The Next 250 Years

  Readings: I Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes (click to read) Poem for July 4 1994 by Sonia Sanchez (click to read) “Elegy,” by Kiran Schatz An Elegy For the long-forgotten past And the days that we may never live to see; Our sacrifice will give the hopeless, freezing mass A chance to build … Continue reading The Next 250 Years

The Longest Day

The Longest Day by David Blackburn June 21, 2026 Readings: The sun and summer are rhapsodized by writers and poets. Today, I’d like to share some readings of authors I connect with. Their prose reflect our values, connect to the long days of summer, and beckon us to open our hearts and minds to the … Continue reading The Longest Day

Words of Life

He stepped out into the plain He stepped out into the plain He stepped out alone to speak words of peace And this is the truth of his life He spoke the words of comfort And he spoke the words of life And he spoke the words of love and hope through pain and strife … Continue reading Words of Life

Centered in Love

“When I Speak of Love” by Dan Schatz When I speak of love, I do not mean romance, though it, too, deserves praise. I do not mean a warm feeling, though goodness knows we need warmth in bitter times. When I speak of love, I do not mean making friends, though I could use them, … Continue reading Centered in Love

A Brighter Coming Day

Readings: Songs for the People Let me make the songs for the people, Songs for the old and young; Songs to stir like a battle-cry Wherever they are sung. Not for the clashing of sabres, For carnage nor for strife; But songs to thrill the hearts of men With more abundant life. Let me make … Continue reading A Brighter Coming Day

The Soul of the Nation

Readings: I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence. I have often pondered over the dangers which were incurred by the men who assembled… and framed and adopted that Declaration of Independence. I have pondered over the toils that were endured by the … Continue reading The Soul of the Nation

Beloved Community

We’ve come a long way to be together, you and me. Do you remember that song? Probably not – it’s okay if you don’t. We only sang it once here, at our ingathering service last September. It’s a song for coming together: It’s been a mighty distance, dangerous journey to be here. And we’ll stay … Continue reading Beloved Community

Times Like These

Come into this sacred space. Leave nothing behind. Bring your love and your heartbreak, your fear and your defiance, your grieving and your dreaming. Come with your entire self. In this community you are worthy, and you are enough, and you are a blessing. Come, and be whole. When I was twenty years old, I … Continue reading Times Like These

Truth

I’m afraid I have an irritating habit. Honestly, I have several, as I’m sure some of you know (and most of the rest of you will soon), but in particular I have an irritating social media habit. I correct people on Facebook. I know, I know. Nobody posts to social media with the hope of … Continue reading Truth