Rev. Scott Neely - UUCS Minister
“You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister’s eyes,
And into your brother’s face,
Your country,
And say simply
Very simply
With hope—
Good morning.”
(from “On the Pulse of Morning”, by Maya Angelou)
Our country.
Welcoming New Members
“In an ever-changing, incomprehensible, world the masses had reached the point where they would, at the same time, believe everything and nothing, think that everything is possible and that nothing was true…. Mass propaganda discovered that its audience was ready at all times to believe the worst, no matter how absurd, and did not particularly object to being deceived because it held every statement to be a lie anyhow.” (Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism)
“My work is to be honest. My work is to try to think clearly, then have the courage to make sure that what I say is the truth.” (Maya Angelou)
Tell the truth.
“A Vision for Our Country: Truth” (audio), Rev. Scott Neely
“We, this people … / whose hands can strike with such abandon … / Yet those same hands can touch with such healing…” (Maya Angelou, from “A Brave and Startling Truth”)
Throughout the month of November, we will renew our vision for our democracy through the writings of the poet Maya Angelou and the philosopher Hannah Arendt. Act now in the election of 2019. Prepare for the election of 2020. The work of social justice is political in the most profound sense of the word: how will we govern ourselves?
“A Vision for Our Country: We Are the Possible” (audio) Rev. Scott Neely
“On August 16, 1973 the NY Mets were in last place, twelve games below .500, with only 44 games left to play in the season. After Tug McGraw’s clubhouse chant, ‘Ya Gotta Believe!’, the Mets won 24 of 35 games which moved them into first place…and they won the division title on the last day of the season.” (Mitch Eisner)
Never say die.
“Ya Gotta Believe!”, (audio) Rev. Scott Neely
“At dawn, the boys came out of the House of Bats into the yellow light. They went down to the ball court. As they came close, they saw Hunahpu’s head hanging over the court…. Xbalanque took his brother’s head which hung above the court. When Hunahpu had his head back, the two boys laughed joyfully and ran to finish the ball game. The Lords of Death thought that something strange was going on. Even though they played hard against the boys, they couldn’t score….” (from the Popol Vuh, sacred text of the Quiché Maya)
Why let a little thing like Death stop us from playing?
“Gamer”, (audio) Rev. Scott Neely
“The boys took their ball and went to the court where their father had played…. Like their father, they happily played the sacred game. The earth shook beneath their running feet. Below the earth, the Lords of Death looked around. ‘Again?’ they exclaimed. ‘Who could it be this time? Who dares disturb us by playing ball above our heads?…’ The Lords called their messengers. ‘Go tell those who play ball up there that the Lords of Death wish to see them. Tell them to come within seven days, and to bring their ball and gear so that we can play together.’” (from the Popol Vuh, sacred text of the Quiché Maya)
Game on, Lords of Death.
“Kicking A Ball Under the World”, (audio) Rev. Scott Neely
When we are tuned in to one another.
“Synchronicity”, (audio) Rev. Scott Neely
To What?
“Plugged In”, (audio) Rev. Scott Neely
Water Communion Intergenerational Service
Celebrate our coming back together after the summer with our annual Ingathering of the Waters service. Bring water from your summer journeys or from your home. We will pour from our many sources into one communal bowl. We gather to build connections of love and trust, as we navigate a rapidly changing world.
“Connection”, (audio) Rev. Scott Neely
This September, our services will explore the dynamics of technology in our lives. How do we relate to one another in our rapidly evolving, technological world? And how do we relate to technology? We will especially consider the constant choices we have to make–when and how do we choose to connect?–and the deepest possibilities for connection between us all.