The audio from our sermons
Come celebrate the conclusion of the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. As we acknowledge our personal and communal failures, we are reminded of our responsibility for one another. Join in renewing your heart’s resolve to live rightly with yourself, your loved ones, and the broader community.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Go to school, go to work, do your homework, do your chores, buy a birthday gift for your friend – there sure do seem to be a lot of “should and musts” in our lives. Oh, did I mention go to church? As we begin a new church year let’s pause and ask ourselves why are we doing these things? Can we reflect and feel a deeper purpose in our lives? Can deepening connections at USG empower us to live with greater direction and meaning?
We will be celebrating our annual In-gathering Water Ceremonies at both Worship Services. Please bring water to share from somewhere important where you spent time this summer.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Podcast (alt): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The spiritual theme of the month is deepening connections. This is especially important at a time when many studies show that Americans are significantly disconnected from one another socially and emotionally. Many agree that in order to be connected with one another we need to feel seen, heard, and respected. In order to achieve this we have to pay attention and listen to one another. Today we embrace the sacred sound of “hush”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Vulnerability is the spiritual theme of the month. Too often many of us have protective shells, which separate us from others. Anger, jealousy and pride can all serve as shields, which prevent us from opening up. How can you put down your shield in order to share some of your life story with others? How can you expose your best true self to others? Note: this is not a sermon encouraging streaking.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
From June 23-July 31 congregations all around Philadelphia will fast, pray and take action for Immigration Justice. We fast to call the attention of elected officials and to Pennsylvania residents of the impact of unjust immigration laws, we meditate and pray on the loss of deported family and community members, and to build our spiritual discipline for a long-term fight for justice as individuals and as a community.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
UUs long ago stopped looking to the Christian Bible as a source of insight or inspiration, and for good reason. There is much about this text that is confused, irrelevant to our lives today, or just plain wrong. But in spite of these barriers it can be a wonderful source for lectio divina (divine reading), if approached with the right spirit.
Alan has been a member of USG since 2004. He is currently chair of Worship Arts and Worship Associates. He is a software engineer by profession and a long time practitioner of Buddhist meditation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Unitarian minister A. Powell Davies said, “Life is just a chance to grow a soul.” Whether we call it religious education, faith formation, or spiritual growth, the search for truth and meaning is one of the cornerstones of our Unitarian Universalist tradition. As a religious community we have the opportunity nourish one another as growing souls, as spiritual people who have experiences of wonder at all ages and stages of life.
Rebecca Froom grew up in Mt. Airy attending USG as well as Summit Presbyterian Church. She was ordained to the UU ministry in 2012 by both USG and Arlington Street Church in Boston, where she did her ministerial internship. She currently serves as the Assistant Minister with a focus on lifespan religious education at First Universalist Society, in Franklin, MA. Rebecca lives with her husband Alec at the Lucy Stone Cooperative, an intentional living community grounded in UU values located in Boston, MA.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Vision is the spiritual theme of the month. In order to allow a vision to well up from inside of us we often need quiet. Extraverts often dominate our social interactions. Extraverts, like the minister, can talk too much and not allow for quiet time, which our souls crave. Let’s give ourselves a break and feel the quiet which can connect us to our souls and the holy.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
A healthy church supports people to say no. We should stand up and say no to abuse in all its forms. We should also be empowered to say no when a certain activity doesn’t fit with our core values or ethics. Because we are a liberal religion some people think that in Unitarian Universalism anything goes. It should not be that way. As a community and as individuals we should always have the choice to say no to each other and ourselves. Our religion can help us say no to eating too much sugar, overworking or staying stuck on sad. Saying no to the wrong path can open up a vision for a better path.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Elaine Silver is a seasoned musician, songwriter, touring and recording artist. She is also a “Certified Passion Test” Facilitator and was personally trained in 2008 by Chris and Janet Attwood, the co-authors of the NY Times bestselling book, The Passion Test. Her music-inspired program will give our members an inside look at this powerful and often life-changing process, and congregants will be left with tools and inspiration for creating a more passion-filled life.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS