This I Believe

This I Believe: Rachel Blair-Paladino (2024)

Good morning. My name is Rachel Blair-Paladino and my pronouns are she/her. When Rev. Jack asked me to share my This I Believe, my instinct was to say no. Unlike my husband Jordan, who has spoken in front of you all several times, public speaking does not come easy to me. But the timing of Jack’s request was impeccable. This year Jordan and I will celebrate 10 years of partnership. They have been the best years of my life. Somehow each year is better than the last. We are incredibly lucky to have found a love like ours. Jordan and I have always known that we wanted a family. We love kids...

This I Believe: Aislin Cole (2024)

My family has always seen pets as an important part of a happy life. We have eleven pets, and our most recent adventure has been with guinea pigs. A few years ago we adopted one hoping he could be a companion for the boy we already had. It turned out that not only was she a girl, but she was pregnant. We weren’t originally going to keep the babies, although once I held each tiny one in my hands, there was no way I was giving them up. I have always had a passion for animals. They’ve preoccupied my interest over the course of my whole life. I was the one who asked for an arctic fox plushie...

This I Believe: Don Lifto (2023)

I remember sitting in the congregation here at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Mahtomedi many times listening to parishioners as they shared their “This I Believe” testimonials – bravely opening a window into their hearts and minds and shining a light on the essence of their faith journeys. Like artists at their easels – one brush stroke at a time – they painted soul landscapes to share with us. While I always found these “This I Believe” messages to be thoughtful, inspirational, and moving, they also left me anxious hoping that I would never be asked to share my faith story. And if I...

This I Believe: Lisa Hull (2023)

Good morning! My name is Lisa Hull, and my pronouns are she/her. I am very honored to share my story with all of you today. My first introduction to this church was virtual. I started watching services online in January 2021 and became a member in May 2022. It had been over 25 years since I had attended a church. I grew up in Michigan, in a conservative Christian, middle class family. Church on Sunday and Wednesday nights was a given. My experience with religion and church is complicated. Whenever people ask me what my religious background is, I say that I am a mutt. Growing up, my...

This I Believe: Sharon Gooch (2023)

Good Morning. My name is Sharon Gooch. My Pronouns are she/her. I first found my way to this church in the spring of 2015. I had been seeing a therapist for depression and anxiety for a couple of months. I talked to her about how, as I worked to understand and sort out my feelings, my behavior and actions were hurting people that I loved. I talked to her about how alone I felt. She suggested that I “find a community” and recommended that I check out this church. So I dutifully attended every Sunday for several months that spring. I sat in the back pew, trying to blend in the pillar, and...

This I Believe: Jeff Ranta (2023)

I like to start with my own spiritual journey. My father is agnostic and my mother was Lutheran. I didn’t attend church beyond 6th grade. My mother posted spiritual, uplifting statements around the house. My father is a recovering alcoholic of 45 years whose main spiritual practice is the Serenity Prayer that he still lives today at age 94. In college I was a YMCA camp counselor, and guided canoe trips in the BWCA and Canada, often carrying a bible, seeking a spiritual life. I grew spiritually in nature leading teens through the wilderness. My spirituality was very open, free of church...

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