For our worship service on our multi-generational Community Day, we celebrate with a participatory Thanksgiving bread communion. Everyone is invited to bring some bread from home! We will commemorate the building of the elevator, celebrating the vision, hard work, dedication, and generosity of all who made a dream of installing an elevator into a reality […]
Author Archives: usguu
11.17.19, Living a Life of Loving Yourself, Amy and Maggie Birge-Caracappa
Every day it seems we are told that there is something wrong with our bodies that needs fixing. We are told that there is one narrow definition of what is normal and ideal and that everything else is wrong. It’s something everyone struggles with. But for people living in a fat body, it is compounded […]
11.10.19, Paying Attention in a Distracted World, Rev. Kent Matthies
Rising numbers of people struggle with paying attention for sustained periods of time. Channel surfing, texting, and social media are just some of the dynamics which keep us distracted. Schools, religious organizations, families – all are impacted by less capacity to concentrate. We are paying a price, because as the Buddhist sutras say, when we […]
10.20.19, The good, the bad, and the whole, Rev. Kent Matthies
How can you embrace yourself in your entirety? Many of us wrestle with this question our whole lives. As imperfect beings we go further down the road to finding peace with ourselves when we accept our imperfections. This can involve acknowledging selfishness, cowardice, going too slow and going too fast. When we acknowledge these sharp […]
10.13.19, Our Moment is Now, Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt
We Unitarian Universalists have always been a small religious group with outsized impact. But with many denominations in decline, and corresponding growth among those who are “spiritual but not religious,” it may seem that our best days are behind us. But what if we’re misreading the signs? In this moment, let’s reflect on what our […]
10.6.19, Atonement over Contempt, Rev. Kent Matthies
The ark is opened and the Torah scrolls are taken out. Reading the sacred text guides us to respond to our errors, correct and learn from our mistakes, and reveal more fully who we are and can become. In the United States a toxic culture of contempt is corroding our souls. Political disagreements generate harsh […]
9.29.19, Why Have You Rejected Me? Guest Speaker Jordan Ford
Jordan will explore why God’s children are sometimes oppressed and the reassurance God gives to his people that He will deliver them. The sermon will come from Psalm 43:1-3, with a special emphasis on verse two: “For You are the God of my strength; why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because […]
9.22.19, Gaia, Hear Our Prayer! Rev. Kent Matthies
We belong to Mother Earth! May the meditations of our hearts touch our deep gratitude. May our actions embody gentle care as committed stewards of the precious planet. How do we bond together and respond to this absolutely critical calling to connect with and protect the Earth?
9.15.19, Crossing the Jordan, Rev Kent Matthies
Moses had died. God placed Joshua in charge of the Israelites who, after 40 years of wandering, felt trapped in the wilderness. Joshua’s mission was to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land and to take with them the sacred Ark of the Covenant. The problem was they had to cross the powerful Jordan River […]
9.8.19, USG’s Water Ceremony: Connecting with Miracles of Life —Rev. Kent Matthies, DSD Ryan Hurd, Music Director Mark Daugherty & the USG Choir
For our Ingathering Water Ceremony, we begin the church year anew by celebrating Beloved Community and spiritual practices. Meditation, prayer, walking, knitting, connecting with our brother animals – all are some of the ways in which we might connect with the miracles of life. These spiritual practices both affirm and sustain our very lives. […]