One of the challenges at Tree of Life is that we are a religious community that consists of a lot of “come-outers” (people who come to us from other faith traditions.) Our congregation itself began in Congregationalism and moved away from a more traditional Christian identity–first to universalism, then to Unitarian Universalism. This means that … Continue reading The Minister’s Mind: Roots
This time of year many people from many parts of the world acknowledge the ongoing connection between the living and the dead. We too will take time to remember those who have gone before. Those who wish can bring a picture or memento to share as Rev. Sean leads us in this annual celebration of … Continue reading October 27–Roots Hold Us Close–Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead
Most of us have roots in another country but our families have come to the United States to find a better way of life for themselves and their families. Our intern minister, Ja Rickard will help us look at some of the trials, tribulations, and costs of those journeys.
For all our emphasis on individual attainment, no one has ever truly made their way alone. Rev. Sean will reflect on the gifts and challenges that come to us from our history and those who have gone before.
We are honored to host the Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk, who serves as the Rev. Dr. J. Frank and Alice Schulman professor in Unitarian Universalist History at Meadville Lombard Seminary in Chicago. As we launch our October focus on “Roots,” Dr. Kirk will join Rev. Sean and reflect on our Unitarian Universalist stories. Here is … Continue reading October 6–Some of the Stories We Tell Ourselves with Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk
A Personnel Committee is being formed. Do you have experience working with personnel issues? Members needed! Personnel Committee: The mission of the Personnel Committee is to support the hired personnel, Board of Trustees, and membership by providing consistent and fair definition and implementation of personnel policies. The Personnel Committee develops and recommends to the Board … Continue reading Personnel Committee
Greetings from your Intern I am very excited to be here and am looking forward to meeting and getting to know this wonderful congregation. So what is it that an Intern does and what is it that I will be doing? Well, during my time in seminary I learned all of the academic things that … Continue reading Intern Insights
Power Does the word make you shudder? Make you anxious? Secretly thrill you? Make you wish you had more of it? What is power, anyway, and why do so many of us think it’s a bad thing? Does all power corrupt? Should we all avoid having or using power? This month at Tree of Life, … Continue reading The Minister’s Mind: Power
Friday, September 20th, 7:00 pm We are excited to welcome songwriter Namoli Brennet back to Tree of Life UU Congregation for a wonderful night of live music, along with local favorites RUNE. Namoli has been touring the country with her own brand of moody and inspiring folk music since releasing her first CD in 2002. … Continue reading Haystacks Presents Namoli Brennet with RUNE
Ordinary, Everyday Mindfulness We’ve all experienced moments of wonder and bliss: a beautiful sunset engages our rapt attention, an act of loving kindness fills us with joy, a nighttime breeze bathes us in deep peace. And then the moment is gone and in its place is an ever so small longing to have another … Continue reading Ordinary, Everyday Mindfulness
