WellSprings Congregation
864 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsWeekly messages from WellSprings Congregation - a Community charged full with the charge of the soul. We are a Unitarian Universalist congregation located in Chester Springs, PA. To find out more, please visit www.wellspringsuu.org
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Episodes
10-25-2020 The Cloud Over Everything: "Simply Sad" - PDF
October 27, 2020 23:20 - 49.6 KB application/pdfIn this short introduction to our annual Remembrance Service, Rev. Ken assures us that it's okay to not "cheer up" every time we feel sad. Sometimes, we can sit with sadness, especially in the wake of a loss. If we sit with grief and sadness, what we find at the root of it is love.
10-25-2020 The Cloud Over Everything: "Simply Sad" - Audio
October 27, 2020 23:20 - 14 minutes - 3.25 MBIn this short introduction to our annual Remembrance Service, Rev. Ken assures us that it's okay to not "cheer up" every time we feel sad. Sometimes, we can sit with sadness, especially in the wake of a loss. If we sit with grief and sadness, what we find at the root of it is love.
10-18-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "We Can Be the Space For This" - Audio
October 20, 2020 20:32 - 23 minutes - 5.47 MBIn this week's message, lay preacher Bev Fox shares the story of her brother who died after a years-long struggle with addiction. She tells us how the slow processing of his death led to her own struggles with mental health. A NOTE FROM OUR WORSHIP LEADER: “Before we move forward, I want to let you all know that in this morning’s message, our preacher Bev shares a personal story that might be difficult or triggering for some folks to hear, about suicide and self-harm. Please take care of you...
10-18-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "We Can Be the Space For This" - PDF
October 20, 2020 20:32 - 48 KB application/pdfIn this week's message, lay preacher Bev Fox shares the story of her brother who died after a years-long struggle with addiction. She tells us how the slow processing of his death led to her own struggles with mental health. A NOTE FROM OUR WORSHIP LEADER: “Before we move forward, I want to let you all know that in this morning’s message, our preacher Bev shares a personal story that might be difficult or triggering for some folks to hear, about suicide and self-harm. Please take care of you...
10-11-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "Woven Fine" - Audio
October 13, 2020 23:07 - 28 minutes - 6.41 MBRev. Lee begins this week's message by talking about a new framework for the stages of grief, including an added a sixth stage: “finding meaning.” Of course, that’s a very hard concept to accept, especially if we’re in the early stages of grief. She also talks us through the conundrum of how we can all support each other when we’re all going through the same thing. She shares the “Parable of the long spoons,” where the answer isn’t to feed yourself, but to feed each other.
10-11-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "Woven Fine" - PDF
October 13, 2020 23:07 - 52 KB application/pdfRev. Lee begins this week's message by talking about a new framework for the stages of grief, including an added a sixth stage: “finding meaning.” Of course, that’s a very hard concept to accept, especially if we’re in the early stages of grief. She also talks us through the conundrum of how we can all support each other when we’re all going through the same thing. She shares the “Parable of the long spoons,” where the answer isn’t to feed yourself, but to feed each other.
10-4-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "It's Not You..." - Audio
October 06, 2020 18:09 - 31 minutes - 7.24 MBRev. Lee begins this week's message by mentioning a meme about an imaginary coworker, "Cheryl," on whom to blame things. She explains that what we're actually doing in these moments is making space to protect our relationships. There's a lot of grief right now with the pandemic, and many of us are feeling that if this had never happened, our lives would be different. But when things don't turn out the way we want, maybe we can make a practice of saying "It's not you, and it's not me... it's g...
10-4-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "It's Not You..." - PDF
October 06, 2020 18:09 - 54.7 KB application/pdfRev. Lee begins this week's message by mentioning a meme about an imaginary coworker, "Cheryl," on whom to blame things. She explains that what we're actually doing in these moments is making space to protect our relationships. There's a lot of grief right now with the pandemic, and many of us are feeling that if this had never happened, our lives would be different. But when things don't turn out the way we want, maybe we can make a practice of saying "It's not you, and it's not me... it's g...
9-27-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "Sing a New Song" - Audio
September 29, 2020 20:09 - 24 minutes - 5.54 MBQuarantine has led us to new forms of entertainment, and this week, Rev. Ken begins by talking about a "table read" of the Princess Bride which the original stars reunited for recently. One of his main takeaways from that movie is that when life doesn't turn out the way we want, maybe we can then open ourselves to a different kind of story. Rev. Ken also talks about unique experiences of grief, and how the "stages" aren't always linear.
