The Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring
Sermon Archives
There are transcripts available to read for most sermons. To access the transcript, select the linked sermon title; to listen to a sermon, click on the 
link near the sermon title.
Click here for access to sermons from other years.
2010
August 15, 2010
Transitions: Two Steps Forward, One Step back
Carol Thomas Cissel
How do you handle life's transitions? What happens when the pathway in front of you splits and offers a new direction? Are you open to the wonder of fresh possibilities and revolutionary change? On August 15, UUCSS member Carol Cissel will riff on mid-life transitions, following your heart, asking for support and embracing the opportunity that change often brings. Carol is a new seminarian at Wesley Theological Seminary. She lives in Berwyn Heights, MD, has three adult children and one demanding (but loveable) cock-a-poo pup named Max.
August 8, 2010
Earth-Centered Spirituality: The Contemplative Mind
Stephanie Hall
CUUPS forms one of the largest umbrella groups for Earth-centered spirituality in the US. Like all other Unitarian Universalists, those that identify themselves as part of Pagan or Earth-centered spirituality are diverse. There are manydifferent spiritual paths among Earth-centered people. Often these people have more than one religious affiliation: they are UU and they are members of one or more other spiritual groups. Beliefs often vary widely among individuals evenwithin these groups. One common theme, however, is that Earth-centered spiritual practice is strongly experiential. This talk will focus on a central part of these experiential spiritualities: the ways that different states of thecontemplative mind, from meditation to trance, are being explored by groups within this spiritual movement. Some history of attitudes towards contemplative states and what science is now teaching us about them will also be discussedas a way of coming to a better understanding of these spiritual practices that are simultaneously ancient and modern.
August 1, 2010
The Sacramental Life
John Monroe
Experiences of grace and wonder are real gifts. But the world's great religious traditions also recognize that we can foster an openness to these gifts through spiritual discipline, whether it's the Christian Eucharist or the Buddhist mindfulness exercises. How can we make spiritual practices a vital part of our own spiritual journeys? John Monroe is a mid-life student at Wesley Theological Seminary and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax.
July 25, 2010
Who'll be a Witness?
Madelyn Campbell
What does it mean to be a witness? The ninth commandment tells us not to bearfalse witness against our neighbor, but it leaves open how we are to hold ourselves as witnesses. Is it enough to remain silent, or must we stand up and speak out?What are we called upon to do as SB 1070 goes into effect in Arizona and statesaround the country consider similar laws? On July 25th we will explore how lawsof intimidation call us to respond as a community of faith. Who'll be a witness?Madelyn Campbell is a seminarian at Wesley Theological Seminary and a memberof the UU Church of Arlington. She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband,several of their ten children, two cats, and a dog.
July 18, 2010
Diversity: The Fear Factor?
The Wednesday Night Inreach Group
We're good UU's. We're progressive. We have a Diversity Team. But some of usare still afraid of what racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity would mean. What are we afraid of? Are we worrying needlessly? Any UUCSSers who'd like to have their thoughts on the fear of diversity included in our discussion are invited to consult the Jun 23rd posting to the UUCSS yahoo group on how to share them with us (in advance).
July 11, 2010
Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God
Rob Keithan
Let's face it: Sin happens. Humans are flawed beings. But love happens too. Is sin inescapable? Is salvation possible? Rob Keithan is a social justice organizer,lifelong Unitarian Universalist, and candidate for UU ministry. He recently completed 11 years of service in the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Washington Office, where he worked to change United States policy and culture on issues of concern to the Association, and to support effective, congregation-based action for justice. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Studies from American University and is currently pursuing a Master's of Divinity degree at Wesley Theological Seminary. Rob and his wife Mandy, a former Director of Religious Education at UUCSS, are members of All Souls Church and live in northeast Washington, DC.
July 4, 2010
Community as Cosmos
David Shaw
David Shaw reviews the ancient Hebrew cosmos and the Greek cosmos. He reviews the fall of the ancient cosmose and concludes that the universe-cosmos is over. He then suggests a new candidate for cosmos.
