Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on November 29, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on November 22, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Emily Gage, Minister of Faith Development, on November 15, 2009.  Rev. Gage can be contacted at egage@unitytemple.org.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Emily Gage, Minister of Faith Development, on November 8, 2009.  Rev. Gage can be contacted at egage@unitytemple.org.

Homilies delivered by Rev. Emily Gage, Minister of Faith Development and Rev. Alan Taylor on November 1, 2009.  Rev. Taylor can be reached at revtaylor@unitytemple.org.  Contact Rev. Gage at egage@unitytemple.org.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on October 25, 2009.  Rev. Taylor can be contacted at revtaylor@unitytemple.org.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on October 18, 2009.  Rev. Taylor can be reached at revtaylor@unitytemple.org.

Sermon delivered by Toni Maddi on October 11, 2009.  Ms. Maddi is a pastoral associate at Unity Temple.  Having worked as a hospice spiritual support volunteer as well as a hospice chaplain intern, Toni is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Theology.  She can be contacted at toni@tonimaddi.com.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor, Rev. Dr. Scot Giles, and Rev. Dr. Jay Deacon on October 4, 2009.  Rev. Deacon and Rev. Giles were the congregation's ministers immediately preceding Rev. Taylor and were invited by him on the occasion of Unity Temple's centennial celebration to offer their reflections on worship during their respective tenures.  Rev. Taylor can be reached at revtaylor@unitytemple.org.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on September 27, 2009.  Rev. Taylor can be contacted at revtaylor@unitytemple.org.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on September 20, 2009.  Rev. Taylor can be contacted at revtaylor@unitytemple.org.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on Homecoming Sunday, September 13, 2009.  Rev. Taylor can be contacted at revtaylor@unitytemple.org.

Sermon delivered by Michael Leuchtenberger on September 6, 2009. Michael has been the Ministerial Intern for the 2008-2009 church year.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on August 30, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Michael Leuchtenberger on August 23, 2009. Michael has been the Ministerial Intern for the 2008-2009 church year. During this time he has coordinated and led Taizé services on the fourth Friday of every month. Though Michael will be moving on, the monthly Taizé services will continue and all are invited to attend.

Sermon delivered by Jerome A. Stone, Ph.D. on August 16, 2009. Dr. Stone holds the positions of Adjunct Faculty at Meadville Lombard Theological School and Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at William Rainey Harper College. He is currently in Preliminary Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association and is a former United Church of Christ minister. He can be reached at Jersustone@aol.com.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Emily Gage on August 9, 2009. Rev. Gage is the Minister of Faith Development.  She can be reached at egage@unitytemple.org and at 708-848-6225, ext. 103.

Sermon delivered by Maria Dahman on July 26, 2009.  Maria trained as a philosopher, a journalist, and then an actor.  Currently she is working on an acting text book with Ted Hoerl, one of her teachers, entitled Beyond Meisner:  How to Feel Your Way into the Script.  In addition, she is preparing to homeschool her young son.  Maria began attending Unity Temple in 2005 and has enjoyed singing in the Unity Temple Choir since 2006.  Feel free to contact her at maria.dahman@gmail.com.

Sermon delivered by Christine Steyer on July 19, 2009. Christine became a member of UTUUC in 2008.  She is a lyric soprano who is primarily recognized in the field of opera.  Christine has received critical acclaim for her mature voice, artistry and acting, most notably in the title roles of La Traviata and Madama Butterfly and the role of the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier.  In addition to a vast repertoire in the oratorio and recital genres, Christine has won prizes at major competitions and is featured on a CD of sacred music--a collaborative project with New York Times best-selling author Caroline Myss.  She is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Bellissima Opera based in Oak Park and plans to initiate Bellissima Opera Outreach to schools this fall.  Christine is also an active member of numerous arts organizations.

Sermon delivered by Greg Risberg, CSP, MSW, on July 12, 2009.  Greg is a warm, funny motivational speaker who, for the past 20 years, has traveled to 48 states, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia with his “humor with a message” programs.  He offers his audiences useful ways to improve communication, handle stress, and increase humor in their lives. Greg has addressed a wide range of audiences, from educators to bankers, from health care providers to insurance personnel.

Greg is the author of a chapter entitled "Humor, Hugs, and Hope!" in the recently published Humor Me!  He is also the author of the soon to be published 52 Ways To Fill Your Life with Humor, Happiness and Hope.