9-27-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "Sing a New Song" - PDF
September 29, 2020 20:09 - 52 KB application/pdfQuarantine has led us to new forms of entertainment, and this week, Rev. Ken begins by talking about a "table read" of the Princess Bride which the original stars reunited for recently. One of his main takeaways from that movie is that when life doesn't turn out the way we want, maybe we can then open ourselves to a different kind of story. Rev. Ken also talks about unique experiences of grief, and how the "stages" aren't always linear.
9-20-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "The Care of Souls" - PDF
September 22, 2020 18:50 - 59.1 KB application/pdfRev. Ken begins this week's message by offering the Mourner's Kaddish for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. He talks about a videogame he's playing now where a being called "Stella" guides souls to the afterlife, and how surprisingly touching it is. He also talks about how we can help each other through our collective mourning process by honoring the connections between us.
9-20-2020 The Cloud Over Everything - "The Care of Souls" - Audio
September 22, 2020 18:50 - 30 minutes - 7.09 MBRev. Ken begins this week's message by offering the Mourner's Kaddish for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. He talks about a videogame he's playing now where a being called "Stella" guides souls to the afterlife, and how surprisingly touching it is. He also talks about how we can help each other through our collective mourning process by honoring the connections between us.
9-6-2020 Spiritflix "Unorthodox" - Audio
September 08, 2020 19:47 - 26 minutes - 5.95 MBRev. Lee opens this week's message with a story about a friend who lost her home in a fire. In those first panicked moments, her friend reached for the things she thought she'd need, only to find out later that what she really needed was never in that house. This week's Spiritflix series asks us what and who we reach for in a crisis, and shows us how sometimes the things we thought we'd need aren't what we wind up needing later.
9-6-2020 Spiritflix "Unorthodox" - PDF
September 08, 2020 19:47 - 48.3 KB application/pdfRev. Lee opens this week's message with a story about a friend who lost her home in a fire. In those first panicked moments, her friend reached for the things she thought she'd need, only to find out later that what she really needed was never in that house. This week's Spiritflix series asks us what and who we reach for in a crisis, and shows us how sometimes the things we thought we'd need aren't what we wind up needing later.
8-30-2020 Spiritflix "Star Trek: Picard" - Audio
September 01, 2020 20:59 - 18 minutes - 4.15 MBLay Preacher Chris Chepel talks to us this week about the Star Trek series, Picard. After taking us through the history of the various Star Trek series, and how they always seem to hold up a mirror to the current time. The Picard series seems more informed by trauma than its predecessors, and that feels very important in our current situation.
8-30-2020 Spiritflix "Star Trek: Picard" - PDF
September 01, 2020 20:59 - 45.4 KB application/pdfLay Preacher Chris Chepel talks to us this week about the Star Trek series, Picard. After taking us through the history of the various Star Trek series, and how they always seem to hold up a mirror to the current time. The Picard series seems more informed by trauma than its predecessors, and that feels very important in our current situation.
8-23-2020 Spiritflix "The Midnight Gospel" - Audio
September 01, 2020 20:19 - 26 minutes - 6.05 MBRev Ken. Continues our Spiritflix series with a message about the Netflix series "The Midnight Gospel." He reminds us that it's okay if we're not okay right now.
8-23-2020 Spiritflix "The Midnight Gospel" - PDF
September 01, 2020 20:19 - 54.9 KB application/pdfRev Ken. Continues our Spiritflix series with a message about the Netflix series "The Midnight Gospel." He reminds us that it's okay if we're not okay right now.
8-16-2022 Spiritflix "The Farewell" - PDF
August 18, 2020 19:18 - 50.8 KB application/pdfThis week, Rev. Lee opens with a story about a man being filmed by a helpful bystander during a traffic stop, and how looking out for one another like this is a new way to show love. Love requires unexpected things from us right now, just like in this week's Spiritflix movie, The Farewell. She also ponders the nature of truth in a stressful environment.
8-16-2022 Spiritflix "The Farewell" - Audio
August 18, 2020 19:18 - 26 minutes - 6.09 MBThis week, Rev. Lee opens with a story about a man being filmed by a helpful bystander during a traffic stop, and how looking out for one another like this is a new way to show love. Love requires unexpected things from us right now, just like in this week's Spiritflix movie, The Farewell. She also ponders the nature of truth in a stressful environment.
8-9-2020 Spiritflix "The Camden 28" - PDF
August 12, 2020 00:40 - 51.2 KB application/pdfLay preacher Rodney Whittenberg shares a story of growing up Catholic, and his amazement at people who are able to be nonviolent in the face of adversity. His Spiritflix movie is The Camden 28 - a documentary about a group of devoted Catholics who planned to break into a federal building and destroy the draft cards of hundreds of young men.
