Author Archives: revsteffi
Exciting Update!
It’s been quite a while since I posted here! Congregational ministry was so all-encompassing that many other interests and pursuits were moved to the “back burner”. Then, in 2015 I contracted Lyme disease and developed extremely debilitating symptoms. I worked … Continue reading
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Tears of Joy and Sorrow: The Work Is Not Yet Done
In the beloved community I serve time is set aside on most Sundays for something called “Joys and Sorrows”. Valued as a time in which to plum the depths of our hearts, to affirm the complexity of grief and of … Continue reading
Tagged accountability, activism, beloved community, black lives matter, brokenness, celebration, change, community, current events, diversity, glbtq, marriage equality, obamacare, racial justice, racism, unitarian universalism
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Celebrating Several Milestones
One year ago this Sunday, at 12:34 pm, the President of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City shared with me the news that the congregation had voted (at 97%) to call me as their settled Minister. I was invited … Continue reading
Posted in beginnings, celebration, circle of life, instllation, milestones
Tagged anniversary, awe and wonder, celebration, change, current events, installation, milestone, Time change
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A Poem Inspired by Holy Week
Much has been said of the brokenness That brings us – to our knees That causes us to lift our hands to the heavens Twinkling with “indifference”. Many tears are shed each and every day. Songs of desperation sung. What … Continue reading
Tagged brokenness, compassion, hope, LOVE, palm sunday, tough love, unitarian universalism, vision
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Holy Reciprocity, Batman!
by Reverend Stefanie Etzbach-Dale, copyright 2015 To open one’s heart to another Is to risk having it shattered Broken into pieces too scattered Too jagged, to gather up alone. To dream is to soar upon possibility. And yet, unsupported? Dreams … Continue reading
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“Sometimes”
“Sometimes” A poem shared with UUFRC 01/04/15 By Reverend Stefanie Etzbach-Dale PART 1 Sometimes Life just bowls you over with – “Grace”! Knocks you down, So you have no choice But to let those shimmering, soul-quenching waves of “Undeserved” bliss Seep into … Continue reading
Posted in bliss, brokenness, comfort, community, fair, grace, grief, hope, unfair, unitarian universalism, worship resrouce
Tagged awe and wonder, beloved community, bliss, brokenness, comfort, community, cruelty, fair, forgiveness, grace, grief, hope, life, LOVE, rage, religious community, unfair, unitarian universalism, worship resource
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LOVE, LENT AND LETTING LOOSE
In preparation for Lent 2015 I’ve written the following poem, to be shared during the 02/15 Worship Service at the UU Fellowship of Redwood City. You are welcome to share it with attribution – and I’d love to hear from … Continue reading
Posted in carnival, current events, discpline, jesus, lent, love, love masks, mardi gras, sacrifice, unitarian universalism, worship resource
Tagged carnival, current events, lent, LOVE, mardi gras, masks, sacrifice, unitarian universalism, worship resource
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Advent
Christian story and ritual, including that relating to Christmas, evolved over centuries. (Given the growing influence of Santa and his reindeer, it continues to evolve.) In the early years of Christianity, well after the crucifixion, much HOPE was invested in … Continue reading
Posted in advent, christmas, community, spirituality, unitarian universalism, worship awe God unitarian universalism, worship resource
Tagged awe and wonder, celebration, christmas, community, diversity
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Black Lives Matter
As I write this, thousands are gathering in cities all over the country in protest of the systemic racism highlighted in the news in recent weeks. It is important to know that these acts of violence were not “new” or … Continue reading
Posted in ancestors, change, compassion, current events, ferguson, hope, justice, ministry, racism, religious authority, unitarian universalism, violence
Tagged accountability, activism, brokenness, change, compassion, current events, diversity, equity, fear of the future, ferguson, hope, justice, racism, violence
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Rev. Stefanie's Blog 