This is the last in my year-long sermon series on the principles of Unitarian Universalism. Today we’ll take a look at the 7th principle, in which we covenant to affirm and promote Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Our current statement of principles grew out of [...]
Today’s topic is the sixth principle of the Unitarian Universalist Association. I’ve been preaching a sermon a month on these principles, and doing this has helped me to understand them better. I hope it has helped you too. The sixth principle is: The goal of a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for [...]
“Children don’t get weary till your work is done.” That line from the traditional gospel blues song we just heard was likely directed at enslaved people way back when, but I could imagine it being sung to our always-busy, overworked, overworking people in America today. Work-Life Balance The phrase “Work-Life balance” is everywhere lately. [...]
Russia’s attack on Ukraine began exactly four weeks ago. It is hard to see and hear of the devastation of people’s homes, the displacement of millions of people, both internally and to other countries, especially Poland. And, of course, the deaths. Four weeks of relentless bombing, seemingly wiping out an entire civilization. One that feels [...]
Today we’re talking about our fifth principle from the covenant we make with Unitarian Universalist congregations across the Association. This is part of the sermon series I’m doing this year on the principles. In the 5th principle, we covenant to affirm and promote: “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process [...]
Our Stewardship team has chosen this hymn as the theme of our pledge drive this year. I find it an inspiring message. Love will guide us, peace has tried us, hope inside us will lead the way on the road from greed to giving. Love will guide us through the hard night. Love will [...]
Today’s topic is “a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” It’s the fourth principle in the seven principles we covenant to affirm and promote as congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This principle is what primarily sets us apart from other religions, certainly Christian churches that are largely defined by what they [...]
Ralph Waldo Emerson is probably the most famous thinker of our Unitarian Universalist tradition, with the possible exception of his friend, Henry Thoreau. “In this refulgent summer, it has been a luxury to draw the breath of life.” So begins Emerson’s Address to the Harvard Divinity School on July 15, 1838, when Emerson was [...]
I have long thought that climate change is the most important, and most urgent issue facing us. As it has become less of a future threat and more of a present reality, I have worked on finding hope in this grim scenario. When Rev. Michael Dowd spoke to us in the fall, he presented [...]
We were blessed to have as a guest speaker in Sunday’s service Miguel Sague of the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center. He shared a song and mentioned the CD he has created with others, and many of us wanted to purchase the CD. The CD is called Songs from the Stone Hoop, and [...]
