Our May Touchstones theme is “Acceptance.” The word “accept” comes from the Old French and means to “take what is offered.” The Latin root acceptare means to “take or receive … Continue reading May 2021 Touchstones Theme: “Acceptance”

In his book, The Miracle of Mindfulness, Thích Nhất Hạnh shares the following story. “In the United States, I have a close friend named Jim Forest. When I first met him eight years … Continue reading April 2021 Touchstones Theme: “Mindfulness”

Our March Touchstones theme is “Respect.” Our religious journey to respect has, in some ways, been slow. Tolerance has been a core religious value for us since 1557. Yet, Unitarian … Continue reading March 2021 Touchstones Theme: “Respect”

Our February Touchstones theme is “Mercy.” It is hidden. The “it” is mercy. It is hidden within our second principle in which we affirm “justice, equity, and compassion in human … Continue reading February 2021 Touchstones Theme: “Mercy”

Desolate: “Bereft of friends or hope: sad and forlorn.” Desolation: “The state of being forsaken; loneliness.” Console: “To allay sorrow or grief.” Consolation: “The state of being consoled.” One way … Continue reading January 2021 Touchstones Theme: “Consolation/Desolation”

William Kittredge wrote, “Many of us live with a sense that there is something deeply wrong in our society. Many feel our culture has lost track of the reasons one … Continue reading December 2020 Touchstones Theme: “Kindness”

In his poem, “The Blessing,” poet James Wright wrote, “Suddenly I realize/ That if I stepped out of my body I would break/ Into blossom.” Has life ever seized you … Continue reading November 2020 Touchstones Theme: “Spirituality”