Rev. Jim Magaw

Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, Justice

For decades, many institutions and organizations—including the church—have emphasized diversity and inclusion as important values. We often talk of celebrating diversity and striving to be more inclusive. But are diversity and inclusion enough? This sermon will explore how an emphasis on diversity and inclusion may sometimes keep us from working for real justice and equity.

Imagine

Many of us have high hopes for 2021, particularly after the many struggles and sorrows that characterized 2020. How might the human imagination fuel and inspire the work that needs to be done in order to fulfill our hopes for this year and for our future?

MLK and the Beloved Community

MLK popularized philosopher Josiah Royce’s concept of “Beloved Community” as “a global vision in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth.” How might this vision inform the work that is before us now?

Why You Can’t Placate Fascists

After this week’s events, it is clear that the social and political divide in our country is no longer between two sets of decent people who happen to have different opinions. Rather, the divide is between those who support democracy and those who do not, between those who value facts and those who do not, … Continued

UU 101: Our History and Our Future

This service will provide an overview of the historic roots and history of Unitarian Universalism and will place our movement in the larger American religious landscape of the 21st century. It will be a good service for people who might be new to UUism and will provide a useful review for others.

Letting Go of 2020

This service will feature a look back at both the challenging and encouraging aspects of this year. We’ll include some highlights from this year’s services as well as a “burning ritual” for letting go of everything we want to let go of from 2020.

Christmas Eve

This service will feature music, reflections, and readings celebrating Christmas, as well as our Christmas Eve candle lighting ritual.

Songs and Stories of the Season

This service will be comprised of holiday­-themed stories as well as music from various Sunnyhill members and friends, including the choir and others. Join us to celebrate music and the season!  

Hanukkah

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

Stillness and the Season

Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, is meant to be a time of quiet expectancy, a time to contemplate mystery and possibility, a time to slow down, a time to make room in our lives for something new to enter and to change us. How do we make room for this spirit of stillness … Continued