Sermon delivered by Rev. Karen Mooney on July 30, 2017. Forgiveness, redemption, and atonement are concepts​ we wrestle with in our everyday lives. When someone is imprisoned, this cycle is truncated by systems built to thwart any real reintegration. Separated from community, there is little opportunity for reparation. Our ministry in prisons and jails is based on the radical notion that every person is worthy of respect and has the capability of completing this cycle of forgiveness. Learn how all of us are affected and how together we can offer hope and help. You can find out more about the UUPMI at UUPM.org.
Rev. Mooney works with the Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministries of Illinois as they seek to bring UU faith and worship to incarcerated people. She is honored to offer circles of care for those living in prisons and jails and support all those affected by incarceration. Karen is a life-long Unitarian Universalist who learned the art of church from her very involved parents. She has been educated far and wide, working and playing, listening and walking with people. She loves that UU communities are places where you find people who are alive and seeking throughout their lives. Karen has worked as a chaplain, a congregational minister and a web platform manager. Each one was a joy and difficult for different reasons.
The theme for July and August is what it means to be a community of connection. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered by Rev. Clare Butterfield on July 23, 2017, in which an octopus goes for a walk with Daniel Kahneman and Shylock.
Clare Butterfield is the Program Director for the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation (ISEIF), helping to originate and manage the grants function since 2013. She brings to ISEIF her background in grassroots environmental education around Illinois and wide network of relationships in the field, which were established in her prior position for 14 years as founder and Executive Director of Faith in Place. Prior to that she worked as a transactional attorney, specializing in corporate and tax law. She also manages a small consulting practice, 2 Point 0 Studio, on the side, on the website for which she occasionally blogs. Her graduate education includes a J.D. from the University of Illinois, a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary and a Masters of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School. She is also ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister. Clare can be contacted at c.butterfield@iseif.org or 312-239-6752.
The theme for July and August is what it means to be a community of connection. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered by Intern Minister Kellie C. Kelly on July 16, 2017. One of the greatest myths in American culture is that vulnerability is a weakness. Kellie shares three teachers who have helped her model a wholehearted and courageous life.
The theme for July and August is what it means to be a community of connection. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on July 9, 2017. Because of a technical problem, we are sorry that the audio of the sermon is not available for streaming or download. The text of Rev. Taylor's sermon is reflected in a blog he wrote and can be downloaded at the following link: http://blog.lovewithcourage.org/2017/07/200th-birthday-of-henry-david-thoreau.html
The theme for July and August is what it means to be a community of connection. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered by Intern Minister Kellie C. Kelly on July 2, 2017. For most Americans, socioeconomic class is one of the last taboos. Unitarian Universalists aren't all that different. Kellie shares her class story and invites us to consider what a class-inclusive religious movement might look like.
The theme for July and August is what it means to be a community of connection. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.