Rev. Jason Lydon Conflict is an inevitable aspect of life. We have conflict within ourselves, with our loved ones, with strangers, with the person driving too slowly on Lake Shore Drive, and with so many others. Conflict does not inevitably create harm or despair, and yet it certainly can. If we are committing to be … Continued
Rev. Jason Lydon In her Mother’s Day Proclamation, Julia Ward Howe wrote, “We, women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country, to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.” What might these words mean for us today? How might the message of these words interact with the vision … Continued
Rev. Misha Sanders An invitation to get excited about our saving faith that calls our best selves into being while affirming that we were already whole when we got here. Rev. Misha Sanders is mostly a mom, but also a hospital chaplain in Barrington, and an affiliated community minister with the UU church in Rockford. She believes … Continued
Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk Advent is a season of expectation and hope. Lent is also a time of expectation – but the expectation is one for a troubling outcome. This Sunday we will contemplate those seasons in life when expect the worst. Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk is a historian of American religious history. She joined … Continued
Rev. Jason Lydon Before we can even begin to talk about forgiveness it is important that we learn how to do the work of offering healthy and authentic apologies. We live in a culture where certain people are saying the words, “I’m sorry” constantly and others simply never utter the words. Neither of these extremes … Continued
Rev. Jason Lydon As Unitarian Universalists we are not called upon to believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus. However, there is great strength in believing that a community can have the resilience to rise up even after an empire strikes its leader down. We will use this Easter celebration to resist theologies that celebrate … Continued
Rev. Jason Lydon It has been said that the next wars will be fought over water, but in truth there have been wars and battles over water for generations. The Earth’s natural flowing waters are in constant danger of pollution, contamination, damming, and drought. As residents of a city that sits on one of largest … Continued
Recipient Organizations must generally meet the following criteria: 501(c)(3) status. Can demonstrate fiscal responsibility and accountability (could provide annual reports, audited financial statements, etc. if requested). Operates with annual budget of less than $500,000. Organizations whose work contributes in some way to a more just, equitable, and compassionate community, in alignment with our mission and … Continued
Rev. Jason Lydon In Disney’s cartoon Aladdin, we see the young “street rat” turn to Princess Jasmine on two occasions throughout the movie, asking her, “Do you trust me?” In both instances there is no reason for the princess to trust Aladdin, and yet she gives him her hand and goes with him each time. … Continued
Rev. Jason Lydon Self-help author, Susan Jeffers, popularized the slogan, “feel the fear and do it anyway.” Rather than suggest that we should not be afraid, Jeffers was acknowledging that fear lives within each of us and we must reckon with it rather than suppress it. Contrary to the Biblical call, “be not afraid,” Rev. … Continued
