UCC Cast

In this time of advent, and in their last fill-in podcast, the Rev. Jess Chancey talks about tapping into your joy. Merry Christmas!

What gives meaning to your life? Do people ever misinterpret what you do, or what you stand for? Rev. Jess Chancey gives some interesting views. Listen to the podcast.

Thanksgiving is now past, but even though Thanksgiving isn't their favorite holiday (for various reasons), the Rev. Jess Chancey still has some things that they are grateful for. Listen to the podcast.

God's creation has all kinds of beautiful aspects, if we allow ourselves to stop and enjoy them. For native Southerner turned Northerner, the Rev. Jess Chancey (filling in for Rev. John C. Dorhauer on the podcast), snow is something that they actually delight in during the winter. Listen to why on the podcast.

As the Rev. Jess Chancey continues to sub for the Rev. John Dorhauer during his sabbatical, Jess talks in this podcast about how friends really are God’s gift to us. That they are there to help us through the loneliness that is so characteristic of the human condition. Best friends are the reminder of God’s presence with us, sometimes a reflection of God’s presence in ourselves. Learn more in this...

Grief is an aspect of life that we all must endure from time to time. The Rev. Jess Chancey (subbing for the Rev. John Dorhauer while he is on sabbatical) talks about this sometimes intense emotion and its effects on our spiritual being, from the perspective of a hospital chaplain. Listen to the podcast.

The Rev. John C. Dorhauer begins sabbatical for the remainder of 2021 beginning this week, so the Rev. Jess Chancey begins their fill-in role. With John being on sabbatical, Jess thought it would be a good time to talk about the value of "rest." Listen to the podcast.

Occasionally, we all need a respite from the daily grind. The Rev. John C. Dorhauer is going on sabbatical, and here he describes what that means to him. Listen to the podcast.

Are sports part of your fondest memories of growing up? They are for the Rev. John Dorhauer. Listen to the podcast.

Do you have songs or music, that every time you listen to it brings tears to your eyes? Few things can touch our souls the way music can. Listen to the podcast.

May we all find our way to the sacred. May the ever-present God find a way into our conscience presence by whatever means necessary, as we remain always open to encounters that promise to surprise and enliven our souls and spirits. Listen to the podcast.

Like sanding the rough edges off of a piece of wood, sometimes we need time and mundane but persistent effort to turn the rough edges of our lives into smooth and silky works of art. Listen to the podcast,

Fear is a strong emotion that is easy to conjure and taken advantage of by those who aim to manipulate you. Love is the antidote that dissipates fear. Listen to the podcast.

Sometimes, it's the simple joys that get us through the days. Listen to the podcast...

We are made in God's image, so even with our imperfections, don't beat yourself up. Give yourself a break. We are here to "polish" ourselves. Listen to the podcast.

Do you have a predilection for friendly competition? To test your limits against others? It's good for the spirit to enjoy sportsmanship. Rev. John C. Dorhauer discusses this. Listen to the podcast.

This week, the United Church of Christ journeys through its next biennial General Synod meeting. This is a meeting of the denomination's leaders to vote on and set the recommended polity of what the denomination stands for - which in summation - is a Just World for All. UCC General Minister and President, The Rev. John C. Dorhauer, offers a prayer for this important meeting. Listen to the podcast....

Do you let the light of God shine through in times that matter? Listen to the Podcast... Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-translucence

Ever hear of the word, "profligate"? Listen to the podcast to see how Rev. Dorhauer applies this little-used word to describe God. Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-profligate

Beauty abounds and there is goodness in everybody - do you believe that? Choosing pathways of love and light, and choosing to see the good in all is what is needed to change the world. It needs a different mindset. Listen to the podcast. Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-a-hermeneutic-of-quintessence

The Holy Sprit does not discriminate whom she leads to do wonderous, spirit-filled, God-filled things. And in this month of Pride, Rev. Dorhauer reminds us of that. Listen to the podcast. Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-pride

Memorial Day is upon us. It brings conflicting feelings for a lot people... from respect, admiration and deep gratitude for our own fallen soldiers, but also all of the other "hell" that is experienced in war, on both sides. Listen to Rev. Dorhauer's reflections on this week's podcast... Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-memorial-day

It is Pentecost, and we remind ourselves that the church is alive through the power and movement of the Holy Spirit of the living God and the risen Christ. And we remember that the Holy Spirit would not be with us had Jesus not been taken away. Listen to the podcast... Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-pentecost

We go through life making sense of our world in basically two realms: the logical, data-driven, "just the facts" realm; and then the creative, artful, world of feelings and wonder realm. The latter is what tends to fill our spirit with joy. So in a world filled with anger and hatred, it is good to keep in contact with your sense of wonder. Listen to the podcast... Read the transcript at ucc.org: h...

The pandemic has been hard on all of us. Some even harder than others. Yet, the Sacred texts say that we are to "rejoice in all circumstances". Has the pandemic opened any part of your life to new blessings? Listen to the podcast... Read the transcript on our website: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-in-all-circumstances