2015 Minister-led Services

December

November

October

Sacred Test: The Gospel
​of Thomas
Dec. 20,2015

In the Christian Gospel of John, the Apostle Thomas is depicted as not having as much faith as other apostles, and it is where the phrase "Doubting Thomas" derives from. With the discovery of the Gospel of Thomas, we can see how the Gospel depiction of Thomas by John shows a rift in early Christian Theology. Please join me as I explore the Gospel of Thomas and how it can have meaning to us in our lives. 

Ancestry
Nov. 1, 2015

What does it mean to be a people of Ancestry? Where do we stand in the sacred chain of time? Whose lives and actions were the foundation upon which we built our lives and values? Who do we consider our ancestors? We explore these questions during this special time of year. ​
​

Giving Hope for the Future
Oct. 25, 2015

The Unitarian Universalist Society has a long history with helping those most in need. Our Congregation has a unique connection to founding of the Unitarian Service Committee. Who today in the world needs some hope? What can we do as individuals and as members of Unitarian Universalism to help them? With so many in need how do avoid compassion fatigue?
​

October

September

Let Go or be Dragged
​Oct. 18, 2015

Too often we hold on to regret and anger for longer than it benefits us. Other times we are so focused on the achievement of a goal that we lose sight of why and how we are doing what we do. Whether we are holding onto something from the past or a particular vision of the future, I will explore why we struggle to just let go and live in the present moment.

Monkey Mind
​Oct. 4, 2015

​ Buddhist Meditation practice has had a major positive impact on my life. Often we tend to just equate Buddhism and Meditation, but Buddhism is much more than that. Buddhism has a long history and is quite diverse in its practices. I will explore some Buddhist writings and how Buddhism can be meaningful to us as Unitarian Universalists. 

Invitation
​Sept. 27, 2015

 When I think of the word invitation, the first thought that pops into my head revolves around being invited or not being invited to someone's party. How can we be more inviting to others who are searching for a religious home so they can feel fully included? How can we make time and space even for ourselves to listen to our inner voice which invites us into a deeper reflection of our lives? I invite you to ponder these questions.

September

August

June

Atonement
​Sept. 20, 2015

As we are awaiting the Jewish High Holy Day of Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, I am reminded of Universalist Theologian Hosea Ballou's Treatise on Atonement written in 1805. What does the concept of Atonement mean to us today? 

Calvin and Hobbes
​Aug. 23, 2015

With a title like this, one might think I was juxtaposing the Predetermination Theology of John Calvin and the Social Contract Theory of Thomas Hobbes. Although some of that will come up indirectly, I will be exploring the theology found in the comic strip written by Bill Watterson about a young boy and his pet tiger called "Calvin and Hobbes."

What is Family?
​June 21, 2015

Whenever I did something very wrong as a child, my parents would tell me that my ancestors were "rolling over in their grave." This Father's Day, I will explore the changing nature of what it means to be a family, parenting and life in a post (post) modern world. I imagine one day my descendants will be doing something unimaginable. 

June

March

February

Black Lives Matter
​June 14, 2015

What can we learn as a society looking back on the events in Baltimore this past year? What is the role of White Privilege in perpetuating the inequalities in our society? Why does our religious imperative for justice demand that we not remain silent? How can we as a society overcome systemic racism. 

True North
​March 1, 2015

True North can be both a geographical and metaphysical. How do we determine what is true? Do we use our senses? Our cognitive abilities? Our intuitive facilities? How do we know what we know? How do we find True North? 

You Can't Always Get What You Want
​Feb. 22, 2015

In many Religious Traditions there are restrictions that are placed on its members, and particularly in regard to food. In this time of year when Christians celebrate Lent, I will explore why deferred gratification can be beneficial for our lives.

February

January

Love Reaches Out
Feb. 15, 2015

As indicated on its website, “Standing on the Side of Love is a community of people compelled to speak out against oppression, united in the common belief that love is the ultimate guiding force of our world.” What does it mean that Love is an ultimate guiding force of the world? How do you or how could you experience this in the world? 

Transformative Community
Jan. 25, 2015

What do we hope to create here and how do we hope to create it? As we evolve as a Congregation, let us always keep our focus on our vision and mission as a Congregation. I will explore how Unitarian Universalism can transform us as individuals and as a community.

A Tough Mind
​and a Tender Heart
​Jan. 18, 2015

The sermon title is the title of a sermon that was delivered numerous times by Martin Luther King Jr. in his lifetime. In this sermon he speaks about why he does not see a conflict between religion and science. I will explore the speech and how King’s message intersects with Unitarian Universalism. 

January

Parables
Jan. 11, 2015

​Jesus often shared his messages in the form of a parable. Why did he use this method? What was Jesus’ actual messages and do they still have meaning for us today? In what ways do we use parables today? 

Sunday Services 2014