Love. Revere. Discover. Connect.

July 5, 2009: “The Divinity School Address”

In this resplendent summer, it has been a luxury to draw the   breath of life.  The grass grows, the buds burst, the meadow is   spotted with fire and gold in the tint of flowers. The air is full of   birds, and sweet with the breath of the pine, the balm-of-Gilead, and   the new hay. Night brings no gloom to the heart with…

June 7, 2009: “Religion as Placebo: Is It All in Our Head”

British philosopher Bertrand Russell, famous also for his outspoken atheism once said, ‘If there isa God, I think it very unlikely that he would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt his existence.’ Once on the island he discovered an old woman in a shack, kneeling on a ratty prayer rug. He sharply and angrily rebuked…

May 10, 2009: “The Gospel According To Mom, Mother’s Day”

Son of EvaMae Johnson Severance,Son in law of Catherine HarvieGrandson of Eva Christina Johnson and Elizabeth Ann Severance (Heath )Grandson in law of Lily SchoenfieldHusband of Cathie  Lenore Harvie SeveranceFather of Cristina Mae, Katie Anne, and Elizabeth Jane Severance A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.   ~Author Unknown Sweater, n.:  garment worn by child when its mother…

April 19, 2009: “Earth Day: Listen to Your Mother”

Opening Words Richard S. Gilbert Beatitudes for Earth SundayBlessed are the heavens,for they declare the power of creation.Blessed is the earth, our beloved home,for she is a planet of plenitude. Blessed are the waters thereon,for they gave rise to living things.Blessed is the land,for it is the source of life abundant. Blessed is the air we breathe,for it fires us to life…

April 12, 2009: “Easter, The Message of Spring”

A rabbi said to a very active six-year-old boy: “So your mother says your prayers for you each night? Very commendable. What does she say?” The little boy replied, “Thank God he’s in bed!” One of my newly credentialed colleagues said after going through all the evaluations, internships, committee interviews, the real test of a new UU minister could be simplified down…

March 22, 2009: “The Goal of World Community Justice Sunday, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”

OPENING HYMN         #  “We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands”Chorus We’ve got the whole world in our hands,We’ve got the whole world in  our hands,We’ve got the whole world in our hands,We’ve got the whole world in  our hands. 1. We’ve got the lIttle, bitty baby,  in  our hands,  We’ve got the old and infirmed,  in  our hands,  We’ve got the…