Tag: Social Justice

• The Fertile Darkness – Winter Solstice 2021 Service

  HP Rivers

  January 18, 2022

  Worship

  8th Principle, Church, Godde, Goddess, Healing, Love, Magic, Meditation, Pagan, Prayer, Queer, RE, Religion, Religious Exploration, Sermon, Shadow Work, Social Justice, Solstice, Spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarian Universalist, Universe, UU, UU Bloggers, Winter Solstice, Witch, Witchcraft, Worship

• 5 Ways to Embody Anti-Racism & The 8th Principle for MLK Day and Every Day

  I’ve noticed that sometimes when we talk about the 8th Principle, the whole idea of decolonizing our minds or actively challenging systems of oppression in ourselves and our institutions can seem super daunting. The way we have all been raised in white supremacy culture is a truly daunting issue, but it’s important to remember that […]

  HP Rivers

  January 16, 2022

  Worship

  8th Principle, Anti-Racism, MLK, RE, Religious Education, Religious Exploration, Social Justice, Spirituality, Time for All Ages, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarian Universalist, UU

• As We Knew It: A Challenge to Dream

  This is the third in a series of essays about the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to UU congregations and religious exploration. “The Church has Left the Building” – May 2020 “On Reopening and the Least of These” – July 2021 “Brave is a hand-me-down suit from terrified as hell.“ Andrea Gibson (they/them), American Poet […]

  HP Rivers

  December 6, 2021

  Essays and Articles, Religious Exploration

  8th Principle, Anti-Racism, Church, COVID, COVID-19, RE, Religious Education, Religious Exploration, Reopening, Social Justice, Spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarian Universalist, UU

• A Testimony – A Sermon on Coming Out, Being a Queer UU, and Beloved Community

  The reading omitted from the video is “Angels of the Get Through” by Andrea Gibson When I first visited my home church, the minister told me she believes in God on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and alternate weekends. I didn’t believe in God at all. I was raised kind of Catholic and kind of nondenominational Christian […]

  HP Rivers

  August 5, 2021

  Worship

  Coming Out, Gay Marriage, Healing, HP Rivers, LGBT, LGBTQ, Love, Marriage Equality, Queer, Sermon, Social Justice, Spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarian Universalist, UU, Worship

• Midway

  

  Alternate Title: Leave Room for Jesus 2005 At the Midway Middle School Spring FormalPre-pubescent girls wear white t-shirtsUnder their sparkly dresses –Their preachers,And their mothers,Afraid that someone might think them immodest. The bus driverPulls over to yell and prayEvery time someone says, “goddamn” –And scolds meFor sitting next to a high school boy. I do […]

  HP Rivers

  October 30, 2020

  Poetry, The Journey

  Election, Gay, LGBT, Poem, Poetry, Queer, Social Justice

• For Ruth

  

  Blessed ancestor,Guardian of dignity,Champion of WeWho would be called “less than,” Rest easy. For the tears will not dryUpon our cheeksBefore we focus our griefOn all the work left to do. May her memory be a revolution.Blessed Be.

  HP Rivers

  September 18, 2020

  Poetry

  Ancestor, Feminism, Poem, Poetry, Prayer, RBG, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Social Justice, Spirituality, Women's Rights

• Climate/Change

  

  The day The sky turned orange in California And a six-year-old child Died in the flames, It poured and thundered in Florida, And I quietly decided That I’ll never have another child. My first, Now only, Still recoils At the sound of thunder. I think the kindest thing I could possibly do Is spare another […]

  HP Rivers

  September 10, 2020

  Poetry

  Climate Change, Fire, Healing, Nature, Poem, Poetry, Prayer, Social Justice, Wildfires