Why Religion? Why Now?

Scholar Houston Smith claims that in addition to finding food and shelter and knowing how to get along with one another, our greatest problem in life is figuring out how to relate to the “total scheme of things.” He calls this the “religious problem.” Although modern living tries to sway us from addressing this problem through the mechanisms of distraction and information overload, there is no denying that something inside us keeps nudging us to explore further. What is this “religious urge” that asks us questions to which we have no answers? And why is it, now, more urgent than ever that we attend to this most elusive of “problems”?

Note: We use YouTube to live-stream our Sunday worship services on our church website.  You can also visit the Westminster YouTube Channel for an archive of previous Sunday services.

Sunday worship services are simulcast on the large LCD screen in Smith Hall on Sunday morning. If you have trouble finding a seat in the Sanctuary, or would just be more comfortable being in a more open space, you’re welcome to watch the service in Smith Hall.

Please check COVID levels on the Westminster website. If the level is ‘low’ or ‘medium’ mask-wearing is recommended but optional at Westminster. If the level is ‘high’ mask-wearing is required.

Rev. Bennett’s Bio:

Rev. Deborah Bennett was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister in 2018. She has served as a hospital chaplain in Albany NY, an intern minister in Winchester, MA, a settled minister in Marietta GA and is currently serving as the interim minister in Wayland, MA.  

Prior to UU ministry, Deborah focused her career on the ministry of food and health. She has owned several organic cafes and for 8 years was the executive chef at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA where she also taught cooking and nutrition programs. 

Spiritally, Rev. Deborah finds her home in eastern religious philosophy and practice and in the beauty of nature. 

Deborah and her husband, Jim share 4 adult children and have most recently entered the joyful spiritual practice of grand parenting.