Judith Sargent Murray, Universalist author and catechist, died this day in 1820. Married to “Father” John Murray, Mother Murray was esteemed among the founders of Universalism, and — with the rediscovery of her letter books in the 1980s — the subject of study in her own right.
Category: Saints
Hosea Ballou commemorated
Universalist minister Hosea Ballou died this day in 1852. (Well, this Universalist saints feature I planned isn’t going as I hoped. Think about Hosea anyway.)
James Relly commemorated
Universalist pioneer and minister James Relly died this day in 1778. I re-published his most influential work, Union, (PDF) a few years ago and wrote about the church building he preached in, long a landmark synagogue, in London’s East End.
Elhanan Winchester commemorated
Universalist minister Elhanan Winchester died this day in 1797. Though less well known than “the father of Universalism” John Murray, Winchester deserves a place in our consciousness because he risked — and lost — a position of privilege and authority to follow a true sense of mission. That is, losing the pastorate of the First… Continue reading Elhanan Winchester commemorated
St. Mary, Mother of God, pray with us
Less a proper blog post than a thought, perhaps to amplify later. I’ve read — but forget where — that Christmas is the time when Protestants become (more) Catholic. A higher regard for the saints and the generous use of medieval images come to mind. Not just the “you and me Jesus” focus that, in… Continue reading St. Mary, Mother of God, pray with us
John Murray commemorated
Universalist pioneer and minister John Murray died this day in 1815. While known in his own day as Father Murray, and honored for his early leadership, his own theological views were largely disregarded in his own lifetime. His works, formerly hard to find, have been brought to light again by scanning projects. His Letters and… Continue reading John Murray commemorated
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost preparation
The nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost is October 23. The Universalist collect is clearly derived from the Anglican prayer book collect for All Saints Day, and it would be better used thus, or as a common for saints. Free Church Book of Common Prayer (1929) God, the Bestower of peace and Lover of good will; grant… Continue reading Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost preparation
For the Humanists: a United Nations calendar for themes
I’m not really kidding here. I’ve written in 2003 and last year about the prospect of a sanctorial calendar — commemoration of saints — for liturgical purposes in Universalist and Unitarian churches, Christian or not. Here, I’m thinking not. It isn’t so far a stretch from saints-as-faithful (not demigods) to thematic communities (commons) of saints… Continue reading For the Humanists: a United Nations calendar for themes
Weekend inspiration #1: Church of South India church calendar
Ever since I bought a copy of the 1963 Church of South India Book of Common Worship on a trip to London in 1997, I’ve been impressed by its liturgical quality and how it negotiated various forms of churchmanship. (It has since been succeeded for use in the CSI, but the English versions of parts… Continue reading Weekend inspiration #1: Church of South India church calendar
The church calendar, liberal Christians and the sanctoral cycle
Three guiding principles for Second Universalist’s worship. It should be, where possible and principled, in union with the ecumenical middle of the Christian church; its liturgical resources should be commonly owned, liberally licensed or in the public domain; and the cycles of the church year should be publicly stated and approved. As a collorary, would… Continue reading The church calendar, liberal Christians and the sanctoral cycle