Lay-led service. We can cry tears of sadness, joy, anger, frustration and pain. Crying can be cathartic, or can pull us deeper into depression. Sometimes, when we crave tears, they won’t come; other times, they come when they are especially unwanted. Weeping can be a solitary experience, or a social one. It can be manipulative, induce feelings of shame, or help us bond with others. TPC member Alley Stoughton seeks to make sense of her and others’ experiences with tears, drawing on readers’ reactions to a New York Times article, as well as on popular songs.

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Recordings of complete worship services are available to registered users via the Members’ Room.