Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith's Blog – December 2011 Archive (13)

Each December, a colleague of mine gathers readings and resources for the holiday season from other area UU ministers to be shared among us. I was familiar with the poem below, but have never used it in worship. That changes this Saturday night, as we reflect together on the deep peace available to us in this season, and in every season of our lives. I'm grateful for the legacy of Maya Angelou, whom I've only seen once in person -- in Cramton Auditorium at my alma…

Prayer in the Strip Mall, Bangor, Maine

by Stuart Kestenbaum

The week after Thanksgiving and the stores are decked out

for holiday shopping, including a T.J. Maxx, where what was

once too expensive loses its value and attracts us, there is a

store with a big yellow banner proclaiming GIANT BOOK SALE,

a seasonal operation carrying remaindered books, which doesn't mean

that the books aren't good,…

I am honored to have been asked by Arlington County Board Member and long-time UUCA friend Walter Tejada to take part in his swearing in ceremony tonight at 5:00 p.m. in the County Board Meting Room, #307 at 2100 Clarendon Avenue.

I am also honored to offer a prayer as part of this evening's program with 47th District State Delegate Patrick Hope at 7:00 p.m. at UUCA. He will discuss "Advocacy for Immigration Reform in a Difficult Political Climate" in preparation for UUCA members'…

There are still Secret Santa tags on the trees in the upper and lower lobbies. You can stop by the church and grab and tag, to add to your holiday shopping. You can also simply buy a gift card. All gifts are due at the church this Wednesday, Dec. 14. If you need assistance, please call the church office between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

As mentioned in my sermon this morning ... Here is the video of an extraordinary person who has found a way to express her love for herself, her family and her life with her particular set of challenges. Watch and be inspired.

This article appears in the December edition of the UUCA newsletter, The Arlingtarian. It's part of a series from the Immigration Working Group in which members and friends of the congregation share their experiences of coming to the U.S. and life in this adopted homeland. Dr. Emma will be part of our services tomorrow, and here is a brief version of her journey.…

This is one of my favorite stories in the Gospels accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus. For me it's a message about the devotion and love of friends, as well as the power of forgiveness. See you Sunday morning!

Mark 2:1-12

Jesus Heals a Paralytic…

Love cannot remain by itself -- it has no meaning.

Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.

Whatever form we are, able or disabled, rich or poor,

it is not how much we do, but how much love we put into the doing;

A lifelong sharing of love with others.

                                               -- Mother Teresa

All members and friends of UUCA are welcome to the last Social…

One of the privileges I have this year leading up to the 2012 UUA Justice General Assembly  in Phoenix is being part of the Resource Brain Trust. We are about a dozen UU leaders -- laypeople, staff and clergy -- charged with developing and gathering resources that will support GA preparation and general focus on "Immigration as a Moral Issue".

I wrote a blog post last week on our engagement with the Dreamers. I…

A poem, found both in our hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition, and in Bless All Who Serve: Sources of Hope, Courage and Faith for Military Personnel and Their Families:

The Young dead soldiers do not speak.

Nevertheless, the are heard in the still houses: who has not heard them?

They have a…

I was just in the sanctuary in the dark of a rainy night, with exterior lights through the clerestory windows giving the empty room its luminescence. I could hear the singing of "This Little Light of Mine" from this past Sunday. I could see Rev. Michael in the pulpit, Rev. Dr. Linda sharing a story ... and I could feel the love. The space has been made holy by all the memories and tears and dreams shared. The music offered to comfort and inspire. The words spoken to uplift and to challenge.…

Six weeks from today, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington will host an Interfaith Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, Monday, January 16, starting at noon. UUCA is at 4444 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington VA 22204, where Route 50 and S. George Mason intersect.…

What a great coffee house with our youth Friday night! I wasn't there all the way to the end, but it got off to a great start. Very cool to hear Sharon Williams and Daniel Karnes give a reading of CeCe's poem that I posted here Thanksgiving Day. I was inspired by everyone who shared their voices and talents with us. Together, we raised $500 for the youth's trips to Boston, New Orleans and Phoenix ... all coming up this spring and summer! Let's do as much as we can to help all these…