SERMONS
The great affair, the love affair with life,
is to live as variously as possible,
to groom one's curiosity like a high-spirited thoroughbred,
climb aboard and gallop over the thick, sun-struck hills everyday...
It began in mystery, and it will end in mystery,
but what a savage and beautiful country lies in between.
- Diane Ackerman -
Invitation to the Spirit: Entreating the Divine
This sermon is from September 27, 2015. It was the culmination of the monthly theme of "Invitation," during which I preached about community invitations, inviting the authentic self, and finally invitations to the spirit. During the service, Worship Associate Claire Callahan shared a story about being repeatedly bitten by a spider, and how she interpreted that experience as an invitation to examine her life and make some changes. I reference the story in my sermon. You can read the sermon here.
Waiting for Godot: When Renewal Won't Come
This sermon comes from the end of Third Unitarian Church's October 2014 monthly theme "Renewal." After preaching for a month about the value of renewal and how we can achieve it personally and communally, this sermon was a reflection on the reality that sometimes no matter how much we yearn for renewal, it just won't come. The service was held on October 26, the week before Halloween and All Souls Day, and included a ceremony to honor the Beloved Dead of the community. You can read the sermon here.
What's Going On?: Brother, Brother, Brother
I preached this sermon supporting the Black Lives Matter movement on December 7, 2014. It was my first sermon since 13-year-old Tamir Rice was shot and killed by a police officer in Cleveland, Ohio. The service included Ella's Song by Sweet Honey in the Rock, Opening Words by Rosa Parks and Fannie Lou Hamer, What's Going On? by Marvin Gaye, and the UU Litany "Because Our Lives Depend on It." The following Sunday, a quarter of the congregation together attended a Black Lives Matter Rally I helped organize.