October 18 - A Tale of Two Stories

Speaker: Colin Read

Service Co-Leader: Ian Attridge

Guest Musician: Rosemary Harris

The Renaissance and industrial revolution have resulted in our technologically advanced culture with its promise of unprecedented luxury and comforts for all. The underlying mythology of our time is based on a model of extreme individualism, and a philosophy that breaks complex systems into its small components and works with these isolated bits to maximize efficiency. This Story of Separation has brought us great material comforts, but it is also the basis of the disconnect and discomfort that has resulted in the large number of environmental and social concerns that dominate today.

Drawing on the writings of Charles Eisenstein and Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Buddhist teachings, Colin introduces and explores the idea that we need a new story – a “new and ancient story” - the story of Interbeing. This is a story that provides an alternative way of thinking about the world and our place in it – a story that charts a path to address at their very core the major issues of our times – a path that can lead us to a more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.

Colin Read is a long-time member at Grand River Unitarian Congregation in Kitchener where he is currently the Lay Chaplain. Rosemary Harris is an accomplished musician and will be sharing her piano music with us during this service. This topic of “A Tale of Two Stories” was first presented in 2024, and has been shared with the Grand River, Guelph, London, and Mississauga Unitarian congregations.