The following story by Emmalinda MacLean first appeared in “Emersonians” on December 23, 2017. We reproduce it here for your enjoyment. Emmalinda MacLean Director of Religious Education emmalindadre@gmail.com I wanted to share a Christmas Eve story with all of you, although I won’t be there tomorrow night [December 24, 2016]; you’re all in my heart. … Continue reading RE MATTERS: A Christmas Eve Story
FROM THE BOARD By Bettina Salas, Board Secretary Bettina33@earthlink.net Dear Emersonians, New Year’s Greetings from your Board and a heartfelt wish for a healthy and peaceful year 2017! We left an ambiguous year behind. Happy and sad news seem to have accompanied us at every turn, and we are trying our best to remain upbeat … Continue reading FROM THE BOARD
5january2017-prophecy Our times ask us to exercise our capacity for prophetic witness, by Prophetic witness I mean our capacity to see what is happening, to say what is happening and to act in accordance with what we know…. Prophetic witness …is the ability to name those places where we resist knowing what needs to be … Continue reading SOUL MATTERS, January 2017: What does it mean to be a community of prophecy?
Thank you to all Emersonians who donated household items for Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Welcome Home Project.” The “Welcome Home Project” is an effort to provide basic household items to formerly homeless Angelenos, who are now moving into their first affordable housing and need basic items. We were collecting laundry baskets, pillows, pillowcases, blankets, set of sheets, books (can be … Continue reading Welcome Home Project: Helping Formerly Homeless Angelenos
Looking for a bright, seasonal plant to brighten your home or to give as a gift? Poinsettias are the answer. We’re selling two different sizes: one for $4 and one for $7. Contact Barbara Moore barbmoore1000@gmail.com for more information.
By Rev. Matthew McHale Minister, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church revmatthew@emersonuuc.org At our ministerial start-up weekend in October, congregational leaders identified several key priorities for our first year together, one of which was to revitalize our justice work. As a minister, I’m very passionate about justice work and I had been wishing for a more … Continue reading MINISTER’S COLUMN: After the Election, Showing Up for Justice
By Emmalinda MacLean Director of Religious Education emmalindadre@gmail.com In the aftermath of the presidential election, I’ve seen more and more of my friends and fellow Emersonians challenging themselves to become more informed, involved, and vocal activists, and it’s inspiring. It’s also hard, but church is a good place to develop and practice the language … Continue reading RE MATTERS: Religious Education Matters: Learning to Speak Love and Hope in times of Hate and Fear
By Scott Rieker Director, Emerson Choir scott@scottrieker.com As a middle school teacher, I often heard my students say, “It’s not fair!” when someone received something they did not have. This may have been a solo, a partner on a project, or a reward for a good grade, but the result was always the … Continue reading MUSICAL MUSINGS: Justice and Harmony
Spiritually, presence can mean two radically different things. On the one hand, contemplatives talk of “being present.” Presence from this perspective is all about awareness and remembering to “live in the moment.” On the other hand, theologians tend to come at presence from the perspective of “otherness.” Their concern is not just that we pay … Continue reading SOUL MATTERS: What Does It Mean To Be A Community of Presence?
Following the November 2016 election, when emotions ran high, Rev. Matthew McHale opened Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church to the community to come together for support. During an emotional candlelight services, attendees expressed their feelings of disappointment, confusion, anger, and frustration. Then, led by Rev. Matthew McHale, they marched in protest along Sherman Way and surrounding … Continue reading EMERSONIANS GATHER AFTER 2016 ELECTION
