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Saturday, October 30, 2021

Saturday Haiku: Midnight Rises

For this Halloween weekend, here is a haiku first posted October 31, 2015, inspired by a photo by my friend, Sharon Caulfield Lewis.





when midnight rises
the soft white light of the moon
bids all souls wander








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Photo by Sharon Lewis



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Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Backyard Birdland

 A male towhee and a squirrel have a disagreement over water rights.

 


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Monday, October 25, 2021

Monday Music: New Morning (Bob Dylan)

Celebrate a new morning with Bob Dylan's song that has been remastered with horns added. The horns give the song a more expansive sound. Who doesn't need a new morning and a new day from time to time?

 


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Saturday, October 23, 2021

Saturday Haiku: "Brotherhood"

two travelers
in one boat will find
room for hope

 




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Image: "Brotherhood"
Artist: Tony Bennett (Antony Benedetto)*


*The legendary Tony Bennett recently announced his retirement from performing at the age of 95. Famous for his singing career, he has also had a passion for painting. In celebration of his career that has spanned eight decades, I am doing a series of haiku inspired by Mr. Bennett's artwork (when he paints, he uses his given name, Antony Benedetto).






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Thursday, October 21, 2021

Halloween: A Jungian Perspective

"Jung believed that we could integrate the shadow using dreams, creativity or active imagination (Stutz & Michels, 2012). What more active form of imagination could be found than Halloween? We examine, create and adorn ourselves in our Shadow Selves, and for one night alone we live free, are praised or feared, and as children, rewarded with candy." (from Shadowdancing: Jung's Halloween, by Keith Karabin)

Yesterday, I shared a blog post from a priest explaining how Halloween need not be dressed up in such innocuous terms as "Fall Festival". Indeed, taken within the context of the liturgical cycle, the holiday can be celebrated without fear of sanctioning evil forces.

Today, continuing with the subject of Halloween, I am sharing another blog post, this one by Keith Karabin. He explains from a counselor's perspective how Halloween can help us get in touch with our own shadow side in a healthy way. You can read his post, "Shadowdancing: Jung's Halloween" here.



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Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Halloween: A Liturgical Perspective



There are some people today, particularly within the Evangelical community, who steer away from Halloween celebrations, fearing that the holiday glorifies satanic forces. That is why we see so many "Fall Festivals" at churches that do not want to use the word, "Halloween." 

Rev. Peter Cary has shared on his blog, Santos Woodcarving Popsicles, an article by Bishop Shannon Johnston, "Yes! Halloween Is Christian - Wonderfully so!" explaining how the holiday fits within the liturgical cycle of the church. Many Protestants, especially in the South, are so far removed from the liturgical calendar of the historic Christian church that they may not grasp some of their own faith heritage. Having some liturgical perspective can be helpful. You can read The Rt. Rev. Johnston's article here.

Tomorrow, tune in for a Jungian perspective of Halloween.


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Monday, October 18, 2021

Monday Music: Sandhya Raga by Ravi Shankar, performed by his students

When COVID shut down their possibilities of performing,  Ravi Shankar's daughter, Anoushka, "asked many of my father’s students to record from their own homes around the world so we could play for you. Here is a taster of what you will hear when we reschedule these shows!"

 


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Saturday, October 16, 2021

Where Love and Reason Still Dwell

Note: This essay was first posted in 2013. Tomorrow (Oct 17), I am heading down to the First Universalist Church of Camp Hill, Alabama for their 175th Homecoming. I am reposting because it is a story worth the re-telling. - CK

Where Love and Reason Dwell


Last Sunday it was my privilege to attend the 167th annual Homecoming at the First Universalist Church of Camp Hill, Alabama.  The Alabama Historical Association recently recognized the church building, constructed in 1907, as a historical site. Universalists were among the founders of the farming community of Camp Hill in the 1830s. Although I grew up in Dadeville,  just seven miles up the road from Camp Hill, and I passed by the Universalist Church on occasion, I had no idea of its rich heritage and influence.
           
When I was growing up, sometimes the Universalist Church was spoken of in hushed tones, “they don’t believe in Hell” was about all my Baptist and Methodist friends seemed to know about the Universalists. In fact, the Universalist Church was established early in this country's history by people who valued a message of the love of God and a respect for human reason rather than the notion of a life dominated by fear of a wrathful God who condemns people to eternal torment.

A Message of Hope

The Rev. Joan Armstrong Davis, a former minister of the Camp Hill Church, was on hand to deliver the sermon for the historic homecoming event. In her sermon, she presented a brief history of Universalism in America. She told of how a Congregationalist minister, Rev. Charles Chauncy, was not comfortable with the hell-fire and damnation message of George Whitfield and Jonathan Edwards in the religious movement that became known as the Great Awakening during the American colonial period. Chauncy came to adopt a doctrine of universal salvation when he questioned the Calvinist doctrine that God predestined some people to eternal punishment in hell. John Murray was another who questioned the Calvinism of the evangelists of the Great Awakening. Murray is considered by most to be the father of Universalism in America. He was an evangelist of hope who participated in the first Universalist Convention and became pastor of the Universalist Society in Boston. It is said of him that he set out to “give them not hell, but hope and courage.” Rev. Armstrong Davis affirmed that human goodness and hope are central to the Universalist message.



