UCC Cast

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

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, "None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm." How about you? Do you still allow your spirit to enjoy unbridled enthusiasm? Listen to the podcast... Read the transcript on our website: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-enthusiasm-outlived/

We have only one home that God has given us - it's called Earth. We are the stewards of the planet, and we must act as such. Listen to the podcast. Read the transcript on our website: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-an-homage-for-mother-earth/

Spiritual healing, true healing for all will only come when whites name their own existential wound and then get out of the way while those whom we have oppressed do what they must to heal themselves from the wound whites have forced them to carry for centuries. Listen to the podcast... Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-an-existential-wound/

We all have gifts and talents to give to the world. We also need to be blessed enough to realize the gifts that others give us. Listen to Rev. Dorhauer's thoughts about this on this week's podcast. Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-a-piece-of-work/

Another Easter in a pandemic. Yet the story of Easter means we Christians can have our grief turned into joy. Listen to the podcast. Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-holy-week/

Another season of Easter is among us, and the renewal that Easter brings. Does this Easter bring you a bit of hope after so much that we endured since last Easter? Listen to the podcast for Rev. Dorhauer's thoughts on that... Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into-the-mystic-spring-has-sprung/

May your faith be strong such that the slings and arrows (the vicissitudes) of life be met by your calm demeanor and indifference, knowing that nothing can separate you from the love of God. Listen to the podcast. Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into_the_mystic_vicissitudes_and_indifference/

The Covid death toll has just surpassed 500,000 people. In just about a year's time, people of every persuasion you can think of have succumbed. May their souls rest in peace. Listen to the podcast. Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into_the_mystic_half_a_million/

Every year the Lenten season rolls around, and we are invited to contemplate the meaning of Lent. The prayer of Ignatius is a prayer of humility which reminds us that in the end, all we need is God's love and grace. nothing else in this world matters. What else does this prayer and this season of Lent mean to you? Listen to the podcast. Read the transcript at ucc.org: https://www.ucc.org/into_the_...