Last Spring, while preparing its annual budget, TJMC decided to cut the membership dues that it pays to be part of the IMPACT program. The church faced a deficit, and the congregation’s enthusiasm for participating in the program seemed to be waning. Then a handful of energized, dedicated members took up the cause, petitioned the […]

The poet, peace activist, and Buddhist monk, the Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, makes quite a bit of “smiling” as a spiritual practice.  “Breathing in, I relax body and mind,” one of his breath prayers goes, “Breathing out, I smile.”  “Smile, breathe, and go slowly,” is his advice on how to live. A woman came up […]

“Chaos and Love:  One Step at a Time” By Rev. Alexandra McGee Followed by words by Wendy Repass, Worship Weaver This text served as a general outline for my words, which became somewhat extemporaneous. Today we have a sermon in two parts. After I reflect on the nature of chaos, Wendy will offer ideas for […]

This is the text of the reflection I offered to the congregation.  It is a continuation of my response to a blatantly racist note delivered anonymously to our Director of Administration and Finance, Christina Rivera.  Here is a link to the immediate response of senior congregational leadership (which includes a photo of the note), as […]

This is the audio for the service held on Wednesday, February 28, following the discovery of an anonymous note sent to Christina Rivera. Due to the limitations of the website format and the length of the service, it is presented in two parts. Click the headphones to begin, and continue here. The music has been […]

This month’s image is shawl. Alex McGee talks about the transformational quality of love.

On, Sunday February 4th, the congregation I serve engaged in an Association-wide project titled, “The Promise & The Practice of Our Faith.”  It was designed to give our overwhelmingly white congregations an unfortunately rare — if not entirely unique — experience of centering the voices of People of Color.  A packet of resources was created from which […]

Rev. Wik explores the symbol of the Bodhi Tree and the Buddhist concept of Dukkha.

There’s this odd little story in the Christian scriptures, recorded in the gospels of both Mark and Matthew.  Jesus goes over to a fig tree to get some figs to share with his friends, but there are no figs.  Only leaves.  So Jesus, perhaps in a fit of pique, says to the tree, “May no […]

Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day. Here is a quote from MLK’s nephew, Isaac Newton Farris, Jr., who spoke this past Friday at the White House:  He said:  “If my uncle were here today, the first thing he would say is, “What are we or what are you doing for others?” And that’s why it […]