Sermons and homilies by Rev. Victoria Weinstein http://www.firstparishnorwell.org en-us Copyright 2006 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:00:00 -0500 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:00:00 -0500 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss dexpcdoc@hotmail.com Rev. Victoria Weinstein Dexter Robinson dexpcdoc@hotmail.com No http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/homily20060918.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/homily20060918.mp3 "Hospitality as a global virtue is being eclipsed by security as a national interest." In her response to First Parish member Bev Gardner's "Faith Journey" reflection on supporting the education of twins from our Transylvanian Partner Church, Rev. Victoria Weinstein reminds us, and herself, that hospitality is a religious virtue, and a fast-disappearing one. Podcasts Sun, 01 Oct 2006 10:00:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Hospitality "Hospitality as a global virtue is being eclipsed by security as a national interest." In her response to First Parish member Bev Gardner's "Faith Journey" reflection on supporting the education of twins from our Transylvanian Partner Church, Rev. Victoria Weinstein reminds us, and herself, that hospitality is a religious virtue, and a fast-disappearing one. 00:09:53 hospitality, Transylvania http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20061001.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20061001.mp3 I don't know any pastor who doesn't constantly hear the refrain, "I'm hurting, but compared to so many other people, I have nothing to complain about." Suffering and complaining are two different things. In this sermon we try to understand a little bit better how to honor suffering such as it is, without comparing it to anyone else's. Podcasts Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:00:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No How to honor suffering such as it is, without comparing it to anyone else's I don't know any pastor who doesn't constantly hear the refrain, "I'm hurting, but compared to so many other people, I have nothing to complain about." Suffering and complaining are two different things. In this sermon we try to understand a little bit better how to honor suffering such as it is, without comparing it to anyone else's. 00:21:13 suffering http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/commentary20061001.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/commentary20061001.mp3 Commentary on the sermon Podcasts Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:00:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Commentary on the sermon "The Gate of Sorrow" Commentary on the sermon "The Gate of Sorrow" 00:07:23 suffering http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20070107.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20070107.mp3 You could spend all day at the office on Sundays taking the Lord's name in vain, but the third and fourth commandments warn you that to do so is a very bad idea. Why? Why does God impose a day of rest on us when we're so very busy, and what harm could a little superfluous invocation of God's name be? Part II of the Ten Commandments Series Podcasts Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:27:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No I Swear To God, I Don't Have Time To Take a Day Off! You could spend all day at the office on Sundays taking the Lord's name in vain, but the third and fourth commandments warn you that to do so is a very bad idea. Why? Why does God impose a day of rest on us when we're so very busy, and what harm could a little superfluous invocation of God's name be? 00:16:54 Commandments http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/homily20070211.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/homily20070211.mp3 Grief is not rational. If it is repressed, it may manifest sideways as rage or sickness or depression. Of all the human emotional experiences, grief is one most deeply feared, because it reminds us that no matter what we do to ensure our security, we are ultimately not in control Podcasts Sun, 25 Feb 2007 16:27:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Where Grief Lives Grief is not rational. If it is repressed, it may manifest sideways as rage or sickness or depression. Of all the human emotional experiences, grief is one most deeply feared, because it reminds us that no matter what we do to ensure our security, we are ultimately not in control 00:14:46 Grief http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20070401.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20070401.mp3 It is a little bit strange when Palm Sunday falls on April Fools Day, but here it is, and it gives us an opportunity to consider what Jesus had in common with mythological trickster figures and with the holy fool archetype. Podcasts Fri, 6 Apr 2007 16:40:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Jesus As Trickster and Holy Fool It is a little bit strange when Palm Sunday falls on April Fools Day, but here it is, and it gives us an opportunity to consider what Jesus had in common with mythological trickster figures and with the holy fool archetype. 00:18:16 trickster,holy fool http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20070603.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20070603.mp3 In the final sermon of her fifth year with our congregation, and close to the tenth anniversary of her ordination, our minister goes "off-script" for the first time in her preaching career. She reminds us that ministry is not about being an expert and not even about knowing what we're doing, exactly. It is about being willing to show up, to give the answer given by Isaiah: "Here am I, Lord, send me." Podcasts Fri, 8 Jun 2007 16:00:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Showing Up In Love - Flower Communion Sunday In the final sermon of her fifth year with our congregation, and close to the tenth anniversary of her ordination, our minister goes "off-script" for the first time in her preaching career. She reminds us that ministry is not about being an expert and not even about knowing what we're doing, exactly. It is about being willing to show up, to give the answer given by Isaiah: "Here am I, Lord, send me." 00:22:04 caring http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20070923.