October 4 - Rev. Judy Tomlinson, “The Blessings of Courage”

In her poem, Jan Richardson reminds us that the blessing of courage does not arrive with loud fanfare; instead, it comes quietly to the open heart. It takes daily practice, but choosing courage reveals our true strength in the face of fear, anchoring us in a confidence that leads to genuine authenticity. Another profound blessing of choosing courage is the opportunity to inspire others. As we head into this election season, will the blessings of courage help us center ourselves and act on our deepest values? Are we courageous enough to hold onto hope for a better world?  

October 11 - Rev. Erica Baron (video), “Tending Our Tradition”

Throughout Unitarian Universalist history, there have been times when UUs courageously lived our values, and times when UUs betrayed our values. How can we learn from both the high points and the low points of our history as we seek to make our values real in the world today? Rev. Erica Baron is a Congregational Life Consultant for the New England Region of the UUA.

October 18 - Rev. Judy Tomlinson, “Death, the Undiscovered Country”

William Shakespeare famously wrote in Hamlet that death is "the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns." In our Unitarian Universalist tradition, we are called to approach this great, inevitable mystery not with paralyzing dread, but with deep respect, open curiosity, and a courageous heart. Though death remains the ultimate unknown, how we face it transforms how we live today.

October 25 - Rev. Rayna Hamre, “She Rises”

The Divine Feminine has been experienced as a Goddess, Goddesses, Saints, and local Spirits since ancient times. The 20th century brought a revival of Goddess, polytheistic, and Earth-centered texts, artwork, and practices to the western world. These perspectives and rituals are now a part of Unitarian Universalism. How does this revival speak to us in the 21st century as UUs? Explore the intellectual, historical, and connective experience of the Divine Feminine with Rev. Rayna, who has devoted her life to this work.