The Winchester Profession of 1803 became a central tenet for the Universalist Church, proclaiming that love is the nature of God “who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness.” [Historical side note: There was another movement afoot in the 19th century known as Unitarianism which, like the Universalists, arose out of the Congregationalist Churches in New England.  Rational thinking and belief in the humanity of Jesus were hallmarks of the Unitarian Churches.  The Universalist Church merged  with the American Unitarian Association in 1961 to form the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.]

As she closed her message, Rev. Armstrong Davis observed that all around us citizens today are pessimistic like never before.  She spoke of how the Unitarian Universalists have been small but influential and that today as in the early days of Universalism, they can be a positive beacon to “give them not hell, but hope.”  Who could deny that what we need today is a promise of love and hope rather than fear and condemnation? A true basis for hope can indeed be an antidote for a pessimistic age.




A Fellowship of Love

The church members seemed delighted to have almost sixty people in attendance, about three times the normal Sunday attendance (they meet once a month on the third Sunday of the month). After the service, all were invited to an abundant fellowship meal downstairs. It was a magnificent meal of all kinds of home cooked delights. There was home baked bread, casseroles, soups and stews, stuffed peppers and a variety of vegetable dishes along with baked ham and fried chicken. Further down the table was an equally delightful array of desserts: hummingbird cake, german chocolate cake, apple pie, fudge brownies and all manner of cheesecakes and custards. The after-church crowd shared food, fellowship and conversation in a delightful celebration of history, friendship, and family.    


A History of Faith and Good Works

Looking at the historic church in Camp Hill, one has no doubt that its builders saw that it was important to create something of beauty, of substance, and of lasting value. The craftsmanship that went into the woodwork, windows and the brick structure of the building reveals an attitude of careful symmetry and quality. The philosophy espoused by the congregation is likewise one of careful symmetry and quality in that that the traits of love, justice, liberty, and reason should be evident in equal measure.

It takes faith to have a liberal worldview these days. Sometimes when I see what people are doing to one another and I observe politics run amok, I can see how John Calvin might have arrived at his doctrine of total depravity. It is easy to forget that humankind also has an incredible capacity for good. The Universalist Church of the small town of Camp Hill has long been a testament to the ability of people to reach for a higher good.  Camp Hill resident and columnist for The Dadeville Record, Dean Bonner related some of the history of the church and the community in his October 17 article, “Camp Hill Universalist Church recognized on state historic registry.”  Church members from the beginning of its history were involved in town industry as well as in building schools and promoting education in the community. One of the most notable examples is The Rev. Dr. Lyman Ward, a Universalist minister who established a school for underprivileged rural youth, the Southern Industrial Institute (later named Lyman Ward Military Academy).  Ward modeled his school after Booker T. Washington’s Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute and in fact became friends with and received assistance from Booker T. Washington.

In terms of an optimistic vision for society, in addition to the Winchester Profession, the Unitarian Universalist Association has adopted Seven Principles which are promoted by each congregation:
  •  The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
  • Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
  • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
  • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
  • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
  • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
  • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Go Now in Peace

The Universalist Church arose when people dared to believe that God is truly a God of love. People for some reason have tended to get excommunicated by the establishment for such ideas, but how liberating it can be if we can learn to live in response to love, rather than in fear of punishment. The Unitarian/Universalists have also championed reason in the quest for truth. If you are looking for a hopeful community that stands for love, justice, liberty and reason then you may want to consider the Unitarian/Universalists. If you are in the vicinity of Camp Hill in Tallapoosa County, definitely consider paying a visit to the First Universalist Church.  It is a place where love and reason dwell.

                                                                                                                                      ~ Charles Kinnaird








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Photos taken by Charles Kinnaird

In second from the top is a view of the pulpit Bible which was recently restored by Auburn University.
The last photo is the new historic marker which reads:

"The First Universalist Church of Camp Hill was the largest Universalist Church in the southeastern United States in the first half of the 20th century. With its roots in the European Enlightenment, Universalism was transplanted to the American colonies by religious sojourners and was flourishing in this country by the time of the Revolutionary War. A Christian denomination, the defining tenet of Universalism was 'universal' salvation, the belief that a gentle God would not condemn any soul to a literal hell. The Universalist Church of America merged with the American Unitarian Association in 1961, forming the Unitarian Universalist Association."
On the reverse side: "The First Universalist Church of Camp Hill was established in 1846 as Liberty Universalist Church. The name was changed in 1909. The original meeting place was a brush arbor on the present site of Mt Lovely Baptist Church. A simple cabin soon replaced the arbor and served until 1884 when a larger wood-framed church was built on this site. Membership burgeoned, and the striking brick sanctuary was completed in 1907. Designed by Daniel A. Helmich, a Birmingham architect, the church was built with local labor using mostly indigenous materials."



