Minister Musings

1120 of 22 items

Walking Together- November 2015

by Michelle Yates

         “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” ― Socrates Many of us have heard of the Seven Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, but less of us have heard of, or explored the Six Sources. Like the Principles, these are not doctrine, dogma, or commandments. Given our diversity of beliefs, the Principles and Sources […]

Walking Together – December 2015

by Michelle Yates

Each one of us can’t help but notice the daily reduction of our daylight hours in this season of the year. Some of us keenly feel the lack of light, and await its slow return after December 21. “Light” is an important part of our language and cultural theology, such as seeing a light when […]

Walking Together – Nov 2015

by Michelle Yates

Walking Together “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” ― Socrates Many of us have heard of the Seven Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, but less of us have heard of, or explored the Six Sources. Like the Principles, these are not doctrine, dogma, or commandments. Given our diversity of beliefs, the Principles and Sources […]

Walking Together – Oct 2015

by Michelle Yates

UUs tend to be a pretty brainy group.  We love facts and statistics, ideas and even art.  But what do we do for fun?  For as much as October and Halloween embraces the frightening, at the heart of all the festivities is a sense of playfulness. If there is one thing I’ve learned in recent […]

Walking Together- Sept 2015

by Michelle Yates

To Welcome. To Join. To Stay. I was recently struck by a blog entitled “Why would I join a church where that happens?” by Presbyterian minister Joshua Bower. Rev. Bower gives a powerful example of a bad “church-minister break up,” and goes on to reflect on personal examples of what drives or keeps people away […]

Walking Together- August 2015

by Michelle Yates

Summertime can be the perfect time to have an adventure! We are usually already doing things out of our normal routine with different schedules, vacations, parties, or simply the call out into the sunshine or to hide from the rain, as the case may be. How do we as UUs embrace being a people of […]

Walking Together- July 2015

by Michelle Yates

In his book Deep is the Hunger, Howard Thurman tells this story — I watched him for a long time. He was so busily engaged in his task that he did notice my approach until he heard my voice. Then he raised himself erect with all the slow dignity of a man who had exhausted […]

Walking Together – January 2015

by Michelle Yates

Walking Together In the month of January, our to do lists might be a bit shorter, the overall hustle and bustle of life a bit less.  After three months of mounting holiday frenzy, we find ourselves in a month with no holidays requiring decorations, cards, costumes, gifts, or coordinating of schedules.  It’s a chance to […]

Walking Together – May 2015

by Michelle Yates

As many of you know, I was recently granted preliminary fellowship as a UU minister. This means the UUA and I have done some rigorous work to “vet” me as a minister, and the denomination fully supports any church that chooses to ordain me. Given my recent affirmation of my path, I feel called to […]

Walking Together – April 2015

by Michelle Yates

I feel like Christmas and Easter are some of the most challenging times to be a UU. It is in these seasons more than any other that we find ourselves asked some of the most dreaded of questions: “What do UUs believe?” “Do you celebrate Easter?” “Are you saved?” It’s challenging to answer these questions […]