This prayer was written for this morning’s service, but because of a gaff, I did not get to speak it aloud. So I place it here. Let the spirit of meditation, of prayer, of reflection, of connection to that yearning inside you for something larger than yourself be your company, moving you to sound or …
First Unitarian Universalist Society Burlington November 12, 2023 “Tengo miedo.” I was just about to go on the down escalator when I heard those words. “Tengo miedo.” This is a true story. I was at Chicago O’Hare. I was heading to baggage and I heard these Spanish words. I looked and saw a woman at …
First Unitarian Universalist Society Burlington September 24, 2023 For those of a certain age (older than me, maybe older than you), there may be a recollection of Art Linkletter’s mid-twentieth century television show, and book, which revolved around “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” I want to bring that into this part of the 21st century …
March 12, 2023 The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ Reverend Karen G. Johnston When Tony, my partner, wrote and published his first novel, he fantasized about who would play the lead should it ever become a movie. In his mind, it was the British actor, Clive Owen. Here is a photo of Clive from that …
Just before this ceremony, we told the story, “Red: A Crayon’s Story” by Michael Hall (which ends with the phrase that this text begins with). We also handed out small vials of bubbles to be used for the joyful bubble blessing at the end. We have someone here, among us, who is reaching for the …
The Universe smiling benevolently on me, which has the flavor of delight? Or pure, unadulterated coincidence, which also has the flavor of delight? You decide. I decided to try carmelizing onions for the second time ever. I read up on how to. I got out the cast iron pan, having learned that non-stick does not …
Just who were the Lost Souls? They were real people leading real lives. Real people leading real lives who one day or one evening did not arrive home. Some were free. Most were enslaved. Some of the enslaved were slated to gain their freedom when they turned 21 years of age or 25. Yet, through …
The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ Reverend Karen G. Johnston March 20, 2022 Apocryphal. It was only when I was in seminary that I learned the word, “apocryphal.” It means something that is made up – a legend that might be true, but perhaps not fact-based. Here is the apocryphal story I tell myself nearly …
The Unitarian Society – East Brunswick, NJ January 30, 2022 Reverend Karen G. Johnston What makes a good life? While we changed and grew during the pandemic, and there were good things that came out of it, I am guessing that pandemic is not top on our list. It just does not roll off the …
The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ December 5, 2021 Reverend Karen G. Johnston This video contains the spoken version of this sermon. Part I If you die before you die, then you won’t die when you die. This is an inscription over a door at a monastery on Mt. Athos in Greece. I’m asking you …
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