The audio from our sermons
Although Unitarian Universalist congregations have been providing values-based comprehensive sexuality education to children and youth for decades, on the whole we still tend to avoid talking about sex in church—except when something bad happens, or we want to prevent something bad from happening. What would it look like to lift up a positive, healthy vision of sexuality for everyone in the congregation?
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Opening with a passage from the novel Half Moon and Empty Stars, by Gerry Spence, this sermon will deal with the irresistible call of the life force, and the passion with which we inevitably respond to that call in spite of obstacles, worries, fears and set-backs. Rev. Beth is a UU minister from Elkhart, Indiana. She received her Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago and has a special interest in sociology. Other passions are reading, writing, music and spending time outside — especially with beloved friends or pets.
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Hospitality is the spiritual theme of the month. Giving warm welcome to a visitor is a practice which allows the host to break out of a confined shell of fear or isolation. However, being a guest is also a practice which allows one to break through the denials of self-reliance. When we do accept or even ask for hospitality from others we connect with humility and often offer gifts of salvation to the host.
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Many people talk about the importance of being in spiritual community. Many of our congregational efforts are designed to help us know others, be known and grow in intimacy. So often we benefit when we open up to each other with vulnerability and trust. However, it is also important to keep boundaries and time for ourselves. Good fences make good neighbors. Most of us benefit from shutting off our cell phones, smart phones, and email when we need to unplug.
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Immigration is one of the most important, complex, and emotional issues of our time. There are great challenges, of course, but there are also great opportunities. How will we respond? What kind of people are we? And who is “we”?
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The Latin root for the word faith is credo. Credo has two elements: belief and dedication. In our public discourse we usually just talk about the first. Do you believe in God, peace, love and hope? The second part of faith gets less attention. What are you dedicated to in the living of your life? As imperfect people we often find a gap between our cherished principles and our actions. How do we close the gap?
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Come feel the energy of this six-piece Dixieland jazz group. In the New Orleans tradition, we will have a wake for the Old Year, lay down our burdens and lift our possibilities for the New Year. The spirit will be alive with great music including “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In.” The spiritual theme of the month is Living Faith, how do we more fully live out our faith in the New Year?!?
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We tend to think of asking as a request for material goods—especially at this time of year. As we move into and through the Holiday season, how might asking be a gift itself? What would it look like to focus less on “presents” and more on “presence?”
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We are facing multiple intense, global crises including economic and environmental. How do we maintain hope and more forward? Admiral Jim Stockdale was the highest ranking US military officer in the “Hanoi Hilton” prisoner-of-war camp. His approach to surviving torture and the unknown may hold the key to our success.
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Forrest Church said that Thanksgiving is “America’s most sacred non-religious holiday.” In practice this is probably the holiday most Americans celebrate. It is sacred. In our congregation we will once again celebrate with a bread communion. Our children will bake and share bread. Pictured at right is the bread they made for the congregation last year. Celebrate gratitude and generosity!
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