The trajectory from darkness to light is a philosophical throughline of music history. Out of murkiness, turbulence, and minor key emerges the iconic "Ode to Joy" in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. From the harrowing, musical manifestations of grief upon the loss of both his wife and mentor, respectively, Joseph Suk composes a bright, serene, "heavenly" final movement to his Asrael Symphony. Camille S...  Read More

When is it appropriate to start celebrating Christmas?Are you one of the no-Christmas-till-after-Thanksgiving people? A casual, put-up-the-tree-the-week-before person? Or do you get excited to see Santas and garlands appearing in retailers before Halloween? If you knew nothing about me but my heritage, my theology, and my affinity for celebrating each respective holiday, you might have been surpri...  Read More

I realize that we are living in fraught times. Most of us are quite worried about the future under the Trump administration. We are focusing our collective efforts now on providing sanctuary for those marginalized communities who need a safe space. In time, we will be called upon to stand in solidarity with those fighting for justice.But for now, take this moment to give thanks for the gifts we do...  Read More

Friends, it is The Holiday Season. If you are a parent with kids at home, I see you, I salute you, onward. It can be fun (it really can be!) but it is also A LOT. With that said, here are the holiday season offerings here at MLUC especially designed for families with kids. Come on out!This week, we have a Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday at 2 p.m. Sign up Wednesday by 6 p.m.!Next week, we have the ...  Read More

"That is one sparkly shirt... and some really tight, leather pants!" I thought as the bandleader joined us on stage of the Ocean City, NJ Music Pier on New Year's Eve, 2002. TV cameras were rolling, and I felt–apropos of the venue–utterly like a fish out of water. Only 13 years old at the time, I was a five-year pupil of classical violin study, standing on stage with my brand-new Yamaha Silent Ser...  Read More

I am pleased to inform you that we have completed our search and have hired Yvette McDonald as our new Congregational Life Coordinator.Yvette (pronounced ee-vet) will help design and coordinate our overall caring ministry in conjunction with the ministers. She brings significant experience in organization and caring. This expanded role will provide her with the opportunity [DS3] to develop innovat...  Read More

Well, it’s NOT* the Christian practice of the Eucharist or Holy Communion. This Sunday’s service does happen to have bread, but it is not meant to represent Jesus. [DS1] (There will also be no wine.) If you have arrived here from a Christian tradition, I think it’s important to get this distinction out of the way right up front.Communion in UU congregations is about community. We give something—br...  Read More

"I'm thankful for video games."Were you a guest at the Brown Family Thanksgiving dinner table, you would be surprised and somewhat disenchanted to hear this inevitable, annual, and astoundingly trivial refrain. You might like to think better of us reflective UUs! For sure, I enjoy Mario, Zelda, and Minecraft as much as the next millennial . . . but of course, the whole thing is a joke. Growing up,...  Read More

May we provide a safe haven, but not a safe harbor. There are no truly safe harbors, and we cannot build one out of anger and fear. Havens are made safe by the actions of everyone who seeks them. There are no walls to keep out the sea and storm, lightning and punishing winds. There is only the love that holds us together, as a body holds cells and the cells make up the body. Let us teach love, act...  Read More

Dear Friends,I have been heartened by the many stories of people near and far who are reaching out to those who are feeling vulnerable. There has also been a marked increase in donations to organizations who care for the hungry and the housing insecure.We do not know what the future will bring but we know what we can do now. And for now that may be enough. As Rebecca Solnit wrote in her book A Par...  Read More

A lot of us are feeling broken right now. Broken by the dominance of fear and hatred in our country. By despair in the face of malevolent promises reinforced by a selfish few beneficiaries in power. By profound empathy for vulnerable communities targeted by opportunistic cruelty. But when I'm feeling broken, I listen to Johannes Brahms.  Read More

Now that I have your attention with this confusing picture of me holding the wrong instrument:Please join us to sing in the Multigenerational Choir at our first rehearsal this Sunday after the service in the Main Meeting Room at 11:30 a.m. We will be preparing for our Thanksgiving Service on 11/24, including two more rehearsals on 11/17 at 11:30 a.m. and 11/24 itself at 9:00 a.m. Participants of a...  Read More