This special choral service from May 15, 2011 features a small orchestra, The Unity Temple Choir, and soloists. Under the direction of Music Director Marty Swisher, The Unity Temple Choir performs Requiem, by John Rutter, in its entirety. Soprano Audrey Cole sings the soloist movements with choral and instrumental support. Harpist Stephen Hartman, oboist Deb Stevenson, cellist William Cernota, timpanist/glockenspielist Jim Holland, flutist Jane Wood, and our own UT organist, Peter Storms, provide instrumentation for this enchanting music replete with tender, comforting melodies and dramatic expressions of hope and longing.

Sermon delivered by Matt Meyer on May 8, 2011. Matt is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and has studied abroad in Cuba, Ghana and Central America. He has led hundreds of services for UU congregations across the country and lives in Boston, where he plays with several world music groups. Matt is also a member of the UUA's Council on Cross-Cultural Engagement and a board member and resident of the Lucy Stone Cooperative, a newly-formed Unitarian Universalist housing cooperative creating an intentional community and a center for social justice in the Boston area. Matt can be reached at laghalot4@hotmail.com.

This service was put together and conducted by the UTUUC Youth Group of high school students on May 1, 2011. Several readings are offered by Youth Group members followed by personal reflections from bridging seniors Nick Rohm and Sam Simon. Dania Einhorn contributed the introductory music.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield on April 10, 2011.  Rev. Dr. Butterfield is the Director of Faith in Place, an interfaith environmental ministry in Chicago that gives religious people the tools to become better stewards of Creation. Faith in Place congregations work together  to support renewable energy, conserve energy, build markets for local sustainable agriculture and fair trade products, and train the next generation of stewards of the earth through urban agriculture with youth. Rev. Dr. Butterfield is an ordained Unitarian Universalist community minister. She has a D. Min. from Chicago Theological Seminary (2008) with a focus on faith and the environment, an M. Div. from Meadville Lombard Theological School (2000), a J.D. (University of Illinois College of Law (1983), and a B.A. in History (University of Illinois, 1980). Clare can be reached at clare@faithinplace.org.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman on April 3, 2011. Rev. Hallman was the senior minister of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas for 22 years, retiring in 2009. Her congregation grew from 550 to 1,100 members during that time, reflecting the depth and breadth of her ministry in that city. She is currently President of Prairie Group, a Unitarian Universalist ministers' study group in existence for more than 60 years.

Laurel is the author of the video and workbook, "Living by Heart: A Guide to Devotional Practice", using poetry and wisdom literature as broadly based resources for spiritual practice. She has also published "Reaching Deeper", a collection of her sermons.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Brian H. Covell on March 27, 2011. Rev. Covell began his ministry at Third Unitarian Church of Chicago in 2003. In his preaching, Rev. Covell relates the principles of liberal religion to both contemporary social and personal concerns. He believes that as Unitarian Universalism emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of every living being, its congregations should take practical, tangible initiatives to make this principle real in our neighborhoods, cities and world. 

Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Lee Barker. A life-long Unitarian Universalist, Rev. Barker is president and professor of ministry at the Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. He has held pulpits in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and California. Each of his ministries has contributed to a surge in institutional growth, a renewed commitment to social justice and the adoption of a far ranging religious and spiritual vision.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Emily Gage on March 13, 2011. The music for this Sunday's worship services was led by songwriter and choir director Nick Page accompanied by the Unity Temple Choir under the direction of Marty Swisher. Yo can hear Nick's original piece, "We Pray", leading into and following the sermon.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson-Doyle on March 6, 2011. Rev. Dr. Johnson-Doyle has been senior minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockford, Illinois since 2008. He is a third-generation UU focused on the good news of Unitarian Universalism. "This is a religion," he says, "which can save lives and the world. People seek a spiritual path that integrates their whole selves, that inspires awe, that celebrates beauty, and grounds justice. We can offer a vision of the good life and the tools to make it real." Matthew is passionate about welcoming newcomers to church, building strong communities, the preaching life, and working in accountable and effective ways for justice among all creation. He can be reached at 815-398-6322 ext. 14, or minister@uurockford.org.

NOTE: In his sermon, Matthew refers to several pieces of art which you can download as a PDF file and view at http://www.unitytemple.org/pdf/JohnsonDoylePhotos.pdf.