We live in the age where we’re subject to the tyranny of the ‘now.’ Driven by Facebook, tweeting, 24/7 news, and the ‘buy-now’ button. But the obsession with the immediate has further decimated our abilities for long-term planning. And the truth is resolving the problems we currently face – from climate change to pandemic response – are long-term conversations. Drawing from Roman Krznaric’s brilliant book, we will explore six ways we can become time rebels and learn to think long.

Greek philosopher Heraclitus once talked about our quest for stability and permanence and the pain that’s inevitable in a world that never stops evolving. He said, ‘The only thing constant in this world is change.’ Buddhists have a similar take, citing ‘impermanence’ as a more accurate descriptor of what we often call ‘reality.’ This is what led them to the third noble truth which describes suffering as brought about by attachment to the way things are. Before we can get to anything resembling enlightenment, we have to learn to accept change.

Unitarian Universalist principles include “the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large,” but the need for democracy is much deeper. Not only is it a mechanism for realizing other U-U principles, it is also basic to the survival of humanity. Worship leader Paul Davis has delivered previous messages on the functioning of democracy; this message will explore the importance of democracy.

The midwinter holidays are filled with generosity and gift giving. Christmas, in particular, has made gift-giving so central, that it’s sometimes hard to remember that it is not the true purpose of the holiday. The commercialization of Christmas and the juggernaut force with which advertisement campaigns have co-opted the season, almost require us to put things in perspective. In this service, we will explore what gifts we have received in our lives that teach us the most about ourselves, our lives and the season.

We are entering into the season in our trip around the sun where we are the farthest – and most tilted away – from the light and the warmth of the sun. This means light and warmth are most scarce. Those who are unfamiliar and sensitive to living in cold, dark climates struggle. When it is dark as we leave the house and dark when we return, it can become hard to keep the chill and the lack of visibility from dampening our mood, our energy, our vision and even our hope. This is so true, some even allow the symbols of darkness to assume feelings of fear and resentment. This is a service about learning to understand, accept and maybe even invite darkness into our lives.

The UUA has recently made a commitment to make disability one of the social justice issues it will focus on. We will look at this topic, the history of disability in our denomination and where we are called to take it as the future unfolds. Rev. Barbara has been involved in disability issues during her ministry and will give her perspective on the struggle.

More than 80 years ago, a small delegation of the Unitarian Service Committee were sent to western Europe to offer a response to those victims of the ethnic cleansing and human rights violations taking place under the reign of terror imposed by the Third Reich. That essential and successful justice campaign set into motion a ministry of engagement from Unitarians – and later Unitarian Universalists – responding to international human rights violations. Today our work of exercising our principles can be seen all around the globe. In this service, we will meet four people who will act as ambassadors for the work we do at raising awareness and support for justice world wide. Our offering in this service will Share the Plate with the UU Service Committee.

How in the world did we make it this far? Had impartial observers witnessing evolutionary dynamic been asked to place a wager on which human species would thrive and go on to dominate the planet, Homo Sapiens would certainly not have been the leading candidate. But the reason we did is not due to the misunderstood theory of Darwin dealing with ‘survival of the fittest’. It is more accurate to say we successfully evolved due to ‘survival of the friendliest.’ In this service we will explore the internal tendencies that led to our success and how we have sometimes overridden such evolutionary code to our peril. In this service we will welcome our new members joining MPUUC.

Our MPUUC CaYRE program (for Children and Youth) has been in significant transition. Several events over the last five years have led to families, parents, Youth, Children and others taking a step back. Most recently, a beloved DRE also stepped away. The good news is that I strongly believe there are amazing insights that will help us understand and remember the Dream that we – together – all held for MPUUC’s CaYRE program. The bad news is I can’t say exactly what they are. But, I believe without a doubt, that WE can. Our collective wisdom knows both the love within the dream; and the disappointment of a dream denied. In this service we will explore the power of our hope as well as our hurt.

Habits of the Heart is an idea from Parker J. Palmer as he talks about conditioning our hearts to break in the right way – which is to say, ‘break open.’ What kind of preparation is required of us if we are to be expected to respond with compassionate service and healing as opposed to responding with fragility and defensiveness?