June 27, 2010
UUCSS Poetry Service
Katherine Howell
Local DC poet Katherine Howell will be leading our annual poetry service: a time for reading and sharing of the poetry of our voices and those of others. Please bring a poem of your own or of your favorite poet. Katherine is a lecturer inwriting at George Washington University and an organizer for DC's bi-annual Split this Rock poetry festival of provocation and witness.
June 20, 2010
Honor Our Fathers
Erik Leaver
When originally proposed, Father's Day was seen as little more than a joke and anopportunity for commercial retailers. When the holiday was formalized in the1970s it coincided with the rise of men's liberation movements, making it moreacceptable for men to be open about their emotions and their roles in family life.Forty years later, how do we look at our fathers? What roles and influences do they bring to our lives? UUCSS member Erik Leaver will get out of bed early onFather's Day to ask these questions of us and celebrate being a father.
June 13, 2010
Hope for the Flowers
Rev. Ellen Jennings
We'll celebrate our annual Flower Communion service by sharing an audio-visualversion of the 1970s parable, Hope for the Flowers, along with fabulous musicfrom both our House Band and Choir, intertwined with Norbert Capek's story ofthe very first flower communion, celebrated in what was then Czechoslovakia inJune 1923. This is a service for all ages, and we invite each person to bring aflower to share as part of the communion.
June 6, 2010
Take Joy!
Rev. Diane Teichert
Rev. Diane Teichert is originally from Long Island, NY and has lived in Baltimore, Atlanta, and the Boston area since graduating from The College of Wooster in Ohio in1974. For the fifteen years prior to entering Harvard DivinitySchool in preparation for UU parish ministry, she was a labor and community organizer in those cities. Her passion for social justice has been a theme in her ministries in Weymouth, Canton, and Bedford (Massachusetts) and now as the settled minister of Paint Branch UU Church in Adelphi MD.
May 30, 2010
A Service on Clara Barton
Rev. Lillie Mae Henley
Rev. Lillie Mae Henley from the Universalist National Memorial Church (UNMC), our "mother church," will be preaching on "Clara Barton" the Real Clara Barton: Universalist Extraordinaire." She will share with us her reading and research on the woman who chose to risk her life on the battlefields of the Civil War before women were really allowed to be on the battlefield. She, unlike Dorothea Dix, who was a real nurse, nursed the men with more than medicine. Rev. Henley is a 1998 graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School and is in her fourth year at UNMC.
May 23, 2010
Circle of Life
Rev. Ellen Jennings
From saying farewell to loved ones, to welcoming new babies and new members,to challenging ourselves in the midst of our busy lives to stay true to our principles and values, to celebrating and releasing our young adults as they move on to the next stages of their lives... our congregation is a circle of life and love and loss and learning. In today's intergenerational service, we'll celebrate this amazing dance around the circle!
May 16, 2010
With All Our Lives
Rev. Robert Hardies
Many of us long to give our whole lives in loving service to something larger thanourselves. But one of the keys to greater service is greater acceptance of all that weare. Only when we receive all of life as a gift, can we give our whole lives as agift. The Reverend Robert M. Hardies is a senior minister of All Souls Church,Unitarian in Washington, DC, an historic, diverse congregation in the heart of thenation's capital. In Washington, Rev. Hardies is also a leader in the WashingtonInterfaith Network, a coalition of 40 congregations building power to create socialchange in the city. He is a board member of Clinica del Pueblo, a non-profit healthclinic serving DC's Latino community, and, from 2001 to 2003, he served on DCMayor Anthony Williams' Interfaith Advisory Board. In 2009, Rev. Hardies cofoundedand co-chaired DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality, a coalition ofnearly 200 DC clergy of many races and faiths who supported gay marriage, andhe was a leader in the struggle for marriage equality in the nation's capital.
May 9, 2010
Can Science and Spirit Co-Exist?
