Unitarian Church of Los Alamos » DRE

The Rainbow Connection

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:02:02 +0000

[printprofilepic]If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.

–Aboriginal activist group, Queensland, 1970s

As we turn our focus to Unity this month, may we discover that which binds each . . . → Read More: The Rainbow Connection

Common Purpose

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:02:17 +0000

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This moment is beautiful — For we have gathered in common purpose to do important work that only we can do For together we recreate the world.

–From “Our Common Purpose” by Stephen Shick

The above served as our chalice lighting at the RE Start Up in February. The RE Committee along . . . → Read More: Common Purpose

You are Lovable, You are Loved

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:02:48 +0000

[printprofilepic]Ah, love. So much has been expressed about this one word and I am certain that whatever I come up with has already been written sung, or expressed in some way or another.

But I will share a personal story about love.

I have a friend, Carl, who is no longer living, but is . . . → Read More: You are Lovable, You are Loved

I am a Work in Progress

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:04:03 +0000

[printprofilepic]I write this with the sounds of construction going on across the hall. It’s not disturbing because it means the YRUU room (formerly a closet) has been expanded. Much thanks to Janet, Elroy, Steve T, Wally, Larry, and many of the youth, who volunteered to oversee this project. The high school youth now have a . . . → Read More: I am a Work in Progress

Compassion Can Not Stand Alone

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:02:34 +0000

[printprofilepic]Our 2nd UU Principle states, “….justice, equity, and compassion in human relations…” This month’s theme of compassion ties us to this principle, but compassion can not stand alone.

When I feel compassion towards someone I also notice how they are not being treated fairly, and taking it one step further, their inherent worth and dignity . . . → Read More: Compassion Can Not Stand Alone

Being In A Community

webmaster — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:02:16 +0000

[printprofilepic]I write this coming off a busy Sunday full of stories, social justice, mentoring, a mingling of multi-ages—and a little mess on the floor upstairs. All this makes for a remarkable time of Unitarian Universalists doing what they do best – being in community.

It never ceases to amaze me how food brings people together, . . . → Read More: Being In A Community

Turning Over a New Leaf

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:00:53 +0000

[printprofilepic]You may have noticed the tree that “sprouted up” in the stairway of the church recently. You will notice it changing too. Our Children’s Chapel in September focused on the theme “See Us Change, Watch Us Grow.”

Through the month of exploring covenant and into our theme of freedom, our tree will show us how . . . → Read More: Turning Over a New Leaf

An Amazing List

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:01:23 +0000

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I was reading over Benette’s newsletter from last year at this time and she had the following list:

My dream(s) for this year are:

that all adults know the children and youth by name and have at least one conversation with them that great joy and lots of laughter and gratitude will be . . . → Read More: An Amazing List

Message from the Upstairs Office…

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:02:49 +0000

[printprofilepic]…I have one foot in the door but can’t get in. At least it feels that way. A move, a new job, technology issues, bank fraud… it all makes for an interesting time, and I’m not the only one experiencing a muddy and rough ride lately.

But I hear the wind in the trees, feel . . . → Read More: Message from the Upstairs Office…

Church Summer Camp Schedule

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 19:00:14 +0000
CAMP SCHEDULE * August 8 – 12, 2011 * The Earth is Our Mother Monday – Home Sweet Home 9-10 Welcome, Getting to know you, Introduction to groups 10-10:30 snack, free play 10:30-11:30 crafts and activities 11:30–12 games 12-12:30 lunch 12:30-1 closing

Tuesday – To Be or Not To . . . → Read More: Church Summer Camp Schedule

Greetings From Just Up the Road

De Anna Hoyle, DLRE — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:02:58 +0000

[printprofilepic]Greetings from just up the road….De Anna Hoyle at your service.

I write this from Southern Colorado, where my husband, Joe and I have lived and worked for the past 7 years. With much excitement we plan our move to northern New Mexico and for me to serve the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos as . . . → Read More: Greetings From Just Up the Road

Summer

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Sun, 01 May 2011 14:02:34 +0000

[printprofilepic]Unitarian Universalists are accustomed to thinking of a church year as September to May, which of course reflects the school year. This isn’t a bad thing, I think. Kids and teens need to feel they’ll have a respite from homework, tests, and rigid schedules. With religious communities we might view the summer as a time . . . → Read More: Summer

Carry the Vision or Eyes on the Prize

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:02:57 +0000

[printprofilepic]So many wonderful thoughts are percolating…so many details are being listed…so many people engaged in important work….so many tasks to do still!!