8-9-2020 Spiritflix "The Camden 28" - Audio
August 12, 2020 00:40 - 28 minutes - 6.62 MBLay preacher Rodney Whittenberg shares a story of growing up Catholic, and his amazement at people who are able to be nonviolent in the face of adversity. His Spiritflix movie is The Camden 28 - a documentary about a group of devoted Catholics who planned to break into a federal building and destroy the draft cards of hundreds of young men.
8-2-2020 Spiritflix "Blinded by the Light" - Audio
August 04, 2020 18:03 - 23 minutes - 5.33 MBThis week, Rev. Ken continues our Spiritflix series with a message about the movie Blinded By the Light - a film where the main character is asking the question "How do I fit in?" Rev. Ken talks about how this film reminded him of the eulogy President Obama gave for John Lewis, calling us to a "Vibrant, big-hearted, tolerant America of perpetual self creation." He also reflects on the importance of the Bruce Springsteen lyric "No one wins unless everybody wins."
8-2-2020 Spiritflix "Blinded by the Light" - PDF
August 04, 2020 18:03 - 51.7 KB application/pdfThis week, Rev. Ken continues our Spiritflix series with a message about the movie Blinded By the Light - a film where the main character is asking the question "How do I fit in?" Rev. Ken talks about how this film reminded him of the eulogy President Obama gave for John Lewis, calling us to a "Vibrant, big-hearted, tolerant America of perpetual self creation." He also reflects on the importance of the Bruce Springsteen lyric "No one wins unless everybody wins."
7-26-2020 Spiritflix "13th" - PDF
July 28, 2020 17:04 - 56.8 KB application/pdfThis week, Rev. Lee preaches about the Ava Duvernay documentary, "13th." She begins by talking about her family's experiences, both spoken and unspoken, which led to her growing up in the suburbs. It's important to realize that the racist ideas that allowed slavery are still operating in our politics and criminal justice system today, but she reminds us that our actions have power, even if it doesn't seem to "work" in the moment.
7-26-2020 Spiritflix "13th" - Audio
July 28, 2020 17:04 - 30 minutes - 6.91 MBThis week, Rev. Lee preaches about the Ava Duvernay documentary, "13th." She begins by talking about her family's experiences, both spoken and unspoken, which led to her growing up in the suburbs. It's important to realize that the racist ideas that allowed slavery are still operating in our politics and criminal justice system today, but she reminds us that our actions have power, even if it doesn't seem to "work" in the moment.
7-19-2020 SpiritFlix "Dead To Me" - PDF
July 21, 2020 20:23 - 52.7 KB application/pdfThis week, Rev. Ken discusses the Netflix series "Dead To Me." In discussing it's themes of grief, he reveals that he has an app on his phone that reminds him about death five times a day. He talks about the five stages of grief and how complicated they are - especially now when so many Covid deaths might be the result of a rush to get back to normal.
7-19-2020 SpiritFlix "Dead To Me" - Audio
July 21, 2020 20:23 - 24 minutes - 5.51 MBThis week, Rev. Ken discusses the Netflix series "Dead To Me." In discussing it's themes of grief, he reveals that he has an app on his phone that reminds him about death five times a day. He talks about the five stages of grief and how complicated they are - especially now when so many Covid deaths might be the result of a rush to get back to normal.
7-12-2020 SpiritFlix: "Garden State" - PDF
July 14, 2020 19:36 - 45.8 KB application/pdfLay preacher Beverly Fox continues our SpiritFlix series with a message about the film Garden State. Her message explores the concept of home. What does that mean to you? Where can you find home? If you enjoyed this message and would like to support the mission of WellSprings, go to our website at http://www.wellspringsuu.org
7-12-2020 SpiritFlix: "Garden State" - Audio
July 14, 2020 19:36 - 19 minutes - 4.4 MBLay preacher Beverly Fox continues our SpiritFlix series with a message about the film Garden State. Her message explores the concept of home. What does that mean to you? Where can you find home? If you enjoyed this message and would like to support the mission of WellSprings, go to our website at http://www.wellspringsuu.org
7-5-2020 SpiritFlix "The Willoughbys" - PDF
July 07, 2020 23:42 - 57.4 KB application/pdfFor this week's SpiritFlix message, Rev. Lee preaches on the Netflix movie "The Willoughbys." This movie is about a group of children who are mistreated by their parents, until a person with a higher standard of care shows up in their lives. What if we all held ourselves to a higher standard of care right now? It just might save someone's life.
