There’s a hymn — sadly missing in the 1993 Singing the Living Tradition but present in the 1937 Hymns of the Spirit we use at Universalist National Memorial Church, Washington; you can also read the full text at CyberHymnal, even though I prefer it matched to the tune Stockport (Yorkshire)‘ — that informs my ministry… Continue reading Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round
UU customs and growth
Do UU customs undercut new church growth? That’s a big question, so I hope my readers will excuse me thinking out loud. (I reserve the right to retract any statement later.) First, I’m not talking about a resistance to evangelism, real or imagined, but systems that discourage new churches from growing to their full potential.… Continue reading UU customs and growth
Back from Rome
So, no, I didn’t post from Italy, and I’m not convinced that anyone even noticed. (This is something of a specialized weblog.) Yes, the wedding was lovely. And, yes, Rome was grand (and quite hot, but better that than the perpetual rain and mist that typified Spring 2003.) Perhaps I’ll get a few pictures up… Continue reading Back from Rome
Married, Universalist style
When I commented at my “Wedding in the Universalist Tradition” site [link down: 21 April 2005] that the 1839 Menzies Rayner service has “little to commend itself for use today” I was clearly mistaken. Ths evening, I will officiate the marriage of two church members with an abridgement of this rite, which you can read… Continue reading Married, Universalist style
A psalm (or canticle) to sing
For a while now, I’ve been looking for a modern set of metrical psalms and canticles — Biblical psalms and songs rearranged so they can be sung to “hymn tunes”; in fact, many of today’s hymn tunes startes for psalms, like Old 100th — and have now found a source: A New Metrical Psalter by… Continue reading A psalm (or canticle) to sing
Definite Christian worship?
Is there a definite form of Universalist or Unitarian Christian worship? Note I wrote, definite because I won’t venture into the troubled waters of figuring out if there is a definitive form. But the more I compare orders of Christian worship from the Universalist and Unitarian traditions, the more unity I see, especially in those… Continue reading Definite Christian worship?
When to wear clericals
Back from Peter Boullata’s ordination, which went well, with a sermon from UUA President Bill Sinkford, a charge from Weston First Parish’s senior minister, Tom Wintle; the imposition of hands, led by WFP’s associate minister, Sue Spencer; and a wonderful choir. May Peter’s years of pastoral ministry be long and prosperous. A small ecclesiastic matter.… Continue reading When to wear clericals
The right hand of fellowship
This afternoon, after worship is over, I’ll head to the airport and fly to Providence. From there, a car to suburban Boston, to the First Parish Church in Weston where my friend Peter Boullata will be ordained to the Christian ministry. I’ll offer him the right hand of fellowship. I’ve seen people try to get… Continue reading The right hand of fellowship
Ascension Day
This has been historically an important day for Universalists because of Christ’s promise that “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32, NRSV) THROUGH thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who, after his most glorious resurrection, manifestly appeared to all his apostles, and… Continue reading Ascension Day
Build a Profession, part one
In his Universalist’s Book of Reference (1901 ed., “revised and enlarged”) E. E. Guild was able to identify twelve distinct theological propositions in the Winchester Profession, though I’m not quite as hopeful as he was, neither would I call all twelve essential to Universalism. Indeed, I believe the first edition of Guild’s work come out… Continue reading Build a Profession, part one