The book of Ecclesiastes famously states that there is “a time to tear down and a time to build up.” Sometimes both must occur simultaneously. In the current era of tearing down democratic processes and social safety nets, it is time to build something new. What are we building together in this congregation, and why … Continued

In the Bible, when Noah built the ark and set out on the journey of a lifetime, what were the promises that were made among those who were on board? In our journey through the stormy seas of life in the 21st century, what are the most important promises we need to make, and how … Continued

According to theologian Timothy Gorringe: “[I]n the face of the present global emergency, ark-building might be the task to which theological ethics leads us.” Building an ark, in this context, does not mean giving up on addressing our current problems and simply floating away. Rather, it means making space “for the flourishing of those who … Continued

Unitarian Universalism is sometimes wrongly described as not having its own theology. Although it’s true that there is a great deal of theological diversity within our congregations, we do have our own unique theology—both historically and contemporarily. This service will provide an overview of Unitarian Universalist theology and why it is important to us and … Continued

In a bygone era, it was assumed that almost everyone would belong to a religious community of one kind or another, but that assumption no longer holds, as more and more people are unchurched.  What are the real benefits of going to church and what does it mean to belong to a church in our … Continued

Langston Hughes wrote a poem with this title in 1935 as a rallying cry for greater freedom and inclusion. 90 years later it has lost none of its power in calling for an as-yet unborn America that makes real the dream of justice and liberty for all. How can we help make this dream a … Continued

Being a part of a non-creedal faith, does not mean that we can believe whatever we want—nor does it mean that we believe nothing at all. Rather, it means that we arrive at our own beliefs and religious identities through what Ralph Waldo Emerson called “life passed through the fire of thought.” In this sermon, … Continued

This service will be a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision affirming marriage equality. Having the right to marry (whether you choose to exercise that right or not) is an important step forward in the long struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights. At a time when many rights are in peril, it … Continued

The image of a flaming chalice, which has its roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition, has been the primary symbol of Unitarianism since the 1940s. This service will explore the meaning and history of this symbol, especially as it relates to the larger mission of Unitarian Universalism in the world.