Notes from the Far Fringe

Hymns, Sermons, and Other Reflections

  • Impact versus Intention

    Impact versus Intention

    Cross-posted at Hold My Chalice A couple of years ago, I led a retreat for religious professionals that was intended to make some space for our souls and learn some creative habits for our work. My initial title, and the one I started marketing with used the word “mojo.” Now that seems innocent enough, and… Continue reading

  • Welcome to the new Notes from the Far Fringe!

    Yes, this is the same site you’ve come to know and love – full of hymns and other of my personal musings – but with a new look and some new features! The navigation has moved to the top – and once there, you’ll see that the indexes and characteristic searches for hymns have improved.… Continue reading

  • Hold My Chalice at Substack

    Hold My Chalice at Substack

    As anyone who’s read a Hymn By Hymn entry, you know that I have opinions. I mentioned this list and some of my opinions to a colleague, who remarked “watch out! Kimberley’s going in! Hold her beer!” to which I jokingly replied, “no, hold my chalice.” And a series title emerged. So. Go on over… Continue reading

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  • A love letter to my Unitarian Universalist colleagues

    A love letter to my Unitarian Universalist colleagues

    Beloveds, It’s getting harder and we don’t know what to do about it. In his song “My Oh My,” David Gray sings What on earth is going on in my heart As it turns as cold as stone? Seems these days I don’t feel anything ‘Less it cuts me right down to the bone What… Continue reading

  • Earth Teach Us Resurrection

    Earth Teach Us Resurrection

    Delivered April 21, 2019 at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Kennebunk. Earlier in the service, we read The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool. All stories are true. Some of them even happened. The Gospel of Mark tells us that “when the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome… Continue reading

  • See the Whole Board

    See the Whole Board

    Delivered April 15, 2019 at First Parish UU Church of Kennebunk, ME Reading  Matthew 21:1-11 (NRSV) When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a… Continue reading

  • Be Subject to One Another

    Be Subject to One Another

    Note: The original sermon, delivered at the West Wing Weekend on September 27, 2018, may be seen here; it includes multiple references to the show. The sermon below was delivered with the title “T.H.I.N.K” at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, NY on October 28, 2018. How many of you grew up watching Mister Rogers… Continue reading

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  • The Blessing of One Voice

    The Blessing of One Voice

    (Click here to listen – as delivered at the UU Congregation of Saratoga Springs, NY – thanks to soloists Nancy Kass and Laurie Singer) Fans of the TV show The West Wing are familiar with character President Josiah Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen. President Bartlet is smart as a whip, deeply religious, and a gregarious… Continue reading

  • All Are Called

    All Are Called

    I wrote a song. And instead of performing it for a few friends, or maybe a small congregation, I first performed it on a big stage, with thousands of people watching – and singing along. How am I feeling about it? Good. The Sunday afternoon reprise went better, partly because I knew folks were going… Continue reading

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  • The Courage to Covenant

    The Courage to Covenant

    (As delivered on May 6, 2018, at the UU Fellowship of Bennington, VT)  Reading  “A Ritual to Read to Each Other” by William Stafford If you don’t know the kind of person I am and I don’t know the kind of person you are a pattern that others made may prevail in the world and… Continue reading

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