Sermons

From An Extractive Age to a New Era – Rev. Kristin G Schmidt

I heard a metaphor yesterday, told by Tripp Fuller, a favorite podcaster of mine. Tripp has three kids, and he lives in the South, so his family invested in a small above-ground pool. Because anyone with kids these days knows that if you want them to get off electronics and do something outside in the…

Tipping Point : Fall Equinox – Bob Geiger

A tipping point is where a small change can have a big impact. Tipping points can be times of danger, but also of opportunity and possibility. Because small changes can lead to a big impact, that means each of us can have a significant role to play in history. This time of year, at the…

Nurturing Wonder for Revolutionary Love – Rev. Kristin G. Schmidt

Along with 67 million other Americans, I tuned into Tuesday night’s presidential debate. In what might have been a questionable parenting decision, I allowed my kids to stay up and watch it with me. While we may not share every detail when they ask us political questions, they hear things in the car with us when we have NPR on and they come home with questions because of things their friends have said. So, we tell them the truth as best we can in age-appropriate ways. 

The Love We Carry – Rev. Caitlin Cotter Coillberg

This summer a big thing happened at our Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregation’s General Assembly- delegates of our far flung congregations had our final vote on whether or not to change article two of our bylaws.

That sounds incredibly boring and dry, maybe. But this is the piece of our bylaws that is our covenant- the piece so many of us have pointed to for decades as the explanation of what defines us Unitarian Universalists.  

Mother Spirit, Father Spirit – Meg Harrelson

Norbert Čapek, author and composer of the hymn today’s service is focused on, was a Czech minister, born and raised Catholic, who found his way to Unitarianism via the Baptist church. He composed the hymn we just sang, “Mother Spirit, Father Spirit.” I am an atheist. I’m sure I’m not the only one in the…

This Is My Song – Rev. Caitlin Cotter Coillberg

This summer our kids are taking on the Olympics in their worship breakout groups- talking about how the themes of the Olympics connect with our UU values, and also our goal of world community, our goal of being where we are and who we are and also appreciating the wider human experience. They’ve been building…

Spirit of Life – Rosanne Douglas

Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea
Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me

There Is More Love Somewhere – Rev. Kristin G. Schmidt

I was appalled when I heard the news that schools in Louisiana are now required to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Along with exasperation and outrage at such a blatantly unconstitutional mandate, it raises a lot of questions. How and why did they choose the particular version of the Ten Commandments each classroom must display? And why waste time and resources on performative religion when they could be used instead to, say, provide free breakfast and lunch to all schoolchildren.