Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on August 25, 2019. In a short reflection for Homecoming Sunday, Rev. Taylor reflects on how being present to our discomfort and the discomfort of others can lead us to deeper peace and joy.
The theme for August is how do we lead a life of presence? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.
This podcast from August 18, 2019 includes messages from Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes upon finishing his internship and Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor upon returning from the second half of his sabbatical. This Sunday's service celebrated UTUUC's Homecoming Sunday and the annual Water Communion ritual. As we say farewell to Zsolt Elekes as he returns home to Transylvania, he shares what he has gained from being among the congregation this past year. Then, Rev. Taylor shares a poignant charge to Zsolt as he goes forth a minister in our eyes.
The theme for August is how do we lead a life of presence? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.
Sermon delivered by Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on August 11, 2019. Zsolt's sermon focuses on the global mission of Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism. As he is delivering his last sermon as Intern Minister at our congregation, he underlines the importance of global partnership in faith. It is important in ages when walls are built that we build bridges that connect our faith across the oceans.
Zsolt will finish his year-long internship with UTUUC on August 18 and will return to his homeland of Transylvania to pursue his career in Unitarian Universalist ministry.
The theme for August is how do we lead a life of presence? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.
Sermon delivered by Scott Stabile on August 4, 2019. Scott Stabile is a writer and speaker. He presents daylong empowerment workshops nationally and internationally as an advocate for Love! He has a huge and devoted social media following. He is the author of Big Love: The Power of Living with a Wide-Open Heart and Just Love. Learn more at www.scottstabile.com.
The theme for July is how do we lead a life of presence? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.
This podcast from the July 28, 2019 worship service consists of personal reflections by five UTUUC members on their experiences participating in the Beloved Conversations program. In order of presentation, the members are Emma Farrell, Magane Koshimura, Sarah Harmon, Chuck Ruth and Stephanie Kiesling. Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage offers introductory thoughts.
Beloved Conversations is an experiential curriculum that provides a space to re-form/fuse the brokenness of racism into new patterns of thought and behavior ushering in social and spiritual healing. New ways of being are learned through the actions of conversation and probing dialogue. For more information about Beloved Conversations and to inquire about participating in the next session, please contact Rev. Gage at egage@unitytemple.org.
The theme for July is how do we lead a life of presence? 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 July 21, 2019. Lots was happening in 1969, including an uprising at a gay bar called the Stonewall in Greenwich Village, which may mark the beginning of the gay civil rights movement. What exactly happened that night? What does it mean for us today?
The theme for July is how do we lead a life of presence? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.
This sermon delivered by Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on July 14 is a compilation of questions asked by those attending worship that day. Questions were written during the service, categorized by a congregation member and selected as representative of that category. As a way of being fully present with the congregation, Zsolt answered the questions extemporaneously as he read them.
The theme for July is how do we lead a life of presence? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.
Sermon delivered by Pastor Danny Givens on July 7, 2019. Danny Givens is a heartfelt activist and orator who received a life changing gift of forgiveness from an off-duty police officer he shot during a botched robbery in 1996. Propelled by forgiveness, Danny began his journey toward reconciliation and resiliency prior to his release from incarceration in 2008. He later went on to receive his B.A. in Christian Ministry from Bethel University in 2011, accompanied by a three-year residency as an Interfaith Minister at Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2016. Learn more about Danny at www.dannygivens.com.
The theme for June is how do we lead a life of presence? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.
Reflections for this service from December 25, 2016 are given by Matt Meyer and Intern Minister Kellie Kelly. Matt reflects on a time when he found "Improbable Hope" and Kellie shares her journey to "Improbable Faith."
Matt Meyer works professionally as an itinerant UU musician and preacher, having lead hundreds of services for UU congregations around the country. He is a founding member and Director of Community Life at the Sanctuary Boston and was also a founding member of the Lucy Stone Cooperative and UUCC.
The theme for December is what it means to be a community of presence. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.
Sermon delivered on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016, by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor who reflects on the meaning of Christmas in this time and place.
The theme for December is what it means to be a community of presence. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website.