Rohatsu

It's holiday season. (The time when we have them, that is -- as opposed to the time we can shoot them.). You know about Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Have you heard of Chalica? It's a seven-day UU holiday starting on the first Monday in December (Chalica info: HERE).

Another December holiday you might not have heard of is "Rohatsu" -- the Japanese name for the Eighth of December. According to legend, Siddhartha Gautama, after six years of spiritual seeking and some arduous practices, sat himself down beneath a bodhi tree next to a river, resolved to remain in stillness and silence until he had seen his true nature. A week later, on the morning of the 8th day of the 12th month, he looked up, saw the morning star, and had a profound awakening. He said, "Behold, all beings are enlightened just as they are." Shortly thereafter, Siddhartha became known as the Buddha. Zen Buddhists celebrate this anniversary by going on a silent meditation for the first week of December.

I was out of town Dec 1-7 at a Zen retreat for the Rohatsu retreat. I've been going to between two and four week-long Zen retreats per year for eleven years now. You might wonder why. I couldn't be a UU minister without a serious spiritual practice. I know some of my colleagues attempt to pull it off, and that's their business, I suppose. Myself, I strongly recommend against doing professional ministry without intensive, extensive, and ongoing spiritual practice. It need not be Zen, and I can't say with any precision what the necessary features of a genuine spiritual practice are, but I recognize it when I see it. I can tell almost right away when I'm in the presence of someone dedicated to doing the inner work. They have a certain groundedness and unshakeableness while at the same time a relaxed, looseness. When they complain (which even longtimers on a committed spiritual path occasionally do, albeit rather less often), I detect a vibe that they don't really mind the thing of which they are complaining. They have an imperturbable calm together with unstinting curiosity about just about everything, including themselves.

I know I wouldn't want a minister who wasn't serious about that inner work -- and I don't want you to have one either.

Sun Dec 22 -- 10:00 Worship

"Our Holiday" and the Annual Rehearsalless Christmas Pageant

This Sunday we're having an extended family service. I'll reflect on Unitarian influences on modern Christmas, and the miracle of Christmas will be manifest in the miracle of our Christmas pageant.

Adam's Prelude starts at 10:00 and there we now have an Entering Song at 10:10.

See you Sunday!
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Common Read: Behind the Kitchen Door

The book tells the stories of ten restaurant workers in cities across the United States as it explores the political, economic, and moral implications of eating out. READ MORE...

On Sun Jan 26, I'll be preaching on the important issues examined in this revealing book.

Then, on Sun Feb 23 at 11:35, I'm leading Adult RE to explore the book's insights.
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Adult RE: Our Story, Our Faith

Sat Jan 25 and Sat Feb 1
Noon - 2:30pm
Fellowship Hall

This five-hour workshop/class (two sessions of 2.5 hours each) explores the nature of Unitarian Universalism -- where we've been, where we are, and how to articulate your UU faith. Truly a class for long-timers and newbies alike. Please plan to be there to take advantage of this chance to understand UUs -- including yourself -- better.

Themes of the Month

Recent Past Themes
September: Vision
October: Evil
November: Covenant & Democracy

Current Theme
December: God

Upcoming Themes
January: Creation
February: Religious Authority
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Christian and UU? The UU Christian Fellowship has a local chapter that meets monthly. READ MORE...

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Voices in Unitarian Universalism. Three fascinating anthologies explore what it means to be Buddhist & UU, Christian & UU, and Jewish & UU. READ MORE...

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Unitarian Universalism must adapt or die. But what would adapting look like? READ MORE...

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Westchester United is an interfaith organization working for social justice in Westchester County. Should CUC join? READ MORE...

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Spiritual Practice. The primary starter practice is widely varying, and what works for some folks won't work for others. The five secondary, support practices are universal. READ MORE...

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List of Lists. Here are a dozen lists for understanding Unitarian Universalism and our shared congregational life together. READ MORE...

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Thank you for your Unitarian Universalism. Your faith lights up the world!

Yours in the faith we share,

Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister

"C.U.C. Matters"

Meredith's draft of a general vision and plan for C.U.C.: CLICK HERE

Other Reflections: CLICK HERE.
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"The Liberal Pulpit"

Meredith's sermons and other reflections. CLICK HERE.

"Basement Zendo"

You're welcome to sit with, and hear Zen talks by, Meredith at the Basement Zendo in the Parsonage. CLICK HERE.

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