Nan-in, A Japanese master at the turn of the 20th century, received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from … harming living beings. taking things not freely given. sexual misconduct. false speech. intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness. taking untimely meals. dancing, singing, music and watching grotesque mime. use of garlands,…

Theologian Mark Twain said: “I don’t like to commit myself about heaven and hell – you see, I have friends in both places.” Winston Churchill: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” George Carlin: “I’m not concerned about all hell breaking loose, but that a PART of hell will break loose… it’ll be much harder to detect.” Robert Frost: “I hold it…

Last Sunday I told you about what happened at General Assembly, our annual denominational meeting of over 4000 people from all over the country. Today I want to talk about what I was inspired by, what I learned, what my heart heard. It is simply this; at the heart of all religion is the feeling of compassionate connection, more than interdependence, it…

I am what is known as a “GA Junkie,” someone who loves to attend our annual denomination wide General Assemblies; OK, even more than that; we GA Junkies need our annual “Fix” of the gathering of thousands of UUs which merge into a very large, but still loving beloved community, which only exists for less than a week, and then is gone.…

“The place of the father in the modern suburban family,” wrote Bertrand Russell, “is a very small one, particularly if he plays golf.” And a small boy once defined Fathers’ Day; “It’s just like Mother’s Day only you don’t spend so much.” Actually, of course, Father’s Day is very different from Mother’s Day because of course, fathers are very different than mothers.…

I enjoyed our recent “Blue Sky Folk Festival” and hope for many more; it was a new tradition started that may blossom into great success in so many ways- fun, first of all, a great resource for new musicians to play on occasional Sundays, fantastic advertising, reaching out to the community, and drawing in those Unitarian Universalists without knowing it who we…

Grandson of Eva Christina Johnson and Elizabeth Ann Severance (Heath), Husband of Cathie Lenore Harvie Severance, Father of Cristina Mae Schroeder a new mother, Katie Anne, a mother who lost her baby, and Elizabeth Jane Severance, Grandfather of Liberty Rose Schroeder, step grandfather of Aaron Schroeder, Son in law of Catherine Harvie, who died in 1980, and son of Eva Mae Severance,…

THE SHOEBOX MAN: “Hello”WOMAN: “Hi Honey, it’s me. Are you at the club?”MAN: “Yes.”WOMAN: “I’m at the store now and I found this beautiful leather coat. It’s only $2,000. Is it OK if I buy it?”MAN: “Sure, go ahead if you like it that much.”WOMAN: “I also stopped by the Lexus dealership and saw the new models. I saw one I really…

Easter! Passover! Pagan Rites! Springtime! Resurrection! Jesus! God! Universe! Life! Love! Sight! Hearing! Feeling! Doubt! Belief! Mother Earth! Father Sun! Yes! Mystery! O Thank You! Art Severance Amen and Shalom

A teenage girl walked in to a jewelry store, having decided to buy a pretty cross necklace, though she wasn’t particularly religious. She asked the clerk to see the choices and pointed to some and asked, “Why do those crosses have a little man on them?” “That’s Jesus,” said the jeweler. “He died on the cross.” “Ew, gross,” the teen said. “Today,…