Plenty of research tells us that having time for play in our lives is not only a desirable, but actually an essential condition for human flourishing. Through this service, we’ll explore the important role play plays in our lives, how it contributes to our spiritualjourneys, and what gets in the way of embracing it. Rev. Mara Dowdall grew up at USG, […]
Author Archives: usguu
Coming Home, Debbie Ward
If we’re all on our own spiritual journeys, what happens when we return home? Debbie will explore the dynamic of individual pursuit of truth and meaning in the context of spiritual community. This is a repeat of a sermon first presented at USG in January of 2009. Debbie has been a member of USG for three […]
Sex and the Church, Rev. Kent Matthies
Unfortunately, the historic church has not earned a positive reputation in terms of how it promotes or participates in our sexuality. From repressive theologies to abusive clergy, too often the church has fallen short and failed. It does not have to be that way. We are sexual beings for our entire lives. With education, care and respect […]
Religious Education Sunday, Jody Whelden, DRE and Rev. Kent Matthies
This Sunday is our annual celebration of the accomplishments of the Religious Education program for children through Youth and a big thanks to the teachers and advisors. This year will highlight a children’s choir singing “I am a Unitarian, I am a Universalist”, led by Music Director, Mark Daugherty.
What Starts with Choice and Ends with Justice? – Rev. Rob Keithan
Sunday worship service at USG: This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States. While much has changed in 40 years, disagreements about contraception, abortion, and sexuality overall are still hotly contest in culture and politics. What’s going to move us forward, and what’s religion […]
Caring for the Temple, Rev. Kent Matthies
n 2013 we know more than ever the body, mind and spirit are intricately connected. In global history Western societies were slower than Eastern societies to find wisdom on this point. Now that we know life isn’t just “I think therefore I am” we are called more than ever to treat our bodies as temples. Nothing […]
Requiem by Gabriel Faure, Mark Daugherty, USG Choir & Soloists
The USG choir and soloists will present Gabriel Faure’s much loved Requiem. A cynical man of no great religious faith, his Requiem focuses not on the wonder, fear, and threat of torture and damnation that are powerfully invoked in other Requiems of the period. Instead, Faure wrote a largely contemplative work that strives to comfort […]
Giving Life the Shape of Justice, Joan Javier-Duval Added by Treva Wood Burger
In 1870, the Unitarian peace and suffrage activist Julia Ward Howe called on us to listen to the voice coming from “the bosom of the devasted earth.” That voice still calls to us today beckoning us to bring forth justice and peace in the world. Mothers, fathers, children, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins — We all […]
5.5.13 Composing Your Life, Rev. Kent Matthies
Creation is the spiritual theme of the month. Unitarian Universalism teaches that we all play a role in creation of our own lives. When we pay attention we see countless life-affirming stories illuminating the tremendous human capacity for creation of complex lives. Whether you are looking to write a completely new chapter or just turn the page, […]
Awakening to the Hidden Sources, Rev. Kent Matthies
New York Times writer David Brooks wrote a fascinating book entitled “The Social Animal.” Brooks argues convincingly that there are two levels of the mind, one unconscious and the other conscious. The first is much more important than the second in determining how we live our lives. Brooks argues that “non-deliberate emotion, perception and intuition […]