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20070923.mp3 Yom Kippur, the high holy day of the Jewish year, invites the faithful to tshuvah, turning the heart and mind to more virtuous life. This is, in fact, the work of the religious person and the religious community. Hashivenu, Adonai eilecha vena tshuvah. (Turn us toward You, and we will return.) Have you ever tried to turn from dysfunction toward wholeness? Have you ever tried to change a character defect? Why is it so hard? Podcasts Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:00:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Sacred Work: On the Slow, Hard Turning Yom Kippur, the high holy day of the Jewish year, invites the faithful to tshuvah, turning the heart and mind to more virtuous life. This is, in fact, the work of the religious person and the religious community. Hashivenu, Adonai eilecha vena tshuvah. (Turn us toward You, and we will return.) Have you ever tried to turn from dysfunction toward wholeness? Have you ever tried to change a character defect? Why is it so hard? 00:18:35 change,heart http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20071111.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20071111.mp3 In the context of Veterans Day, we will look at our second Unitarian Universalist Principle, "we covenant to affirm and promote justice, equity and compassion in human relations." How is justice different from charity, the old biblical virtue? And what's the subtle difference between "equity" and "equality?" Podcasts Wed, 5 Dec 2007 01:29:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Justice, Equity and Compassion in Human Relations In the context of Veterans Day, we will look at our second Unitarian Universalist Principle, "we covenant to affirm and promote justice, equity and compassion in human relations." How is justice different from charity, the old biblical virtue? And what's the subtle difference between "equity" and "equality?" 00:15:3 justice,equity,compassion http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20071202.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20071202.mp3 Our fourth Unitarian Universalist Principle offers us total freedom to pursue the quest for truth unencumbered by creed or doctrine. It all sounds like a great ride until the search takes the seeker somewhere surprising and profoundly uncomfortable. What do we do then? Is there room in Unitarian Universalism not only for seeking but for arriving? Podcasts Mon, 24 Dec 2007 10:17:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No The Free, Responsible (and Sometimes Shocking) Search For Truth and Meaning Our fourth Unitarian Universalist Principle offers us total freedom to pursue the quest for truth unencumbered by creed or doctrine. It all sounds like a great ride until the search takes the seeker somewhere surprising and profoundly uncomfortable. What do we do then? Is there room in Unitarian Universalism not only for seeking but for arriving? 00:24:2 truth,meaning,religious freedom http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20080106.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20080106.mp3 The heart and soul of ministry is presence, or is it? Self importance is an illusion and it traps us very early. We are all treasured in our presence, but perhaps we are also useful where we are not. Looking forward to and planning my sabbatical. Podcasts Mon, 7 Jan 2008 01:40:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No This Time Next Year The heart and soul of ministry is presence, or is it? Self importance is an illusion and it traps us very early. We are all treasured in our presence, but perhaps we are also useful where we are not. Looking forward to and planning my sabbatical. 00:21:23 sabbatical,self importance,plugged in,perspective http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/commentary20080921.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/commentary20080921.mp3 Commentary on the Sermon "On Liberals and Labels" Podcasts Tues, 23 Sept 2008 12:08:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Commentary on the Sermon "On Liberals and Labels" Commentary on the Sermon "On Liberals and Labels" 00:03:38 labels,liberals,religious liberalism,political liberalism http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20080921.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20080921.mp3 Danish philosopher and theologian Soren Kierkegaard observed, “Once you label me, you negate me.” Today we will remember the victims of the shooting at the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Knoxville, Tennessee, the question of what happened there, and clarify how religious liberalism differs from political liberalism. Podcasts Tues, 23 Sept 2008 11:40:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No On Liberals and Labels Danish philosopher and theologian Soren Kierkegaard observed, “Once you label me, you negate me.” Today we will remember the victims of the shooting at the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Knoxville, Tennessee, the question of what happened there, and clarify how religious liberalism differs from political liberalism. 00:18:40 labels,liberals,religious liberalism,political liberalism http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20080928.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20080928.mp3 This summer, I met with a group of First Parish women to teach them a Quaker process called Clearness Committee, which is centered on the practice of communal discernment. We all have to make many decisions in our lives; how can we bring spiritual groundedness and wisdom to those moments? Learn the difference between deciding and discernment. Podcasts Tues, 30 Sept 2008 9:20:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Voice Still and Small This summer, I met with a group of First Parish women to teach them a Quaker process called Clearness Committee, which is centered on the practice of communal discernment. We all have to make many decisions in our lives; how can we bring spiritual groundedness and wisdom to those moments? Learn the difference between deciding and discernment. 01:56:45 discernment,decisions,deciding,Quaker Clearness Committee http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20081005.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20081005.mp3 The death of comics George Carlin and Bernie Mac this summer deprived us of great irreverent genius. Religious communities are not known for their devotion to laughter, but they should be. Hear more about the Gospel According to George and Bernie, and explore the humanizing power of humor. Podcasts Wed, 8 Oct 2008 2:20:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No What's the Sense of Humor: The Power of Irreverent Reverence The death of comics George Carlin and Bernie Mac this summer deprived us of great irreverent genius. Religious communities are not known for their devotion to laughter, but they should be. Hear more about the Gospel According to George and Bernie, and explore the humanizing power of humor. 00:15:40 humor,reverence,irreverence,power of humor http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20081019.