First U Think Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw and guests

with Rev. LoraKim JoynerToday, we will briefly review the scientific and cultural aspects of how people relate and respond to nature, and specifically to birds. Being intentionally mindful of birds reaps benefits not just for humans but for the birds themselves. As people come to understand and connect to birds, they increase their resilience and health by being with birds and, in so doing, increase their capacity to care for themselves and others. The mindful practice of birds can take...

with Rev. Meredith GarmonShunryu Suzuki said, "You are perfect just as you are, and you could use a little improvement." Or, we might say, "...and you're still growing." So how should a perfect person live?Support the Show.

with Rev. Meredith GarmonWe’re an LGBTQ welcoming congregation because it’s the right thing to do, because it’s what justice requires, but also out of sheer gratitude for what diversity of attraction and of identity teaches all of us about ourselves.Support the Show.

with Meredith Garmon"Hope is not a plan" (attributed to Anderson Cooper, Harrison Jones, and others), the saying goes. Without hope, however, we may not make and carry out plans. Active hope, as opposed to passive hope, can have a positive function.Support the Show.

with Rev. Meredith GarmonHow about a celebration of the flowering of truth? We'll have our flower communion and acknowledge the Buddhist holiday, Vesak.Support the Show.

with Rev. Meredith GarmonReflections on the courage to choose change, and to face the changes we don't choose. Changing means the death of the person that you used to be, so facing ultimate bodily death is integral to facing change (chosen and not).Note: We experienced an audio cut-off after the interlude, which may affect the sound quality. We apologize for the technical error. Support the Show.