Hello, I am Valarie Howington. Attended UUCT services lately? If so, you have probably seen me with the Chalice Choir and at the piano. I am enjoying my new position as Music Director here. It’s been a pleasure getting to know so many of you in this church community. At the end of July, I […]
I want to start this newsletter by inviting contributions in the form of spoken word, dance, poetry, music, art in any form from congregants to support the service on March 17, that explores Transformation. It would be neat to see visual artists during the service in the process of crafting their oeuvre; or hear a […]
How do you relate to mystery? Is it a place of magic? Does it contain unknown elements that may trigger fears? Does it stop you from living or does it encourage you to be curious? Is your main response trying to conceptualize it and understand it? Or are you more interested in the feelings that […]
In November we will be exploring the theme of generosity in worship. A choir member said recently that generosity and gratitude go hand in hand, therefore what a fitting time for us to reflect upon this virtue. In thinking about what is the best gift I can offer to the world I turn, again, to […]
Last Sunday’s service co-led by Abigail Riggenbach and Qas Hubbard is the prime example of why I consider myself a very religious person. It is not often, and although every worship service I attend is precious in its own way, there comes a time every now and then when the fabric of reality shows a […]
The first worship service in August is a New Year celebration inspired by Egyptian religious practices. For me it’s a season of many beginnings, trying to name them would require an entirely different article. I was amazed at this serendipity. Inspired by the modern ballet production of Coppel-i.A’s themes of artificial intelligence and the movie […]
On June 20th, around the time of most sunlight and Yang energy in the northern hemisphere, Robert invited me to join him in a Djembe workshop at the Gulf County Public Library for thirty plus children and their parents. The director, Mimi Minnick, who is doing a multicultural summer series for the children during this […]
Through several reflections inspired by the theme of Resistance during the month of April and the Meditation “So Hum” by Maneesh de Moor I wanted to explore a question today. I have been recognized as someone who can ask the right questions, so I took it as a challenge to explore with you a question […]
‘Tis the Season to be Vulnerable Yesterday I learnt about fake guilt. It is basically when people feel guilty for anything on a daily basis, for not being good enough, for doing things a certain way, and falling short on their performance expectations. It seems nowadays people are open to sharing more, allowing themselves to […]
‘Tis the Season to be Jolly As winter nears, we embrace the season with hope, as tradition mandates. Deep down our ancestors left us a biased legacy, beneath the surplus of religious text, that is most loyal to the northern hemisphere experience of the seasons. Are we perhaps able to feel what this season means […]