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20081019.mp3 "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds," wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. We’ll explore what happens when our "little minds" expand, and we change in ways that surprise, or even contradict, our idea of ourselves. Podcasts Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Shift Happens: On Metanoia A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds," wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. We’ll explore what happens when our "little minds" expand, and we change in ways that surprise, or even contradict, our idea of ourselves. 00:10:01 change,surprise,little minds,idea of self http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20081026.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20081026.mp3 It has been a tradition for centuries for New England preachers to give a sermon on the pertinent issues facing the nation on the eve of Election Day. This sermon assumes that you already know the issues and have probably already made a commitment to one of the candidates. So today, I’ll be reflecting on Adlai Stevenson’s quote, "Who leads us is less important than what leads us." Podcasts Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No The Election Sermon: What Leads Us? It has been a tradition for centuries for New England preachers to give a sermon on the pertinent issues facing the nation on the eve of Election Day. This sermon assumes that you already know the issues and have probably already made a commitment to one of the candidates. So today, I’ll be reflecting on Adlai Stevenson’s quote, "Who leads us is less important than what leads us." 00:17:42 election,new Englanders,national issues,what leads us http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20081102.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20081102.mp3 On this All Soul’s Sunday we will share thoughts about what it means to say that final goodbye, and how we can say goodbye even if we were not able to say it to the deceased when they were alive. Podcasts Mon, 3 Nov 2008 9:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No The Good Goodbye On this All Soul’s Sunday we will share thoughts about what it means to say that final goodbye, and how we can say goodbye even if we were not able to say it to the deceased when they were alive. 00:22:35 All Souls,death,goodbye,deceased http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20091206.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20091206.mp3 The season of Advent is all about finding the spirit of the child within. Philosopher Paul Ricouer coined the phrase "second naivete" to describe the religious faith we can develop after we have passed through the critical dismissal of literal beliefs. Podcasts Mon, 7 Dec 2009 9:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Second Naivete: The Mystical Way of Faith The season of Advent is all about finding the spirit of the child within. Philosopher Paul Ricouer coined the phrase "second naivete" to describe the religious faith we can develop after we have passed through the critical dismissal of literal beliefs. 00:16:33 magical,mystical,beliefs,second naivete,faith,kindness,service,sacred stories,myths http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/commentary20091206.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/commentary20091206.mp3 Commentary on the Sermon: Second Naivete: The Mystical Way of Faith Podcasts Mon, 7 Dec 2009 9:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Commentary on the Sermon: Second Naivete: The Mystical Way of Faith Commentary on the Sermon: Second Naivete: The Mystical Way of Faith 00:03:27 god of love,miracle birth,healing,angry punishing god,god wink,mystical,faith http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20100110.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20100110.mp3 Contagious Podcasts Wed, 13 Jan 2010 9:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Contagious I have heard recently that loneliness is contagious, and I read an alarming study last year that claimed that obesity is contagious. My goodness. What with the H1N1 virus and all these warnings about catching loneliness and corpulence from each other, maybe we should all find a separate mountaintop and live there alone. My friends, the human condition is contagious, and thank God for that. 00:14:38 human condition,contagious,catching,loneliness,obesity,faith, loving, caring, living, community http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20100207.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20100207.mp3 On the anniversary of the founding of our congregation in 1642, we reflect on spiritual friendship and the inspiration and challenge we get from each other. I will share some passages written between two very dear Unitarian friends, James Freeman Clarke and Margaret Fuller. Podcasts Mon, 8 Feb 2010 9:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No >Faithful Friends: Founders Sunday On the anniversary of the founding of our congregation in 1642, we reflect on spiritual friendship and the inspiration and challenge we get from each other. I will share some passages written between two very dear Unitarian friends, James Freeman Clarke and Margaret Fuller. 00:18:16 faith,friends,spiritual,inspiration,anniversary,founding http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/commentary20100207.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/commentary20100207.mp3 Commentary on the Sermon: Faithful Friends: Founders Sunday Podcasts Mon, 8 Feb 2010 9:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No Commentary on the Sermon: Faithful Friends: Founders Sunday Commentary on the Sermon: Faithful Friends: Founders Sunday 00:03:49 faith,friends,spiritual,inspiration,anniversary,founding http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20100221.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20100221.mp3 In the first of a series on contemporary takes on the Seven Deadly Sins, we look at pride, the first of the bunch. We’ve heard that pride cometh before a fall, but life experience tells us that pride, legitimate pride, can also come after failure. Podcasts Tues, 23 Feb 2010 9:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No And Pride Can Also Cometh After a Fall And Pride Can Also Cometh After a Fall 00:18:57 pride,lent,sins,entitlement,superior,inferior,arrogance http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20100228.mp3 http://www.firstparishnorwell.org/podcasts/sermon20100228.mp3 In her second sermon in the Seven Deadly Sins series, our minister looks at perhaps the most truly emotionally non-productive of the 7, Envy. Podcasts Tues, 2 Mar 2010 10:28:00 -0500 Rev. Victoria Weinstein No A Distortion of Desire: On Envy In her second sermon in the Seven Deadly Sins series, our minister looks at perhaps the most truly emotionally non-productive of the 7, Envy. 00:18:26 envy,jealousy,sins,good fortune,covets,obsession,passion,desire