This sermon reflects on three important aspects of a relationship that can help someone transform their life – control, respect, and trust. While they are directly applicable when you are sitting on the steps with someone who doesn’t have a home, they also apply when … read more.
Belonging is a core human need. It is a need found in all the social mammals including bonobos, chimpanzees, and humans. This will be an exploration of the warm and wonderful process of belonging from our primate ancestors to the DNA in our congregation.
You can live your life without a vision. It’s a life, but there isn’t any cayenne pepper in that soup. And, there is the question, is the world a better place because you are here? A life lived with a vision wakes you up early and yanks you out of bed. It helps you live out your deepest aspirations, it imprints your values into your daily actions and serves as your moral compass. That’s what we will be talking about in this sermon.
Where did we come from and where are we going? Unitarianism and Universalism both have impacted the world for hundreds of years. This sermon will look at our origins, our impact on the world and our role in what at times appears to be a frightening future. It will explore how to live UU principles as a noun rather than as an adjective.
Mise en place is a French culinary term for putting things in place. It is the idea of getting everything in order before you begin to cook. Mise en place can begin weeks before a meal is served. Mise en place is also a philosophy that can be applied to getting life in order. This sermon will explore that deeper mise en place for each of us – how we make sure everything is in order and in place inside us so that we are ready and able to deal with all that life brings to our kitchen.
Most people run into times when the obstacles of life seem insurmountable. Sometimes hope is gone. Sometimes life just seems to be getting worse. Sometimes, lemons are just lemons and there is no lemonade. This sermon will reflect on how people live life with grit and perseverance.
Intention is the “So What” of life.
“I just heard a great talk about water pollution in Pierce County, so what am I going to do now?”
“My elderly neighbor can no longer mow her lawn – so what am I going to do now?”
“I am clear about my beliefs and values, so what am I going to do to apply them to daily life?”
This sermon will explore several Unitarian Universalists who have been intentional about their lives and had a significant impact on their communities. It will also explore Benjamin Franklin’s and your own spiritual practice to develop virtues that lay the foundation for living an intentional life.
The world seems a bit crazy and scary right now. the impulse is to retreat or to respond in-kind. However, what is really needed right now (and always) is kindness.
From the time I was a little Methodist boy, I have wondered about “Faith”.It is the confluence of genetics, life stages, family life, and enlightening conversations – and more.This Sunday will give you grist for your own reflections on your own “Faith”.
