Sermon delivered by Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on June 9, 2019. There is beauty everywhere, we just need to observe it. Zsolt reflects on cultural differences in social media use, on how we can observe beauties in the outside world, and our inner world, even in times of sorrow. He also provides his understanding of Pentecost.
The theme for June is how do we lead life of beauty? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith
Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on June 2, 2019. Blaise Pascal wrote: "In difficult times, carry something beautiful in your heart." This sermon considers the beautiful things we carry in our hearts and encounters Emerson, Career Day and youth group trips along the way.
The theme for June is how do we lead life of beauty? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brian Sauder on May 26, 2019. In this message, UT member Scott Metzger talks about his work with the Eco Justice Faith in Action Team. Then, Rev. Sauder explores the theme of curiosity and courage by sharing more about his journey in growing the impact of Faith in Place alongside diverse faith communities such as Unity Temple.
Rev. Sauder is the President & Executive Director of Faith in Place (www.faithinplace.org). His passion is empowering faith communities across Illinois to take measurable steps to connect the dots between faith, environmental justice, poverty, mass incarceration, race, violence, class, and health. Rev. Sauder is ordained by the Mennonite Church U.S.A. and worships with Chicago Community Mennonite Church in East Garfield Park. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Garrett Theological Seminary, co-teaching an environmental certification course for future clergy.
The theme for May is what it means to be a people of curiosity. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on May 19, 2019 as part of this worship for all ages. An ode to dandelions, being who you are, and blooming where you're planted. A homily for Flower Communion.
The theme for May is what it means to be a people of curiosity. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
This service from May 12, 2019 was created and presented by the Unity Temple Youth Group as part of the high school seniors' Bridging Ceremony. Youth Coordinator Heather Godbout introduces the service. The three graduating seniors then give their bridging talks followed by remarks from Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage. In order, the seniors speaking are Matthew Layden, Elise Miedlar and Martin Stock-Ward.
The theme for May is what it means to be a people of curiosity. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on May 5, 2019. When we are called to be a people of curiosity, we don’t just share in each others' interests, we are called to be open to who we are and who we are becoming, in the fullest sense of the word. When we show curiosity about one another, we are often building and strengthening relationships. And when we seek out others’ ideas and feelings by our questions and listening, then curiosity is a form of love.
The theme for May is what it means to be a people of curiosity. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
This worship service from April 28, 2019 was created and presented by participants in our Coming of Age program. These ninth graders spent the year exploring their Unitarian Universalist identity, history, spirituality, their feelings and their beliefs. Their work culminates in this worship service where each delivers a personal credo statement that they have developed. Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage gives a brief introduction and shares her own reflections following the credos.
In this podcast, you will hear the credos of half the Coming of Age participants. In order, they are Amelia Morrison, Maggie Blonski, Amanda Smithivas, Nina Cleofe, Ben O'Conner, Alain Cawley, Nicole Alcalde-Hester, Sydney Sherman, Phoebe Hopper and Aiden Davies.
To hear the other 10 participants' credos, please visit http://unitytemple.libsyn.com/coming-of-age-pt-1
The theme for April is what it means to be a people of wholeness. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections
This worship service from April 28, 2019 was created and presented by participants in our Coming of Age program. These ninth graders spent the year exploring their Unitarian Universalist identity, history, spirituality, their feelings and their beliefs. Their work culminates in this worship service where each delivers a personal credo statement that they have developed. Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage gives a brief introduction and shares her own reflections following the credos.
In this podcast, you will hear the credos of half the Coming of Age participants. In order, they are LiZhong DuBreuil, Josephine Welin, James McConnell, Sydney Libert, Marlena Entner, Vivien Wildfield, Mitch Brumirski, Milo Purrenhage, Nina Istas and Elliot Andries.
To hear the other 10 participants' credos, please visit http://unitytemple.libsyn.com/coming-of-age-pt-2
The theme for April is what it means to be a people of wholeness. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
This Easter sermon was delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on April 21, 2019. Rev. Gage shares, "We are exploring the theme of Wholeness this April at Unity Temple. As I consider the Easter story with this lens—the whole of the Easter story--not just the Sunday morning rising up part, but that which precedes it—it reminds me to honor and celebrate all of who we are. All of it. The challenges, the achievements, the mistakes, the forgiveness, the imperfections, and the joy and the love.We screw up all the time. But there is always another chance to change and grow and learn."
The theme for April is what it means to be a people of wholeness. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections
On this special Choir Sunday on April 14, 2019, the Unity Temple Choir under the direction of Marty Swisher, Unity Temple Music Director, performs John Kramer's "The Immigrant Experience," a choral cantata in seven movements. Scored for full chorus, soprano, baritone and tenor soloists and chamber ensemble, the work describes the journey and struggles of immigrants coming to America to realize the promise of freedom. The work features texts by our U.S. founding fathers establishing our country as a place of welcome for immigrants. The musical offering is preceded by a reading from We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria by Wendy Pearlman.
John Kramer serves as Music Director at the Winchester Unitarian Society in Winchester, Massachusetts. The performance includes guest vocalists tenor John Concepcion, baritone Keanon Kyles and soprano Rosalind Lee. They are accompanied by Peter Engel-Storms on piano, Jean Hatmaker on violoncello, Meg Lanfear on violin and Daniel Williams on clarinet.
Those wishing to follow along with the text of "The Immigrant Experience" while listening can find it at http://www.unitytemple.org/sites/default/files/The%20Immigrant%20Experience%20Text.pdf. Additionally, the composer's program notes can be found at http://www.unitytemple.org/sites/default/files/Program%20Notes%20by%20the%20Composer.pdf.
The theme for April is what it means to be a people of wholeness. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections