The audio from our sermons
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard the Vivaldi Gloria at USG, but it’s time to revisit this wonderful piece of music so frequently heard during the holidays. An exciting piece, it is filled with the vigor and drive of Vivaldi’s instrumental music – The Four Seasons, anyone? Yet is also has passages of great warmth and tenderness. It sparkles and glows and fills us with joy. Come kick off your holidays with this great music.
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“If the only prayer you ever say is ‘thank you’ that is enough.” In our modern lives those words from thirteenth century German mystic Meister Eckhart resonate strongly. However, at USG we offer an addition: “If the only prayer you ever say is ‘thank you’ and you give back through service that is enough.” Together we will celebrate giving thanks and giving back to life.
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“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” This famous Dr. King quotation has become a mantra for many in our community. The challenge at times, however, is figuring out how and where to put our energies. Most of us have more opportunities to be of service than we could ever think of engaging. As you listen to your soul what is your vision for your life? What is your vision for your service to the world?
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We cannot give from an empty cup. While it’s important to find ways to give back and be of service in our communities, to our families, and through our work; we must first remember to be of service to ourselves with self-care, nourishment, sleep, leisure, etc. It’s impossible to fulfill our divine purpose if our own cup is empty.
Rachael Pontillo is a certified holistic health and image coach, and is an ordained minister with the International Metaphysical Ministry. She’s the creator of Holistically Haute™, bestselling author of Love Your Skin, Love Yourself, and co-wrote The Sauce Code with her husband, Chef Joe Pontillo. She’s also the proud mama of two daughters, and two bearded dragons.
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Studies indicate that giving back to community is a key element in achieving higher levels of well being. At USG, we are committed to be of valuable service to and with our fellow brothers and sisters – as well as our sacred Mother Earth. We serve in beloved community because of the long-term limitations of continually doing this in solitude. Our Unity brings richness. The thing is that sooner or later communityalways involves change, stress and conflict. How can we be of service together with patience, care and respect?
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Communities and religious institutions throughout the Americas are spiritually nourished through the activities of Day of the Dead. Bring a photo of a deceased loved one to place on our altar. Oranges, sweet bread, sugar skulls, marigolds, singing and dancing: these are the images of remembering those who have gone before and remain in our hearts. Our Center service (9:15) will be contemplative and reflective with gorgeous music by Mark Daugherty. Our Celebrate Life (11;15) will be uplifting and festive with the rich, traditional music brought by the Mariachi Maya band.
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We have a moral, ethical, and survival imperative to learn about climate change/global warming, and to act appropriately and decisively. This imperative derives from people living today and all those who will follow us. We must not have future generations say, of us: “They refused to learn” or “they knew but did not act.”
Dr. Jan Dash is currently chair of the Climate Initiative at the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO). He is Climate Advisor to the UN NGO Committee for Sustainable Development, and serves on the UU Green Sanctuary advisory board. He teaches at the Courant Institute of NYU, and is Visiting Scholar at Fordham University.
“We are the first generation to directly feel the effects of global warming and the last generation that can do anything about it.”
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Food provides us with physical nourishment, and will keep us alive, but we need something more to truly Live. A popular young adult novel reflects deeply religious messages that can help us explore this fact. What do we hunger for, beyond food? What can we learn about the Spirit of God when we feed ourselves through compassion?
We are delighted to welcome McKinley (Kin) to USG as a student minister. Kin is completing his final year at Princeton Theological Seminary. Originally from Texas, he graduated in 2010 from The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA with a degree in History and Religious Studies, and has had a lot of experience working with young people, both as a chaplaincy intern at CHOP and as a teacher, tutor, basketball coach, and camp counselor.
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Am I doing well enough? Am I doing my job well enough? Am I taking good enough care of myself? Am I a good enough grandparent, parent, neighbor or friend? Many times we feel pressure and disappointment in our self-assessment. Compassion is in the mission of our congregation. Don’t leave yourself out. Self-compassion is an important way of living out our theology.
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Come celebrate the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. As we acknowledge our personal and communal failures, we lift up our responsibility to make amends and come back towards wholeness. Often called the “Days of Awe”, it is awesome to connect with heart and spirit by renewing our resolve to live justly with yourself, your loved ones, and the broader community.
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