael Chaney

Common Grounds Savannah

Message

“Thanksgiving”

From “A Year of Spiritual Companionship”

Anne Kertz Kernion

Natural Silence

“Happy Budgies“

Andrew Skeotch

ListeningEarth.com

World Religions

Today is a day of remembrance day for Rabi’a al-bint Isma’il Adawiya, sometimes called the first true saint of Islam.  An Iraqi-born eight century Sufi who preached in Basra and Jerusalem in the first century following the prophet Muhammad’s death, she emphasized the importance of selfless love and the seeking of truth through love, wisdom and action.  She wrote:

Everyone prays to Youfrom fear of the Fire;

And if You do not putthem in the Fire,

This is their reward.

Or they pray to You forthe Garden,

Full of fruits andflowers.

And that is theirprize.

But I do not pray toYou like this,

For I am not afraid ofthe Fire,

And I do not ask Youfor the Garden.

But all I want is theEssence of Your Love,

And to return to beOne with You,

And to become Your Face.    

Tomorrow is a day of remembrance for Eckhart von Hochheim.  A 13th Century German theologian and philosopher, his central theme was the presence of God in the individual and the dignity of mankind.  He spoke little of church ceremonies and stressed the futility of outward penance.  He preached in vernacular German and used language that often strayed from orthodoxy.  Accused of heresy, he died before his tribunal was concluded and is today considered in good standing within the Catholic church.

Tomorrow is International Transgender Day of Remembrance,  a day to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia and to bring attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community.  A day for openness to beauty and wholeness, it calls us to recognize the inherent dignity of every person by virtue of existence, not gender role or expression.  It calls us to recognize the sacred in-between.

On Tuesday, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church will host Savannah’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.  A tradition hosted at downtown houses of worship since shortly after World War Two, this ecumenical gathering features Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and other voices joined in prayers of thanksgiving.  It celebrate our common humanity and our religious pluralism.  The event will begin at seven-P-M.

And Thursday is Thanksgiving, a day to express gratitude for life, family, friends, food, the entirety of existence and the blessings that surround us.  A uniquely American and ecumenical holiday, Thanksgiving calls us to express a universal message: the need for giving thanks in words and deeds.  Call someone.  Tell them you love them.  Notice your surroundings.  And, for goodness sake, do something for your spirit on Friday.  Stay at home.  Take a hike.  Volunteer.  Be with friends.  Watch a movie.  Avoid Black Friday.