Across the Time Zones
What possible message can a one-month old newborn, who is working on digesting a few ounces of milk, have for his grandfather? And for all of us? The Zoom link and Order of Service will be provided at mpuuc.org/zoom.
Speaker: Don Ramie
Garden of Eden
What possible message can a memory from early childhood have for an adult? Don describes recollections from when he was just 2 years 10 months old. The memory has had a haunting beauty that’s followed him around the rest of his life. At his best, Don finds he has the same attitude now as that … Continue reading Garden of Eden
Manifest Destiny
The term “Manifest Destiny” appeared in newspapers in 1845, on the eve of the Mexican-American War. Manifest Destiny was never a stated policy, but a motto for the deeply held conviction that our nation’s conquests were divinely sanctioned and honorable. Americans did not vanquish to conquer, only to bestow liberty and the blessings of our … Continue reading Manifest Destiny
Liberty and Justice for All
America “the land of liberty” has become legendary. It began with the Puritans embarking on the long voyage to Massachusetts in search of religious freedom. The American political tradition, grounded in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, also teaches that a nation based on individual freedom, equality under the law, and the consent of … Continue reading Liberty and Justice for All
We the People
The Preamble of the Constitution declares who is enacting this new form of government—“We the People” of the United States. The Constitution is the possession of all inhabitants of the land, not the government, or any branch of it, or any political party. We, all of us, are stewards of the Constitution, and we remain … Continue reading We the People
The Founding Fathers
At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the “Founding Fathers” of the United States designed a democracy for an entire nation. This was something altogether untried, with global consequences. The experiment proved both durable and flexible. The idea persists that the “Founding Fathers” were Christians, and therefore this is a “Christian nation.” Pastors and some politicians … Continue reading The Founding Fathers
The Noble Savage (myths about American Indians)
The “noble savage” is a stock character in Western literature of the Romantic Period, the early 1800s. Primitive people were seen as good and moral, representing a harmony with nature that grasping, acquisitive Europeans longed for. At first, the races in North America traded and got along, but soon the natives were provoked to war. … Continue reading The Noble Savage (myths about American Indians)
A Religious Experience
Religion is famous for its ability to divide people. This can be quite painful, especially when it occurs within a family. Is it ever possible to set things right? Our message today will trace a personal journey with a surprising outcome and healing on all sides. The Zoom link and Order of Service will be … Continue reading A Religious Experience
City on a Hill
National myths are inspiring stories about the past. Held in high esteem, they affirm commonly-held values. Does America have any myths? In truth, there are a number of very powerful ones. This morning, we will consider the earliest one, from 1630: “We shall be a city on a hill; the eyes of all people will … Continue reading City on a Hill
The Silent Nest
There is a deep human need that’s met when we feel deeply connected to something truly valuable. We need to feel needed and essential to something larger than ourselves that, itself, is essential to the world. We’ve all probably spent times in our lives struggling with wondering about our place in the world and where, … Continue reading The Silent Nest