UU Fellowship of New Bern, NC

"Thank you so much for your wonderful work. I don't think I've ever both laughed and cried in one service. It truly struck a chord with everyone I spoke with afterwards. Thanks again for adding so much energy to our congregation!!"

UU Church Of Spartanburg, SC

“This note is simply to express our heartfelt appreciation for your wonderful sermon. As you expected, your message was received by many ears with different viewpoints. That was what we were both hoping to achieve. The many positive comments and phone calls to our worship committee chair indicate a need fulfilled. We thank you for this contribution to our growth. You made us proud to be a part of the Unitarian-Universalist family.”

Newly weds

“This will simply say thank you so very much for all you have done to make our wedding the spectacular and memorable event it was. Your generous contributions of your time and talents made the occasion a beautiful experience for all. Your presence meant a lot to us.”

UU Congregation of Hillsborough, NC

 "Thank you for your interesting, inspiring service today. For those of us who are already involved in one, or more, of the ancient religions, it was delightful to hear your references to so many traditions. For those less knowledgeable, it was an opportunity to learn about the many opportunities in the universe. I've heard that several did request more information at the "Celebrate the Circle" Samhain Ritual. And much of what you said tied in directly with the Day of the Dead celebration I attended. All in all, it has been a sacred spiritual day. We are grateful that you and your lovely wife shared this morning with us."

UU Fellowship of Wilmington, NC

"Thank you so much for your many contributions to our congregation. We have had many positive comments about the activities on Saturday [Wisdom Tabernacle], as well as the Sunday service. One woman told me that the Saturday events were close to a life-changing experience for her. One of the goals for our Sunday services is that they stimulate us to think about how we are living our lives, and what strengths we have to be more fully engaged in our process of this life journey. Your service clearly met that goal. Jini and Calen, you are both a delight, you have enriched our lives." 

Richard Venus, Minister | First Universalist Church of New Madison, Ohio

"The reports are coming and they all say that your introduction to Buddhism was a most helpful and delightful service. Thank you so very much for bringing to us this vital part of the religious tradition we draw upon for our spiritual guidance." 

Miriam Levering, Ph.D. 
| Professor of Buddhist Studies, University of Tennessee

"Calen understands Buddhism with mind and heart, and communicates well with Unitarian Universalists. Free of any kind of orthodoxy or pedantry, he liberally uses poetry, imagination and humor to get profound points across. The two services he created for our Westside Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee were filled with visuals, zingers and truths you could take home. He delighted our congregation and opened up Buddhist truths to them in an authentic way."

Charles J. Stephens, Minister
 | UU Church at Washington’s Crossing, NJ

"Calen has the wonderful ability to bring ancient Buddhist wisdom into focus for contemporary westerners in an uncomplicated way. I have seen him present his insights beautifully through a combination of Contemplative Brush and haiku poetry. Calen’s passion for the insights he has gained from Eastern art forms and philosophy is clearly expressed in his presentations."

Joan Kahn-Schneider, Minister | UU Church of Savannah, GA

"Calen has a gift for integrating his vast Buddhist knowledge and experience into the seven principles in a way that is entertaining, informative, spiritual and highly accessible to the western mind as well as making this ancient practice relevant to the modern world."

Marcel P. Duhamel, Minister | Second Congregational Society, Unitarian Universalist, Concord, NH

"I met Calen Rayne when I arrived as a settled minister in Concord, New Hampshire and was delighted to discover that he practices an eclectic form of American Buddhism strikingly similar to my own practice. Calen is quintessentially American and he integrates his delightful wit and innate wisdom in his exploration of the ancient dharma. Calen’s approach to Buddhism is unconventional and non-traditional borrowing from the best of several traditions including but not limited to Japanese Zen, Burmese Theravada and Tibetan Vajrayana. Calen shares my belief that Buddhism must become “Americanized” if it is to become widely relevant to American spiritual practice and exploration."