Although Unitarian Universalist congregations have been providing values-based comprehensive sexuality education to children and youth for decades, on the whole we still tend to avoid talking about sex in church—except when something bad happens, or we want to prevent something bad from happening. What would it look like to lift up a positive, healthy vision […]
Author Archives: usguu
Leap, and the Net Will Appear, Rev. Beth Lefever
Opening with a passage from the novel Half Moon and Empty Stars, by Gerry Spence, this sermon will deal with the irresistible call of the life force, and the passion with which we inevitably respond to that call in spite of obstacles, worries, fears and set-backs. Rev. Beth is a UU minister from Elkhart, Indiana. […]
Would You Be So Kind…? Rev.Kent Matthies
Hospitality is the spiritual theme of the month. Giving warm welcome to a visitor is a practice which allows the host to break out of a confined shell of fear or isolation. However, being a guest is also a practice which allows one to break through the denials of self-reliance. When we do accept or even […]
Connections and Boundaries, Rev. Kent Matthies
Many people talk about the importance of being in spiritual community. Many of our congregational efforts are designed to help us know others, be known and grow in intimacy. So often we benefit when we open up to each other with vulnerability and trust. However, it is also important to keep boundaries and time for […]
Who We Are and Who We Can Be, Rob Keithan, Consulting Minister
Immigration is one of the most important, complex, and emotional issues of our time. There are great challenges, of course, but there are also great opportunities. How will we respond? What kind of people are we? And who is “we”?
Closing the Gap: Dr. King Sunday, Rev. Kent Matthies
The Latin root for the word faith is credo. Credo has two elements: belief and dedication. In our public discourse we usually just talk about the first. Do you believe in God, peace, love and hope? The second part of faith gets less attention. What are you dedicated to in the living of your life? As imperfect people we often […]
New Orleans Jazz Funeral, The Barbone Street Jazz Band and Rev. Kent Matthies
Come feel the energy of this six-piece Dixieland jazz group. In the New Orleans tradition, we will have a wake for the Old Year, lay down our burdens and lift our possibilities for the New Year. The spirit will be alive with great music including “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and “When the Saints […]
The Gift of Asking, Consulting Minister Rob Keithan and USG Choir
We tend to think of asking as a request for material goods—especially at this time of year. As we move into and through the Holiday season, how might asking be a gift itself? What would it look like to focus less on “presents” and more on “presence?”
The Stockdale Paradox, Rev. Kent Matthies
We are facing multiple intense, global crises including economic and environmental. How do we maintain hope and more forward? Admiral Jim Stockdale was the highest ranking US military officer in the “Hanoi Hilton” prisoner-of-war camp. His approach to surviving torture and the unknown may hold the key to our success.
America’s Most Sacred, Rev. Kent Matthies and USG Choir
Forrest Church said that Thanksgiving is “America’s most sacred non-religious holiday.” In practice this is probably the holiday most Americans celebrate. It is sacred. In our congregation we will once again celebrate with a bread communion. Our children will bake and share bread. Pictured at right is the bread they made for the congregation last […]