“It Takes Courage” – January 11, 2026

With Rev. Sophia preaching, Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Carole Katz, Izzy Tappan-deFrees, and Guy Urban.

Our theme this month is Courage. We will explore the nature of Courage, debunk some myths about it, and, especially, consider the courage it takes to be churchgoing Unitarian Universalists. With the ushering in of a new year comes the invitation to renew your commitment to this spiritual community. Do yourself a favor–slow down, be courageous, and come to church! See you Sunday.

Reading: “Because,” by Rosmerry Wahtola Trommer

So I can’t save the world—
can’t save even myself,
can’t wrap my arms around
every frightened child, can’t
foster peace among nations,
can’t bring love to all who
feel unlovable.
So I practice opening my heart
right here in this room and being gentle
with my insufficiency. I practice
walking down the street heart first.
And if it is insufficient to share love,
I will practice loving anyway.
I want to converse about truth,
about trust. I want to invite compassion
into every interaction.
One willing heart can’t stop a war.
One willing heart can’t feed all the hungry.
And sometimes, daunted by a task too big,
I tell myself what’s the use of trying?
But today, the invitation is clear:
to be ridiculously courageous in love.
To open the heart like a lilac in May,
knowing freeze is possible
and opening anyway.
To take love seriously.
To give love wildly.
To race up to the world
as if I were a puppy,
adoring and unjaded,
stumbling on my own exuberance.
To feel the shock of indifference,
of anger, of cruelty, of fear,
and stay open. To love as if it matters,
as if the world depends on it.