Bob Hirshon, UUCSS member
In this edition of his annual sermon, Bob looks at how the latest research in neurobiology affects our concept of the spirit--the ghost in our biological machine. And if the idea of the spirit becomes obsolete, what happens to spirituality? Can you have one without the other? And what does any of this have to do with Mother's Day? Today's sermon topic comes to us courtesy of William Hartung, winner of the sermon in this year's church auction.
May 2, 2010
Blessing of the Animals
Rev. Ellen Jennings
Bring your dog, cat, hamster, parrot, turtle, fish-- any beloved pet for our annual service dedicated to our animal companions.
April 25, 2010
YRUU Service
YRUU Youth
The YRUU Social Justice focus this year has been on Domestic Violence, and the youth will lead a service on this important topic and how it impacts our friends,families, and community. Join us for this annual teen-led worship tradition; it's always a treat!
April 18, 2010
21st Century Abundance: Doing With Less
Rev. Lynn Strauss
How is the current economic crisis affecting your family? What is a theology of abundance and how can we live without anxiety in the face of cut-backs and job insecurity? Come and consider how "Enough can be a Feast."
April 11, 2010
Together We Are Strong
Rev. Patrick O'Neill and Rev. Ellen Jennings
We are blessed when we have sacred spaces in our lives, "stopping places" where we can meet, discover, and understand one another in love. For us, UUCSS is just such a place, and this Sunday we'll celebrate our church with a sermon given by Rev. Patrick O'Neill, Rev. Liz's "favorite UU preacher!" We'll also hear testimonials from several congregation members, who will inspire us to make generous contributions in support of the shared commitments and joyful aspirations of our wonderful community.
April 4, 2010
Hidden Treasure
Rev. Ellen Jennings
Join us for a celebratory and intergenerational Easter Service that focuses on hidden treasure and the awakening of that sometimes dormant part of ourselves which both inspires and sustains us. Parable, story and song will interweave with an appearance from one of nature's ordinary miracles to create a service designed to wake us up and open our eyes, especially if we've been experiencing a winter of spiritual sleep!
March 28, 2010
A Republican, a Democrat and a Unitarian Universalist Walk into a Bar Together-- No Joke
Eric Kelderman
Unitarian Universalists pledge their commitment to all kinds of diversity. But does that commitment extend to the unavoidable reality, and frankly, necessity of political diversity? A member of UUCSS and Rev. Liz's Sabbatical Committee, Eric Kelderman spends his days as a staff reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education and has covered state politics nationally for Stateline.org.
March 21, 2010
African Traditions Intergenerational Service
Rev. Ellen Jennings and Nana Frimpong
Nana Frimpong (West African musician) will return to UUCSS for anuplifting Intergenerational Service that celebrates the conclusion of this year's RE theme for children and youth: We Are Unitarian Universalists Exploring... Other World Religions and Traditions. Nana will be joined by the UUCSS Children's Choir as he invites the entire congregation to participate in a variety of traditional West African songs and stories. Come prepared to stomp and sing!
March 14, 2010
Love is Justice With Legs
Rev. John T. Crestwell
It's not enough to wish for change. Sometimes we have to choose a side,take a stand and make a decision. Liberal religion requires that we be patient and open to others, but there are times when we must stand on theside of love and take action in the name of love. Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.is the Associate Minister of the UU Church of Annapolis, and Director of Outreach for the UU Legislative Ministry of Maryland.
March 7, 2010
Coming of Age Sermon
2010 Coming of Age Class
Please join our UUCSS 9th graders as they celebrate and complete theiryear-long Coming of Age Journey. This year's Coming of Age theme hasbeen Faith Into Action (what do I care about and what am I going to doabout it?), and it has led the youth on their own "free and responsible searchfor meaning." In this ceremony, the youth will share their credos (personalstatements of belief), special songs, readings, and unique perspective ontheir place in the UU (and wider) world. The adult congregation (andYRUU teens) will then welcome them into their new roles andresponsibilities as emerging adults within the UUCSS community.
