Rev. Tricia and Rev. Christina led us in celebrating our congregation at the end of this first year of transition. We looked to the future, and recognized new members. We brought flowers to add to our communal bouquet. The Flower Ceremony, sometimes referred to as Flower Communion or Flower Festival, is an annual UU ritual … Continue reading Welcoming Joy – June 2, 2024
Stories, poems, and songs from the times of our country’s wars – to commemorate Memorial Day, and all those whose lives have been changed, and lost. Led by Rev. Tricia with Becky Strum. We’ll share our offering with Gather, Middlebury’s community living room. More Rhubarb Festival preparations follow. Join the fun! See worship details here: … Continue reading Of Memory and Imagination
Throughout ancient times and still today, human societies have celebrated life as sacred and joyful. Especially in this season of spring… and more than any other time, in May. Institutional religion hasn’t always found ways to welcome these deep pagan beliefs into communal spiritual life. But maybe that’s changing… Rev Tricia introduced her sermon with … Continue reading Truth Telling – May 5, 2024
Love is fundamental in human experience. That basic truth doesn’t mean we all understand love’s power in the same ways, however. What you loved as a child can grow and change into something more as a grown-up member of communities. How do we teach one another to love faithfully and well, in ways that can … Continue reading Taking Care of What You Love – April 21, 2024
Now that spring has finally arrived, it’s time to consider what to plant for the seasons to come. This is true for our gardens… and also for this evolving religious community. What are CVUUS’ guiding values, and how are they changing? What do you long for, in this congregation’s future? How are all of us … Continue reading Love in Action! – April 7, 2024
It’s Easter and spring(ish) and there is so much wrong in the world. As people of values and faith, our work is to call out injustice, protest inequity, refuse to give in to lies or fear. Resistance also means choosing believe in ourselves and one another. Is the Easter story even relevant anymore? Can we … Continue reading Practicing Resurrection – March 31, 2024
As you know by now, UUA (that’s us!) is engaged in a process of reviewing and updating the foundational statement that says what UUism is, in our time. In a characteristically UU way, we are being invited to help determine language that captures what our religion is about… which is as close as we get … Continue reading Putting Love at the Center – Feb. 25, 2024
ON SITE & ZOOM. We all know how important love is (or how important we want it to be) in our lives. As Unitarian Universalists, we proclaim love as a guiding principle in all of our choices…and sometimes we can even live that way. Money is another very strong influence in our lives (whether we … Continue reading Love & Money – Feb. 4, 2024
This year of change and experimentation marks a new chapter in the ongoing story of CVUUS. Meanwhile, the evolving institution of Unitarian Universalism is also moving into a different time, as the work and role of “organized” religion is questioned from all directions. So, how are we doing? What’s going well? Where are the surprises? … Continue reading Looking Back, Looking Forward – Jan. 28, 2024
Rev. Tricia reflected on centuries-old celebrations of light in this season of Solstice – the darkest time of the year. Why it matters to light a fire, hang sparkly lights, or gather with friends to bring warmth and joy into the cold and sadness that surrounds us. Plus, a few stories about how Unitarians and … Continue reading Into the Darkness, Light – Dec. 17, 2023
