Music of the Season
This service will be comprised of holiday-themed music from various Sunnyhill members and friends, including the choir and other individuals and groups of all ages and many different styles. Come celebrate music and the season!
Services
Hanukkah
Religious freedom and political resistance are major themes in the story of Hanukkah and the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire. In this service we will explore how and why these themes are just as relevant now as they have ever been.
Into the Mystery
While we might like to think that everything that happens is somehow logical and understandable, the truth is that all of existence is shrouded in mystery. Carl Sagan said, “The universe will always be much richer than our ability to understand it.” How do we lean into, and learn from, a sense of the mystery … Continued
You Are Not Alone
Drawing on the work of the transcendentalists and, more recently, Ursula Goodenough, this sermon will address issues of angst, anxiety, loneliness and hopelessness by focusing on the spiritual sense of being part of something larger than ourselves. What do natural theology and nontheist faith have to offer in response to these issues?
Prayer of Thanksgiving
The great Christian mystic famously said, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” Of the various kinds of prayers, prayers of thanksgiving might be the most powerful. How do we practice giving thanks, even in challenging times?
The Prophetic Imperative
We live in an era that screams out for prophets—people who not only expose the evils of society but also offer a vision of hope and healing. How do we embody the prophetic vision and prophetic voice right now, right here?
Diwali
Sunnyhill member Chetan Chothani will lead a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu “festival of lights” which takes place each fall. This holiday celebrates the victory of light over darkness and hope over despair.
All Souls
In the Christian tradition, All Souls Day has been a time to remember everyone who has died, everyone who has been part of the gathered community. The phrase “All Souls” has a particularly Unitarian connotation because of something that one of our own “saints,” William Ellery Channing, said: “I am a living member of the … Continued
Something About Rivers
Rivers–especially the confluence of two or more rivers–can provide rich metaphors for life and living, especially at a time when factionalism and violence are on the rise. How can we live in this place of coming together rather than coming apart?
Accidental Generosity (Services at 9 and 11:15am)
Acts of generosity–even those that are incidental or accidental–can trigger a chain reaction of unselfishness that reaches far beyond the original act. How can we harness the power of viral generosity to build a more just and compassionate community, within and beyond our walls?