USGUU Sermon Podcast

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. He has been appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to many committees, which make recommendations for the improvement of Justice and has written extensively and lectured to Judges and lawyers around the country on the law and courtroom procedure. Mark has been an active member of USG for over twenty years. He has served in many capacities including Treasurer of the Endowment and President of the Society.

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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 myself. I realized that one solution was simple. I needed to commit to engaging in activities that would bring more fun into my life. The spiritual theme of the month is joy. What can we do to have more joy in our lives?

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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 buoy us today, during the current polarization of our culture. How can we better comprehend our past, and live our future? How can our USG community help us define our present social goals?

Elaine Hills has been a member since 1985. She has been a member of the RE Committee, taught Sunday School and Women’s Spirituality classes, and gave an earlier sermon based on her Great Grandfather’s Civil War letters in 1990, following her Chairing of the Worship Arts Committee. She married at USG, brought up her daughter here, and organizes the December poinsettia display. She is currently active on the Membership Committee, helping to maintain the Member Directory.

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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 we be able to address and the answer three central questions: what do we believe? Whom do we serve? To whom or what are we responsible?”

Charles will explore the first question, “What do we believe?” We pride ourselves on being a denomination without dogma. But underlying our principles and whether we be theists, atheists, agnostics, Buddhists or whatever, there is a core belief and it is expressed mightily in the songs and hymns that we sing.

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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.

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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 will reflect on the future of USG in this shared sermon, which is Rev. Rob’s last Sunday in the pulpit with us.

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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 differing cultures and expectations clash?

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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 break away from the ways we are told we “should live”, and follow our hearts?

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“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 Ahrens.

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