Knowledge is a valuable and important thing, particularly so in Western culture. We have perhaps come to overvalue the certainty of knowing though, valuing that certainty, and the sense of control it can sometimes offer. This Sunday we will explore the gifts of not-knowing, and the idea of perhaps leaning into “not-knowing” as a skill … Continue reading The Gifts of Not-Knowing
Many versions of the Buddhist Loving-Kindness meditation ask us to offer care and compassion to someone with whom we’re in conflict or who is a challenge for us in our lives. This is a good practice, and, in this day and age in our country, and, more is needed, something needs to be paired with … Continue reading Holy No
Compassion is lifted up as a virtue in most of the world’s religions, with good reason. In Western culture though, we tend to think of compassion as a two-party interaction – compassion flows from one person to another. We also tend to think of relationships that way, as happening between two people. We are in … Continue reading Cultivating Self-Compassion
An underutilized framing to think about how the human experience works is the lens of understanding and meeting needs. Much of if not all of life is about meeting the needs we have, from food, shelter, and safety, to human connection, joy, and purpose. And yet beyond the essentials needed for life, we rarely talk … Continue reading Meeting Needs
As we begin a month centered on Pluralism, this service will explore the disability justice movement, the needs of disabled people and the ways in which inclusion of disabled people serves…anyone and everyone with a body. How can we reimagine expectations of our physical selves and the world bodies have to navigate? Click here for: Order … Continue reading “Limitation is the Place We Connect”: Disability Justice
Like a number of other cities in Massachusetts, Woburn has become home for many immigrants, newly arriving from Haiti. As part of our long-standing commitment to refugee settlement, our congregation has played a role in supporting our newest neighbors. In this service, we will hear from leaders from Social Capital Incorporated, an organization that has … Continue reading Yearning to Breathe Free
As we approach Valentine’s Day, a day focused on romantic love, this service will explore a different kind of love, the love we receive from beyond our circles of close connection. We will also celebrate and commission our Pastoral Care Associates, honoring the lay ministry of care between and among community members, sometimes even strangers… … Continue reading Love in the Universe
by Marianne DiBlasi My precious niece is getting married in April. I am delighted and honored that she and her soon-to-be husband asked me to officiate their wedding. We recently met to plan the ceremony. As you would expect, the ceremony is filled with many references to love – falling in love, being in love, … Continue reading The Courage to Be Compassionate
