Author Archives: KGJ

Maps Don’t Know Everything

Posted on October 18, 2020 by KGJ

on the occasion of the ordination of Gregory Jones October 18, 2020 Reverend Karen G. Johnston In addition to Ruth Feldman’s “Detour,” I offer two brief quotes. First, from the 20th century Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber: The second is from … Continue reading →

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Widening the Circle of Concern

Posted on October 4, 2020 by KGJ

Reverend Karen G. Johnston October 4, 2020 The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, New Jersey What is at stake is nothing less than our future. So says Widening the Circle of Concern, the highly anticipated report from the UUA’s Commission on … Continue reading →

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The Impossibility of Universalism

Posted on September 27, 2020 by KGJ

Reverend Karen G. Johnston The Unitarian Society East Brunswick, NJ September 27, 2020 While Buddhism asserts that we all have Buddhanature – that at our core can be found a golden goodness – the roots of Unitarianism or Universalism does … Continue reading →

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Walking with the Wind: A Sermon on Our Fragile Democracy

Posted on August 23, 2020 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ In June of this year, a bipartisan group of over 100 individuals with backgrounds that include two former governors, senior political campaigners, prominent journalists, social movement leaders, experts on national security, election law, and … Continue reading →

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Beyond the Apocalypse: Cultivating Eco-Resilience (sermon)

Posted on February 24, 2020 by KGJ

February 23, 2020 The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ Reverend Karen G. Johnston “…we are, indeed, facing the end of the world.  Not the literal end of civilization or the human species, but a transition so profound that on the … Continue reading →

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Mission: POSSIBLE (sermon)

Posted on February 6, 2020 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ January 26 2020 To not let go of the thread, we have to find the thread, know the feel of the thread, make it ours, and hold it in our fingers.  That thread – … Continue reading →

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Growing Equanimity: Via Rumi’s Guest House (sermon)

Posted on February 2, 2020 by KGJ

Do you know that old, and perhaps tired, and perhaps true, cartoon about Unitarian Universalists? There are two doors.  Each has a sign over it.  The first door says, “Heaven.”  No one is going through that door. The second door … Continue reading →

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White Lies: James Reeb, a Podcast, a Missing Murderer, & Liberatory Memory (sermon)

Posted on January 19, 2020 by KGJ

January 19, 2020 The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ Reverend Karen G. Johnston [a clip 1:17 minutes from the White Lies podcast, episode, “A Dangerous Kind of Self Delusion”] …Why must good men die for doing good? “O Jerusalem, why … Continue reading →

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Three Gates: A Sermon on Right Speech (sermon)

Posted on January 12, 2020 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ January 12, 2020 John Woolman, a New Jersey Quaker from before the Revolution, is most-known for seeing abolitionist values among the Quakers.  It is also from him that the concept of “right relationship” comes, … Continue reading →

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Awestruck (sermon)

Posted on December 8, 2019 by KGJ

It is said that in each of his pockets, Rabbi Simcha Bunim carried a slip of paper. On one was written: f or my sake the world was created… How awesome is that?!? On the other was written: I am … Continue reading →

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