Sermon delivered by Michael Leuchtenberger, Ministerial Intern, on July 5, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Michael Leuchtenberger, Ministerial Intern, on June 21, 2009.

Rev. Emily Gage read this story called "Big Mama Makes the World" and delivered her reflection on June 14, 2009.  Rev. Gage is the Minister of Faith Development at Unity Temple.  She can be reached at egage@unitytemple.org and at 708-848-6225, ext. 103.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on June 7, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on May 31, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Michael Leuchtenberger, Ministerial Intern, on May 24, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on May 17, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Michael A. Schuler, Senior Minister at First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisconsin (http://www.fusmadison.org/index.shtml).  First Unitarian Society is a community of 1450 adults and over 500 children, united in their passion for learning, integrity, reverence, and social justice. They see theirs as a community "Where Spiritual Curiosity and Conscience Connect."

Three sermons delivered by members of the high school religious education class, Jack Rossiter-Munley, Camilla Brewer, and Christian Matesanz on May 3, 2009.  Graduating seniors are addressed by Acting Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage and Rev. Alan Taylor, Minister.

On April 26, 2009, the Unity Temple Choir under the direction of Marty Swisher and accompanied by Tehra Hiolski performed Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, a five movement quasi-Requiem that includes elements from the traditional Latin Requiem combined with other Latin prayers that include reference to light.

Readings and reflections offered by members of the 7th/8th grade religious education class.  The 8th grade recognition ceremony was conducted by Acting Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage.  Rev. Alan Taylor's charge to the 8th graders is also included.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on Sunday, April 12, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on April 5, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Clare Butterfield on March 29, 2009. Rev. Butterfield is ordained as a Unitarian Universalist Community Minister. Her ministry, as Director of Faith in Place at the Center for Neighborhood Technology, is a call to all people of faith in the region to reflect on their faith's teachings about environmental stewardship and to come together to act on those teachings.

As our Community Minister, Clare's eco-ministry is embraced by this congregation. She also facilitates social mission here at Unity Temple, and preaches in our pulpit once or twice each year, to keep us updated on her own work and the work of our social mission.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on March 22, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on March 15, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Emily Gage and Rev. Alan Taylor on March 8, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on March 1, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Emily Gage on February 22, 2009.  Rev. Gage is the Acting Minister of Faith Development at Unity Temple.  She can be reached at egage@unitytemple.org and at 708-848-6225, ext. 103.

Sermon delivered by Michael Leuchtenberger on February 15, 2009.  Michael is our Intern Minister for the 2008-2009 church year.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor Sunday, February 8, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on February 1, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on January 25, 2009.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Jim VanderWeele on January 18, 2009.  Rev. VanderWeele is minister of Community Church of New Orleans in Louisiana.  He has been a commodities broker, activist, and explorer of the world's religions, and turned to ministry in his 40s.  His graduation from Meadville/Lombard Theological School in 2000 was followed by an invitation to an interim position in Germantown, Maryland.  Jim was called to Community Church of New Orleans in 2002 and has been active in his promotion of ethics, opportunity, and public safety as the city, and his church, move through the process of rebuilding.

Sermon delivered by Michael Leuchtenberger on January 11, 2009.  Michael is our Intern Minister for the 2008-2009 church year.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Emily Gage on January 4, 2009.  Rev. Gage is the Acting Minister of Faith Development at Unity Temple.

Sermon delivered by Michael Leuchtenberger on December 28, 2008.  Michael is our Intern Minister for the 2008-2009 church year.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on December 21, 2008.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on December 14, 2008.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Taylor on December 7, 2008.

Sermon delivered by Rev. William G. Sinkford on November 30, 2008. Rev. Sinkford was elected as the seventh president of the Unitarian Universalist Association in June, 2001. His presidency has been distinguished by his social justice work, particularly his efforts to defend oppressed peoples.  He is an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq, a nationally recognized champion of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, and a passionate advocate for the people of Darfur.

Under Sinkford’s leadership, the UUA became the first national denomination to join the New Sanctuary Movement, and last year the denomination formally voted to work to combat global warming.  He has been a staunch defender of religious pluralism and church/state separation.  A deeply spiritual man, Sinkford has freely shared his own spiritual journey and called on Unitarian Universalism to reclaim a language of reverence.