February 28, 2010
To Be Announced
Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay
What to preach on the last Sunday before lengthy time away? It needs to be right, and a month is too long out to know where the heart will be--at least in this case. Topic will be, guaranteed, heartfelt--but that's not new--other than that, it's anyone's guess. Please join for song, reflection, and worship as your parish minister leads her final service of this church year. The only guarantee: See you in September will NOT be sung!
February 21, 2010
Consider Creation
Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay
Even religious liberals often use the word 'creation' when speaking of the world and all that exists in it, not to mention our galaxy, other galaxies and the universe. Continuing debate about creationism, intelligent design, evolution and science have made all these terms loaded and laden. Our service this morning will look at where the word creation can lie within a liberal religious framework and some surprising religious relationships that might exist between ourselves and the intelligent design folks - if we can stand it!
February 14, 2010
Standing on the Side of Love
Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay
It's Valentine's Day, and our country is locked in a struggle to define love and marriage. Our faith and our own congregation stand firmly on the side of marriage equality. In fact, this is a day that UU congregations across the country are dedicating to standing on the side of love in terms of marriage equality. What makes this a faith issue as well as a justice issue? Our sermon this morning will examine the faith side of the right of all people, regardless of sexual orientation, to marry. Please note, this is a great Sunday to bring friends, family or neighbors interested in this issue or in UU'ism or just because, with a rousing topic and music to match.
February 7, 2010
Not Black, Not White, But Green
David Miley, UUCSS Member
So much of our national and personal life is defined in terms of combat with the forces of right and left calling us to the barricades. It is important to use compact fluorescents and fight for important legislation, but good intent and well fought wars do not bring us to the spiritual respect for the web and do not transform our inner lives. This service is about the spiritual greening of ourselves and eventually of the world.
January 31, 2010
Services Cancelled Due to Snow
January 24, 2010
Sabbatical Sunday
Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay
A month from this day will be the last Sunday that Rev. Liz will be in the pulpit before her sabbatical. She will start her sabbatical on March 1 and return to UUCSS on September 1. Our service this morning will examine the meanings: Historical, spiritual, and congregational, of a sabbatical, as well as considering what this sabbatical period can mean for our congregation.
January 17, 2010
To Infinity and Beyond
Gus Vandermeeren
The Universe is immense. Anything of immense size, beauty, or complexity engenders a sense of awe and a spiritual sense of reverence. Take time in this service to experience the infinite, the awesome--it is important. Gus Vandermeeren is a member at Sugarloaf Congregation of Unitarian Universalists. He is a 51 year old father of two college girls. A lover of nature and people, he has an optimistic nature and feels that the best years of his life are now.
January 10, 2010
Perfect is not a UU Word
Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay
Perfect, and Perfection are words that frequently come up in religious texts and references, from many faiths and many parts of the world, including a number that are closely wound into the fabric of Unitarian Universalism. But when we look at some of those instances, we see that some of them don't fit our UU values. For instance, that kind of perfection is often adjudged according to exterior standards and hierarchies. So what then is our kind of perfection - in terms of our faith, what are we aiming for? What's our version of perfection?
January 3, 2010
Miracle Sunday: The Gift of Giving
Revs. Liz Lerner Maclay and Ellen Jennings with Music Director Michael Holmes UUCSS Holiday Orchestra, Sanctuary Singers and House Band
There are many ways to give, and receive, and that experience of giving and getting feeds the soul and enriches life when it's done right. This theme matters especially this Sunday because this morning is designated for funding our congregation's property, creating a significant, designated reserve fund that will be spent only on major repairs and renovations to keep our space comfortable, welcoming and gentle on the environment. Our goal is over $100K, as established at our annual meeting last June. For such a special and important morning, we're pulling out all the stops, including music from the UUCSS holiday orchestra, Sanctuary Singers and House Band, along with performance and reflections for children and adults on the power of giving, and what we get when we give.