7-5-2020 SpiritFlix "The Willoughbys" - Audio
July 07, 2020 23:42 - 31 minutes - 7.31 MBFor this week's SpiritFlix message, Rev. Lee preaches on the Netflix movie "The Willoughbys." This movie is about a group of children who are mistreated by their parents, until a person with a higher standard of care shows up in their lives. What if we all held ourselves to a higher standard of care right now? It just might save someone's life.
6-28-2020 Spiritflix: "Troop Zero" - PDF
June 30, 2020 20:18 - 46.3 KB application/pdfThis week, lay preacher Josie Waldman shares the movie Troop Zero with us, and what the film meant to her, as a girl who was picked on in school. She shares some of her personal experiences and wonders what it is that makes some kids act the way they do. She asks us to consider the essential question of the movie: "What kind of world would it be if every homely, strange little girl thought she could do whatever she wanted?"
6-28-2020 Spiritflix: "Troop Zero" - Audio
June 30, 2020 20:18 - 21 minutes - 4.87 MBThis week, lay preacher Josie Waldman shares the movie Troop Zero with us, and what the film meant to her, as a girl who was picked on in school. She shares some of her personal experiences and wonders what it is that makes some kids act the way they do. She asks us to consider the essential question of the movie: "What kind of world would it be if every homely, strange little girl thought she could do whatever she wanted?"
6-21-2020 Spiritflix "I Am Not Your Negro" - PDF
June 24, 2020 02:09 - 51.7 KB application/pdfRev. Ken continues our SpiritFlix series with the award winning documentary film, "I Am Not Your Negro." He begins his message with a story about an uncomfortable moment at a baseball game, before getting into the subject matter of the film. This unfinished memoir by James Baldwin is about his relationships with slain civil rights leaders. Now, more than ever, this film and message offer us a chance to wake up to the realities of being black in America.
6-21-2020 Spiritflix "I Am Not Your Negro" - Audio
June 24, 2020 02:09 - 25 minutes - 5.72 MBRev. Ken continues our SpiritFlix series with the award winning documentary film, "I Am Not Your Negro." He begins his message with a story about an uncomfortable moment at a baseball game, before getting into the subject matter of the film. This unfinished memoir by James Baldwin is about his relationships with slain civil rights leaders. Now, more than ever, this film and message offer us a chance to wake up to the realities of being black in America.
6-14-2020 - Spiritflix "Groundhog Day" - PDF
June 16, 2020 21:36 - 54.3 KB application/pdfRev. Ken (appropriately) brings us a second SpiritFlix Message about Groundhog Day where he addresses the repetitiveness of our days right now. How do we break the cycle of "Groundhog Day?" We can do it by being of service to others, but also by fully inhabiting our own lives. Even if you don't know where your life is going right now, Rev. Ken emphasizes the importance of keeping after your pursuits, and your spiritual practices. That's how we finally make it to the metaphorical February 3rd.
6-14-2020 - Spiritflix "Groundhog Day" - Audio
June 16, 2020 21:36 - 49 minutes - 11.3 MBRev. Ken (appropriately) brings us a second SpiritFlix Message about Groundhog Day where he addresses the repetitiveness of our days right now. How do we break the cycle of "Groundhog Day?" We can do it by being of service to others, but also by fully inhabiting our own lives. Even if you don't know where your life is going right now, Rev. Ken emphasizes the importance of keeping after your pursuits, and your spiritual practices. That's how we finally make it to the metaphorical February 3rd.
6-7-2020 Spiritflix "Do The Right Thing" - PDF
June 09, 2020 21:09 - 57.1 KB application/pdfRev. Lee kicks off our summer SpiritFlix series by talking about the 1989 Spike Lee "Do The Right Thing." Even though this movie is over 30 years old, it's incredibly pertinent to the police brutality we're still seeing today. This film shows us imperfect characters interacting over the course of a single day, and asks us to consider what it means to do the right thing - both in small ways and in larger, society-changing ways.
6-7-2020 Spiritflix "Do The Right Thing" - Audio
June 09, 2020 21:09 - 31 minutes - 7.29 MBRev. Lee kicks off our summer SpiritFlix series by talking about the 1989 Spike Lee "Do The Right Thing." Even though this movie is over 30 years old, it's incredibly pertinent to the police brutality we're still seeing today. This film shows us imperfect characters interacting over the course of a single day, and asks us to consider what it means to do the right thing - both in small ways and in larger, society-changing ways.
