Category Archives: Blog

Churched?

Above pictured UU Church in Sangerville, Maine – JOIN US!

More than a social club, Church can be one of our spiritual homes.  Intentionally it can be where we find the most sacred place of belonging, where our inner light recognizes and is recognized by those in our presence. It is where our whole-broken selves, our gifts and our flaws, are accepted and rejoiced in. It can be where our Beloved Community resides and grow from. Where, with our chosen actions and activities, we can bless and be blessings to each other, and to our larger community. Not just the principle or ideal of “belonging” but the active creation and cultivation of an environment that allows genuine belonging to occur. The place where we bear witness to each other, are held tenderly in difficult times and are accompanied during celebratory occasions. It is where we not merely know of each other, but, rather, have the opportunity and responsibility to really know each other.

This applies wherever you gather in spiritual community, by whichever name you call it.

Join us! in Sangerville and at TwinklesPlace for services!

this is what a Minister looks like

As ordained interfaith clergy, I am honored to claim my place among female ministers in solidarity with Baptist Women in Ministry where each week they introduce and feature a female minister.
On Facebook over the past week I have felt my heart leap with joy as my clergy colleagues of many denominations and Faiths have joined in this movement.
Remarkable women. Amazing ministers. Beloved friends.
Sisters in Service to that which we each call Holy.
May our ministries reveal the true nature of our hearts.
May we support and mentor each other.
May we be of good service to those seeking.
May we say “yes” every day to our callings.
May we usher in ways of being that honor our souls.
Sending love,
~ Twinkle
 
 

Best Wishes to Sue Phillips!!!

We received an email from our New England Regional Lead, Sue Phillips, with the message that she is moving on from the UUA to become a Ministry Innovation Fellow at Harvard Divinity School.  

Sue was the key person behind many of our denominations most creative innovations, including spearheading the FAITHIFY crowd funding platform that was launched at General Assembly 2014 and to date has more than $1 million pledged to over 200 campaigns.  The UU Talks entrepreneurial project “Twinkle” Marie Manning is the founder of was one of those successful FAITHIFY campaigns and will ever be grateful to Sue for making that possible.

What a wonderful exemplar of innovative leadership Sue Phillips has been for us. May we follow her example of following our passionate callings. And may we heed her advice to be committed to each other and to our Faith. ❤️🙏🏼

To view her letter, click the link below:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/My-Departure-and-a-New-Chapter-in-Unitarian-Universalism.html?soid=1102593057446&aid=g28L7YBbxCA

 

Voting Day Pittsfield June 13th, 2017

Today is a voting day in Pittsfield, and while it may not have all the allure and intensity of November’s election, I feel it is important to vote.

I vote because I appreciate the teachers and staff who care for our children in our local schools and cast a vote to support their salaries and programs.  I vote because I appreciate that we have a publicly funded education system available to our children and my ballot adds to the voices of all those who value it. I vote because I would have been vocal in the suffragist movement, so in solidarity and gratitude, I vote today. 

#suffragist

“A Litany of Gratitude”

These beautiful words by Rev. Mel Pine :

A Litany of Gratitude

Some came here looking for solace.
Some came here and gave it to them.

Some came here seeking music.
Some came here and gave it, joyfully.

Some came here seeking laughter.
Some came here and created it.

Some came here seeking learning, growth.
Some came here and provided it.

Some came here looking for a sense of security, a safe haven.
Some came here and provided it.

Some came here seeking an escape from hectic lives.
Some came here and enabled them to have it.

Some came here seeking the joy of community.
Some came here and created that.

Some came here wanting to serve.
Some came here and made it possible for them.

We thank them all

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Please visit Rev. Mel Pine’s website:

https://meltingpotdharma.com/