USGUU Sermon Podcast

While searching for meaning and purpose in our lives, we can get turned around and shaken. Sometimes change comes slowly and other times all at once. How do we nurture our souls so that we are ready to fully embrace our life’s calling in all these moments?

Joan Javier-Duval is a Candidate for Ministerial Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association and a recent graduate of Yale Divinity School and she is our new Intern Minister. Prior to beginning her seminary studies, Joan had worked as an organizer and leadership development trainer in states across the country including Colorado, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Virginia, and Washington, DC. In DC, she was an active member of All Souls Church, Unitarian where she served as a Worship Associate and on various committees. Joan is a graduate of Swarthmore College and looks forward to returning to the Philadelphia area. She lives in Princeton, NJ with her husband, Jared, and their cat, Wrigley. Joan originally hails from Chicago and enjoys running and practicing yoga in her free time.

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Come celebrate the Jewish High Holy Days. What a blessing when we can enter into Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with an open heart. Asking forgiveness should not involve humiliation or tearing oneself down. It is also much better when we don’t demand something in return. When we  become right-sized we feel our glory, inspiration and joy of new ways and the New Year.

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In this Ingathering Water Ceremony we mark the beginning of our congregational year and we welcome one and all!  Many of us come here to this specific place and community again and again and again.  We know why we are here! We are here because we are dedicated to Building Beloved Community with Compassion, Service and Empowerment.  We are here because we relish life in an urban community where everyone is welcome as they are and encouraged to stay and discover their best selves and unique calling in the human family. We come here because…..

In this Ingathering Water Ceremony we invite people to bring water from sacred places you have visited this summer.  We will name the blessings we receive from and give to the congregation.

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This Sunday all members/friends/visitors and their children are invited for the whole service. If you have wanted a time when the family stays together through worship, come join us! This will be a celebration and call for the arts in the public schools. There will be a story for all ages, a presentation of oral histories of African American classical musicians, live performances of a Mozart bassoon & cello sonata and a jazz trumpet version of a popular song, and recordings of fine music by other Philly public school grads.

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Memories are powerfully important in shaping how we live our lives. It is important that we are intentional in choosing which memories to embrace. Part of the healthy religious life is passing on sacred memories that allow others to open new doors or see new vistas.  Let’s all pick at least one important memory this month and intentionally share it with someone in our lives. Don’t underestimate the value of such an action.

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Where do you go for inspiration when there seems to be no inspiration? How do you find your center when chaos and negativity seem to prevail? How do you find your way back to the heart of life, of joy, and hope?

Berdine Whedon has been a member of USG since 1994 and in that time has served in many capacities from Sunday School teacher, to leader of Earth Honoring Traditions and Women’s Spirituality groups, to being on the Board of Trustees for four years, including two as President. She finds inspiration from her deep and meaningful relationships in this community and joy from singing with our wonderful choir.

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Current leaders in the Leadership Conference of Women Religious are under fire from the Vatican.  In its assessment of the group, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said the Leadership Conference is undermining Roman Catholic teachings on homosexuality and birth control and promoting “radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith.”  In reality these nuns are doing what many of us feel called to do in a country with so many critical issues regarding women’s rights and reproductive justice.  They are doing anticipatory leadership with integrity.  They are helping people to learn, discern and advocate for justice.  Let’s follow those nuns!

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That’s what Harvard religion scholar Diana Eck called Unitarian Universalism. But that’s a pretty tall order for a denomination that has not grown in numbers in the past 50 years. So what is it about Unitarian Universalism that makes its future so bright? And how do we get from here to there?

Food and wine writer Sam Gugino has been a member of USG since 2002 and has served the church in a number of capacities. He is most proud of his three-year stint as Membership Chair, two years as Stewardship Chair and three years on the Board of Trustees, the last two as President.

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