The Christian holiday of Christmas is full of stories of the unbelievable – full of miracles and mystery. To the skeptical among us, it can seem far fetched. Yet our world is full of the unexpected, the unknown, the unresolved. Let us reflect on how opening up to the impossible give us new insights into … Continue reading The Mystery of the Miraculous

Bring a memento to church! In this month of “memory” Thanksgiving is a time to remember this country’s history, as well as our own. Where do we come from? Who or what has sustained, supported and loved us into who we are today? In this all ages service, all are invited to bring something (or … Continue reading Thanksgiving Cornbread Communion: The Keeping Quilt

“If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be Honest Anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Be Good Anyway. Give your world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give Your Best Anyway.” ~ Mother Teresa. We are living in an age of well-founded skepticism where dishonesty seems … Continue reading Trust Anyway

The spiritual journey is not a once-and-be-done-with-it endeavor. Neither is participating in a congregation. Although there are certain thresholds moments (like “signing the book” to join), the depth and breadth of one’s spiritual journey is not static. What might be possible for you and for your spiritual and emotional growth if you were to “re” … Continue reading Re-Membering Westminster

We most often think of sanctuary as a place – a church, a roof overhead in a downpour, a shelter for wildlife. What if we expand our definition of sanctuary? In today’s all-ages service, Rev. Ellen tells a story from her Transylvanian pilgrimage this summer to reflect on the sanctuary that might be available to us, and through us, … Continue reading Surprising Sanctuaries

In this month of sanctuary, as a church whose mission statement includes welcoming all in “wide embrace,” what does it mean to offer “Wide Welcome”? How can we be shelter for each other, for the strangers we might meet, and the angels we sometimes entertain, unawares? Download QR 🡻

A Sanctuary In Our Time by Rev. Ellen Quaadgras Westminster Unitarian Church October 7, 2018 Our theme, this month, is sanctuary. A topic that feels particularly apropos amidst the storms we have been witnessing at the highest levels of government these last few weeks. Sometimes, in light of the events playing out on the big … Continue reading A Sanctuary In Our Time

Life throws curve balls. It’s not a question of “if” so much as “when.” And, these days, the unexpected feels more like the norm than the exception. In the face of rapid change, upheaval, or twists of fate, how do we “recalculate” our goals and visions, map out a new way forward, and continue on? … Continue reading “Recalculating”

I Can See Clearly Now by Rev. Ellen Quaadgras Westminster Unitarian Church Sunday, September 16, 2018 First Reading Prayer for Rosh Hashanah by Marcia Falk Second Reading This is just to say by William Carlos Williams Sermon I love my cute little blue car. It’s so cute, and so little and so blue. I like … Continue reading I Can See Clearly Now