Lorraine’s Choice
July/August 2015
“In honor of Lorraine Dennis’s 15 years as Executive Director of the CLF, we asked her to choose some favorite pieces to share with us before she retires at the end of the summer. This issue, then, is a special “Lorraine’s Choice” edition.
Articles
Lorraine’s Choice
In honor of Lorraine Dennis’s 15 years as Executive Director of the CLF, we asked her to choose some favorite pieces to share with us before she retires at the end of the summer. This issue, then, is a special “Lorraine’s Choice” edition. Read more »
Faith in the Borderland
I love Abhi’s language about the “hyphenated space between perspectives.” It really speaks to me and gives me hope for a more accepting and just world. —LD Read more »
Our Religion
In this homily from the CLF worship at the UUA General Assembly in 2009, Jane writes a primer on Unitarian Universalism, with my favorite message that beauty and fun are really important to UUs. —LD Read more »
Friend
I find Kim’s words about friendship, excerpted from a sermon of hers we printed in the February 2011 Quest, very helpful as a roadmap to a meaningful life. My friends as chosen family and my family as chosen friends. —LD Read more »
Joy
I always feel something when I read Lynn’s poems. “Building the structure of joy” seems like such a good aspiration to take into retirement. —LD Read more »
A Bittersweet Time
This is a bittersweet time for the CLF as we bid farewell to Executive Director Lorraine Dennis, who will retire in August. We feel both gratitude and sadness as we thank Lorraine for her 15 years of service. Read more »
Be Like Water
I just love this poem. I get a little slide show in my mind and so appreciate the idea that this very simple thing—water—is so darn complicated. —LD Read more »
From Your Minister
I am not happy to be writing this column to honor and celebrate Lorraine Dennis. No, I’m not happy at all, because underneath the honoring and the celebrating is the letting go. I hate goodbyes. Read more »
REsources for Living
Lynn has very good ideas in general, but particularly when it comes to having fun. Her list of boring things to do seems perfect for a person who is about to retire from a busy, inspiring job, doesn’t it? —LD Read more »
Did You Know?
Did you know that you can make an online gift in honor of Lorraine’s years of wonderful service to the CLF? Click here to learn more. Read more »
Music Together
Here’s one that I wish we had published, since it speaks to me as a singer and in my work for the CLF—so many precious times with CLF members, colleagues and friends. —LD Read more »
Faith in the Borderland
Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:12 — 12.1MB)
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I love Abhi’s language about the “hyphenated space between perspectives.” It really speaks to me and gives me hope for a more accepting and just world. —LD
Read more →
Our Religion
Podcast: Download (11.0MB)
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Read more →In this homily from the CLF worship at the UUA General Assembly in 2009, Jane writes a primer on Unitarian Universalism, with my favorite message that beauty and fun are really important to UUs. —LD
Friend
Podcast: Download (1.5MB)
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I find Kim’s words about friendship, excerpted from a sermon of hers we printed in the February 2011 Quest, very helpful as a roadmap to a meaningful life. My friends as chosen family and my family as chosen friends. —LD
Read more →
Joy
Podcast: Download (1.6MB)
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I always feel something when I read Lynn’s poems. “Building the structure of joy” seems like such a good aspiration to take into retirement. —LD
To each their own pleasure:
backpacking above the tree line
where the air starts to thin;
dancing ‘til dawn, even after the blisters rise;
movie marathons or the real thing,
mile upon mile upon mile.
You know the way the world lights up:
The pure pleasure of the perfect chord
or the perfect shot,
the bowling strike and the baseball no-hitter,
the hole in one and the standing O,
the rare moments of perfection
when everything aligns
and you are suddenly illuminated,
incandescent with joy.
Perhaps it matters to no one but you.
Certainly your neighbors can’t understand
why you would rise at dawn
to seek that elusive lightning.
But isn’t there something to be said
for building the structure of joy?
Aren’t we all somehow blessed by those
who choose the discipline
of their peculiar pleasures?
Doesn’t that light
somehow brighten us all?
A Bittersweet Time
Podcast: Download (584.0KB)
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This is a bittersweet time for the CLF as we bid farewell to Executive Director Lorraine Dennis, who will retire in August. Read more →
Be Like Water
Podcast: Download (1.4MB)
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Read more →I just love this poem. I get a little slide show in my mind and so appreciate the idea that this very simple thing—water—is so darn complicated. —LD
From Your Minister
Podcast: Download (6.0MB)
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I am not happy to be writing this column to honor and celebrate Lorraine Dennis. No, I’m not happy at all, because underneath the honoring and the celebrating is the letting go. I hate goodbyes. Read more →
REsources for Living
Podcast: Download (5.8MB)
Subscribe: More
Lynn has very good ideas in general, but particularly when it comes to having fun. Her list of boring things to do seems perfect for a person who is about to retire from a busy, inspiring job, doesn’t it? —LD
Read more →
Did You Know?
Podcast: Download (340.9KB)
Subscribe: More
…that you can make an online gift in honor of Lorraine’s years of wonderful service to the CLF by clicking here. Read more →