Services

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.

Trusting the Call

In our current era, it is easy to lose our way amidst the sometimes overwhelming and painful chaos and confusion in our world. It is important in times like these to remember what we are called to do and the place where the world’s needs and our passions intersect.

Life is All about the Journey

This sermon presents a spiritual journey over 70 years involving a search for a spiritual community that provides support, reflection, questions and challenges. This reflection provides an opportunity to consider, “Why am I at Sunnyhill?”

Flower Celebration

Everyone, please bring a cut flower or flowers with you this morning to share with others. We will celebrate this ritual, which was initiated 100 years ago by Norbert Capek, the founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia, and honors the beauty and individuality of each individual and the bouquet we create by joining together with … Continued

Patriotism

In recent decades, we have seen the rise of a new “religious” nationalism that presents itself in the guise of particular brand of “patriotism.” As members of a 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) and nationalism … Continued

UUA General Assembly Worship (Convention Center)

No services will be held at Sunnyhill on this date, but we encourage everyone to attend the UUA General Assembly worship service at 11:00 a.m. on June 25, at the Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, free and open to the public. More information at: https://whova.com/embedded/session/PISMDKNnhGA9toqRIoSZAGFswTnlfNTyrOGv9YhLnSM%3D/2979447/:

Put Love at the Center

Sunnyhill member (and former board president) Josh Broaded will explore Unitarian Universalists values, and the role that love plays in drawing together different people and ideas.

PRIDE

Being a “welcoming congregation” is not merely an academic exercise or just a nice thing to do. Welcoming our LGBTQIA+ siblings is a life-affirming and potentially life-saving act. In this service we will examine what we can do to work for justice for LGBTQ people while becoming a more fully inclusive and welcoming congregation.

Bridging

This is the time of year when graduations, commencements, and other transitions are celebrated. What does it mean to bridge from what has been to what shall be? Why is it important to commemorate such occasions? And what can be learned from occupying these liminal “in between” spaces? This service will include a bridging ceremony … Continued

Memorializing and Moralizing

National holidays in America have largely become occasions for shopping mall sales, sporting events and backyard barbecues. Many of these holidays have also become celebrations of materialism and militarism–and a good bit of narrow moralizing around these themes. How might we honor these holidays while resisting their less savory aspects?