All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church - Brownsville

10/06/2026

A big shout to teachers, everywhere!

Today, on World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the teachers, educators, mentors, and faith formation leaders who help us grow—not only in what we know, but in how we understand one another and the world around us.

Teaching is an act of possibility. Every day, educators nurture curiosity, encourage critical thinking, make room for questions, and help young people imagine who they might become.

We give thanks for all those who create spaces where learning can flourish with compassion, dignity, and care—and we recommit ourselves to supporting schools and communities where every learner and every educator can thrive.

To the teachers among us: thank you for the wisdom, patience, creativity, and love you bring to your work. 💛

10/05/2026

HOW CAN I BE HAPPY WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH WRONG IN THE WORLD?
A wonderful answer by a Buddhist monk:

A man once asked an old Buddhist monk:

“How can I allow myself to feel peace or happiness when the world is full of suffering, injustice, pain, and chaos?”

The monk looked at him quietly and asked:

“If your house was dark, would you refuse to light a candle simply because the whole world is not yet bright?”

The man fell silent.

“The suffering of the world is real,” the monk continued. “But if you destroy your own peace completely, you may lose the clarity and strength needed to help anyone.”

“But isn’t being happy selfish when others are suffering?” the man asked.

The monk smiled gently.

“Caring about suffering does not require you to suffer every moment. Compassion needs a steady heart. When you are consumed by despair, it becomes harder to respond with wisdom.”

Then the monk pointed toward a nearby pond.

“When the water is disturbed, it cannot reflect clearly. But when it becomes still, everything becomes easier to see.”

He looked back at the man.

“The same can happen with the mind. A restless mind may react with fear, anger, or hopelessness. A calmer mind has more space for wisdom, compassion, and meaningful action.”

The man lowered his head.

“But the world still feels so heavy.”

“Yes,” the monk replied. “And that is why your peace matters.”

“Do not try to carry the suffering of the entire world in one heart.

Be kind where you are.
Help where you can.
Speak gently.
Protect what you can.
Reduce suffering in whatever small ways are within your reach.”

“A single candle cannot remove all the darkness in the world,” he said, “but it can still brighten the room around it.”

In Buddhism, happiness is not about ignoring suffering or pretending that everything is fine. It is about developing enough inner stability to remain compassionate without being completely consumed by the pain you witness.

You are allowed to feel joy while caring about the world. You are allowed to rest while others are struggling. And you can protect your peace not to escape responsibility, but to have the strength to meet suffering with greater wisdom and compassion.

The monk smiled one final time:

“Do not extinguish your own light because the world is dark.

Keep it burning.

Then use that light to make the small part of the world around you a little brighter.”

10/03/2026

09/28/2026

09/26/2026

Solidarity looks like showing up for one another—and building the power to act together.

Last weekend, faith leaders, organizers, and community members from across Tennessee gathered in Memphis for the 2026 Tennessee Solidarity Summit. They came together to strengthen relationships and organizing networks—and to stand with Memphis communities calling for an end to the Memphis Safe Task Force, citing its impact on immigrant families and other residents.

The summit included several days of training, relationship-building, and organizing, culminating in a gathering at the National Civil Rights Museum.

The summit was hosted by the Tennessee Unitarian Universalist Community Action Network (TUUCAN), UU the Vote, and MICAH - Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope , with Neshoba Church serving as the gathering place.

Solidarity Summits are an initiative of UU the Vote and Side With Love. They bring faith communities, organizers, advocates, and community partners together to deepen relationships and build the skills and networks needed for collective action.

Read more about the gathering and the call to end the Memphis Safe Task Force at the link in the comments.

09/26/2026

Join the City of Brownsville, the Brownsville Wellness Coalition, and the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley as we celebrate a new chapter for our community. The Cannery will be home to the Brownsville Farmers Market, operated by the BWC, bringing fresh, affordable produce and healthy living resources directly to our community. It will also house the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, ensuring families facing food insecurity have access to fresh groceries and vital social services. Together, let’s celebrate new beginnings and a healthier future.

Event Details:

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM
Grand Opening: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 9:00 AM

09/26/2026

Local officials claim that industry is creating jobs. But most of these jobs don’t employ local people. AND most importantly, these jobs are unsafe and have workers suffering through hot and hostile conditions. All this while depleting our land and natural resources. The Oil and Gas industry needs to end. These CEOs don’t care if our people die. Comic done by hand by Nansi Guevara for Chispa Texas

09/16/2026

it works if you work it

09/16/2026

The High Holy Days in the Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, mark a time of meaningful ritual practice. This time of personal reflection, community connection, and fellowship with the sacred reminds me of the vitality that comes when deep connections, personal accountability, and faithful intentions are a regular part of our spiritual lives.

We can draw much from the wisdom of our Jewish siblings, both inside UUism and beyond, as we consider what it means to live our lives grounded in our values of pluralism, equity, and transformation, all centered around love. Unitarian Universalists have the great gift of drawing inspiration from many sources as well as a commitment to community, where we hold ourselves accountable and face our shortcomings together.

This time of year offers each of us the opportunity to begin again when we have acknowledged wrongs or harm. May we find love in that invitation to reflect and repair, and peace in a time of reprieve, when our actions can be considered with care and amends can be made.