Learn and Let Learn: Lessons from Flying Trapeze, Consulting Minister Rob Keithan and USG Choir

Whether at home, work, or play, life gives us endless opportunities to learn and to support learning. When are we the student, and when the teacher? This sermon will look at how we learn, how we help others, and why it matters.

Snuffed Out Candles, Rev. Kent Matthies and USG Choir

Einstein said he was a “devoutly religious man” because he was highly committed to the fact that “the most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mysterious.  He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead, a snuffed out candle.” Are there ways we can kindle our own flames with awe and wonder? If the answer is yes does it make a difference in the world?

International Justice Sunday: Think Globally, Act Globally, Consulting Minister Rob Keithan

There’s great logic in the adage “Think Globally, Act Locally.” The problem is that there are a whole lot of people beyond our community struggling with hunger, poverty, and oppression.  We can’t do everything everywhere, but we can do some things somewhere. How do we choose and what do we do?

Quest for Meaning, Rev. Kent Matthies and USG Choir

This is part II of a sermon series begun by Rob Keithan on October 9.  Today we will explore how we as a congregation identify our core beliefs and values?  How do we as individuals find and claim a clear vision for the living of our lives?  How do we establish a long-term, healthy sense of belonging with passions for living the best life possible?

Claiming the Power… of Faith? Rob Keithan, Consulting Minister

As much as we might want to resist labeling ourselves, there can be great power in naming one’s identity and purpose.  Language is limited but it’s what we have.  This service will explore how we see ourselves and why it matters.

Entering the River of Forgiveness, Rev. Kent Matthies and USG Choir

Come celebrate the Jewish High Holy Days.  Humility is essential if we are going to take full advantage of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur opportunities for atonement.  Asking forgiveness should not involve humiliation or tearing oneself down.  When we become right-sized we feel our glory, inspiration and joy of new ways and the New Year.

Letting Them Fall, Rev. Kent Matthies

As a parent of a young child, one of the toughest things is letting the child fall down, or after he fell letting him pick himself up. I am told this dynamic of wanting to help when you may in fact be hindering the development of resiliency is a common parental struggle. As we prepare to enter the cycles of forgiveness for the Jewish High Holidays how do examine all the ways in which we might atone and change for the good of others and ourselves?

A Most Irrational Faith, Rev. Kent Matthies

Thank goodness we have a religion where we use our brains and science. Many of us can’t imagine participating in a religion where that would not be the case. However, there are many points in our lives when it is most helpful and rewarding to live out an irrational faith. Although this is counterintuitive to many Unitarian Universalists it may be an essential part of our saving grace.

The Importance of this Faith, Rev. Mark Kiyimba

Rev. Mark Kiyimba serves as the Minister of the Unitarian Church of Kampala, Uganda. He will preach on the importance of Unitarianism and spiritual community in Uganda and around the world. 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.

Homo Spiritus, Rev. Kent Matthies

We humans call ourselves homo sapien, which means wise or knowing man. This is good and important. However, there is so much we do not know. It is also true that focusing on our knowledge has not got us out of war, poverty and destroying the planet. Perhaps we should call ourselves homo spiritus, which would refer to mind, intelligence, but also soul and spirit. This could help us prioritize our fullest selves.  This could help us connect to our ancestors, and our future through the power of now.