Tag Archives: welcoming congregation

Rooted, Planted, Grounded (an Earth Day Response to Mass Violence)

There it was again, the phone call. This time it was my father. “Did you see what happened at the Boston Marathon? Turn on the television. It’s awful.” There it was again, that feeling of profound sadness. Tears welling up. … Continue reading

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A Life Redeemed

“What happens when we recycle bottles and cans?” asks Kathleen Mctigue in her meditation.[1] “They are transformed; they are made into something else. Though it may seem a homely analogy for something as lofty as our souls,” she continues, “that’s … Continue reading

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The Rhythm of Life is a Powerful Beat (An Easter Homily)

“Would you harbor me? Would I harbor you?”[1]  I like this song on Easter morning. It reminds us we live in a world where far too many people, for far too many reasons need safe harbor, need of sanctuary, shelter, safety; … Continue reading

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Wake Now My Senses

A SERMON FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE REV. JEANNE LLOYD AS MINISTER OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF MATTATUCK IN WOODBURY, CT MARCH 24, 2013 “Oh Mystery you are alive; I feel you all around. You are the fire in … Continue reading

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For All That Is Our Life

This coming week marks the anniversary of a milestone in my life and in the life of this congregation. Ten years ago this week, Wednesday, March 19th, 2003 is perhaps most memorable as the day the United States launched its … Continue reading

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Testimony in Support of a Homeless Bill of Rights

Testimony in Support of Raised Bill No. 896, “An Act Concerning a Homeless Person’s Bill of Rights.” Public Health Committee, Connecticut General Assembly. March 15, 2013.  Distinguished Members of the Public Health Committee: I am the Rev. Josh Pawelek, minister … Continue reading

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“Dealing With Our Spiritual Stuff” or “Reclaiming Our Liberal Spiritual Inheritance”

“There’s a river flowin’ in my soul”—words from Alabama civil rights attorney, state judge, play-write, songwriter, and community-builder Rose Sanders, also known as Faya Ora Rose Touré.[1] “There’s a river flowin’ in my soul and it’s tellin’ me that I’m … Continue reading

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Wolcott School’s Allowance of Anti-Gay T-shirt Mocks First Amendment

I couldn’t disagree more with Wolcott High School officials who, in response to the threat of an ACLU lawsuit, reversed their decision to prevent student Seth Groody from wearing a homophobic t-shirt.  Sandra Staub, legal director of the ACLU of Connecticut, said … Continue reading

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Really . . . What’s Real?

Earlier I read an excerpt from Nick Bostrum’s 2003 article, “Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?”[1] To be clear, he does not prove we are living in a simulation (had he proved it, I suspect we’d all be aware … Continue reading

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Testimony Submitted to CT’s Bipartisan Taskforce on Gun Violence and Children’s Safety

Earlier today I submitted the following testimony to Connecticut’s Bipartisan Tasforce on Gun Violence and Children’s Safety. Their hearing on reducing gun violence takes place at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford tomorrow (1-28-13). I’ll be there all day and … Continue reading

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