Speaker: Rev. David Breeden

Sunday, May 26th, 2019

Yes, that is Alice’s response as she grows ten feet tall. Most of us haven’t had that particular life challenge, but there are plenty of others.

By David Breeden

Yes, forbidden knowledge is a very old literary trope. Remember Pandora and her box (actually a jar — amphora)? Pan in Greek means “all;” and dora means “gifted” or “giving.” Pandora. “All-Giving.”…

Forbidden! Blog Post

Image provided by Alex Pudov

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Speaker: Rev. David Breeden

Sunday, May 19, 2019

The Humanist umbrella–and the Humanist heart–is growing three sizes.

Text (PDF): Open-Hearted Humanism

By David Breeden

On this blog, I occasionally reflect on the Pentecostal religion of my youth in an attempt to explain how religion works among the poor. I find that people who grew up in mainline traditions just don’t get how religion works in the working class…

Be-At-a-What? Religion and Social Class Blog Post

Image provided by Ron Hansen

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Speaker: Rev. Kelli Clement

Sunday, May 12, 2019

For many of us, shame is a default response, even among well-meaning and well-educated liberal folks. If we cannot move through and beyond shame, we get stopped in our earnest desire to make the change we need for a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world. Rev. Kelli explored how self-directed practices of curiosity and compassion could help us avoid shame and move forward in love and honor.

By Reverend David Breeden

Autotelic. It’s not a word that comes up in casual conversation. It’s not a word that is immediately recognizable when broken into its components. “Auto,” yes — “auto is that which operates “of itself.” But that Greek word telos? That means “end.” Goal. Purpose…

Arise, Autoteliacs! Blog Post

Image provided by Dahan Remy

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Speaker: Curt Goering

Sunday, May 5th 2019

Amid a global migrant crisis and rising authoritarianism, the Center for Victims of Torture maintains a strong voice for human rights and works to heal lives devastated by torture. As executive director of CVT, Mr. Goering oversees an international staff with offices in the Twin Cities, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, and healing projects in Africa and the Middle East. Come hear the latest about CVT’s important work.

Website – https://www.cvt.org/

Speaker: Chris Stedman and Evan Stewart

Sunday, April 28th 2019

In order to better understand the growing nonreligious population, FUS has been supporting efforts to survey the perspectives and practices of the religiously unaffiliated. Come hear how this project came to be and how it might lead to the establishment of a Humanist Center in Minnesota. You’ll learn about the survey work and have a chance to offer input. Chris is a humanist organizer and author, and Evan is a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at the U of M.

Rev. Kelli Clement speaking

Using lessons from downsizing, collage, and Kabbalah, Kelli will explore how we make meaning from both detritus and precious remnants.

Written by Reverend David Breeden

Read by Justin Bovee

In the United States today there are at least two Christianities — one on the theological and political left and one of the theological and political right. This has been made starkly clear recently by the running feud between Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg and Vice President Mike Pence…

Jesus Left, Jesus Right: America’s Two Christianities Blog Post

Image provided by Jon Tyson

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