Services

Dugout Theologians

In his baseball novel “The Natural,” Bernard Malamud wrote: “We have two lives, Roy, the life we learn with and the life we live with after that. Suffering is what brings us toward happiness.” Whether you agree with this sentiment or not, there’s no doubt that baseball fans tend to be philosophical. This sermon will … Continued

Guest Speaker Sermon

Erin Nath, a recent graduate of Rev. Jim’s sermon writing class will be the morning speaker. Details and a title will be posted soon.

Flower Service

We will celebrate the flower ritual, which was created by Norbert Capek, the founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia, and which honors the beauty and uniqueness of each individual and the bouquet we create by joining together with one another to create communities of justice and compassion.

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Most of us have experienced moments in our lives when we are caught off-guard by something big for which we were not prepared. In fact, over the past few years, some of us have experienced many such moments. This sermon will offer some suggestions about what to do when you don’t know what to do.

The Voyage of Discovery

A reflection on how our lives are shaped by the surprises we never asked for — the wounds, the wonders, and the strange gifts along the way. Through story, science, and the poetry of Naomi Shihab Nye, Will invites us to see our journeys with new eyes.

Patriotism vs. Nationalism

In recent decades, we have seen the rise of a new “religious” nationalism that presents itself in the guise of a particular brand of “patriotism.” As members of a liberal religious community, we are guided by values that transcend national interests, so it is important to examine the difference between true patriotism (a noble virtue) … Continued

John 3:16 Revisited

In recent decades, John 3:16 has become perhaps the most famous (or infamous) verse in the Bible, and has served as shorthand for a fundamentalist understanding of Christianity. But there are other ways of reading this Bible passage that might lead to a more expansive understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus.

The Summer Day

If contemporary Unitarian Universalism were to have its own Book of Common Prayer, it would almost certainly include some of the poems of Mary Oliver. This service will explore why one of Oliver’s poems, “The Summer Day,” is especially powerful and relevant.

Transformation, Interdependence, and Justice

The Sunnyhill High School Youth Group will discuss the Unitarian Universalist Values that they connect with the most during their time together. We will also celebrate Bridging, which honors our high school seniors as they move into their next chapter of life.

First Contact

For generations, humanity has been fascinated with the question “Are we alone in the universe?” This fascination has recently been further piqued with the release of government files related to possible extraterrestrial life. In this service,we’ll explore how humanity might change philosophically, existentially, and/or theologically in the event of first contact.