With some of you on the DRE Search Committee, others on the building transition contingency committee (I made that up), some on the Building Planning Committee, others on the capital campaign team, and . . . → Read More: Carry the Vision or Eyes on the Prize

Invitations

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:02:59 +0000

[printprofilepic]At Baptist churches, and maybe others, at the end of the sermon an invitational song is sung, usually slow and plaintive. As a child in a Baptist church I remember always welcoming this last part of the service, I remember watching people walk to the preacher who would listen to their desires or concerns about . . . → Read More: Invitations

Determining Our Values and Beliefs

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:02:57 +0000

[printprofilepic]“If Candlemas Day is clear and bright, Winter will have another bite. If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, Winter is gone and will not come again.“

February 2 is Candlemas, the day when Jesus was presented at the temple as a “light to the Gentiles.” (It is also Groundhog Day!)

I sometimes envy those . . . → Read More: Determining Our Values and Beliefs

Intentions, Commitments, and Directions

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 15:02:04 +0000

[printprofilepic]It’s another New Year—and as we all know, a good time to think about intentions, commitments, and directions. I went to the library in December and saw the book American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us. Based on a 2006-7 survey the book is long and I was somewhat daunted by this. However, excerpts . . . → Read More: Intentions, Commitments, and Directions

Lights of the Season

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:02:55 +0000

[printprofilepic]For Unitarian Universalists the Christmas season, as December is frequently called, presents some challenges concerning what to accent (Christmas, Hanukah, Solstice, pageants, parties) or in discerning how to create services that have a general appeal and are also life affirming and life-inspiring.

Many of us who’ve planned December services or events have focused on Light— the . . . → Read More: Lights of the Season

Hunger

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:02:16 +0000

[printprofilepic]There is a spiritual hunger today and it cannot be satisfied by better cars on longer credit terms — Adlai Stevenson

As many of us make plans for Thanksgiving trips, family reunions and sumptuous meals, we know, as the name of this holiday says, the emphasis should be on gratitude. We know . . . → Read More: Hunger

Our Lives are Co-mingled

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:02:36 +0000

[printprofilepic]Justice is sweet and musical, but injustice is harsh and discordant. — Henry David Thoreau

During the ingathering on September 12, Rev. John pointed out that we all have a responsibility to ‘carry’ each other, that is, we help each other evolve in wisdom, compassion, joy, awareness, and love. Like the . . . → Read More: Our Lives are Co-mingled

“When I breathe in, I breath in peace—when I breathe out, I breathe out love”

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:03:35 +0000

[printprofilepic]I think no one can surpass the eloquence of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. as he delivered his I Have A Dream speech. Even after more than forty years this speech is thrilling to read or hear—it is prophetic, challenging, inspiring, urgent, hopeful and faith-filled.

While reading it, I couldn’t help but think of faith . . . → Read More: “When I breathe in, I breath in peace—when I breathe out, I breathe out love”

Imaginations and Invitations

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:00:12 +0000

[printprofilepic]IMAGINATION AND INVITATIONS

By Shel Silverstein

Once I spoke the language of the flowers,

Once I understood each word the caterpillar said,

Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings,

And shared a conversation with the housefly in my bed.

Once I heard and answered all the questions of the crickets,

And . . . → Read More: Imaginations and Invitations

Summer is Upon Us

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:02:37 +0000

[printprofilepic]Summer is upon us and of course gardens are blooming. When I think of religious education in our Unitarian Universalist congregations I don’t usually think of desks, chairs, books and lessons. But I do dream about cultivating the spirits of children and youth in the sense of preparing the site; planting seeds of relationships, ideas, . . . → Read More: Summer is Upon Us

Shared Ministry

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Sat, 01 May 2010 14:03:59 +0000

[printprofilepic]“Ministry…is a quality of presence we bring that is grounded in our liberal faith. Singing and preaching, teaching and leading, caring and justice work, are all ministries. It is what we do when we gather in community.” — Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed from Canadian Unitarian, Fall 2002

What would it feel like and . . . → Read More: Shared Ministry

A Delightful Month of Emergence

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:02:11 +0000

[printprofilepic]April—a delightful month of emergence—new buds on trees, flowers peeking through snow, and longer days of freshness and light. I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church and every Easter I had to wear a pretty, but stiff and scratchy new Easter dress to church where there was clearly a sense of celebration and gratitude . . . → Read More: A Delightful Month of Emergence

Lifespan Faith Development

Benette Sherman, CDRE — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:03:22 +0000

[printprofilepic]“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”—Anonymous

More than a month has passed since the visioning weekend. I hope many of you had an opportunity to participate in . . . → Read More: Lifespan Faith Development