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Saturday Haiku: Midday Tryst

 

an afternoon tryst
in the well-tended garden
finds love in full bloom



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Image: "Lovers in Monet's Garden"
Artist: Tony Bennett (Antony Benedetto)*


*The legendary Tony Bennett recently announced his retirement from performing at the age of 95. Famous for his singing career, he has also had a passion for painting. In celebration of his career that has spanned eight decades, I am doing a series of haiku inspired by Mr. Bennett's artwork (when he paints, he uses his given name, Antony Benedetto).


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Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Poem In October (Dylan Thomas)

October turns my mind to autumnal things.  Autumn is a wonderful time of year, invigorating with its cool mornings and colorful foliage. Autumn invites us to draw inward for a time.

Every October, I take some time to read “Poem in October,” by Dylan Thomas. He evokes marvelous imagery, such as “heron priested shore,” and “a child's Forgotten mornings when he walked with his mother Through the parables Of sun light.”

In the video below, we can hear Thomas reading his "Poem in October."






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Monday, October 11, 2021

Monday Music: Early Morning Rain (Eva Cassidy)

"Early Morning Rain," written and recorded by Gordon Lightfoot, was a hit on the folk music scene in the mid-1960s. It was recorded by many other folk artists, including Ian and Sylvia, Judy Collins, and Peter, Paul & Mary.  Here is Eva Cassidy's superb rendition released in 2002 (six years after her death) on the album, Imagine.



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Sunday, October 10, 2021

Tony Bennett on 60 Minutes

The legendary Tony Bennett recently announced his retirement from performing at the age of 95. Famous for his singing career, he has also had a passion for painting. In celebration of his career that has spanned eight decades, I have been doing a series of haiku inspired by Mr. Bennett's artwork (when he paints, he uses his given name, Antony Benedetto).

Last week, 60 Minutes on CBS aired a piece about Tony Bennett’s final performance at Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga. Mr. Bennett is now living with Alzheimer’s disease and the story of his farewell performance is beautiful and inspiring. Here is the 13-minute program segment.

 



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Tony Bennett and Me

No, I do not know Tony Bennett, but I have enjoyed his music from time to time over the years. When I found out he was also an artist with quite a portfolio of paintings to his credit, I was inspired to use a couple of his paintings as touchstones from which to write haiku. That was back in 2015.

On my blog, I write a new haiku every Saturday. When I heard about Tony Bennett’s retirement from performing at the age of 95, I took it upon myself to expand my tribute and do a series of haiku using more of his paintings.  Listed below are the haiku I have written that were inspired by Mr. Bennett’s art: 

 


And by the way, here are some songs by Tong Bennett that I’ve posted in the past:


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Saturday, October 9, 2021

Saturday Haiku: Autumn Comes

 


autumn comes
revealing colors
from within



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Image: "Central Park"

Artist: Tony Bennett (Antony Benedetto)*


*The legendary Tony Bennett recently announced his retirement from performing at the age of 95. Famous for his singing career, he has also had a passion for painting. In celebration of his career that has spanned eight decades, I am doing a series of haiku inspired by Mr. Bennett's artwork (when he paints, he uses his given name, Antony Benedetto).



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Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Autumn: "A Time to Settle"

Autumn Beatitudes

by Charles Kinnaird

 

I am happy with the leaves.

Let them fall

And let them be.

Let there be no stench of burning,

No dissonant noise of leaf blowers,

But let them rest on the ground

Covering a thousand footsteps of summer.

 

I am happy with beans.

Dried beans in the pantry

Assure me that there is bounty in the earth

And that the world is latent with possibilities.

I am happy with the way they swirl about

   in the rinsing bowl

Like hundreds of prayers

On unstrung rosary beads.

If ever I am unsure of what to do next,

I can always cook beans.

 

I am happy with the sharp clear angular slant

Of the afternoon sunlight,

Reminding me that there comes a time

To slow down.

A time to not think.

A time to settle

Like autumn leaves on the ground.

Like beans in the bottom of the rinsing bowl.





Monday, October 4, 2021

All Creatures of Our God and King

On this Feast Day for St. Francis of Assisi, here is an old hymn with the words of St. Francis. "All Creatures of Our God and King," set to the tune  LASST UNS ERFREUEN. Originally written in Italian ("Laudato sia Dio mio Signore"), the text is also known as the "Song of All Creatures" and as the "Canticle of the Sun." 

Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment titled, "Laudato Si" (Praise Be to You) has as its subtitle, "On care for our common home." The document's title, of course, harks back to the words of St. Francis in praise to God for creation.





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Monday Music: Peace Train (Playing for Change)

Yusuf / Cat Stevens joins a worldwide chorus of singers performing his 1971 hit, "Peace Train." Playing for Change shows us the song is still an inspiring anthem.

 


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Saturday, October 2, 2021

Saturday Haiku: Respite

 




afternoon shadows
the respite of a shade tree
cloudless summer sky








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Image: "Central Park Landscape #8, New York"
Artist:Tony Bennett
Date: 1988
Medium: Oil on canvas


*This haiku was first posted on July 18, 2015


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Friday, October 1, 2021

Friday Funnies: Boom!

Do you have to have once been a boy in the third grade to get a real kick out of this?
Because I've done the paper bag thing and it was always hilarious, even when you had to run across the playground to escape the startled one's wrath.





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