On July 1, 2021, I will complete my 8th year at UUFSCC. That makes me the longest serving minister of the 10 ministers who have served this Fellowship since 1983. Some surveys put the average protestant pastor’s tenure at between 3 and 4 years. This seems about right for UUism as well. There’s even a … Continue reading Benefits of Staying
If you want to change something, the first step it to accept what is. Let’s re-read that slowly together: If you want to change something, the first step it to accept what is. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? That’s because most of us are scared to embrace acceptance—worried that if we accept things the way they … Continue reading Accepting What Is
You are divine. That’s a seldom heard phrase in Unitarian Universalist circles, but I believe it. You are divine. You carry within you a piece of the Universe—a part of the infinite—a portion of all that has ever been. You are unique in time and space—and that is no accident, because you are part of … Continue reading Divinity Disguised
When I started seminary (2008) the hot topic was “what will church look like in the 21st century.” There was abundant evidence that the forecast was dismal. Attendance, donations, participation, and interest were on steep declines. Alienation, apathy, suspicion, scandal, and SBNR (spiritual but not religious) were on steep inclines. The old ways were not … Continue reading Church in 2020
Today (10/19/20) I filled out my ballot. I’ve now voted in the last 13 Presidential elections. I remember the lyric of “old enough to kill but not for voting” from the Vietnam War. As a result of the social pressure, the 26th Amendment lowered the age of voting to 18 and took effect in the … Continue reading A Pivotal Election for Sure
For me, the initial pause and lull of going into Sheltering in Place didn’t last long. Back in early March, it was unnerving to be so uninformed about COVID, but my decision to isolate offered possibilities of unstructured time to try new things. Since I came off sabbatical though, the passage of time seems to … Continue reading Adjusting to Our New Reality
A venerable old sage once asked his disciples, “How can we know when the darkness is leaving and the dawn is coming?” “When we can see a tree in the distance and know that it is an elm and not a juniper,” ventured one student. “When we can see an animal and know that it … Continue reading How can we know when the dawn is coming?
By Ministerial Intern Sangye Hawke Anti-racism scholar and activist Tema Okun (www.dismantlingracism.org) writes: “The list of white supremacy characteristics includes: perfectionism, a sense of urgency, defensiveness, valuing quantity over quality, worship of the written word, belief in only one right way, paternalism, either/or thinking, power hoarding, fear of open conflict, individualism, belief that progress is … Continue reading My Thoughts on Anti-Racism Training
Below is an article published in the NY Times containing an essay (& recording of it) that John Lewis wrote days before his death. Per his request, it was published on the day of his funeral. I hope you find it as inspiring and hopeful as I do……………..Rev Russ Together You Can Redeem the Soul … Continue reading John Lewis
I have a Calvin & Hobbes cartoon on my desk which says “History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction.” I find this more accurate than the cliché “history is written by the winners” because Calvin highlights that we yearn for an understanding … Continue reading Statues