3-31-2020 Love the Hell Out of this World "What Love Looks Like Today" - PDF
May 31, 2020 20:24 - 48.5 KB application/pdfLay preacher, Kathy Burke-Howe, concludes our “Love the Hell Out of This World” series by asking us to consider what love looks like today, during a pandemic. How have our definitions of love changed with the rapidly changing and evolving situation around us? What can dogs – both real and animated – teach us about caring for one another?
3-31-2020 Love the Hell Out of this World "What Love Looks Like Today" - Audio
May 31, 2020 20:24 - 21 minutes - 4.85 MBLay preacher, Kathy Burke-Howe, concludes our “Love the Hell Out of This World” series by asking us to consider what love looks like today, during a pandemic. How have our definitions of love changed with the rapidly changing and evolving situation around us? What can dogs – both real and animated – teach us about caring for one another?
5-24-2020 Love the Hell Out of this World "Love the Hell Out of Yourself" - PDF
May 26, 2020 20:25 - 49.5 KB application/pdfThis week, Rev. Ken talks about how he's been using social media as a means of reaching out during the pandemic. He also talks about challenging emotions many of us are feeling right now. What do both Buddhist teachings and Pixar movies have to say about challenging emotions, and how can we apply those lessons to our lives? He ends with a story about a wrongfully imprisoned man, and a prayer rug which helps him in more ways than one.
5-24-2020 Love the Hell Out of this World "Love the Hell Out of Yourself" - Audio
May 26, 2020 20:25 - 22 minutes - 5.14 MBThis week, Rev. Ken talks about how he's been using social media as a means of reaching out during the pandemic. He also talks about challenging emotions many of us are feeling right now. What do both Buddhist teachings and Pixar movies have to say about challenging emotions, and how can we apply those lessons to our lives? He ends with a story about a wrongfully imprisoned man, and a prayer rug which helps him in more ways than one.
5-17-2020 Love the Hell Out of this World "Love is an Active Noun" - PDF
May 19, 2020 20:37 - 45.4 KB application/pdfLay-preacher Chris Groppe shares his first ever message with us. He shares what we can learn about love from Mr. Rogers, a person taught us what it really means to love all people. He also talks about what a challenging concept that can sometimes be, and shares a meditation which might help us better understand lovingkindness.
5-17-2020 Love the Hell Out of this World "Love is an Active Noun" - Audio
May 19, 2020 20:37 - 17 minutes - 3.98 MBLay-preacher Chris Groppe shares his first ever message with us. He shares what we can learn about love from Mr. Rogers, a person taught us what it really means to love all people. He also talks about what a challenging concept that can sometimes be, and shares a meditation which might help us better understand lovingkindness.
5-10-2020 Love the Hell Out of This World "What We Can Save" - PDF
May 12, 2020 20:23 - 49.7 KB application/pdfThis week, Rev. Lee continues our Love the Hell Out of This World message series. She opens with a story of a Universalist church making the decision to remain closed during the 1918 flu pandemic. She also shares a story from a inside a hospital in the Bronx, where front-line workers are making a conscious effort to honor the humanity in their patients in the midst of so much fear and uncertainty. There's power in saving what we love, and now more than ever, "what we love" means all of us.
5-10-2020 Love the Hell Out of This World "What We Can Save" - Audio
May 12, 2020 20:23 - 25 minutes - 5.74 MBThis week, Rev. Lee continues our Love the Hell Out of This World message series. She opens with a story of a Universalist church making the decision to remain closed during the 1918 flu pandemic. She also shares a story from a inside a hospital in the Bronx, where front-line workers are making a conscious effort to honor the humanity in their patients in the midst of so much fear and uncertainty. There's power in saving what we love, and now more than ever, "what we love" means all of us.
5-3-2020 Love the Hell Out of this World "The Outsiders" - Audio
May 05, 2020 20:23 - 24 minutes - 5.69 MBRev. Ken kicks off our message series, “Love the Hell Out of this World,” by exploring the concept of Universalism through the lens of – wait for it – Weird Al Yankovic. What can we learn from a painfully shy, almost cloistered youth who made so much safe space for others who have always felt like outsiders?
4-26-20 "Being a Friend" The Music of Friendship - PDF
April 29, 2020 16:20 - 53.7 KB application/pdfThis week, Rodney Whittenberg takes us on a musical journey through his life. He plays selected songs, and tells us about the friends he most associates with each piece. How can we use music now to be a healing force in these unprecedented times? How can we use music to stay connected when we must stay physically apart?