Yvonne Aburrow's Blog, page 19

Smash that Protestant lens

Great piece from John Beckett this morning which covers some really good points about how to write about different religions, why the word “religion” should not be used as a synonym for Christianity, and how not all religions fit the “Protestant lens” (the way people tend to use the Protestant paradigm as a way to try to make sense of other religions—which doesn’t work).

Decentering Christianity in Religious Discussions

Old friends

Changing Paths challenge day 9 — old friends.

Although Unitarianism / Unitarian Universalism wasn’t my path, I still value many of their ideas and values. They’re green, they’re LGBT+ inclusive or at least welcoming, they were the first to ordain women ministers (the Universalists in 1860, the English Unitarians in 1904), among the first to welcome LGBT+ people (1970 in the UK). Many 19th century Unitarian ministers were opposed to slavery, most notably Theodore Parker. They don’t believe in ...

My old path

Changing Paths challenge day 8 — my old path

There are many familiar cultural aspects of Christianity such as carol services and harvest services that everyone finds charming. But underneath these charms there lies an austere and often excluding faith. One that has harmed LGBT+ people, excluding them from ministry and community, telling them they have no worth; forced Indigenous Peoples into residential industrial schools, and promoted colonialism. One that’s happy to wedge five solid pounds ...

Ritual

Changing Paths challenge 6 — ritual

Candle flames flickering, incense smoke curling in the twilight, standing in a circle of firelight, chanting sacred words. Deep in the woods where everything is transformed by the moonlight. Where the warm summer rain falls softly on the leaves.

The atmosphere of ritual is like no other: electrifying, life-enhancing, comforting. It can jolt you out of your complacency and reconnect you with your deepest desires, your authentic self, sometimes both at the...

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I didn’t know anything about this festival so I looked it up, and apparently it’s a minor holiday in México celebrating the defeat of an invading French army by a small Mexican army at the Battle of Puebla (1862).

But it’s celebrated in the USA by the Mexican diaspora. Originally this was because their defeat at the battle of Puebla prevented the French from giving upgraded weapons to the Confederate army in the Civil War, and Latin American countries had abolished slave...

My Pagan path

Changing Paths challenge day 3 — my new path

Well I’m not sure that Paganism is my “new” path any more as I’ve been a Pagan for 38 years now… but what keeps it fresh? Seeing the beauty of nature, and when humans interact with nature harmoniously. The changing round of the seasons. Seeing the trees burst into leaf and the flowers coming out every year.

Read the rest of the post at the Changing Paths blog

Spring has sprung

Changing Paths blogging challenge 2 — Spring

I love the Spring, it’s one of my favourite seasons. Spring in England starts in February with the first snowdrops and lasts until the end of May when the bluebells are over.

In Canada, signs of Spring are hard to find in February as everything is still covered in snow, but some trees do start budding and you might see the occasional brave Robin (the North American Robin, not the same bird as the European Robin).

Read the rest of the post on ...

Reflection on May morning

Changing Paths challenge 1– May Morning

May morning seems an appropriate time to start a new writing project. It’s one of the four quarter days of the year, when traditionally there were fairs (often hiring fairs) and celebrations. I always feel like Imbolc / Candlemas is a great time to start groups — when the green shoots are mostly still gestating in the earth (depending on where you live—in Canada everything is still covered in snow).

Read the rest of the post on the Changing Paths blo...

May morning 2023

We danced up the sun this morning. You’re welcome!

Idylwild Morris dancing Tinner’s Rabbit

Cornish May morning song, Hal an Tow.

More photos on the Idylwild Morris blog.

Res publica

In this beautiful and dignified corridor are black and white photographic portraits of all the presidents of Eire. (Photo by me, Dublin Castle, 20 May 2019.) In Eire, the role of president is separate from the Taoiseach (prime minister), and is a dignified office. The person is chosen for their distinguished public life and service. In this corridor my view that a republic is more dignified, more natural, and more just was confirmed.

Corridor with presidential portraits, Dublin Castle ...