March 24, 2019

Mary Oliver’s Conversion: “Oh, What Is Holiness?”

Mary Oliver is sometimes lovingly referred to as the Poet Laureate of Unitarian Universalism. Her words and poetic images resonate with religious liberals for their openness, inquisitiveness, and a tone that suggests she is spiritual without being religious. Then came late in life her embrace of what we might call Orthodoxy. Even with her feet planted where I could not grow, this poet speaks to me. Today we’ll look at Mary’s life both pre- and post-conversion, not through her biography, but through her poetry. I think you’ll find Mary is still one of us, but with expanded insights into all that makes us human. Service led by Rev. Gregory Stewart. 9:15am All Ages Worship; 11am Religious Education downstairs.