Mary Beth Writes

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Sermon - Servants of the Quest
December 3, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

The park ranger described the paths one could choose to hike across the island. I picked the that one he said was the easiest.  When he was done talking, I walked to get a drink at a building that was a distance away, behind some trees. When I came back out, I couldn’t quite see what was a path and what was the field, so I walked back to where some people seemed to be hanging out.

Where & What is Beauty?
July 9, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

This was this last Sunday’s service in the United Unitarian Universalist congregation in my town.  This was entirely written by five of us - the “United We Writers.” I told friends that I would post this on my website. The service was wonderfully received.

This is the sanctuary of the church where Len and I married - Grace United Methodist Church in Chicago. A blessed place.
"No Felons Here"
June 24, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

I preached this sermon at United Unitarian Universalist /23/2019.

Journey to Happiness
March 6, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

(I preached this sermon at my church, United Unitarian Universalist, in Waukesha. 3/3/2019)

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One day a young Buddhist on her journey to find True Happiness, came to the banks of a wide river. Staring at the great obstacle in front of her, she pondered and pondered how to cross such a wide and mighty barrier.

Sermon - Courage / Roses on the Columbia
January 14, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

While on the space shuttle Columbia, which would explode during reentry a few days later, astronaut Laurel Clark wrote some emails to family and friends.

This is from one of them: Subject: Hello from 150 NM above the Earth

Sermon - "Why do we attend church? Um, I can't remember."
January 14, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

“Why do we attend church? Um, I can’t remember.”

There are so many reasons to not belong to or attend church - even liberal Unitarian Universalist churches.

Sermon - The Story of Ruth & Naomi / Who We Welcome is Who We Are
January 14, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

I have liked the Old Testament story of Ruth ever since I was a kid. But in seminary, when I learned it is not an “Aww Shucks, Ma’am” cowboy romance, I started liking it even more. The story of Ruth is not the particular romance of Ruth and Boaz. It IS a story of dangerous poverty, racism, and sexism – and what happened when good adults welcomed each other in an unsafe place and time.

Sermon - Julian of Norwich / She Persisted
January 14, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

I first encountered Julian of Norwich in a seminary class on mysticism when I was in my 20’s –back when I could read for hours without falling asleep. I had been raised in such a religiously patriarchal culture; that reading Julian for that first time was as if someone had turned a light on in the room.

Sermon - From Auden's "For The Time Being"
January 14, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

This is the "Opening Words" and then later in the service, the sermon - that I preached on "For The Time Being" by WH Auden and also from the Gospel of John.  

I belong to a small congregation of Unitarian Universalists. This is directed to people who are asking questions instead of believing creeds. You will probably note the difference.

Thanks.

MB. 

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