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Sermons
I write sermons for a community and a specific context. Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout taught to consider who the congregation is, who I am, and what the congregation needs to hear. I use this for sermons, and also as a ministerial practice.
I believe a sermon or message should support connecting thought, emotion, and spirit. Our worship should be a woven tapestry of voices from the congregation. At our best, we become a religious and spiritual community that seeks justice and learns together.
"Do Hope, Live Gratitude"
A reflection on the book "Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in without Going Crazy" by Joanna Macy, Chris Johnstone. In the service two of the practices from the book are offered to the congregation.
There is a website with additional information at activehope.info
"What We Nurture Creativity and Covenant"
This message shows the weaving of pieces throughout a service. The Story for all Ages - "What Do You Do With an Idea" by Kobi Yamada
"The Creative Spark: How Imagination Made Humans Exceptional" by Agustín Fuentes
"Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon
"Through Line 200 Years of the Berry Street Essay" edited by Rev. Kate R. Walker
"Transformative Love"
A reflection informed by the book "Fierce Love" by Reverend Dr. Jacqui Lewis centering Transformative Love from around the world and how loving ourselves is essential to truly loving our neighbor. The Story for all Ages was an excerpt of "Love Is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement" by Sarah Neil Wallace. A weaving of Umbuntu and Tikkun olam supporting justice and the development of our full humanity.
"Living for Seven Generations through the Triple Bottom Line"
A reflection informed by the book "The Parent Trap: How to Stop Overloading Parents and Fix Our Inequality Crisis" by Nate G. Hilger. This message honors all that we ask of parents, how that has, and is changing, and the connections to social justice. It concludes with the connection to our UU values and a call to vote.
"Light in the Darkness and the Darkness in the Light"
This message was given during Hanukah and in the service we did a ceremonial menorah lighting informed by the UUA guidance. During the message, I reference the Story for All Ages - Selwe by Lupita Nyong'o and one of my favorite artists, Mikael Owunna and the Infinite Essence series.
"New Beginnings: Becoming and Renewal"
Given on January 1, 2023 informed by the book "Trusting Change" by Reverend Karen Harding. The message highlights the dynamic flow from what is to what is emerging/becoming and highlights the gifts of the community.
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