Holidays Archives - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

April 12, 2025

Holidays Judaism

Passover Reflections from Dr. Mary Lane Potter

Passover is a time of joy. As Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav says, “When the mind is linked to joy, it is taken out of bondage and becomes free.” In my family, we sing, drum, fill Miriam’s well of living water beside Elijah’s cup of wine, take turns walking through two shimmering blue walls of water as everyone sings Wade in the Water or Yismechu Hashamayim, and end by dancing on dry land. Passover is also a time of deep reflection on oppression, justice, mercy, the enslaved, liberation, freedom, refugees, all those who hunger for food, shelter, and justice, and the oft-repeated commandment “Befriend the stranger; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Dt. 10:19) I am grateful every year for this ritual of remembering and reflecting, but especially this year, given the turbulence in the U.S., Gaza, Israel, and elsewhere. (more…)

On Waiting: Writings from Advent 2020

We've all waited before--for buses, appointments, test results, acceptance letters, rejection notices, first kisses, last breaths...we do a lot of waiting in this world. Waiting is an inherently vulnerable and inescapably human experience. This Advent, a season of aware waiting, we sent out a call to the United community for stories, thoughts, poems, and reflections on the act of waiting. The following volume is a free collection of all the submissions. Download the PDF here. (more…)

Movies for What Ails You: Reflecting on Holiday Favorites.

Around winter holidays, one of the most beloved traditions is staying in, bundling up, and watching a favorite movie or television show. Eventually, the media we are drawn to once becomes something we might return whether after many years or on a regular annual basis. Movies, like other forms of art, both entertain us and give us insight that we can describe as not only culturally relevant but theological, ministerial, or even prophetic. At United Community, we are committed to the role of art in our collective ministry, and so this year, some of our faculty and staff have opted to share about our favorite holiday movies, the lessons we've learned, and blessing we can draw from them. (more…)