How much of your days are dominated by hustle-bustle, multi-tasking and getting one more thing done on the “to do” list? When many retired folks feel too busy, what does that say about the context for non-retired folks? Many of us love the hymn, “You gotta do when the Spirit says do.” What about when […]
Category Archives: Sermons
5.17.15, A Faith that Sings and Dances, Misa Criolla, Mark Daugherty and the USG Choir
Many of us grew up hearing religious music that was staid and “church-y.” There are even some denominations that frown on (gasp!) dancing. It doesn’t have to be that way. The Argentinean composer Ariel Ramirez has taken some Latin American dance and carnival rhythms and melodies and incorporated them into a musical mass reflective of […]
5.3.15, The Rites of May, Celebrating the Coming of Summer, Rev. Kent Matthies and Dennis Strain
The lusty month of May has been honored for millennia. It is a time of cleansing, of opening the windows and doors to the warmth of the sun, and of celebrating the earth’s fertility. We will light the Beltane fire and dance around the Maypole during Fellowship Hour (2 dances at 10:30 & 11:00 AM). Join us as […]
4.26.15, Why do I live? How do I live? Charles Gabriel
Embedded in Tolstoy’s novel, War and Peace, are the two main questions of religion: why do I live? and how do I live? Charles will share why he believes the search for how to live, on its own, is fruitless and “Why I live” is best discovered by living a meaningful, spiritual life. Charles Gabriel has been […]
4.12.15, Oh, The Places We’ll Go! Rev. Kent Matthies & Tom Ott
Dr. Seuss wrote, “ Congratulations! Today is your day. You are off to great places! “ On Stewardship Sunday, we gather to celebrate that when we make promises of support – including financial – to the church we go great places. What if we commit boldly? Thinks of how many lives we can touch with […]
4.5.15, Easter: Reclaiming Paradise, Rev. Kent Matthies
Whether you believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus, or not, Easter provides a powerful truth about the possibility of surviving and living on – transformed. Easter calls us to the deep, abiding Christian commitment for creating paradise on this earth – here and now.
3.29.15,Losing to Win: Courageous Leadership Starts with Disruptive Engagement, Rev. Daniel Gregoire
What does it mean to lead? Is it enough to be in charge, to hold the “power”; or is it something else altogether? True leadership, is a spiritual practice; one cultivated through Disruptive Engagement and term coined by researcher Brene Brown that asks us to recognize and combat a culture of shame and scarcity. Are […]
3.22.15,Community Day,Lectio Divina, Rev. Daniel Gregoire, Rev. Kent Matthies, Mark Daugherty
For our Center Worship during USG’s Community Day we will engage in Lectio Divina. This Latin term means sacred reading. In our Unitarian Universalist tradition we use this practice to share in the reading of sacred scripture and poems. How does a poem connect you with ancient wisdom and guidance? How does a piece of […]
3.15.15, I’ve Known Rivers, Mark Daugherty & the USG Choir
We celebrate the Harlem Renaissance with musical settings of poems by Langston Hughes as well as the sacred music of Duke Ellington. Gwyneth Walker, a contemporary American composer who lives in Vermont, did the musical settings of four of Langston’s poems: I’ve Known Rivers, Troubled Waters, Jump Right In, and In Time of Silver Rain. […]
3.8.15, Rev. Kristin Grassel Schmidt, 9:15
We don’t always think we’re anyone special, or even that we know anyone too special, but friends, nothing could be farther from the truth.