Like many, I was stunned and heartbroken at the news of the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. (Much attention has been given to the President’s cruel and undignified response, but that has gotten far more attention than it deserves, so let’s get into sharing our favorite memories of the...
When have you been the recipient of generosity? How did it change you? My family was the recipient of a huge gift many years ago. Our youngest qualified for a Make-a-Wish gift, and so all of us were sent to the amusement parks of Orlando- all the Disney parks, plus...
Time to get out your calendar and mark it up! December is full of holiday special events at Live Oak. It all starts Saturday, Dec. 6 with the Jingle Jangle Jam from 10:00 am-2:00 pm: drop the kids off for lunch, holiday crafting, and games, while parents shop, wrap presents,...
Most religions have some type of ceremony to mark the arrival of a baby or child and express the commitment a community gives to the child and their parents – baptism, Bris, etc. For Unitarian Universalists, we have a dedication ceremony that is conducted during a regular worship service. This ceremony welcomes the child into our faith (and,...
Dr. Gregory Cuéllar writes about “trespassing on the archive” when studying history, because “master-narratives that wield power within a body politic often seek the authoritative status of universality.” On Sunday, I lifted up the archive of Unitarian Universalism. We have over 200 years of theology, written thought, and historical activities...
I have a friend who is an observant, Orthodox Jew. Her family strictly keeps their Sabbath – they prepare ahead of time for it, and when it comes, there are rules that come with it. No using electricity, no tv, no social media. Food has to be prepared ahead of...
I’m back! It’s been a full summer for me. I’ve already written about going to UUA General Assembly this June, but connecting with UUs around the country continued in July at the Central East Region Summer Institute held on the Oberlin campus in Ohio, then guest preaching at West Shore...
Last week, I attended our national General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association, along with Becky and Wayne Gregory, Krystle Gervais, and (online) Melissa Zawrotny. I’ll be talking about it more on Sunday, including my reflections on this year’s theme, “Meet the Moment.” But you can get a taste for...
Rev. Joanna is in Baltimore this week at the UUA General Assembly. Last week, she delivered these words to the Cedar Park City Council. I am the Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford, minister of Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park. We have been a welcoming space for the LGBTQIA+...
I am away this week, gone back to seminary for a class that is part of the Doctor of Ministry program I am in. A Doctor of Ministry degree, or D.Min. (yes, we love to make “demon” jokes) is one way that ministers can continue receive education that will help...