Reflective Words and Worship

“Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many … the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” Paul, 1 Corr. 12:14, 22 Paul was responding to a church filled with conflict; at other points he writes of ‘quarrels’ and divisions: I belong to Paul, I belong to …

“We share with one another the creative work of living in the world.” Thomas Merton, Care of the Soul Merton creates and then extinguishes a paradox of life: the question of whether it is the contemplative life, the interior life, the life focused on self-development, or the life of action, of deeds, of community development, …

“The Doldrums, my young friend, are where nothing ever happens and nothing ever changes.” Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth I often feel in the Doldrums in February. Juster’s description of the graying surroundings, the cool, uncomfortable but not offensive air, the muted environment, it all just hangs. A little bit like the Waiting Place in …

“ … the vibrations set in motion by the words that we utter reach through all space and the tremor is felt through all time.” Maria Mitchell Maria Mitchell was a Unitarian in the nineteenth century, the first female American astronomer, the first woman elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences … …

“… in the human spirit, December is a time of lights, rising over the depths of darkness are the lights of human ideals.” – Carl J. Nelson We are now into the season of Advent, a season of ‘preparation.’ Traditionally, this would have been preparation for the second coming of Jesus – advent was a …

“Each window tells a story about the creation of the world, the meaning of history, the purpose of life, the nature of humankind, the mystery of death. The windows of the cathedral are where the light shines through.” – Forrest Church, Cathedral of the World Last week I used a story about Tom’s early days …

“When all is quiet and we are small and the night is dark, may we hear the tender breathing of all who lie awake with us” Jane Rzepka When my son Thomas was about two months old, I recall one evening (amongst many) without sleep. I think there must be a biological event where new …

I hold this most sacred duty – the gathering together of a number of people who shall so agree to live by the best they know, that they shall be free to live by the best they know. – DH Lawrence Lawrence finishes his reading by saying that the “religion … must be practised.” For …

“Peace is not the absence of war; it is virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.”’ – Baruch Spinoza The suggestion that peace is about presence rather than merely an absence is found in many forms: a presence of justice, of Christ, of God, creativity. Perhaps the most well-known is Martin …

‘What need is there for profundity; everything I need is here.’ – Kenneth Collier, Garden Zen I spent last week in Derbyshire attending Hucklow Summer School. This is a retreat and programme for Unitarians (and others). The days begin with a talk and lead on to engagement groups, singing, walking, writing, dancing, eating, chatting, communing. …