What do the King Arthur stories have to teach us in the 21st century? The Unitarian Holy Grail is the revelation that every spiritual path leads to enlightenment and is easier to walk in church communion. Mark Bernstein has served as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County since April 1987. […]
Category Archives: Sermons
Closing the Fun Gap, Rev. Kent Matthies
A few years ago I took the time to reflect on how my life was going in all areas: family, ministry, physical fitness, spiritual well being, friends, etc. I was surprised by a reality that I could not escape. I had a consistent fun deficit. I was becoming too serious about life and yes about […]
Letters in Wartime: History is Us! Elaine Hills
This September is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam (aka, Sharpsburg). William Jonathan Reichard was a 20 year old private in Mr. Lincoln’s army during that battle, writing many letters home. Thinking about these letters, noting popular representations of this time, shows a remarkable, living legacy of UU principles in action, which can […]
What Do We Believe? Charles Gabriel
The Rev. David E. Bumbaugh in his article in the summer 2011 issue of UU world asked the following question: “If we are to be the religious movement some of us dreamed 50 years ago, if we are to respond to the needs of the world from a liberal religious basis, it is critical that […]
R.E. Sunday: Flower Communion
Since the 1920’s Unitarian Universalist congregations have marked the end of the Church School year with Flower Communion, a distinct UU ritual. Please bring a flower and join the church school, Religious Education Committee, Rev. Rob Keithan and Erick DuPree, Consulting Director of Faith Development, for this exciting rite of passage.
Here We Go, Rev. Kent Matthies and Rev. Rob Keithan
One of the standard definitions of transcendence–the USG theme of the month for June–is “surpassing the usual limits.” Within each of us–and every congregation as well!–there exists a creative tension between sticking to what is “usual” and pushing ourselves to learn and change. When does it make sense to push our limits? Revs. Kent and Rob […]
Don’t Believe Everything You Think, Rev. Rob Keithan
Our Unitarian Universalist principles call us to affirm the commonality and connectedness of all people. At the same time, thanks to a combination of our upbringing, identities, and experiences, each individual person is conditioned to see the world from a particular perspective. So how much do we really have in common? And what happens when […]
Breaking the Chains of the “Should,” Rev. Kent Matthies
More Americans than ever are successfully living alone. The stigma of not being married has been reduced by the bold and, in many cases, happy lives of people setting out on their own. At the same time increasing numbers of people are marrying across ethnic, religious and socio-economic groups. How do we help each other […]
Music as Timeless as Mom, USG Choir and Soloists
It’s been a while since we’ve done any large musical project that is truly classical. To remedy this shocking oversight, on Mothers’ Day we present Mozart’s timeless masterpiece, Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, the last complete large choral work that Mozart composed. Written in 1780, the music is dramatic, tuneful, and profoundly satisfying to study, sing and hear. […]
Coming of Age Sunday-Credos
“We believe…” is how Unitarian Universalist congregations and members begin each principle. Join the Coming of Age youth for this multigenerational service where they will express their beliefs and be affirmed by the congregation during this sacred rite of passage. This service will be lead by the youth and their advisors Chris McLaughlin and Kurt […]