Services

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, string ensemble and other individuals and groups of all ages and many different styles. Come celebrate music and the season!

Hanukkah: The Light Still Shines

Why is the ritual of lighting a candle or lamp (or chalice) so powerful? What does this simple act accomplish, and how does it connect us with others? What does it signify for us? We will explore these questions by means of several stories from the Jewish tradition in preparation for Hanukkah, which begins later … Continued

Beauty in Darkness

During this darkest time of the year, we sometimes tend to see only the absence of light rather than the presence of beauty in the darkness itself. What are the gifts of experiencing darkness, and how can we find beauty in dark times?

Thanks, But No Thanks: Freedom and Discipline

This service will explore how freedom is not as much a right as it is a goal and a challenge. During this Thanksgiving holiday, perhaps it is appropriate not to be grateful for freedom but to be thankful for the opportunity to strive for freedom. As William Ellery Channing, one or our UU “saints,” put … Continued

The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith

This service is our opportunity to address our own religious tradition’s history of upholding racism and systems of white supremacy. Together, we can collectively work to dismantle it and amend a long-broken promise to the black lives within our association. The designated offering this Sunday will benefit Black Lives of UU.  

How Is Church Different from a Restaurant?

While churches share some things in common with commercial enterprises, there are also some fundamental differences. What are the similarities and differences and why are they important to us as members of a religious community?  

When Your Head and Heart Disagree

We will be exploring how diversity in religious traditions, and how conflicting ideas within our own minds, can create greater compassion and understanding for people with whom we may disagree. Josh took part in a year-long sermon writing class facilitated by Rev. Jim, and this sermon is a result of that class.  

All Souls Day

In the Christian tradition, All Souls Day has been a time to remember everyone who has died, everyone who has been part of the gathered community. The phrase “All Souls” has a particularly Unitarian connotation because of something that one of our own “saints,” William Ellery Channing, “I am a living member of the great … Continued

Consecration Service

As part of our building dedication weekend, we will consecrate our new sanctuary and consider: What does it mean to make a space sacred? How will we choose to bless this place? And how will we bless the world through this space? In keeping with this theme, Rev. Dr. Lee Barker, President of Meadville Lombard … Continued

Welcoming Congregation Celebration

Last year our congregation renewed our status as a “Welcoming Congregation” with the Unitarian Universalist Association. We are grateful for the work of many in our congregation who engaged in this process. How do we continue to live into our status as a welcoming congregation? Interweave will assist with this service.