Services

Integrity and Oppression

At a recent UU General Assembly, Cornel West challenged us to answer four questions originally posed by W.E.B. DuBois, the first of which was “How Shall Integrity Face Oppression?” Each of us strives to live a life of integrity. How can we be true to ourselves in the face of systemic oppression and injustice?

Theology of ‘Frozen’

The animated film “Frozen” and its sequel raise some interesting theological issues, including individual autonomy versus belonging in community, love and fear, and betrayal and forgiveness, among others. This sermon will explore these themes and how they relate to our own life and times.

I Let Go — Now What?!

This service will invite you to explore the often neglected and sometimes super-scary flip side of letting go . . . starting over. Just in time for the New Year — and new you! Shane Freeman is a graduate of Rev. Jim’s sermon writing class and a member and leader of the Beaver County UUs.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services (5 and 7 p.m.)

These services will feature music, reflections, and readings celebrating Christmas. The 5 p.m. service will be inter-generational, featuring many of our children and youth, and the 7 p.m. service will be more contemplative in nature. Both services will include our candle lighting ritual.

Hanukkah

Religious freedom and political resistance are major themes in the story of Hanukkah and the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire. In this service we will explore how and why these themes are just as relevant now as they have ever been.

The Longest Night

The holidays are not always as cheerful as we might pretend. In fact, this time of year often brings painful memories and a profound sense of loss. This special service is for anyone who is struggling during this holiday season. Nursery care and children’s activities will be provided.

Music of the Season

This service will be comprised of holiday­-themed music from various Sunnyhill members and friends, including the choir, children’s choir, and other individuals and groups of all ages and many different styles. Come celebrate music and the season!

Pregnant Questioning

In our hyper-busy lives, we rarely take the time simply to listen, wait, and seek in silence. Letting go of our cherished explanations and certainties can allow space for deep discernment through a process of experiencing awe and expectant questioning

Faith and Generosity

On a holiday of generosity, we will explore an ancient term that sounds seriously clumsy today. Faith is a very useful term sketching out the form of religion in modern society. This sermon will draw out a sense of faith in modern terms.  Another old concept, grace, shows up in the transition from Thanksgiving to … Continued

Gratitude and Longing

One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is to fully experience gratitude and longing. As David Steindl-Rast said, gratitude is “the inner gesture of giving meaning to our life by receiving life as gift.” And longing enables us to identify those aspects of our lives that might need attention. Both are important.