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.
Sermon delivered by Rev. John Bueherns on Febrary 27, 2011. John Buehrens served as President of the Unitarian Universalist Association from 1993 to 2001. He is the author of Understanding the Bible: An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals; and co-author (with Forrest Church) of A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism and (with Rebecca Parker) of A House for Hope: The Promise of Progressive Religion in the 21st Century. His latest book, Universalists and Unitarians in America: A People's History, will be published in April. Minister of First Parish in Needham, Massachusetts, since 2002, he is a member of the adjunct faculty at Harvard Divinity School, a trustee of Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and national co-chair of Freedom to Marry (www.freedomtomarry.org). John can be reached at revbuehrens@uuneedham.org.
Sermon delivered by Scott Talbot Lewis on February 20, 2011. Scott is the Consulting Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rock Valley in Rockton, IL. He will also be serving the Unity Temple congregation as the Minister for Pastoral Care while Rev. Alan Taylor in on sabbatical. Scott earned a Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School and was fellowshipped by the Unitarian Universalist Association in 2009. Prior to seminary Scott was a Children’s Services Librarian for 16 years in Columbus, OH. He served on the 2001 Caldecott Medal committee and was a children’s book reviewer for the Columbus Dispatch. He can be reached at scott@scottandtony.com.
Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield on February 13, 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. Emily Gage, Minister of Faith Development, on February 6, 2011. The sermon is preceded by thoughts shared about heroes by long-time members Charlotte and Ralph Lee.
Sermon delivered by Rev. Emily Gage, Minister of Faith Development, on January 30, 2011.
Sermon delivered by Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed on January 23, 2011. Mark Morrison-Reed grew up in Chicago where his family attended the First Unitarian Society and he sang in the Chicago Children's Choir. He co-ministered with his wife Donna for 26 years in Rochester N.Y. and Toronto, Ontario. While serving the latter congregation he was also president of the Canadian Unitarian Council. He's currently an affiliated faculty member at the Meadville Lombard Theological School. A historian of the African American experience in UUism, his new book, Darkening the Doorways: Black Trailblazers and Missed Opportunities in Unitarian Universalism, is due out in April.
Sermon delivered by Rev. David Owen-O'Quill on January 16, 2011. David Owen-O'Quill was raised and lived in the Pacific Northwest. He received a doctorate with honors from Meadville Lombard Theological School and spent six years leading a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Corpus Christi, Texas. He started Micah's Porch Community Church in Chicago to reach the unchurched urban population. Rev. Owen-O'Quill believes the real purpose of church is about joining with others to change your world. He is married to Jennifer and has one child, Daniel.
Sermon delivered by Rev. Emily Gage, Minister of Faith Development on January 9, 2011.