…the work is that of liberation—working towards a freedom from the kind of violence and hate that is being espoused by those in the highest levels of power; working towards a freedom that is only possible with the encouragement and hope of one another—a freedom, for us, as followers of Jesus, that is possible thanks to Christ’s work of salvation and capital-L Love…

What does it mean to be “civilized?” what does it mean to act with “godliness” and “dignity?” Does it simply mean to have decorum? To not rock the boat? To stay under the radar and let the world run its course however it’s going to? Can we consider ourselves a “civilized” people if there are people going hungry, going without shelter, going without safety or comfort? No—because as Thurman writes, “my life beings where your life begins.” We are all connected, and when one is in bondage, we all are…

There is no denying that are living in a time right now when sharing our opinions, our voice, our concerns, our criticisms can feel downright terrifying— freedoms we once took for granted in the public sphere seem to be slipping through our fingers. We need spaces like this now more than ever…

It’s an absurdity that contradicts the Greco-Roman ideals of domesticity, decorum, and snobbish moral uprightness that so much of 1 Timothy seems to encourage. Especially in our relatively intellectual, progressive, mainline Protestant tradition, I think we sometimes take for granted just how radical and beautiful the grace of God, the lynchpin of our faith, truly is— that someone as violent and cruel as Paul, or in the words of Buechner, someone who’s a chicken, a phony and a slob, can be so unconditionally loved, can be forgiven and embraced…

…may we have the guts to do the right thing in big ways and small. May we have the guts to stand up for the oppressed, to speak up even when we are scared, or maybe, especially when we’re scared; may we have the guts try new things, to meet new people, to make more connections, to put ourselves out there. May we have the guts to do the scary, revolutionary, bold, status-quo demolishing work of unconditional love…

So maybe we look at this passage as hyperbolic aspiration—no woman, no person, can be everything. But we should be working for a world where someone can realistically have the energy to wake up before dawn if they choose to get food ready for their family, if that’s what brings them joy. We should be working for a world in which, a mother, if she chooses, can easily have a career or a vocation they’re passionate about, without sacrificing time with family, or becoming a part of a toxic workplace. We should be working for a world in which no one is “afraid for [their] household when it snows” because paying for heat or warm clothes isn’t a worry for them…

We have the ability to choose the right path, as difficult as that may be in this deeply broken world. One thing Kimmerer says in her book that really hit me is, “I’m not willing to give scarcity such a prominent role.” I wonder if this way of thinking can change the manufactured consumer in each of us. I wonder if this way of thinking can help to transform us into the wise and generous person our scripture passage for today calls us to be. I wonder if we can work to appreciate the abundance of what this earth gives us; I wonder if we can realize that abundance is truly possible…

So yes, this is an admonitory poem, as the scholars would say—a poem that gives us instruction and veiled warning. But it’s also something to strive for. It’s a poem about the world that could be— a world in which the powerful actually listen to what the people want and need; a world in which all people actually listen to and connect with each other; a world where the grass and the herbs always grow back, where we are provided for simply because we have been good stewards of the land and each other…

What happens when you have a world in which so many people take no pleasure in understanding others? What happens when you have a world in which so many people only want to express their personal opinion without hearing anyone else’s? What happens when you have a world filled with self-indulgent loners, who are full of contempt for anyone who shows a sound judgement different than their own? Well… look around you…

Two homilies for Independence Day for our annual combined Old Home Day service with First Universalist Society of Hartland. Rev. Paul Sawyer preaches on excerpts from the Declaration of Independence; Rev. Amy Davin preaches on Provers 24:13-20.

…Wisdom says, “To you, O people, I call, / and my cry is to all who live.” Wisdom is available to all! Accessible to all! Inclusive to all! What a beautiful thing! But Church— we have to want it.

So encourage each other. Lift each other up. Take the grace you’ve been blessed with, that we’ve all been blessed with, and spread it around so that the world doesn’t get even more bogged down in despair and fear being driven by the cruel in power. Encourage each other by not giving into the lies and the fear…

I wonder how many opportunities how many opportunities for connection we’ve missed out on in our respective lives for not heeding the call of God—a call to someplace we didn’t expect, or weren’t very excited about; a meeting with someone who landed a little out of comfort zone…

Rev. Amy answers pre-submitted religious, theological, and philosophical (to the best of her ability) questions from the congregation.

As a Christian community trying our best in this broken world to do the good and sacred work we are called to do, as a faith community the most secular state in the country, and also the state which has the third oldest median age in the country (behind only Maine and New Hampshire), we have to think of new ways to tend the sheep. We have to think of new and sustainable ways to continue and honor the work and the love of the incredible volunteers and disciples of our past and present…

…may we continue to dream. May we continue to dream of a world beyond incarceration, beyond borders. May we continue to dream of a world without war and without hatred. May we continue to dream of ways to make that world a reality, may we continue to dream of a world in which everyone can feel that forgiveness and assurance and love regardless of their past, present, or future. And may we be open to Christ’s call…

They did not waver because they paid attention—to Jesus’ prophesy about his resurrection; to every step of his ministry; to his arrest and passion and death to the bitter end; and they knew and they believed that good was still possible, that life was still possible, or else, how could one go on after everything they had witnessed?

Before the preview of a world in which death is defeated, Jesus would have to show his faithful what they were up against. He would have to show his followers that it’s not so easy, and they would have to continue to the work Jesus called them to do long after he was resurrected and ascended. And this is the work we’re still called to do today.

“If [the time] seems to tarry, wait for it; / it will surely come, it will not delay.” God warmly assures Habakkuk. And yet, here we are, thousands of year later, celebrating, but waiting, once again…

…for whatever reason, Mary knew. Mary understood what Jesus had been telling his disciples all along. Maybe she was a better listener. Maybe she was more intuitive. Maybe she was just a little smarter than your average disciple. But how and why she knew doesn’t matter. What matters is that Mary was facing reality. She was preparing for what was to come…

When the prodigal son has hit rock bottom and realizes he needs to return home, it doesn’t say he went home. It says “he set off and went to his father.” Because his father was home. He knew his father would love and accept and embrace him no matter what. His father had set an example for him, of the kind of love and compassion one should aspire to. And though he felt himself unworthy, he went to his father, knowing that was home…